Global Trade Review (GTR) is pleased to announce its acquisition of the Trade Finance Distribution Initiative (TFDi).
TFDi is a collaborative effort within the financial industry aimed at establishing trade finance as an investable asset class for capital market firms. The initiative brings together stakeholders committed to increasing the level of automation and transparency in trade asset and risk distribution with technology-based market practices.
TFDi’s flagship event is its annual Trade Finance Investor Day, held annually in London every November. The initiative is chaired by André Casterman, founder of Casterman Advisory and a well-known advisor to technology companies, corporations and financial institutions on trade finance, who has also chaired the Trade Finance Investor Day since its launch.
“We are delighted to include the Trade Finance Investor Day as an exciting addition to the GTR calendar of world-leading events for 2026 and beyond,” said Peter Gubbins, GTR’s CEO. “Greater participation by institutional investors in the trade finance asset class is an increasingly important trend within the ecosystem, and one that we only see growing in significance, bringing with it huge opportunities for the industry. TFDi has done a fantastic job in building the event as an established brand, one that we look forward to taking to the next level.”
TFDi was previously owned by Silver Birch Group, as part of its recent acquisition of Tradeteq, a securitisation-as-a-service platform. Silver Birch will continue to support the TFDi as an active member and executive sponsor of its annual Trade Finance Investor Day. Sean Hanafin, CEO of Silver Birch, will also join the GTR Advisory Board.
“Silver Birch is delighted that TFDi will become part of the world’s leading independent trade finance publishing and events business,” said Hanafin. “This is the right strategic home for TFDi and I am certain this will enable it to reach even greater heights. Silver Birch looks forward to playing an active role in supporting this critical initiative going forward.”
Casterman, TFDi Chair, added: “GTR’s acquisition is the ideal catalyst to scale the TFD Initiative – empowering SME originators to attract institutional capital and unlock global trade’s multi-trillion-dollar potential for private credit investors.”
