Geopolitical shocks are now feeding through to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) faster than ever before. As operating across global supply chains, customer bases, and supplier networks becomes the norm for smaller businesses, disruption due to external events – such as the conflict in the Middle East – is no longer an unfamiliar thought.

UAE banks have long required physical presence to open corporate accounts, a minor inconvenience in stable times, but a significant blocker when regional travel is under review.

Business owners are surprised to learn that debt is cheaper than equity. This is not just financial theory. It shows up clearly in how businesses grow, how much control owners retain, and how quickly capital can be deployed.

For internationally active SMEs, the cost of borrowing is rarely captured by the headline interest rate. It is shaped by how capital is accessed, how often it is used, and the conditions attached when plans change.

Ebury streamlines your private market transactions by offering instant reconciliation through unique IBANs, and reducing cross-border settlement times from days to hours. Our platform provides you with real-time transparency and automated tracking to eliminate operational friction and ensure you have total clarity over your cash positions.

Rising geopolitical uncertainty, currency volatility and supply chain disruption are creating new pressures on working capital for internationally active businesses, pushing many companies to streamline operations, strengthen financial resilience and protect their bottom lines from unexpected shocks.