Solutions
Solutions
OUR SOLUTIONS
We provide bespoke advisory, structuring, and capital solutions to alternative asset managers, financial institutions, and qualified investors seeking exposure to trade finance and commodity-linked credit opportunities. Our expertise centers on financing strategies involving international commodity merchants and trading houses operating across global raw materials and commodities markets.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY
Specialized advisory and structuring services for alternative asset managers, banks, and qualified investors focused on investment opportunities linked to international commodity trading firms. Our clients and counterparties are primarily based in Switzerland, Europe, and North America and are active across global commodity supply chains, sourcing, trading, import, and export activities.
- Senior Secured Loans — Senior-ranking credit facilities secured by pledged assets, receivables, inventories, or borrowing-base structures.
- Senior Unsecured Lending — Senior-ranking financing provided to established counterparties based primarily on credit quality, cash flow generation, and operating performance.
- Bridge Financing — Short-term funding solutions designed to address temporary liquidity requirements pending longer-term financing, refinancing, or strategic transaction.
- Mezzanine Financing — Subordinated capital solutions positioned between senior debt and equity, offering enhanced return potential through higher-yield investment structures.
COMMODITY FINANCE
Direct lending and trade finance investment strategies supporting international trade flows and the commodity trading companies that facilitate these critical economic activities, with a primary focus on Switzerland and Europe.
- Durable Market Opportunity — The continued retrenchment of traditional banks from commodity trade finance has created a structural financing gap, generating attractive risk-adjusted returns for private credit investors.
- Exposure to the Real Economy — Direct financing of physical commodity flows and international trade transactions, typically characterized by short-duration assets and self-liquidating structures.
STRATEGIC CORPORATE ADVISORY
Comprehensive corporate and trade finance advisory services supported by deep industry expertise and an extensive international network.
- Capital structure optimization
- Junior and subordinated debt structuring
- Corporate strategy and growth initiatives
- Trade finance facility negotiations
- Transaction structuring and execution
- Risk assessment and mitigation
WHY ALTERNATIVE COMMODITY TRADE FINANCE
Private capital supporting global trade.
The withdrawal of traditional commercial banks from short-tenor commodity financing has created a multi-billion-dollar funding gap. Alternative lenders are well positioned to provide essential financing to established trading companies while benefiting from enhanced spreads, short maturities, and exposure to the real economy.
| Traditional Bank Trade & Corporate Finance | AXIOM / VERSO Commodity Finance Strategy | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Corporate lending Corporate lending approach primarily based on the borrower's balance sheet and credit profile. |
Senior loans Senior commodity trade finance exposure through a Luxembourg Credit Linked Note (CLN) structure. |
| Collateral | Corporate approach Reliance on corporate creditworthiness, often with limited collateral coverage and broad working capital facilities. |
Senior loans Senior secured loans backed by physical commodities, receivables, inventories, or borrowing-base structures, with direct security interests over underlying assets; corporate loans; specific monitoring. |
| Tenor | Typically 12–36 months Typically 12–36 months. Longer maturities increase duration risk and reduce pricing flexibility. |
Typically 60–120 days Short, self-liquidating transactions reduce duration risk and allow rapid portfolio repricing; short term corporate loans. |
| Return profile | Spread compression Competitive market dynamics and regulatory capital requirements have compressed margins. |
~8% net annual (USD target) Target net return of approximately 8% p.a. (USD), driven by direct origination and specialist structuring capabilities. |
| Market correlation | Balance sheet sensitive Lending appetite tends to fluctuate with economic and credit cycles. |
Market-neutral positioning Returns primarily linked to trade activity and transaction performance rather than traditional equity or fixed-income market movements. |
| Access | Bank balance sheet only Exposure remains largely confined to bank balance sheets. |
CLN structure Qualified investors can participate directly through a transparent Luxembourg CLN structure or adhoc OTC structure. |
| Liquidity | Limited options Investors generally have no direct access to underlying assets and limited liquidity options. |
Monthly subscription Monthly subscription opportunities combined with active portfolio management and periodic redemption mechanisms |
| Leverage | Leverage amplifies risk Returns are often enhanced through balance sheet leverage, which may amplify downside risk during market stress. |
Unlevered Unlevered strategy focused on asset selection, origination quality, collateral protection, and portfolio management. |
See how this fits your portfolio or corporate structure.
Speak with our team