Top Letter of Credit Providers

Top Letter of Credit Providers

Top Letter of Credit Providers

The issuing and confirming bank on your LC influences supplier acceptance, pricing, and timing. Many banks prioritize existing clients, which slows new applicants. Financely prepares the file, fixes wording under UCP 600 or ISP98, and routes issuance to desks that perform on schedule across Asia, MENA, Africa, Europe, the United States, and Latin America.

Key Parameters

LC Types & Variants
  • DLC (Sight and Usance), UPAS, Transferable, Revolving
  • SBLC (Performance and Financial), Back-to-Back, Red/Green Clause
  • Confirmation, Aval/Acceptance, Discounting on acceptance
Ticket & Tenor
  • Tickets sized to trade flow and counterparty quality
  • Typical tenors 30 to 180 days; longer by case and structure
  • Partial shipments and draws supported where agreed
Use Cases
  • Supplier funding with UPAS or confirmation and discounting
  • Back-to-back issuance to upstream OEMs against a master LC
  • SBLC for payment or performance where contracts require it
What We Handle
  • Wording control, document lists, and presentation timelines
  • KYC and sanctions screening, advising and confirmation routing
  • Discounting, reimbursement, and settlement instructions

Jurisdictions & Rulebooks

LC documentation follows international rules and local banking practice. Execution focus includes:
  • Rule Sets: UCP 600 for commercial credits, ISP98 for standbys, URR 725 where reimbursement applies, Incoterms alignment with shipment plans
  • United States / Europe: confirmation in exporter markets, accurate consignee and notify party data, on-time presentation windows
  • GCC and MENA: issuers in UAE, KSA, Egypt, Jordan with cross-border confirmations
  • Africa: issuers and confirmers across West, East, and Southern Africa with correspondent support
  • Latin America & Asia: regional issuers with strong SWIFT execution and exporter-side confirmation where needed
  • Sanctions, AML, tax, FX controls, and customs rules apply in full

Wording & Presentation Controls

  • Objective conditions only; no subjective approvals or open-ended certificates
  • Exact-match names, addresses, HS codes, shipment dates, and tolerance
  • Aligned transport docs: B/L, AWB, CMR, packing list, invoice, insurance where applicable
  • Confirmation where issuer risk, jurisdiction, or tenor calls for it
  • Clear reimbursement path and nominated bank; acceptance or sight instructions defined
  • Discrepancy cure path and presentation timeline sized to voyage and customs

Underwriting & Execution Process

1

Intake & Screening

Buy and sell contracts, shipment plan, draft wording, KYC, sanctions checks, issuer and confirmer map by lane and tenor

2

Indicative Options

Sight, usance or UPAS; SBLC or DLC; confirmation need; discounting path; timelines and document checklist

3

Text & KYC

Wording control and data alignment; advising and nominated bank selection; KYC and file completion for issuance

4

Issuance & Confirmation

SWIFT issuance, amendments if required, confirmation and reimbursement set, acceptance or sight path locked

5

Presentation & Settlement

Document check and presentation; discounting if elected; settlement, discrepancy cure, and close-out

Fees & Economics

Fee Basis Range / Example Payable
Engagement Retainer Structuring, wording control, KYC coordination Fixed amount sized to scope and speed On mandate signing, non refundable
Issuance / Advising Bank fee to issue or advise the LC Per LC and per amendment as applicable At issuance and on each amendment
Confirmation Bank fee to add and hold confirmation Spread or flat; tenor and jurisdiction driven At confirmation and pro rata by tenor
Discounting / UPAS Cost Early payment at sight or on acceptance Base rate plus margin; tenor based Deducted at discounting or at maturity
SWIFT / Ops / Legal Transmission, draft and review, courier where needed At cost with estimates in advance As incurred or via expense deposit

Note: Pricing reflects issuer and confirmer risk, tenor, structure, and document quality. Clean files reduce amendment cycles and cost.

Where We Issue

Middle East
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Egypt
  • Jordan
Africa
  • Nigeria
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • South Africa
  • Morocco
Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Mexico
  • Panama
Asia
  • India
  • Vietnam
  • Bangladesh
  • Indonesia
Europe
  • SPV issuance routes
  • Direct corporate issuance
United States
  • SPV issuance routes
  • Direct corporate issuance

Leading LC Providers

Standard Chartered
Issuance across Asia, Africa, and MENA
Société Générale
Energy, metals, and Europe to Africa flows
Mashreq Bank
MENA coverage with flexible structuring
Zenith Bank
West Africa corporates and commodities
Banque Misr
Egypt and North African corridors
Banco do Brasil
Latin American issuance and SWIFT execution
Absa Bank
Sub-Saharan Africa trade instruments
Banorte
Mexico mid market and institutional clients
Bank of Africa
Public and private LC backed projects
National Bank of Egypt
MENA issuance and confirmation

FAQ

Can you add confirmation if the issuer is smaller

Yes. We route to recognized confirmers in the exporter’s market and align reimbursement so settlement is predictable.

How fast can issuance occur

Complete files often see SWIFT issuance within two to five business days. Amendments extend timelines.

Can we fund suppliers at sight while buyers pay later

Yes. Use UPAS or discount accepted drafts. The exporter receives cash at presentation and the importer settles at maturity.

Do you work without a retainer

No. Wording control, issuer outreach, and KYC require real time. The retainer funds this work and locks schedules.

Request LC Issuance or Confirmation

Share contracts, shipment plan, draft wording, and preferred tenor. After screening we propose the issuing and confirming path with fees and timelines.

Submit RFQ — Trade Finance

This page is informational and non binding. All transactions are subject to due diligence, full KYC and AML screening, bank approvals, legal documentation, and jurisdictional requirements including sanctions and FX controls. Financely acts as arranger and does not guarantee issuance.

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.

Trade Finance

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.

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Project Finance

Access 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.

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Acquisitions

Secure 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.

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For Banks

Financely 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 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.