Trade finance sits in an awkward spot for most investors. On paper it looks attractive short tenor, self liquidating, collateral backed and historically low loss rates at the transaction level. In practice, it is hard to access without being inside a bank, an insurance balance sheet, or a specialist credit platform that sees live deal flow from traders and corporates.
This article is written for lenders and allocators only. The focus is not how to borrow in trade finance, but how to find real, documented trade flows where capital can be deployed with a clear credit story, legal spine, and monitoring path. The second part explains where Financely fits in that picture through forward flow agreements for professional investors.
Most credible trade finance assets start life inside three channels. If a deal does not come through one of these, the burden of proof goes up sharply.
These deals benefit from established underwriting frameworks, but capacity and ticket size constraints often limit access.
Access here depends on relationships, capacity to analyse complex files, and willingness to commit to repeat flows.
These platforms can widen the funnel, but the real value is in standardised files, risk gating, and portfolio level controls.
Investors who treat these as serious pipeline often end up bearing equity type risk dressed up as trade finance.
A trade finance facility that deserves institutional capital is not defined by a headline yield. It is defined by the quality of its file. At minimum, investors should expect to see the following before committing serious time.
Without this spine, investors are not looking at trade finance. They are looking at unsecured corporate credit or something closer to venture risk against a trading company.
Investors cannot avoid doing work, but they can avoid wasting time. A simple filter set helps identify which deals deserve proper credit work.
A single well structured deal is useful as a case study. It is not a strategy. Investors who want consistent exposure to trade finance need a programmatic approach.
The most resilient portfolios are built around dozens of smaller, repeat trades with tight controls, not a few headline deals that look impressive in marketing decks.
Investors who are serious about trade finance often reach the same conclusion. Deal sourcing and file preparation are operationally heavy. It is more effective to partner with a specialist originator that sees a constant stream of transactions and can pass only those that meet agreed criteria into a forward flow arrangement.
In a forward flow agreement, the investor defines the strategy box and risk appetite up front. The originator then sources, structures, and presents individual deals that match those parameters for approval, or in some cases for automatic allocation subject to tests. This allows the investor to focus on strategy, program level risk, and oversight rather than chasing individual tickets in isolation.
Financely operates as a structuring and origination platform rather than a fund. We work with trading companies and project sponsors on one side and professional lenders on the other, with the goal of building repeatable, documented trade programs that can sit inside a forward flow agreement.
If you are a professional lender, family office, or private credit investor seeking structured access to trade finance exposures, we can discuss a forward flow approach tailored to your mandate. You set the risk box, we focus on sourcing and structuring transactions that belong in it.
Forward flow discussions are reserved for institutional and professional investors only and are subject to eligibility checks and formal engagement.
Lenders & Investors – Explore Forward Flow AgreementsDisclaimer: This page is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security, loan, or financial product. Financely is not a bank, broker dealer, credit fund, or investment adviser and does not accept deposits or client money. Any potential forward flow agreement or trade finance exposure is subject to separate legal documentation, independent legal and tax advice on the investor side, KYC and AML procedures, sanctions screening, and final approval by all relevant counterparties. Past performance in trade finance or private credit is not a guide to future results and capital loss is possible.
Submit your deal using our secure intake form, and receive a quote within 1-3 business days. Existing clients can connect with their relationship manager through our secure web portal.
All submissions are
promptly 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.
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.
Submit a RequestAccess 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.
Submit a RequestSecure 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.
Submit a RequestFinancely 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.
Submit a RequestOnce 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.
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.
Letters of Credit, Standby LCs, Confirmations, Receivables Finance, and Inventory Lines with control.
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.
Limited or non-recourse structures for energy and infrastructure with lender-ready materials.
Funding solutions aligned to project cash flows with credible covenants and conditions to reach notice to proceed.
Advance the file to termable status. Submit the RFQ so we can underwrite and secure funding.
Debt and Preferred solutions anchored on cash flow, Quality of Earnings, and clear closing mechanics.
Funding across senior, unitranche, and preferred to match stable cash flows and acquisition timelines.
Get financed on workable terms for closing. Submit the RFQ to start underwriting.
Acquisition, development, bridge, and refinance with lender-ready packs and third-party reports managed.
Funding calibrated to DSCR, leverage, and tenancy with terms designed to close.
Move to a financeable package. Submit the RFQ to initiate 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, engagements 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 and do not execute securities transactions or hold client funds or securities. When a mandate involves the purchase or sale of securities and a registered intermediary is required, any orders are introduced to and executed by one or more independent U.S. broker-dealers registered with the SEC and FINRA. Those broker-dealers are solely responsible for trade execution, custody, and related regulatory obligations. Nothing in this material constitutes an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security or to engage in any specific transaction. Before engaging Financely Group LLC, Ashford Capital Advisory LLC, or any affiliate, you are responsible for confirming that such engagement complies with your own legal, regulatory, tax, and other requirements. In the United States, certain advisory activities may be conducted in reliance on exemptions available under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, including the “foreign private adviser” exemption where applicable. Our services and regulatory status may vary by jurisdiction and by transaction type.
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