About Us
The International Trade and Forfaiting Association, ITFA, previously known as IFA, is the worldwide trade association for companies, financial institutions and intermediaries engaged in trade and forfaiting.
Founded in 1999, and with members all over the world, the ITFA brings together banks and financial institutions who are engaged in originating and distributing trade related risk and finding creative ways to mitigate risks. Expanding from its original focus on the purchase and discounting of simple but robust payment instruments, such as negotiable instruments and letters of credit, the forfaiting industry has embraced new instruments and created new structures to become a prominent part of supply chain finance. The ITFA acts as a valuable forum for its members to interact and transact business together profitably and safely.
The ITFA welcomes new members. Full details of the benefits of membership can be found on the benefits of membership page. This includes those of associate membership for organisations that do not carry out forfaiting, but wish to retain a strong link to the trade and forfaiting community.
Mission Statement
The vocation of the ITFA is to be the leading international association for banks and financial institutions involved in cross-border trade and forfaiting. The ITFA working with, and for, its members will:
- facilitate the expansion of trade and forfaiting in the emerging markets
- continuously improve governance and best practice and shape rules, laws and documentation that affect its members and the industry
- provide unique opportunities for marketing and networking
- disseminate knowledge and education particularly to younger individuals and new entrants to the market
- co-operate with partner associations across the trade finance spectrum to promote the interests of its members and their treatment by regulators and legislators
- define current and emerging challenges and build solutions in a spirit of global citizenship