How Financely Helps You Structure and Distribute Trade Finance Deals in Under 72 Hours
Trade Finance: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters
Trade Finance
Trade finance is the lifeline of global commerce. Learn what it is, how it works, and how companies are using it to fund cross-border deals in days — not months.
Trade finance refers to the financial structures that facilitate and secure international transactions. From letters of credit and guarantees to deferred payment instruments and SPVs, trade finance allows buyers and sellers to execute deals with confidence — even when they're separated by oceans and currencies.
What Is Trade Finance?
At its core, trade finance provides funding and payment assurance for importers, exporters, and intermediaries. It removes the need for prepayment or credit exposure, and allows both sides of a transaction to move on schedule.
Why Trade Finance Exists
Global trade is built on timelines, trust, and third-party risk. Buyers want to delay payment until goods arrive. Sellers want assurance before shipping. Trade finance bridges that mismatch by introducing verified financial instruments that remove uncertainty from both sides.
Who Uses Trade Finance?
Importers purchasing machinery, raw materials, or inventory
Exporters shipping goods internationally on deferred terms
Commodity traders brokering between multiple jurisdictions
Project sponsors sourcing equipment, construction, or EPC contracts
Private lenders and institutional investors looking for structured, collateral-backed exposure
Types of Trade Finance Instruments
Documentary Letter of Credit (DLC):
Ensures the seller is paid when compliant documents are submitted
Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC):
Acts as a guarantee of performance or repayment
UPAS / UPAU LC:
Allows immediate supplier payment while buyer settles later
Bank Guarantee:
Used to secure bid, advance, or payment obligations
Performance Bond:
Guarantees the delivery of a service, project, or contract
Forfaiting:
Converts future export receivables into cash through discounting
How Trade Finance Works (Step by Step)
Buyer and seller agree on terms
Buyer (or Financely) arranges an LC or other instrument
Seller ships goods and submits documents
Bank or issuing party confirms and releases funds
Buyer repays lender or issuing institution as per agreed terms
What Are the Benefits?
Reduces counterparty risk
Improves working capital efficiency
Unlocks funding even in riskier jurisdictions
Creates transparency and confidence across supply chains
Gives buyers time to pay without hurting suppliers
How to Access Trade Finance
Historically, only large corporates could access trade finance through their banks. But now, platforms like Financely
allow qualified businesses to structure deals and secure LC issuance without needing long-term bank relationships. You can learn more here: https://www.financely-group.com/trade-finance-transaction-structuring
Trafigura is one of the world’s largest traders, leveraging sophisticated trade finance daily.
Need Trade Finance for a Deal?
We help importers, exporters, and project sponsors secure letters of credit, guarantees, and trade instruments — structured and issued in as little as 72 hours.
Every serious transaction — from crude oil to medical equipment — depends on structure. Trade finance lets you close cross-border deals without taking unnecessary risks. At Financely, we give you access to the tools and networks to get it done, fast.
Submit Your Deal & Receive a Proposal Within 1-3 Working Days
Submit your deal using oursecure intake form, and receive a quotewithin 1-3 business days. Existing clients can connect with theirrelationship managerthrough oursecure web portal.
All submissions arepromptly reviewed, and all communications are conducted through the intake form or the client portal for a seamless and secure process.
Thank you for considering working with us. A nominal fee of US$500
is required upon completion of each form. This fee covers the time and effort we invest in reviewing
your submission and crafting a thorough proposal. We receive numerous inquiries and prioritize those
that carry this fee, ensuring serious applicants receive prompt attention.
Trade Finance
Tap into solutions like letters of credit, bank guarantees, and payment facilitation. We address
the challenge of global transaction risk through structured strategies that foster cross-border
growth. Complete the form to unlock streamlined funding aligned with your commercial objectives.
Access non-recourse funding for infrastructure, renewable energy, or other capital-intensive
ventures. We mitigate capital constraints by isolating project assets and focusing on risk
management. Provide your details to receive a structure that drives growth and maximizes returns.
Secure financing for business or real estate acquisitions. We ease transaction hurdles by
reviewing cash flow, synergy opportunities, and exit plans. Complete the form for a customized
proposal that supports your strategic investment objectives.
Financely assists banks facing Basel III pressures by distributing trade finance deals and
providing collateral for letters of credit. We reduce capital burdens while preserving client
relationships and fostering service expansion. Submit your request to optimize your trade finance
offerings.
Once we receive your submission, our team will review your information to determine feasibility. If
eligible, you will receive a proposal or term sheet within 1–3 business days. Visit our FAQ
and Procedure
pages for more information.
Disclaimer:
Financely provides financing based on due diligence and feasibility.
Approval is not guaranteed, and past performance does not predict future outcomes. All terms are
subject to review. Financely primarily assists with structuring and distribution. Qualified parties
carry out the project if the client approves the proposal.
Still Have Questions? Schedule a Consultation
If you still have questions after visiting ourFAQandProcedurepages, we invite you to book a paid consultation for personalized guidance. A $250 USD fee applies per session.
Important Resources
Popular Services
About Financely
Financely advises growth-focused businesses on accessing capital by introducing their opportunities to professional investors. Financely is not a securities broker or dealer. Where appropriate, engagements are coordinated with regulated broker-dealers, investment banks, legal counsel, and other specialists.
Financely does not solicit, offer, or accept orders to buy or sell securities and makes no assurance regarding capital-raising outcomes.
Services are strictly business-to-business. Financely does not provide personal finance, consumer credit, or retail advisory services.
Advisory services are reserved for post-revenue companies that recognize the time and resources required for professional underwriting.
All mandates start with an RFQ. We review submissions, issue a brief Go/No-Go memo, and where bankable, release a Term Sheet that leads to funding. We arrange capital across Senior Secured, Unitranche, Second Lien/Mezzanine, Preferred Equity, and Gap Solutions. We do not process deals by email or chat.
Trade Finance
Letters of Credit, Standby LCs, Confirmations, Receivables Finance, and Inventory Lines with control.
LCs and Confirmations
SBLC and Guarantees
AR/AP and Supply Chain
Funding arranged for trade flows with instruments sized to your cycle and aligned to delivery and settlement.
Move forward to secure working capital and keep goods moving. Submit the RFQ to start underwriting for funding.
KYC and Source of Funds required. Engagements are best-efforts and subject to underwriting. Preference for operating companies with meaningful revenue.
See our FAQ
and Procedure.
Financely Inc. (“Financely”) provides corporate-finance advice and is wholly owned by Aurora Bay Trust, a trust formed under Bahamian law, together with its authorized affiliates. Depending on deal structure, jurisdiction, and local rules, engagement may be carried out through Financely Group LLC, a non-deposit-taking non-banking financial company; Ashford Capital Advisory LLC; or another related entity. Financely and its affiliates are not registered as securities broker-dealers. When a mandate involves the purchase or sale of securities and a registered intermediary is required, all orders are introduced to and executed by a U.S. broker-dealer registered with the SEC and FINRA, acting as “chaperone” under SEC Rule 15a-6 (17 C.F.R. § 240.15a-6). Nothing here constitutes an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security. Before proceeding, read our Terms of Service to confirm that engaging Financely Group LLC, Ashford Capital Advisory LLC, or any affiliate aligns with your legal and regulatory requirements.In the United States, we operate as anexempt foreign private adviserpursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, subject to applicable exemptions from certain regulatory requirements. Our services and regulatory status may vary based on the location and nature of the transaction. Clickhereto download our brochure.