How To Monetize a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC)
An SBLC is a bank’s promise—either to pay or to ensure performance—not cash sitting in an account. Monetizing it means turning that guarantee into working capital today by structuring a financing package around the real transaction it supports—be it a commodity shipment, construction milestone, or service contract. Since issuing banks almost never allow second liens on an SBLC they’ve already guaranteed, our financing is underwritten against the underlying contract network, not the SBLC alone.
What Is SBLC Discounting?
SBLC discounting lets you sell your letter of credit at a negotiated haircut—typically 1%–3% of face value—in exchange for immediate liquidity. Unlike asset-based loans secured by inventory or receivables, this approach relies on the issuing bank’s creditworthiness plus the commercial strength of the contract network. You receive cash now, maintain off-balance-sheet treatment, and avoid pledging additional collateral.
- Issuing Bank:
Guarantees payment or performance under your contract.
- Beneficiary:
Your company, holding the SBLC.
- Discounting Lender:
Our global lending partners, advancing the cash.
Why SBLC Monetization Is Necessary
Tying up working capital while you wait for an SBLC to expire or be drawn upon can stall projects, strain vendor relationships, and limit growth. Monetization unlocks that contingent right today—transforming a future promise into cash for payroll, inventory purchases, or strategic investments. It’s the difference between watching an opportunity slip by and having the funds to act immediately.
How the Underwriting Process Works
Every legit SBLC monetization starts with proper underwriting by Financely’s in-house credit and compliance team. We don’t rely on guesswork—our analysts dive into both bank and contract risk to protect you and our lenders.
| Step |
Activity |
Timeline |
| 1. Document Submission |
Provide original SBLC, audited corporate docs, beneficiary ID, and underlying contract details (e.g., POs, service agreement). |
Day 1–3 |
| 2. Credit & Compliance Review |
Assess issuer rating (AA+ or above), verify SBLC expiry (≥90 days), review governing law, underwrite contract economics. |
Day 4–10 |
| 3. Term Sheet & Fees |
Present discount rate, advisory fee, and underwriting fee—each transparent and deducted at funding. |
Day 11–14 |
Funding Timeline (21-Day Guarantee)
| Phase |
Milestone |
Target Day |
| Intake & KYC |
Complete KYC, deliver docs |
Day 1 |
| Underwriting Sign-off |
Term sheet executed |
Day 14 |
| Disbursement |
Funds wired to your account |
Day 21 |
Fees & Pricing
We ask for our advisory and underwriting fees up front as part of the term sheet, ensuring transparency. All fees—discount, underwriting, advisory—are deducted at closing so there are no surprise charges.
| Fee Type |
Description |
Range of Rates |
| Discount Fee |
Haircut on SBLC face value |
1.0%–3.0% |
| Underwriting Fee |
Credit & compliance review by our team |
0.1%–0.5% |
| Advisory Fee |
Structuring, legal liaison & bank coordination |
0.1%–0.4% |
What Lenders Want to See
Presenting a full, polished package moves you to the head of the line and often secures better pricing. Our lenders expect:
| Requirement |
Details |
| SBLC Wording |
No conflicting amendments; clear expiry and draw conditions |
| Issuer Credit |
Investment-grade bank (AA+, A1 or better) |
| Contract Clarity |
Detailed POs, service agreements, or project schedules |
| Beneficiary Financials |
Recent audited statements showing strong cash flow |
| Governing Law |
ICC UCP or recognized jurisdiction (e.g., New York UCC) |
Common Misconceptions & Red Flags
- No underwriting needed:
All credible SBLC financings are underwritten by experienced analysts.
- Upfront fees:
We require advisory and underwriting fees up front as part of the term sheet to cover real work—this isn’t a red flag, it’s standard practice.
- Instant liquidity for any SBLC:
Only guarantees meeting strict issuer, expiry, and contract criteria qualify.
- Shadow-market shortcuts:
“Non-recourse” loans are exceedingly rare; most structures include recourse or covenants tied to the underlying deal.
Why “No-Underwriting” Schemes Are Scams
If someone promises you cash without a thorough contract review and bank confirmation, run the other way. They’ll vanish once they hold your SBLC—no lender will honor an unverified guarantee. Proper underwriting by Financely’s credit and compliance team is the only path to real funding.
How Financely Puts You on the Fast Track
Our in-house underwriting team combines capital markets expertise with deep lender relationships. We handle structuring, credit analysis, compliance, and distribution under one roof. With our transparent fee model—discount, underwriting, advisory—all settled at funding, routine SBLC discounting transactions clear compliance and fund within 21 days, delivering the cash you need, when you need it.
Ready to convert your SBLC into working capital? No fluff, no hidden fees—just fast, reliable funding.
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the minimum SBLC face value you’ll discount?
We typically start at $500,000 USD but can consider smaller deals if the issuing bank and contract meet our criteria.
Can I monetize an SBLC issued by any bank?
Only SBLCs from investment-grade banks (AA–A1 or above) under ICC UCP or recognized jurisdiction qualify.
What fees are involved, and when are they due?
We charge a discount fee (1.0%–3.0%), an underwriting fee (0.1%–0.5%), and an advisory fee (0.1%–0.4%), all quoted up front and deducted at funding.
Who underwrites the deal?
Financely’s in-house underwriting team—veteran credit analysts and compliance specialists—handle every review to ensure lender confidence and smooth funding.
What happens if the issuing bank defaults?
We work exclusively with top-rated banks. In the rare event of default, our legal claims team enforces recovery under ICC frameworks, safeguarding your interests.