Businesses Struggling to Meet Payment Deadlines, Says Atradius Study

CARDIFF, Wales, October 1, 2010 - Businesses across the world continue to struggle to meet payment terms,
according to the latest Payment Practices Barometer by leading trade credit
insurer Atradius.

The twice yearly study which reviews payment behaviours of almost 3,971
businesses around the world, found that even countries not directly hit by
recession, such as China and Poland, were suffering the impact of trading
with business in other less robust economies. Late payments or worse, payment
defaults, continue to affect the financial health of otherwise stable
businesses. Respondents cited the need to take specific measures to protect
and correct their own cash flow and in some cases to postpone payments to
their own suppliers.

(Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100930/411983-a )

Overall, more than 50% of the respondents of the survey received payments
from customers late without prior notice and around 50% received requests for
an extension of the payment term.

In Great Britain, key findings were:

    - 59% of respondents reported that customers had requested extended
    payment terms over the past six months

    - 57% of respondents reported delayed payment from customers without
    prior agreement

    - 46% were asked for an increase in credit

    - 42% of the invoices of British respondents were paid late

Pete Davies, Country Manager of Atradius UK said:

"As an economy, the toughest challenge for UK plc is that of the
unexpected. Unexpected payment delays can have a devastating knock-on effect
up the supply chain, which, in a worst case scenario can force bankruptcy. We
urge businesses not to be complacent and to protect themselves against the
unforeseen. It is critical to our economic recovery that businesses protect
their cash flow."

The full report can be found at www.atradius.com

The GB report can be found at www.atradius.co.uk

About Atradius

The Atradius Group provides trade credit insurance, surety and
collections services worldwide, and has a presence through 160 offices in 42
countries. Atradius has access to credit information on 52 million companies
worldwide and makes more than 22,000 trade credit limit decisions daily. Its
products and services aim to reduce its customers' exposure to buyers who
fail to pay for the products and services they buy. With total income of more
than EUR 1.7 billion and approximately 31% share of the global trade credit
insurance market, its products help protect companies throughout the world
from payment risks associated with selling products and services on credit.

www.atradius.co.uk

www.atradius.ie

For further information: Atradius Corporate Communications, Jo Aaron, Tel.: +44(0)2920-824-873, E-mail: joanne.aaron at atradius.com