How Much Does A Standby Letter Of Credit (SBLC) Cost To Issue And Maintain
SBLC pricing depends on risk, tenor, currency, jurisdiction, and file quality. Expect an annual commission billed quarterly on the outstanding face amount plus one off charges for advising, SWIFT, legal drafting, and any confirmation or fronting. Collateral can range from zero to one hundred percent based on the applicant profile. Clean wording and beneficiary pre acceptance shorten timelines.
What A Standby Letter Of Credit Is
A Standby Letter of Credit is an independent bank undertaking to pay on demand against a compliant presentation. The standard rule set is International Standby Practices ISP98. Some beneficiaries request UCP 600 language, yet ISP98 aligns better with standby practice. The SBLC is separate from the commercial contract. Payment is triggered by the exact draw statement and any documents named in the text.
Common Types Of SBLC And When Each One Fits
Payment Standby
- Backs payment obligations on delivery or completion.
- Used where open account terms are not acceptable to the seller.
Advance Payment Standby
- Protects a deposit or prepayment by the buyer.
- Draw statement confirms failure to deliver or repay the advance.
Bid Standby
- Supports tender validity and deters frivolous bids.
Performance Standby
- Covers performance obligations under an EPC or supply contract.
- Draw statement references non performance or default events defined in the text.
Warranty Or Maintenance Standby
- Backs post completion obligations and defect remedy periods.
Rental Or Lease Standby
- Used in real estate and equipment leases to secure rent and damages.
How Much An SBLC Costs To Issue And Maintain
| Fee Element |
Typical Range Or Practice |
Notes |
| Issuance Commission |
0.50% to 3.50% per annum, billed quarterly in advance |
By risk and tenor. Higher for weaker issuers, longer maturities, or complex draws. |
| Confirmation Fee |
0.50% to 2.50% per annum |
Applies when a confirming bank is added for beneficiary comfort. |
| Fronting Fee |
0.10% to 0.30% per annum |
When a local bank fronts against a counter guarantee. |
| Advising And SWIFT |
USD 150 to 400 for advising, USD 75 to 200 per SWIFT |
Advising bank fee and message charges per event. |
| Legal Drafting Or Review |
USD 500 to 3,000 plus where bespoke |
Complex performance texts take longer and cost more. |
| Amendment |
USD 150 to 350 flat, plus pro rata commission if increased or extended |
Each change triggers an MT767 and local handling. |
| Minimums |
USD 1,000 to 7,500 per instrument per year |
Applied where face is small or tenor is short. |
| Facility Or Line Fee |
0.25% to 1.00% per annum on unutilised limits |
If the SBLC sits under a committed issuance line. |
Collateral Requirements And How Banks Think About Them
Collateral depends on the applicant’s financial strength, track record, and country. Strong corporates with proven cash flows may obtain unsecured issuance with covenants and cash management. Mid market applicants often post 10% to 50% cash margin or pledge liquid collateral. New or thinly capitalised applicants may be asked for 100% cash margin, a standby counter guarantee from a higher rated bank, or additional security such as a receivables assignment or a charge over deposits. Where the beneficiary, corridor, or sanctions profile raises risk, collateral asks rise and confirmation may be mandatory.
Underwriting Steps And How Long It Takes
- KYC And Sanctions.
Corporate documents, ownership chart, directors, flows, and purpose. Typical timing three to ten business days depending on jurisdiction and completeness.
- Credit Assessment.
Financials, bank statements, contract review, and collateral analysis. Typical timing five to ten business days for a first file.
- Drafting And Beneficiary Pre Acceptance.
Full ISP98 text with draw statement, expiry, presentation place, and law. Beneficiary confirms in writing. Typical timing two to five business days.
- RMA And SWIFT Setup.
Banks confirm messaging permissions and routing. Typical timing one to three business days.
- Issuance.
Once conditions precedent and margin are in place, issuance follows on the same or next business day.
