Trade Finance Solutions for Confident Global Business

Trade finance helps importers and exporters bridge the gap between shipping goods and receiving payment. Instead of tying up your own cash for weeks or months, our solutions provide funding, payment protection, and risk mitigation so you can trade with confidence across borders. We explain everything in clear, practical terms, so you always know how each product supports your business.

International trade often brings challenges: cash flow gaps while goods are in transit, uncertainty about whether a buyer or seller will pay on time, long payment terms that strain working capital, and exposure to currency and country risk. Our trade finance offering is designed to tackle these issues head-on, combining traditional instruments with modern digital tools for faster, more transparent transactions.

We support a full range of needs, from simple import and export financing to letters of credit, guarantees, and structured solutions. For importers, we can pay your suppliers at shipment while you repay us later, easing pressure on your cash flow. For exporters, we can help you offer competitive payment terms to your buyers while still getting paid promptly, reducing the risk of late or missed payments. Our specialists work with you to choose the right mix of products for each trade relationship.

Risk management is at the heart of what we do. By using our global network and in-depth country and sector analysis, we help you navigate political, economic, and currency risks in both established and emerging markets. Our presence in key trade corridors means we understand local regulations, documentation standards, and business practices, helping you avoid delays and costly errors. You benefit from our long-standing relationships with banks, logistics partners, and agencies worldwide.

Whether you are an SME taking your first steps into exporting or a large corporate managing complex supply chains, we tailor our solutions to your size, sector, and strategy. Smaller businesses value our guidance on documentation and risk, while larger clients benefit from structured programs, digital platforms, and integrated working capital solutions. In every case, you have a dedicated team focused on reliability, speed, and clear communication.

Our track record speaks through our clients’ success. A mid-sized machinery exporter used our export finance and guarantees to offer 90-day payment terms to new buyers in three countries, increasing orders by 35% in one year while keeping cash flow stable. A regional retailer importing consumer goods used our import financing and currency risk tools to lock in costs and pay suppliers at shipment, cutting stock-out risks and improving margins despite volatile exchange rates.

Backed by strong credit ratings, robust risk management, and secure digital channels, we provide the stability you need to grow internationally. From the first quote to final payment, our trade finance team is by your side, helping you turn cross-border opportunities into sustainable, profitable growth.

Key Trade Finance Products Explained

Letters of Credit (LCs)

Who it is for: Importers and exporters trading across borders, especially when they are new to each other or operate in higher-risk markets.

How it works in practice: The buyer’s bank issues a letter of credit promising to pay the seller once agreed documents are presented (for example, commercial invoice, transport documents, insurance). The bank focuses on documents, not the physical goods. If the seller ships the goods and presents compliant documents, the bank pays, even if the buyer later faces financial difficulties.

Typical use case: A European machinery manufacturer selling equipment to a new customer in Asia asks for an LC. Once the machines are shipped and the shipping documents match the LC terms, the bank pays the manufacturer.

Benefits:

• 🛡️ Risk mitigation: Reduces non-payment risk for exporters and performance risk for importers.
• ⏱️ Predictable cash flow: Exporters know when they will be paid once documents are accepted.
• 🤝 Stronger relationships: Gives both parties confidence to start or expand business.

Documentary Collections

Who it is for: Trading partners with some level of trust who want bank support but at lower cost and complexity than an LC.

How it works in practice: The exporter ships the goods and sends documents to the importer’s bank with instructions. The bank releases documents to the buyer either against payment (D/P – documents against payment) or against acceptance of a bill of exchange promising future payment (D/A – documents against acceptance). Banks handle documents but do not guarantee payment.

Typical use case: A textile exporter in Turkey ships fabric to a long-standing customer in Eastern Europe using D/P terms. The buyer can only collect the shipping documents and clear the goods after paying through its bank.

Benefits:

• 🛡️ More control than open account: Buyer cannot access goods without documents.
• 💸 Lower cost: Cheaper than letters of credit while still involving banks.
• 🤝 Supports trusted partners: Suitable when commercial relationship is established.

Bank Guarantees & Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs)

Who it is for: Companies involved in projects, construction, services, or large supply contracts where one party needs assurance that the other will perform or pay.

How it works in practice: A bank guarantee or SBLC is a bank’s promise to pay the beneficiary if the applicant fails to meet agreed obligations (for example, not delivering goods, not completing a project, or not paying on time). They are usually triggered only in case of default and often support contracts rather than day-to-day shipments.

Typical use case: A construction firm bidding for a government project provides a bid bond guarantee. If the firm wins but refuses to sign the contract, the government can claim under the guarantee.

Benefits:

• 🛡️ Performance and payment security: Protects buyers, sellers, and project owners against non-performance.
• 📈 Enables larger contracts: Helps companies win tenders and negotiate better terms.
• 🤝 Builds trust: Bank backing reassures counterparties in new or complex deals.

Import and Export Financing

Who it is for: Importers and exporters needing working capital to cover the gap between paying suppliers and receiving customer payments.

How it works in practice: Banks provide short-term loans or advances linked to specific trade transactions. For importers, this can mean financing customs duties and supplier payments until goods are sold. For exporters, it can mean pre-shipment finance to buy raw materials or post-shipment finance once invoices or shipping documents are issued.

Typical use case: An electronics importer needs to pay an overseas supplier 30 days before shipment but will only receive cash from retailers 60 days after delivery. Import finance covers this 90-day gap.

Benefits:

• 💸 Improved cash flow: Reduces pressure on internal funds and preserves liquidity.
• ⏱️ Faster growth: Enables larger orders and new markets without waiting for cash.
• 🤝 Better supplier terms: Ability to pay on time or early can secure discounts.

Supply Chain Finance (SCF)

Who it is for: Large or mid-sized buyers and their suppliers, especially where suppliers are smaller and face higher financing costs.

How it works in practice: After the buyer approves an invoice, a bank or platform offers early payment to the supplier at a financing rate based on the buyer’s stronger credit profile. The buyer pays the bank later on the original due date, while the supplier receives cash much earlier.

Typical use case: A major supermarket chain approves invoices from food producers. Through an SCF program, small suppliers can receive payment within a few days of approval instead of waiting 60–90 days.

Benefits:

• 💸 Early cash for suppliers: Suppliers improve liquidity without chasing payments.
• ⏱️ Extended terms for buyers: Buyers can negotiate longer payment terms without harming suppliers.
• 🤝 Stronger supply chains: More stable, loyal suppliers and fewer disruptions.

Invoice Discounting

Who it is for: Businesses that sell on open account terms and have a portfolio of trade receivables from reliable customers.

How it works in practice: The company sells or pledges its outstanding invoices to a bank or financier at a discount. It receives a high percentage of the invoice value upfront and the balance (minus fees and interest) when the customer pays. The company usually continues to manage collections.

Typical use case: A manufacturing firm that invoices automotive clients on 60-day terms discounts its invoices to receive up to 80–90% of the value immediately, using the funds to buy materials and pay staff.

Benefits:

• 💸 Immediate working capital: Converts unpaid invoices into cash quickly.
• 📊 Flexible funding: Grows in line with sales, not fixed loan limits.
• 🤝 Maintains relationships: Customers keep paying under normal terms while the supplier improves cash flow.