ICISA has its origin in the first international conference on credit insurance, held in London in 1926. The Association itself was established in Paris in April 1928 under the name of International Credit Insurance Association, or ICIA. The founding Members were Cobac of Belgium (now Euler Hermes), Crédito y Caución of Spain, Eidgenössische of Switzerland (now Winterthur), Hermes of Germany (now Euler Hermes), NCM of the Netherlands (now Atradius), SFAC of France (now Euler Hermes), SIAC of Italy (now Euler Hermes) and Trade Indemnity of the UK (now Euler Hermes). The name was changed to International Credit Insurance & Surety Association in 2001, to reflect the fact that more than half of its members are involved in the underwriting of surety business. ICISA celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2003.

Today, the Association has members located on all five continents. This spread and internationalisation of credit and surety insurance has in turn made a substantial contribution to professionalism in the conduct of more effective and efficient domestic as well as export trade.

The Association is registered in Switzerland under Swiss Civil Code. The Secretariat is based in Amsterdam. A representative office in Brussels is charged with all public affairs matters.

Since its inception, the Association has been managed by a Secretary or Executive Director:
1928 - 1936         Noel Patrick
1936 - 1974         Hans Karrer
1974 - 1987         Robert Karrer
1987 - 2001         Klaus Oppenheimer
2001 - present     Robert Nijhout

Over the years ICISA has changed together with the industry it represents. After a long period where players focused on developing their national markets, the opening of national economies lead to consolidation as well as expansion into new markets. These changes and the emergence of global players have had a profound effect on the Association’s focus and how it operates. Today, ICISA remains open and flexible to remain relevant in an ever changing market.