Banks and investors see appeal of commodity finance

Despite the retreat of major global banks from commodities, commodity finance is nonetheless viewed as an attractive opportunity. But it is an area where banks face increased competition from trading houses. By Mark Nicholls

Under assault from tighter regulation, falling revenues and higher capital requirements, banks across Europe and the US have been taking the axe to their commodity trading businesses during the past few years. But whereas commodity trading may have fallen out of favour, commodity finance remains very much in vogue.

Several major US banks tell Energy Risk they are placing a renewed emphasis on commodity finance, even as they retreat from other parts of the commodities business. They include