Securing LCs for Trade When You Don’t Have Enough Funding
 
 Letters of credit keep international trade moving by assuring suppliers that payment is locked once conditions are met. But many traders face a hard stop: their bank wants full cash collateral or top-tier balance sheets they don’t have. Here’s how to secure an LC when funds are tight, without falling into fake “guaranteed” offers.
 
  Snapshot: 
Partial cash cover, standby guarantees, back-to-back letters of credit, trade credit insurance, and structured standby facilities can all bridge a funding gap if structured correctly and backed by real credit support.
 
 Why LC Requests Get Blocked When Cash Is Low
 
 Issuing banks typically demand 100 % cash collateral or a borrowing base they trust. If working capital is locked in receivables or inventory, a standard LC request will be declined or priced at a steep premium. Traders without audited statements or with thin equity often hit this wall.
 
 Practical Structures to Secure a Letter of Credit Without Full Cash Cover
 
    | Structure | How It Works | 
 
  | Partial Cash Collateral | Bank takes 20-50 % cash and covers the rest with credit lines or assets pledged as secondary security. | 
 
  | Third-Party Guarantee or SBLC | A rated guarantor or standby letter of credit supports your LC request, lowering collateral needs. | 
 
  | Back-to-Back LC | Use an inbound LC from your buyer as security for the outbound LC to your supplier. | 
 
  | Credit-Insured LC | Trade credit insurance backs the payment risk, allowing the issuing bank to rely on the insurer’s rating. | 
 
  | Structured Standby Facility | A committed standby line arranged with private credit or DFIs to issue multiple LCs over a season. | 
 
 
 
 What the Process Looks Like
 
 Issuers will still run full KYC, AML and credit checks. A solid credit memo, audited statements, shipment contracts and clear LC text cut turnaround times and pricing. Expect upfront application fees and legal drafting before any bank issues the instrument.
 
 Red Flags to Avoid
 
 Ignore anyone promising an LC with zero cash, no documents, or instant issuance for a flat crypto fee. Real banks do not work like that. Always pay only to the bank coordinates on an official invoice and insist on regulated, documented procedures.
 
  Request A Letter of Credit Term Sheet
 
 Submit your intake file for a best-efforts LC arrangement. After KYC clearance, we quote fees and move straight to underwriting.
 
  Submit Intake Form 
 
  
 FAQ
 
   Can I get an LC with zero cash collateral? 
 Not from legitimate banks. Even with guarantees or insurance, some capital or real credit support is always required.
 
  
  How long does it take? 
 Two to six weeks on average if documents and collateral are clean. Complex cross-border cases can take longer.
 
  
  What are typical fees? 
 Application fees start around $500. Issuance and confirmation charges usually run 1–3 % of the LC face amount per year, depending on risk and structure.
 
  
  
 This article is for corporate and institutional trade participants. It is not a commitment to lend. All LC arrangements are subject to underwriting, KYC, AML, sanctions screening, and the changing appetite of issuing banks and confirming institutions.