ICEF for Financial Services Providers

hero image
300
Global economic impact (billion)
5.5
Annual growth rate (%)
5.6
International students (million)

Who is ICEF

ICEF is the global market leader in business-to-business networking events and services for the international education sector. For over 25 years, we have been connecting education institutions and carefully chosen student recruitment agents with providers of financial services which enhance the international student experience.

Our unrivalled global programme of online and in-person networking events offers financial services providers an efficient and cost-effective platform to introduce your brand and access new clients in this exciting growing market.

Access customers at their most receptive with ICEF

The international education segment represents a unique opportunity for financial service providers: When studying abroad, students look to set up financial arrangements in their host country and frequently send money back and forth to their home nations, providing a receptive market to innovative solutions which make their lives easier. Many of these individuals go on to remain in foreign countries after their period of study, meaning that accessing them during this period is a cost-effective way of securing an enduring customer relationship. 

Each year, millions of students from around the world choose to pursue their studies in higher education abroad. Popular study destinations such as the US, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany and Australia are well known for attracting large numbers of inbound students, while up-and-coming destinations like the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and Argentina have also been experiencing growing numbers of international students from their respective regions.

Historically, most international students come from South Asia, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Northern Africa and Latin America.

How our network can help you

The majority of international students around the world find their final education institution and programme of study through international student recruitment agencies based in their home countries. These agencies are specialist recruiters who know the application and immigration process for their key markets, giving expert advice and guidance to would-be students. These agencies are therefore critical in matching students with the right programmes abroad, assisting them with advice, and introducing relevant products and services – including financial services.

These student recruitment agencies, as well as the education institutions abroad, are ideally positioned to introduce your solutions to international students. They can be referrers, brokers or promoters of your financial services – and you can meet these agencies and institutions at ICEF networking events. With access to information in many of these outbound student countries sometimes being difficult, a recommendation from an agent to a student is often a key purchase driver.

Webinars for FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

March 2021 • Financial Service Providers: millions of students in need of financial services

Panellists

  • Martijn van de Veen, Vice President, Business Development, ICEF
  • Anna Zanghi, Sr. Strategist & Adviser, Former MasterCard Head of Global Youth Segment

Each year, millions of international students enrol at education institutions worldwide, whether that be with language schools, higher education institutions, or anything in between. When studying abroad, international students often look to set up financial arrangements in their host country and frequently send money back and forth to their home nations, providing a receptive market to innovative solutions which make their lives easier. Many of these individuals go on to remain in foreign countries after their period of study, meaning that accessing them during this period is a cost-effective way of securing an enduring customer relationship.

In this 30 minute webinar, we explain the international student mobility sector in more detail for those interested in accessing this growing segment, and explore the opportunities that exist for financial services companies as they reach into this segment.

December 2020 • Financial solutions for international students

Panellists

  • Martijn van de Veen, Vice President, Business Development, ICEF
  • Amit Singh, Founder & CEO, UniCreds
  • Tony Chen, Head of International Education Proposition, HSBC
  • Adam Cross, Director of Marketing, Future Finance

Covid-19 has affected international education on so many levels. From changes in student ‘corridors’ to the introduction of hybrid programmes, and from the rise of so-called microcredentials to a whole array of new EdTech solutions: international education is entering a new era. But what about international student financing and financial services? Many students’ families, and the students themselves, are affected financially by Covid-19. How are the providers of financial services and student loans responding to these new challenges? How can they support international students and how will their services be different?

Market intelligence for financial services providers

Upcoming events

To find out more about our upcoming events for international education professionals from around the world, click on the links below.

Testimonials