Survey Uncovers Business Leaders' Predictions for Economic Recovery;

Gauges Timelines and Implications Based on 3,500 Executive Interviews from 20 Countries

HUNT VALLEY, Maryland, December 4 - This week, international trade credit insurer Atradius, based in Hunt
Valley, MD, released its Global Economic Crisis Survey based on more than
3,500 interviews with executives and senior managers from companies in North
America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The survey was designed to learn
business leaders' views on current economic indicators, including:

    - Viability of their businesses, industries and financial institutions.

    - Value of government interventions.

    - Business practice modifications to maintain cash flow and prevent
    payment defaults.

"This survey provides us with a current snapshot of the global business
community and our domestic economy," said Brett Halsey, President, Atradius
Trade Credit Insurance, Inc., part of the Atradius Group, which manages
insured trade worth more than $20 billion annually. "Economists' forecasts
and insights from policy leaders are helpful, but when it comes to managing
risks and uncovering new business channels in this economic environment, it
is vital to understand how business decision makers are modifying their
practices and planning for a recovery."

Key survey findings include:

    Recovery Timeline

    - Nearly 40 percent of global respondents expect the economic crisis to
    end in the first quarter of 2010. Sixty-six percent of US respondents
    anticipate a rebound in business by the end of 2010.

    - Fifty percent of US respondents believe their companies' financial
    position will stabilize at the end of 2009, and 30 percent anticipate an
    improvement in their financial stability by this year's end.

Atradius crisis survey, 2 of 2

    Impact on Business Practices-US respondents

    - Thirty-four percent have suffered a decrease in their access to
    financing.

    - The US remains one of the most pessimistic countries surveyed when it
    comes to expectations of failures of large banks and financial
    institutions, with nearly half reporting an anticipated increase in
    failures.

    - Forty percent have changed their credit terms, 34 percent have
    increased their use of outsourced collection services, and 41 percent
    have increased the frequency of their buyers' credit reviews.

    - Finding new markets or sales channels for products and services (50
    percent) and placing a heightened focus on customer service (58 percent)
    have proven essential elements for business continuity, as have gaining
    access to financing and conducting staff level reviews.

    - Thirty-two percent are considering or have begun using credit insurance
    as a risk mitigation tool.

    Government Stimulus Efforts

    - In 17 of the 20 surveyed countries, more than 40 percent responded
    that they have experienced no impact from government initiatives to
    stimulate the economy.

    - In the US, 56 percent think the government's efforts thus far have
    largely been ineffective, and 62 percent think the government should
    stimulate economic growth through tax cuts and incentives with only 1
    percent reporting favor with additional tax increases.

"To effectively manage risk and capitalize on economic opportunities in
this market requires an understanding of business leaders' mindset-what
actions boost confidence, which in turn inspires activity and the capital
gains needed for long-term investments," added Halsey. "Recovery rests with
our economy's business leaders, which is why these insights and this level of
outreach are so significant to our business endeavors related to protecting
companies from the risk of catastrophic losses and uncovering new areas of
economic opportunity worthy of investment."

The full "Atradius Global Economic Crisis Survey" can be downloaded from
www.atradius.com.

About Atradius:

The Atradius Group provides trade credit insurance, surety and
collections services worldwide, and has a presence in 42 countries. Its
products and services aim to reduce its customers' exposure to buyers who
cannot pay for the products and services they buy. With total revenues of
more than EUR 1.8 billion and a 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.
With 160 offices, it has access to credit information on 52 million companies
worldwide and makes more than 22,000 trade credit limit decisions daily.

For further information: Karel van Laack, Atradius Seguros do Crédito, S.A. Tel: +1-52-55-5484-0026, E-mail: karel.van.laack at atradius.com