Structured Trade Finance Procedure: From Origination to Funding
A robust structured trade finance procedure
ensures every deal is bankable, compliant and executed on time. Below is the end-to-end workflow—covering origination, due diligence, documentation, risk mitigation, and final funding.
1. Deal Origination & Application
Everything begins with identifying the client’s needs: pre-export financing, letters of credit (LC), inventory financing or receivables lines. We gather:
- Transaction details: commodity type, volumes, pricing terms
- Counterparty information: buyers, sellers, banks involved
- Shipping and delivery terms: Incoterms, vessel schedules
- Preliminary collateral and guarantee structure
2. Preliminary Structuring & Credit Approval
Our structuring team designs the capital stack and negotiates key commercial terms:
- Instrument selection: LC vs. confirmed LC, standby LC, BG
- Coverage ratios and advance rates (e.g., 80% of invoice)
- Pricing and margin grid based on tenor and risk
- Internal credit committee review and conditional approval
3. Due Diligence & Compliance
3.1 KYC / AML / Sanctions Screening
We vet all parties—sellers, buyers, freight forwarders—against global watchlists and perform enhanced due diligence on ultimate beneficial owners.
3.2 Commercial Due Diligence
Confirm contract authenticity, pricing fairness, commodity quality (CIQ reports) and shipping documentation (charter parties, bills of lading).
3.3 Legal & Regulatory Checks
Review of sale/purchase agreements, offtake contracts, LC text compliance with UCP 600, URDG 758 or ISP98 for demand guarantees.
4. Documentation & Structuring Safeguards
- Letter of Credit:
Draft and negotiate LC terms—partial shipments, multiple drawings, confirmation instructions.
- Standby LC / Bank Guarantee:
As credit enhancement or payment fallback.
- Assignment of Proceeds:
To secure receivable financing or warehouse lines.
- Insurance & Credit Cover:
Marine cargo insurance, credit insurance, ECA cover where applicable.
- Warehouse Receipts:
For inventory financing, with third-party vault control agreements.
5. Risk Mitigation & Bankability
To make the deal bankable, we embed multiple layers of safeguards:
- Confirming Bank:
Top-tier bank confirmation to eliminate country risk.
- Insurance Backstop:
Comprehensive marine and credit insurance policies.
- Compliance Certification:
Independent compliance and inspection reports.
- Performance Guarantees:
Supplier performance bonds or corporate guarantees.
- Monitoring Controls:
Digitally track shipments, warehouse stock and payment milestones.
6. Drawdown & Funding
Once documents comply, the bank releases funds:
- Presentation of compliant shipping docs (BL, CIQ, invoice, packing list).
- Bank scrutiny under UCP/URDG standards; any discrepancies corrected.
- Immediate disbursement to seller or warehouse operator.
- Ongoing interest accrual, collateral monitoring and covenant reporting.
7. Post-Funding Monitoring & Reporting
After funding, we remain engaged:
- Monthly compliance review: KYC refresh, sanctions checks
- Shipment tracking and inventory audits
- Quarterly covenant compliance and portfolio review
- Preparation for roll-over or exit financing if required
Ready to navigate the full structured trade finance procedure
—from origination through to funding—with institutional rigor? Contact us today
and receive your onboarding link within 24 hours.