We provide lender-ready capital raise packaging and debt or equity placement support for business owners and buyers looking to secure serious term sheets and close funding on a defined timeline.
For business owners and acquirers pursuing private debt or equity, submit your deal for review. We revert within one working day with next steps and either a quote for our services.
For pre-submission discussions, we offer paid consultations. To initiate underwriting and lender outreach, submit the deal.
Trade Finance
Trade finance is not one product. It is a toolkit: instruments, controls, documentation, and payment mechanics designed to turn a cross-border promise into a bankable transaction.
If you get the instrument right but the documents and controls are weak, funding stalls. If you get the controls right, pricing improves and repeat cycles become possible.
A trade finance instrument is a risk and payment mechanism wrapped around a real commercial obligation. It can move payment risk from buyer to bank, create conditional payment on documents, or provide credit support if one party defaults. The instrument is only as strong as the file behind it: contracts, counterparties, documents, and control over goods or cash flows.
If you want a high-level map of what sits in the toolkit, see our overview of different trade finance instruments.
Documentary trade is the discipline of matching money movement to document presentation. Banks and lenders do not “inspect your goods.” They check whether the presented documents meet the instrument’s conditions. That is why documentary quality matters more than storytelling.
Practical reality: most deals fail on avoidable errors: inconsistent invoices, missing transport documents, unclear Incoterms, weak inspection language, or no proof of controllable collections.
A Documentary Letter of Credit (LC) is a primary payment undertaking by the issuing bank, payable against compliant documents. When used correctly, it replaces counterparty trust with bank process. For a full framework across LC, SBLC, MT760 and related bank instruments, see bank instruments explained.
| LC Variant | What It Does | Best Fit | Common Control Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irrevocable Sight LC | Bank pays upon compliant presentation | First-time counterparties, higher risk routes | Document checklist, discrepancy prevention, strict timelines |
| Usance / Deferred Payment LC | Bank pays at maturity after compliant presentation | Buyer needs credit terms | Acceptance language, maturity dates, discounting options |
| Confirmed LC | Second bank adds its payment undertaking | Issuer risk, country risk, supplier comfort needs | Confirming bank selection, reimbursement, sanctions screening |
| Transferable / Back-to-Back LC | Supports intermediated trade with controlled substitution | Traders and distributors | Strict substitution rules, timing gaps, document consistency |
If you need to route issuance or connect with the right issuing path, see our letter of credit marketplace.
An SBLC is a secondary payment instrument. It is designed to pay only if the applicant fails to perform or pay under the underlying contract. In many capital structures, the SBLC is used as credit support rather than as the primary settlement method.
Start with our practical breakdown: standby letter of credit and payment security. For the line between SBLCs, bank guarantees, and demand guarantees, see key differences explained.
“Bank guarantee” is used loosely in the market. In practice, the legal effect depends on the wording and the governing rules selected. Demand guarantees are designed for fast payment upon demand and compliant presentation. Performance guarantees are tied to performance obligations, often with defined claim documents.
If you need a clean, bank-grade overview of how these instruments sit together in practice, Deutsche Bank’s guide is a helpful reference: Deutsche Bank: A guide to trade finance.
Documentary collections sit between open account and letters of credit. Banks act as document handlers and collection agents, not as payers. That means your commercial leverage comes from control of documents and release conditions, not from a bank undertaking.
When collections work: repeat counterparties, clear dispute history, strong document discipline, and a seller who can enforce control over documents and release.
Once invoices exist, receivables finance can unlock liquidity without waiting for payment. The exact structure depends on the buyer’s credit, dilution risk, dispute history, and the enforceability of assignment and collections control.
Many trade programs end up pairing instruments: documentary credits for settlement, then receivables discounting to accelerate cash conversion. The practical menu and where each one fits is covered in our guide to factoring, invoice discounting, and forfaiting structures.
For traders and producers, funding often becomes a controllability problem, not a commodity problem. Lenders want enforceable control over inventory, releases tied to sales, and clear reporting with audit rights. Borrowing base and collateral-managed structures usually win when the file is clean.
If you want a view of how a lender expects controls and conditions to be framed, see our trade finance term sheet.
SWIFT is not the instrument. It is the messaging rail that banks use to communicate issuance, amendments, and claims. In documentary trade, message discipline reduces operational disputes and supports clean settlement.
For the message family used for documentary credits and guarantees, SWIFT’s Category 7 standards are the relevant reference: SWIFT MT Category 7 standards (documentary credits and guarantees).
| Your Problem | Instrument Shortlist | What Must Be True |
|---|---|---|
| You do not trust the buyer to pay | Irrevocable LC, confirmed LC | Document set is precise and achievable, issuer is acceptable to the seller |
| You need credit support, not primary payment | SBLC, demand guarantee | Wording supports clean claim mechanics, reimbursement and collateral are real |
| You need working capital after invoicing | Receivables finance, factoring, forfaiting | Invoices are valid, disputes are controlled, collections mechanics are enforceable |
| You need capital tied to inventory and turnover | Borrowing base, inventory finance, collateral management | Title and storage are controllable, audits and releases can be enforced |
If you have real counterparties and a live transaction, we can structure the instrument path, build a lender-ready file, and run a controlled process to terms.