Clean files often close in seven to fifteen business days. Cross border fronting and complex performance standbys can take ten to twenty five business days due to local counsel and platform steps.
Issuance Guidelines That Prevent Disputes
- Use ISP98 unless the beneficiary mandates UCP 600. Demand guarantees under URDG 758 can work where local practice prefers guarantees.
- State applicant, beneficiary, face amount, currency, and clear expiry. For evergreen, set automatic extension with a ninety or sixty day non renewal notice.
- Define the place for presentation, whether originals are required, and the number of originals. Electronic presentation rules should be explicit if allowed.
- Write an objective draw statement. Avoid subjective tests and external contracts that the bank cannot verify.
- Clarify transferability, assignment of proceeds, and governing law. Transferability is uncommon for standbys and should be avoided unless essential.
How An SBLC Is Delivered And Amended
SWIFT Path
- Issuance via MT760 to the advising or beneficiary bank.
- Amendments via MT767. Status or clarifications via MT799 or MT199 where appropriate.
- RMA permissions and test keys confirmed before transmission.
Local And Platform Forms
- Hard copy on bank letterhead if the beneficiary mandates originals by courier.
- Approved e guarantee platforms in markets that require electronic form.
- Fronting through a domestic bank supported by a counter guarantee where only a local issuer is accepted.
Maintenance, Renewals, And Ongoing Costs
- Quarterly commissions continue until expiry or cancellation. Reductions pro rate if face amount is reduced.
- Extensions and increases trigger incremental commission and amendment charges.
- Annual reviews for multi year programs include financial updates and confirmation of sanctions and KYC.
- If a confirming bank is on risk, its renewal fee applies at each extension.
How To Raise Capital If Collateral Is Not Sufficient
Options That Directly Support Issuance
- Senior secured working capital facility to fund the cash margin for issuance.
- Preferred equity or mezzanine to top up margin for performance or advance payment standbys.
- Counter guarantee from your relationship bank to a fronting bank acceptable to the beneficiary.
- Trade credit or political risk insurance to widen confirming capacity where the beneficiary insists on confirmation.
Structural Workarounds
- Switch to a demand guarantee under URDG 758 if the beneficiary accepts that form and pricing is better.
- For payment risk, replace part of the standby with a confirmed documentary credit and discount proceeds at sight.
- Use a special purpose vehicle with assignment of proceeds and controlled accounts so lenders can take comfort in cash control.
- Place unfunded risk participation behind your issuing bank so limit and pricing improve without changing the front bank.
Documents We Need To Start And Speed
- Underlying contract or tender with scope, milestones, and law.
- Beneficiary wording or acceptance criteria if any exist.
- Corporate documents, ownership chart, latest financials, and twelve months of bank statements.
- Draft draw statement, expiry date, presentation place, and confirmation preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can an SBLC be issued?
Seven to fifteen business days for a clean file with agreed text and standard jurisdictions. Complex performance standbys or fronting across borders can take ten to twenty five business days.
What drives the commission band?
Issuer strength, country risk, tenor, currency, draw mechanics, and whether confirmation or fronting is required. Collateral level also influences pricing.
Can the beneficiary demand originals?
Yes. If the text requires originals, couriered documents and wet signatures may be necessary. Many banks accept authenticated SWIFT as the controlling delivery for issuance and amendments.
Is an evergreen clause acceptable?
Yes, with a non renewal notice period. Ninety or sixty days is common so the beneficiary has time to arrange a replacement if needed.
Request An SBLC Plan, Pricing, And Issuance Route
Share your contract pack, target face amount, tenor, and beneficiary requirements. We will return with draft wording, the bank and confirmation route, and a delivery plan to issuance.
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This article is for corporate users. It is not legal advice and it is not a commitment to lend or issue. Any standby is subject to know your customer checks, anti money laundering controls, sanctions screening, credit approval, and beneficiary acceptance of the final text.