Finance international export transactions faster
International export transactions often require attractive financing solutions for foreign buyers. This is where ECA-covered buyer credits provide a solution: they provide importers with medium- to long-term financing, while exporters receive payment following delivery. Cover provided by an official Export Credit Agency (ECA) reduces a significant proportion of the political and commercial risks and provides greater planning certainty for all parties involved.
With SmaTiX (Small Ticket Express), AKA has digitalised this established financing approach specifically for smaller export transactions. Through a standardised online application process, exporters can obtain an initial reliable financing indication after providing just a few details – fast, transparent and without extensive preliminary checks. This allows financing solutions to be incorporated into offers at an early stage and international business opportunities to be pursued more efficiently.
This is made possible by a strong European ECA network. Five national Export Credit Agencies are currently onboarded in SmaTiX: Germany – Euler Hermes · Austria – OeKB · Switzerland – SERV · Netherlands – Atradius · Belgium – Credendo
Regardless of which ECA provides cover for the respective export transaction, the process remains the same for the exporter: with SmaTiX, financing applications to AKA are always submitted through the same standardised digital application process.
Export finance for manufacturing companies
SmaTiX is designed for manufacturing and exporting companies supplying capital goods internationally, with financing volumes ranging from EUR/USD 1 to 15 million.
Available to exporters from the five partner countries in our European ECA network:
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
SmaTiX is a good fit for your company if:
- you regularly carry out export transactions
You make regular deliveries or deliver in several tranches rather than carrying out a single large-scale project. - you want to finance small to medium-sized order values
For transactions in this segment, traditional, extensively structured export finance solutions are often not economically viable – this is precisely where SmaTiX comes in.
Typical industries
- Mechanical and Plant Engineering
- Energy and Environmental Technology
- Industrial Manufacturing and Production Technology
- Packaging industry
- Food technology
- Infrastructure projects
- Transport and logistics
- Process industries
- Medical technology
5 steps to ECA-covered export financing
- The exporter submits the project via the SmaTiX portal.
- AKA assesses its basic eligibility for financing.
- The exporter receives an attractive financing offer to pass on to the importer.
- AKA provides the importer with a loan that is covered by the ECA against political and commercial risks.
- The exporter receives payment, while the importer repays the financing over the long term.
This enables investment goods to be financed securely and attractively worldwide, benefiting all parties involved.
Why exporters and importers choose SmaTiX
Benefits for exporters
Immediate payment on cash terms
You receive your payments directly after delivery – for optimal liquidity and planning certainty.
Competitive advantages in international sales
With attractive financing offers available at short notice, you can strengthen your position in international tenders and contract negotiations.
Access to higher-risk markets
With ECA cover, you can also conduct export transactions in countries with increased political or commercial risk.
Balance sheet-friendly structure
Balance sheet-friendly structure
Simple application, fast financing indication
Transparent and easy to follow – from the initial enquiry through to the financing offer for your importer.
Global reach
Available in more than 80 countries worldwide.
Benefits for importers
Long-term financing
Medium- to long-term financing with attractive repayment periods and terms.
Local credit lines remain available
Existing local credit lines remain unaffected, giving your business greater operational flexibility.
Access to modern technology
Financing for investments in machinery, equipment and technologies from across Europe.
SmaTiX: Digital. Simple. In real time.
Fast financing indications
With SmaTiX, exporters receive an initial assessment of the financing feasibility of their export transaction – without extensive documentation or lengthy banking processes. Just a few details about the international project are enough to obtain an initial financing indication. The time saved can be used directly in negotiations with international partners.
Why exporters choose SmaTiX
International customers expect attractive financing solutions, fast decisions and long-term payment terms. SmaTiX helps exporters win tenders, incorporate financing into their offers at an early stage and make the overall export financing process more efficient.
Your benefits as a registered user
- Fast.
Initial financing indication for projects between EUR/USD 1 and 15 million, available almost in real time.
- Simple.
Initial assessment with no documentation required.
- Transparent.
Clear, easy-to-follow criteria throughout the digital application process.