Apply For A QuoteDisclaimer: This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, investment, or regulatory advice. Financely is not a bank, not a broker-dealer, and not a direct lender. All services are provided on a best-efforts basis as an advisor and arranger through third-party capital providers and, where required, regulated execution partners. Any financing outcome is subject to diligence, compliance screening (including KYC, AML, and sanctions), counterparty approvals, and definitive documentation.
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.
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.
Tap into solutions like letters of credit, bank guarantees, and payment facilitation. We address the challenge of global transaction risk through structured strategies that foster cross-border growth. Complete the form to unlock streamlined funding aligned with your commercial objectives.
Submit a RequestAccess non-recourse funding for infrastructure, renewable energy, or other capital-intensive ventures. We mitigate capital constraints by isolating project assets and focusing on risk management. Provide your details to receive a structure that drives growth and maximizes returns.
Submit a RequestSecure financing for business or real estate acquisitions. We ease transaction hurdles by reviewing cash flow, synergy opportunities, and exit plans. Complete the form for a customized proposal that supports your strategic investment objectives.
Submit a RequestFinancely assists banks facing Basel III pressures by distributing trade finance deals and providing collateral for letters of credit. We reduce capital burdens while preserving client relationships and fostering service expansion. Submit your request to optimize your trade finance offerings.
Submit a RequestOnce 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.
Financely advises growth-focused businesses on accessing capital by introducing their opportunities to professional investors. Financely is not a securities broker or dealer. Where appropriate, engagements are coordinated with regulated broker-dealers, investment banks, legal counsel, and other specialists.
Financely does not solicit, offer, or accept orders to buy or sell securities and makes no assurance regarding capital-raising outcomes.
Services are strictly business-to-business. Financely does not provide personal finance, consumer credit, or retail advisory services.
Advisory services are reserved for post-revenue companies that recognize the time and resources required for professional underwriting.
To proceed,
request a quote
and receive indicative commercial terms. If you require guidance before engaging,
book a paid telephone consultation.
Security notice: we are aware of third parties using Financely’s name without authorization. Only emails sent from our official domains and communications through our portal are valid. Please verify any outreach before sharing documents or sending payments, and read our impersonation warning.
All mandates start with an RFQ. We review submissions, issue a brief Go/No-Go memo, and where bankable, release a Term Sheet that leads to funding. We arrange capital across Senior Secured, Unitranche, Second Lien/Mezzanine, Preferred Equity, and Gap Solutions. We do not process deals by email or chat.
Letters of Credit, Standby LCs, Confirmations, Receivables Finance, and Inventory Lines with control.
Funding arranged for trade flows with instruments sized to your cycle and aligned to delivery and settlement.
Move forward to secure working capital and keep goods moving. Submit the RFQ to start underwriting for funding.
Limited or non-recourse structures for energy and infrastructure with lender-ready materials.
Funding solutions aligned to project cash flows with credible covenants and conditions to reach notice to proceed.
Advance the file to termable status. Submit the RFQ so we can underwrite and secure funding.
Debt and Preferred solutions anchored on cash flow, Quality of Earnings, and clear closing mechanics.
Funding across senior, unitranche, and preferred to match stable cash flows and acquisition timelines.
Get financed on workable terms for closing. Submit the RFQ to start underwriting.
Acquisition, development, bridge, and refinance with lender-ready packs and third-party reports managed.
Funding calibrated to DSCR, leverage, and tenancy with terms designed to close.
Move to a financeable package. Submit the RFQ to initiate underwriting for funding.
KYC and Source of Funds required. Engagements are best-efforts and subject to underwriting. Preference for operating companies with meaningful revenue. See our FAQ and Procedure.
Financely Inc. (“Financely”) provides corporate-finance advice and is wholly owned by Aurora Bay Trust, a trust formed under Bahamian law, together with its authorized affiliates. Depending on deal structure, jurisdiction, and local rules, engagements may be carried out through Financely Group LLC, a non-deposit-taking, non-banking financial company; Ashford Capital Advisory LLC; or another related entity.
Financely and its affiliates are not registered as securities broker-dealers and do not execute securities transactions or hold client funds or securities. When a mandate involves the purchase or sale of securities and a registered intermediary is required, any orders are introduced to and executed by one or more independent U.S. broker-dealers registered with the SEC and FINRA. Those broker-dealers are solely responsible for trade execution, custody, and related regulatory obligations. Nothing in this material constitutes an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security or to engage in any specific transaction. Before engaging Financely Group LLC, Ashford Capital Advisory LLC, or any affiliate, you are responsible for confirming that such engagement complies with your own legal, regulatory, tax, and other requirements. In the United States, certain advisory activities may be conducted in reliance on exemptions available under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, including the “foreign private adviser” exemption where applicable. Our services and regulatory status may vary by jurisdiction and by transaction type.
Click
here to download our brochure.
