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An SBLC leasing scam offers to rent you a bank standby letter of credit for an upfront fee. Real SBLCs are issued only by a bank to its own client after a credit review, so any offer to lease, buy or "monetize" one with no underlying trade is a red flag.
These offers persist because many sound companies genuinely lack collateral and the jargon comes from real instruments. Knowing how real trade finance works is the best filter.
The FBI warned in a March 2019 public service announcement that fraudsters sell fictitious standby letters of credit and use counterfeit MT799 and MT760 messages as "proof". It stresses that SBLCs "are not traded or bought and sold". The SEC's 2015 investor alert goes further, stating that all so-called prime bank programmes are fraudulent and that promoters often use terms such as standby letter of credit and bank guarantee instead.
A bank issues an SBLC or LC for its own client, after KYC and credit approval, against a credit line or collateral, and tied to a real contract. Its fees go to the bank under its published tariff. Where a company lacks collateral, the legitimate routes are credit enhancement, third-party collateral or raising debt or equity, as explained in what real SBLC issuance costs.
Arranging an SBLC for a client that does not already have a credit line takes real work before any bank is approached. A boutique advisory firm has to analyse the financials, build the credit file, define the instrument, its type and wording, structure the collateral and, where the bank asks for more security, source additional collateral providers through third-party collateral or credit enhancement. That work is charged as an upfront retainer, set out in an engagement letter with a defined scope and deliverables.
The difference is what you are paying for. A retainer pays for documented structuring work by a named firm, with the bank route, wording and collateral plan delivered to you. A "lease fee" pays for an instrument that a bank never issued. See how we set out SBLC issuance with clear fees and upfront terms, and how clients secure an SBLC without 100% cash margin.
Does
Doesn't
Financely is a boutique advisor and arranger specialised in SBLCs, not a bank. We structure your request, source additional collateral providers where needed and place it with banks that issue under their own approval, through our SBLC services and MT760 SBLC arrangement. Send us the underlying contract and your financials to start.
No. Banks issue standby letters of credit for their own clients after KYC and credit approval, against a facility or collateral. The FBI's 2019 warning states that SBLCs are not traded or bought and sold.
Discounting a genuine LC or receivable tied to a real trade is a normal bank product. 'Monetizing' a leased or purchased SBLC with no underlying transaction is not, and the FBI flags the term itself.
Ask your own bank's trade department to authenticate the SWIFT message with the issuing bank, and confirm the issuing bank through its publicly listed contact details. Never rely on emailed copies.
Yes. Structuring an SBLC request involves credit analysis, wording, collateral structuring and, where needed, sourcing additional collateral providers before any bank is approached. A boutique advisory firm charges a retainer for that work under an engagement letter. What is not normal is paying to lease or buy an instrument.
Documented work such as financial analysis, structuring, collateral sourcing and bank placement, under a signed engagement letter. A legitimate advisor does not sell bank instruments or guarantee issuance.
No. Financely is a boutique advisory and arranging firm specialised in SBLCs. We structure the request, source collateral where needed and place it with banks that issue under their own credit approval.
Warnings and quotes are taken from the linked FBI and SEC publications. If you have lost money, report it to your local authorities and, in the US, to ic3.gov. This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Financely is an advisory and arranging firm, not a bank, lender or broker-dealer. Any financing is subject to the financing counterparty's underwriting, due diligence, credit approval and documentation.