FAQ - Trade & Project Finance Advisory | Financely
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Financely a bank or broker-dealer?

No. Financely is an independent capital advisory and distribution platform. We do not hold deposits, take client money, issue financial instruments, or provide investment advice. We arrange and manage processes that connect qualified borrowers or sponsors with regulated lenders and professional investors.

Securities-related activity is chaperoned. Any activity that falls under securities rules is conducted and supervised through licensed firms in the relevant jurisdiction. Financely prepares materials, structures transactions, and manages workflow. Execution, solicitation, and settlement occur through regulated counterparties only.

Who manages my transaction?

A dedicated team is assigned on mandate. You get a single point of contact and access to operators with hard skills that matter at credit committee.

  • Credit underwriting: cash flow modeling, debt sizing, coverage ratios, covenant design, downside tests.
  • Trade finance: LC and SBLC wording under UCP600 and ISP98, Incoterms, collateral audits, performance risk, receivables eligibility, borrowing base.
  • Project finance: bankability of PPAs and offtake, EPC and O&M review, DSRA sizing, security package design, CP schedules.
  • Legal and structuring: term sheets, intercreditor concepts, security perfection playbooks including UCC filings, share pledges, account control, escrow frameworks.
  • Risk and markets: FX and commodity hedge coordination, insurance requirements, KYC and AML workflow, sanctions screening.

Operators are former bankers, credit officers, lawyers, and sector specialists who are onboarded once retained and bound by NDA and conflict checks.

What is your process?
  • Submission: provide transaction summary, financials, and core documents.
  • Screening and proposal: quick eligibility review and scope confirmation. If accepted, we issue an engagement and retainer.
  • Underwriting: full credit write-up and feedback memo with structure, pricing ranges, conditions precedent, and risk flags.
  • Chaperoned introduction: controlled outreach to qualified lenders and, where relevant, licensed placement partners.
  • Indicative terms: term sheet responses, Q&A, data room management, and diligence coordination.
  • Execution: confirm conditions, finalize documents, and close. Post-close monitoring support if agreed.

Feedback memos are issued in writing at key stages so your board has a clear record.

What documents are required?

Final requirements are set at onboarding. Typical items include:

  • Corporate: formation documents, shareholder register, management bios, ownership and control, KYC and AML pack.
  • Financials: audited statements where available, management accounts, projections with assumptions, AR and AP aging.
  • Trade finance: contracts or POs, logistics terms, collateral evidence, insurance, historic performance.
  • Commercial Real Estate: rent roll, leases, appraisal, title, environmental reports, capex plan.
  • Project finance: financial model with sensitivities, PPA or offtake, EPC and O&M, permits, interconnection, land and security package.
What do your upfront fees cover?
  • Underwriting and credit write-up: model checks, debt sizing, covenant framework, risk analysis.
  • Structuring: term sheet blueprint, security package outline, CP list, escrow or account control path.
  • Compliance setup: KYC and AML workflow, sanctions screening, information rights and audit trail.
  • Operator onboarding: allocation of sector specialists, legal support, and former credit officers to your file.
  • Market mapping: lender matrix, chaperoned introductions, investor or lender materials, Q&A coordination.
  • Execution management: timelines, diligence trackers, and closing checklists.

Upfront fees pay for professional work. They do not buy approvals. Credit decisions rest with the lender.

What are your fees?
  • Review fee: a 500 USD review fee applies to screen eligibility and prepare a proposal.
  • Retainer: scope based and non-contingent. Covers items listed in the upfront fees section.
  • Distribution or success fee: payable only upon closing and funding. Percentage and triggers are defined in the engagement.

Request a tailored quote here: https://www.financely-group.com/contact-us

What is your refund policy?

Commitment: if no lender introductions occur within 90 days after we confirm a complete and lender-ready package, retainers and distribution prep fees are refundable, with billable hours capped at 10,000 USD.

Exclusions: refunds do not apply if information is inaccurate or incomplete, if KYC and AML are not satisfied, if scope changes materially, if the client declines market-standard terms, or if any introduction has already been made. An introduction is a documented connection to a named lender or placement partner with deal materials shared.

Process: refund reviews are completed on written request with our work log attached. Approved refunds are paid to the original payer within 15 business days.

How long does funding take?
  • Trade finance: 3 to 8 weeks from complete package and cleared KYC. Renewals and drawdowns are faster once a facility is live.
  • Commercial Real Estate: 8 to 16 weeks depending on valuation, legal, and third-party reports.
  • Project finance: 4 to 9 months driven by permits, offtake, EPC, and model bankability.

Timelines start once the file is complete and third-party reports are in motion. Regulatory and jurisdictional checks can extend timing.

Do you negotiate financing terms?

We advise on structure and pricing and we manage the process. Final negotiation and documentation occur between you and the lender with your counsel. We attend calls, align comments, and maintain the tracker so issues close out in order.

Can multiple lenders or investors be introduced?

Yes. We run a controlled process that can include a competitive term sheet review. Information is shared on a need-to-know basis. You choose which offers to pursue. We manage timelines and prevent crossed wires.

How are securities transactions chaperoned and who holds client funds?

Where a transaction is a securities offering or triggers solicitation rules, activity is chaperoned through licensed firms. Financely does not solicit the public, does not custody assets, and does not take client funds. Settlement flows through regulated lenders, escrow agents, or trustees as specified in closing documents.

What compliance standards do you follow?
  • KYC and AML: full identification of ownership and control, source of funds, and sanctions screening.
  • Conflicts and independence: we disclose any potential conflicts. We are engaged by the client. Any lender-side compensation is disclosed in writing if applicable.
  • Eligibility: services are for professional clients and qualified investors. Retail solicitation is not offered.
What happens if my transaction is not ready?

You receive a readiness memo with deficiencies and fixes. We can run a preparation scope that addresses model gaps, security package, documentation, and reporting. Moving to market only happens once the file is bankable.

How do I initiate a transaction?

Submit your request via our intake form. A 500 USD review fee applies for eligibility assessment and proposal preparation. If accepted, we issue an engagement with scope, fees, timeline, and deliverables. You will receive an NDA, KYC checklist, and data room link.

Payment method and invoice policy

We invoice from our corporate entity. Payments are made by bank transfer to the named company account. We do not accept cash or crypto for retainers or success fees. Receipts and statements of work are provided for all payments.

Disclaimer: Financely is not a bank, broker-dealer, registered investment advisor, or money transmitter. We do not provide investment advice and we do not manage investor funds. Any securities-related activity is chaperoned through licensed firms. Nothing here is an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities. Independent legal and financial counsel is recommended before proceeding.

Experienced Professionals Driving Transactions to Completion

Our advisory team brings a proven record across trade finance, project finance, commercial real estate, and M&A.


While advanced AI and machine learning support the early stages of file review, every mandate is ultimately executed by seasoned professionals.


The closing process relies on expertise, judgment, and relationships ensuring transactions move from screening to successful completion.

Request Term Sheet