Approach

BAFT-IFSA is the premier global financial services association formed by the merger of the Bankers’ Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT) and the International Financial Services Association (IFSA). It provides advocacy, education and community-building opportunities for financial services institutions and suppliers around the globe. BAFT-IFSA is the leading forum for analysis, discussion and action among international financial professionals and industry suppliers on a wide range of topics affecting transaction banking, including trade finance, payments, compliance, and asset servicing.

Membership in BAFT-IFSA—and participation on its Regional Councils around the world and committees—enables institutions and industry suppliers to advance their mission, best practices and advocacy initiatives through a single, powerful representative body. A fusion of global perspectives and regional insights enables BAFT-IFSA to speak with one voice for the international banking community.

BAFT-IFSA membership is as important as membership in the local and regional associations whose role BAFT-IFSA complements in the industry’s interface with regulators, suppliers, utilities and key stakeholders around the world.

BAFT-IFSA speaks for all its members, regardless of size and domicile. Its integrity and professionalism make it one of the most respected global membership bodies in the financial services industry. BAFT-IFSA membership bestows benefits and opportunities which are key to the profitable, safe and ethical conduct of the commercial banking industry’s business at home, regionally and across the world.

Role

BAFT-IFSA plays a unique part in expanding markets, shaping regulatory and legislative policies, developing business solutions and preserving the safety and soundness of the global financial system. In addition to its regulatory and legislative representation on regional and global initiatives, BAFT-IFSA presents a coordinated industry voice before multilateral agencies, export credit agencies and governments, and collaborates closely on initiatives with other industry bodies and trade associations.

As the united voice and consensus builder for the industry, BAFT-IFSA strives continually to:

• develop international standards such as the “Master Participation Agreement” for trade risk
• facilitate private sector solutions to regulatory challenges, such as the Bankers’ Almanac Due Diligence Repository for Know Your Customer purposes
• advocate anti-protectionist policies affecting financial services
• support the “national treatment” of financial firms in the markets where they do business
• promote the harmonization of financial services regulation and supervision between countries
• coordinate with private and public sector stakeholders to ensure that governments, multilateral agencies, and leading policymakers around the globe have substantive feedback and reliable data on market dislocations and industry trends

Membership and Benefits

BAFT-IFSA members include internationally active financial institutions, represented by top banking executives and operations technology experts responsible for financial institutions, global transaction banking, trade payments, risk management and compliance. Suppliers of important systems and services to the global financial community also enjoy membership in BAFT-IFSA.

BAFT-IFSA members benefit from exclusive educational and networking opportunities

and resources designed to communicate industry issues, offer access to industry leaders and promote professional development.

Global networking and peer-to-peer relationship building

Throughout the year, BAFT-IFSA presents formal and informal gatherings for members to hear from leading industry experts, meet peers and exchange views on current issues and best practices across regions. These include the Annual Meeting, Global Payments Symposium, the Risk and Regulatory Symposium, Trade Services Symposium and the Annual Conference on International Trade, as well as Regional Councils, forums, global summits on the trade finance crisis and business line and operations/technology committees.

Invaluable informational resources.

In addition to the information and education available through BAFTIFSA conferences, forums and committees, members enjoy access to compliance resources, issue-focused webinars and conference calls, e-mail bulletins, monthly updates, quarterly newsletters and our Web site.

Insights and access to global markets through Regional Councils

Our Regional Councils, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America, as well as the growing interest in a Middle East/North Africa Council, offer an immediate connection to regional counterparts and a localized source of expertise in global markets around the world.