Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) Services

Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) Services | ISP98 Standbys for Payment and Performance

Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) Services

We arrange SBLCs under ISP98 with wording that gets paid when it should. You receive a clear, independent undertaking, clean demand mechanics, and optional confirmation by a first-class bank. Use cases include payment backstops, performance security, bid participation, and safeguarding advance payments. Our work covers draft text, issuer selection, confirmation, and full lifecycle support from issuance to expiry.
Who this is for
  • * Exporters, EPCs, lessors, and landlords
  • * Developers and project sponsors needing security
  • * Buyers that must post a bank backstop to win terms
Standby types we arrange
  • Payment standby
  • Performance standby
  • Bid or tender standby
  • Advance-payment standby
  • Rental or lease standby
Rule sets and options
  • Primary: ISP98
  • Alternate on request: UCP600 standbys
  • URDG 758 if beneficiary mandates a guarantee form
  • Optional confirmation and assignment of proceeds

What we deliver

Wording and structure

Draft standby text under ISP98, demand content, expiry and place, extend or pay mechanics, transfer or assignment provisions, and charges clause that align with the contract.

Bank lineup

Issuer selection by jurisdiction, advising bank coordination, and confirmation by a top-tier bank where beneficiary risk policy requires a local undertaking.

Execution and support

Fee letters, issuance via SWIFT MT760, beneficiary verification, amendment control, monitoring of expiry, and support on presentation or waiver requests.

Eligibility and documents required

Baseline profile
  • Operating company with verifiable revenues
  • Underlying contract or lease that requires a standby
  • Acceptable issuer jurisdiction and sanctions posture
  • Security or reimbursement agreement acceptable to issuer
Checklist to start
  • KYC, corporate docs, ownership table
  • Audited or reviewed financials and bank statements
  • Draft standby text with purpose, amount, expiry, rule set
  • Beneficiary details and any required local format

Illustrative pricing

Annual commission charged on the face amount based on issuer name, tenor, purpose, and security. Setup and SWIFT fees apply. Confirmation, if required, is priced by the confirming bank. Legal and courier costs are standard. Exact allocation follows the charges clause.

How the process works

  1. Share your contract, preferred wording, KYC, and financials.
  2. Receive indicative terms, issuer options, and confirmation proposal.
  3. Finalize ISP98 wording, demand content, expiry, and place of presentation.
  4. Issuer transmits the SBLC by SWIFT MT760 to the advising bank.
  5. We monitor effectiveness, amendments, and any extend or pay triggers.
  6. If called, beneficiary presents the stated demand and receives payment if compliant.

Controls that prevent disputes

Clear demand wording

Simple certificate language, no need to prove the underlying breach beyond what the standby requires.

Dates and place of expiry

Aligned with project or lease milestones and a specific place of presentation.

Confirmation where needed

Local paying bank undertaking when issuer or country risk is higher or the beneficiary requires it.

Frequently asked questions

Is an SBLC the same as a bank guarantee?

They serve the same purpose as independent undertakings. SBLCs are letters of credit governed mainly by ISP98. Demand guarantees are usually governed by URDG 758 if specified.

Can an SBLC be confirmed?

Yes. A confirming bank adds its own irrevocable undertaking to pay. This improves payout certainty and may enable discounting of proceeds in some cases.

Should I use ISP98 or UCP600 for a standby?

ISP98 is written for standbys and handles extend or pay, transfer, and notices cleanly. Some parties choose UCP600 for familiarity. We recommend ISP98 unless a counterparty mandates otherwise.

Request SBLC Terms

We deliver SBLCs that pay when called. You get ISP98 wording with simple demand content, issuer options that fit your jurisdiction, confirmation by a first-class bank where required, and full execution support from SWIFT issuance to expiry control. Send your contract, preferred wording, amount, expiry, KYC, and financials and we will return eligibility and pricing bands with a direct path to issuance.

Request Indicative Terms

Financely acts as advisor and arranger on a best efforts basis. We are not a bank. All transactions are subject to KYC and AML, sanctions screening, credit approval, legal documentation, and available capacity from counterparties. Nothing here is a commitment to lend or an offer of securities. Terms vary by bank names, jurisdictions, and documentary quality.

Get Started With Us

Submit Your Deal & Receive a Proposal Within 1-3 Working Days

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.

Express Application Submit Your Deal
Request a Proposal
Request a Proposal / Submit a Deal

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.

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Submit a Request

Once 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.

Still Have Questions? Schedule a Consultation

If you still have questions after visiting our FAQ and Procedure pages, we invite you to book a paid consultation for personalized guidance. A $250 USD fee applies per session.