International Business Outlook

With tepid domestic consumer spending foreshadowing a slow recovery at home, many businesses’ best growth opportunities may be abroad.

Despite the financial crisis, a tight credit market and a decrease in trade volumes, the economies of several emerging markets are still growing at an enviable pace. These include China and India.

The right bank can position import / export companies to capitalize on these opportunities and beat their competitors to market. To get a jump on the competition, it is essential for businesses to start these preparations now.

Banking with a financial institution that is safe, sound and trustworthy is critical for a business to succeed – never more so than in the current environment. The right bank will maintain a close and stable relationship with a business and be there to support it in the years to come:

• Providing high-quality credit facilities, including letters of credit and export finance assistance, even as other banks are tightening their lending across the value chain.
• Helping a business evaluate and manage risks associated with payment, credit, currency and even political events.
• Spotting less-than-obvious opportunities and positioning the business to act on them before competitors can.

A business should ask its bank:

• Can you help me finance my trade?
• How will I be protected during the supply chain cycle?
• What do you provide that other banks don’t?

One of the country’s most trustworthy banks, City National Bank, has a tradition of helping entrepreneurs reach their full potential. Known for its depth of expertise, it represents the gold standard in proactive, high-service “relationship banking.”

In addition to traditional international products and services, City National offers:

• An industry-leading export financing program through a strong relationship with the US Ex-Im Bank and the Department of Commerce to make clients’ products more attractive to foreign buyers.
• An expert team to help make doing business internationally less daunting with sophisticated risk-management – whether currency, country, industry, or counterparty credit.
• A developed network of select top-tier correspondent banks around the globe, especially in critical and high-growth international markets such as the Greater China region, to spearhead and facilitate entry into attractive markets.
• Strong contacts and connections in the import / export field who can further contribute to a business’s success abroad.

In difficult times like these, it is especially important for businesses to take a proactive stance and explore every opportunity. International markets still present one of the best opportunities for a business to grow. With its relationship-oriented model and talented team, City National Bank’s International Banking Division is an outstanding choice to help you expand abroad.

This article is for information and education purposes only and does not constitute a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs of individual clients. Clients should evaluate the merits and risks associated with relying on any information provided.