SBLC Arrangement From AA European Banks — Fees, Procedures, Timeline
You want a clean Standby Letter of Credit from a first-line European bank, no drama. This page lays out how we arrange SBLCs, what it costs, how long it takes, and the files you must have. We work on real mandates only. No leased instruments. No fake paper. If you can pass underwriting, we will get you in front of the right bank and manage the process end to end.
Snapshot: AA European bank SBLCs issued under ISP98 or UCP600. Typical issuance 3–6 weeks after complete file and mandate. Fees include our advisory retainer, bank issuance fee per annum, plus legal and confirmation if needed.
Who We Serve
- Exporters and contractors needing performance or financial standby support.
- Sponsors with signed commercial contracts and clear underlying exposure.
- Corporates with balance sheet strength or full cash collateral for issuance.
Instrument Scope
| Type |
Details |
| Standby LC |
Issued under ISP98 or UCP600. Financial or performance standby. MT760 delivery to advising/confirming bank. |
| Issuing Banks |
AA or equivalent European banks. Final bank selection follows underwriting and appetite check. |
| Face Value & Tenor |
Common range USD/EUR 5m–250m. Tenor 6–36 months, extendable by agreement. |
What We Deliver
| Item |
Deliverable |
| Underwriting File |
Credit memo, cash flow view, underlying contract review, sanctions and KYC pack. |
| Bank Approach |
Targeted approach to AA issuers and, if needed, confirming banks. We shepherd terms and conditions. |
| Issuance Management |
Draft text negotiation, compliance routing, MT760 delivery, and post-issuance support. |
Fees And Pricing
| Fee Component |
Scope |
Typical Range |
| Advisory Retainer |
Underwriting, bank approach, term negotiation, and issuance management. |
USD 59,500
engagement |
| Success Fee |
Payable on issuance if we are engaged for placement. |
0.50%–1.00% of face value |
| Issuing Bank Fee |
Annual issuance fee billed by the bank, pro-rata for tenor. |
0.80%–2.50% p.a. |
| Confirmation Fee |
If beneficiary requires confirmation from its local bank. |
0.50%–3.00% p.a. by country risk |
| Legal, SWIFT, Misc. |
Drafting, counsel, SWIFT charges, courier where relevant. |
As incurred |
Fees vary by credit, tenor, jurisdiction, and structure. Bank fees are paid directly to the banks. Our retainer covers advisory and arrangement only.
Procedures And Timeline
- Initial Screen 1–3 business days.
Quick fit check based on a short summary and basic KYC.
- Mandate And Retainer.
We execute the engagement and open underwriting.
- Underwriting 5–10 business days.
Credit memo, source of repayment, collateral path, and sanctions review.
- Bank Approach 5–10 business days.
We approach AA issuers matched to your profile and the underlying contract.
- Indicative Terms.
Non-binding terms including fees, tenor, conditions, and collateral.
- Draft Text And Compliance 5–10 business days.
Finalize SBLC wording under ISP98 or UCP600. Bank compliance clears parties.
- Issuance.
Applicant signs facility documents and pays bank charges. Bank releases MT760 to advising bank.
- Confirmation If Needed.
Confirming bank adds its undertaking and advises the beneficiary.
Typical end-to-end timeline after complete file and mandate: 3–6 weeks. Complex jurisdictions or confirmations can extend this.
Documentation Checklist
| Category |
Required Items |
| Corporate |
COI, bylaws, shareholders, UBO KYC, board resolutions, group chart. |
| Financials |
Audited statements 2–3 years, interims YTD, bank statements, cash flow view. |
| Underlying |
Executed contract or award, performance milestones, penalties, and SBLC draft text. |
| Collateral |
Cash collateral proof or facility support, security agreements, guarantees if applicable. |
| Compliance |
Sanctions screen, AML docs, tax certificates, and any licenses needed. |
Eligibility And Ground Rules
- Real operating company with verifiable revenues or full cash collateral.
- Clear underlying exposure and acceptable jurisdictions for all parties.
- No leased SBLCs, no blocked funds schemes, no crypto payments to banks.
FAQ
Can I monetize an SBLC to raise cash
Banks issue SBLCs to secure obligations, not as cash generators. If your plan is to raise cash against a standby, expect a hard no unless you have a separate credit facility and collateral to support it.
Which rules apply — ISP98 or UCP600
Both are accepted. For standbys, ISP98 is common. Some beneficiaries prefer UCP600. We align the draft text to the requirement and the bank’s policy.
Do you guarantee issuance
No. Issuance is a bank decision after underwriting and compliance. We improve your odds by preparing a complete file and targeting the right desks.
Financely is a private credit and capital advisory. We do not issue commitments and we do not guarantee approvals. All work is best-efforts and subject to KYC, AML, and screening. Bank, legal, and confirmation fees are separate and paid directly by the client. This page is marketing material, not a commitment to lend or issue.