Exportkreditnämnden (EKN)
EKN is Exportkreditnämnden, the Swedish Export Credit Agency. It issues official Swedish state guarantees that cover defined non-payment and related risks for exporters and banks in transactions linked to Swedish exports. A guarantee from EKN is a guarantee from the Swedish state.
EKN is Sweden's export credit agency (ECA) and is listed in the Berne Union member directory. Together with the Swedish Export Credit Corporation, known as SEK, EKN forms the core of the Swedish government-backed export credit system: EKN covers risk and SEK provides financing for Swedish export-related transactions.
Mandate within the Swedish system
EKN offers guarantees for payments and financing in export transactions. The guarantees give international buyers access to financing terms while lowering risk for Swedish exporters and commercial banks. EKN describes the Swedish export credit system as consisting of SEK's financing and EKN's guarantees, together supporting the competitiveness of the Swedish export industry.
In a typical buyer credit, a commercial bank arranges a loan to the buyer under a Swedish export contract. EKN guarantees repayment risk. The bank may work with SEK for funding while retaining residual risk and administration obligations where the structure so provides. Structuring for officially supported medium and long-term credits sits within the OECD Arrangement.
Product families
For exporting companies, EKN publishes guarantees that protect against payment risks. The guarantee for trade receivables covers foreign buyer non-payment for credit periods not exceeding 12 months. The guarantee for loss on claim covers credit periods exceeding 12 months. Combined guarantees for loss on production and loss on claim can name the exporter alone or the exporter and a bank together as guarantee holders.
The green export credit guarantee covers exports that contribute to the climate transition, with published cover of up to 100 percent of transaction value against non-payment. A guarantee for unfair calling addresses contract guarantees issued for exporters. An investment guarantee covers loss due to political events associated with investment or investment loans abroad.
For banks, the Buyer Credit Guarantee covers non-payment by the borrower under the credit agreement. Letter of credit guarantees allow the bank to share risk on confirmed letters of credit, with EKN able to guarantee 50 percent of the total confirmed amount. Bill of exchange guarantees cover non-payment of bills acquired in an export transaction. Counter guarantees share issuer recourse risk on contract guarantees. Working capital credit guarantees and investment credit guarantees share bank risk on Swedish company facilities. Green credit guarantees share risk on green investments or operations in Sweden.
EKN Buyer Credit Guarantee process
The Buyer Credit Guarantee can be applied for by the bank and is available in EKN Online. It covers events from the day the claim arises, normally upon utilisation under the credit agreement. It can cover small and large foreign transactions associated with exports of goods and services.
The process published by EKN runs from application and exporter declarations, through execution of a guarantee agreement with general and special conditions, reporting of credit agreement signing date and effective date, reporting of utilisations within one month, notification of non-payment, and claim for compensation within twelve months of the due date of the covered amount. Premium may be paid up front or per utilisation.
An EKN export credit guarantee enters the facility as a guarantee agreement for the benefit of the guarantee holder bank. The commercial loan sets borrower payment terms. EKN documents set covered amounts, conditions, premium and claims mechanics. Supplier-credit exposures may instead use exporter-facing loss on claim or receivables guarantees.
Boundaries
EKN is not SEK. Guarantee capacity and funding capacity are separate institutional roles even when used together. EKN is not a private market credit insurer writing purely commercial short-term cover as a substitute for private capacity in marketable risk markets constrained by EU rules. Domestic working capital and green credit guarantees for Swedish operations are distinct from classic medium and long-term export buyer credits.
Letter of credit guarantees at 50 percent of the confirmed amount illustrate risk sharing rather than full transfer. Green export credit guarantees that publish up to 100 percent cover remain subject to green eligibility definitions and underwriting. Product labels do not override the general and special conditions of the guarantee agreement.
EKN is therefore Swedish state cover for defined export-related payment and financing risks, delivered across exporter and bank product lines, often paired with SEK funding, and recognised internationally through Berne Union membership. This page stays institutional and definitional. It does not address deal origination or counterparty monitoring.