- Personal.
Dedicated contacts and individual support throughout the entire process
- Global.
Available for export transactions in more than 80 target markets.
Your personal contact with the SmaTiX team
Our SmaTiX team will be happy to advise you.
Please use the contact form below to submit your project enquiry.
Examples of successful ECA-covered export financing
SmaTiX supports mid-sized and international exporters across a range of industries in successfully implementing their international projects, for example:
- Construction machinery in various Latin American countries
- Food processing in Africa
- Energy projects in Turkey
- Specialised machinery and manufacturing technologies for Asia
You can also find examples on our LinkedIn channel and in AKA Insights.
Specialist in export and trade finance. Since 1952.
AKA Ausfuhrkredit-Gesellschaft mbH is a Frankfurt-based bank specialising in international short-, medium- and long-term export and trade finance. With a business volume of around EUR 5.4 billion, more than 70 years of experience, over 8,000 ECA applications processed and a network of 17 shareholder banks, AKA is one of Europe’s leading specialist banks for ECA-backed export financing.
Range of services includes:
- ECA-covered buyer credits
From standardised small-ticket financing with SmaTiX to complex large-scale projects.
- Structured Finance & Syndication
Structured financing for international trade and commodity transactions as well as syndicated loans for banks, multilateral institutions and sovereigns.
- Acquisition Finance & Midcap Loans
Exclusively by invitation from our shareholders for mid-sized companies in Germany.
SmaTiX Export Financing FAQs
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What is an ECA-covered buyer credit?
With a buyer credit, the borrower is not the exporter but the foreign buyer. The bank pays the agreed amount for the goods or services directly to the exporter once the contractual requirements have been met. The importer then repays the loan over the agreed term. This distinguishes a buyer credit from a traditional supplier credit, where the exporter is the borrower and provides the financing itself.
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What does ECA cover mean?
An ECA (Export Credit Agency) is a government or government-mandated institution that provides cover for export transactions against commercial and political risks in the buyer’s country, such as payment default, war or expropriation. In Germany, this role is performed by Euler Hermes Aktiengesellschaft on behalf of the Federal Government, now known in the market as Allianz Trade. Thanks to this cover, medium- to long-term financing can also be reliably provided in higher-risk markets.
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Who can use SmaTiX?
SmaTiX is designed for manufacturing and exporting companies from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and since March 2026 also from Belgium and the Netherlands. To qualify, the international export transaction must have a financing volume of between EUR/USD 1 and 15 million and meet the requirements for ECA-covered financing.
Our SmaTiX team will be happy to discuss with you whether your project is eligible.
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In which countries is SmaTiX available?
SmaTiX is currently available for export transactions to more than 80 countries worldwide – from established industrial markets to selected emerging markets. Whether a specific destination country is eligible depends, among other factors, on the respective country risk and the availability of ECA cover. We will be happy to provide you with the full list of countries upon request.
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How quickly will I receive a financing indication?
In most cases, you will receive an initial response almost in real time once the key information of your export transaction have been entered in the SmaTiX portal. These include the transaction value, destination country and financing term. No extensive documentation or lengthy preliminary review is required for this initial assessment. Additional documents are only required at a later stage as the transaction progresses towards a binding loan agreement.
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What project sizes can be financed with SmaTiX?
SmaTiX financing is designed for standardised volumes between EUR/USD 1 and 15 million, the so-called small-ticket segment. For larger transaction values and more complex project structures, AKA offers additional forms of ECA-covered export financing. Please feel free to contact us via the contact form to discuss these requirements as well. Together, we will find the right solution for your project.
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How much does it cost to use SmaTiX?
The terms of SmaTiX financing depend on several factors, including project size, country risk, financing term and the applicable ECA premium. The initial financing indication provided through the portal is non-binding and free of charge. Our SmaTiX team will be happy to discuss the individual terms for your specific project directly with you.
Your SmaTiX Project Enquiry
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Your SmaTiX team at AKA
If you are looking for general information about ECA-covered financing, please use our contact form.