Trade Finance Bridge Loans
Cargo is ready, deadlines are fixed, and cash needs to move. Trade finance bridge loans provide short-term liquidity to cover pre-shipment, prepayment, margin calls, or timing gaps between LC issuance, confirmation, discounting, and final settlement. Financely structures and places bridge facilities for qualified exporters, importers, and traders with enforceable collateral, escrowed flows, and daily control.
“They funded a bridge against confirmed LCs and warehouse receipts. We shipped on time and closed the season without strain.”
★★★★★
- CFO, Global Agri Trader
Service Snapshot
| Eligible clients
|
Exporters, importers, traders with audited financials and verifiable flows |
| Facility size
|
USD 10 million to USD 300 million+ |
| Tenor
|
30 to 180 days, matched to shipment and LC timelines |
| Advance rate
|
Up to 85% against eligible collateral and assigned proceeds |
| Pricing
|
SOFR or EURIBOR plus fixed spread, upfront fees agreed at mandate |
| Security package
|
Warehouse receipts, title docs, CMA/SMA, assignment of LC or receivable proceeds, escrow, cargo insurance with loss payee |
| Use cases
|
Pre-shipment cash, supplier deposits, gap to LC confirmation or discounting, hedging margin top-ups |
| Retainer
|
From USD 35,000, non-refundable |
| Success fee
|
1.5% to 2.0% of funded amount |
| Timeline
|
21 to 45 days from complete data room and approvals |
Where a Bridge Makes the Difference
- Goods are in storage and buyer LC is issued, but confirmation or discounting is still pending
- Supplier demands a deposit before shipment, importer relies on UPAS or usance terms
- Cargo is ready and a fixed laycan window must be met
- Hedging margin calls spike during volatility and need short-term cash cover
Market Roadblocks vs Our Execution
Roadblocks
- Banks unwilling to move until confirmation, insurance, or CPs are satisfied
- Discrepancy risk on documents delays payment
- Country and counterparty risk blocks issuance or discounting
- Supplier requires cash in advance before vessel nomination
Our execution
- Bridge sized to assigned proceeds from LCs or receivables with escrowed flows
- CMA/SMA and title control to secure goods at all times
- Credit insurance or PRI when risk needs to be wrapped
- Document wording review to cut discrepancy rates
Our Process
1) Intake
Review contracts, LC drafts, cargo specs, and storage docs. NDA and KYC completed.
2) Structuring
Set advance rate and tenor. Define security, escrow, insurance, and collateral manager scope.
3) Placement
Introduce to trade lenders and funds active in bridging. Align with confirming or discounting banks.
4) Closing
Execute loan docs, appoint CMA/SMA, open escrow, and fund against collateral and CP checklist.
What We Need To Start
- Corporate KYC, audited financials, UBO chart
- Sales contracts and LC drafts or receivable schedules
- Warehouse receipts, collateral manager details, insurance covers
- Shipment calendar and cash flow model
Request a Term Sheet for a Trade Bridge
Share your contracts, LC status, collateral and timeline. We will return proposed sizing, pricing, and controls for a bridge facility.
Request a Term Sheet
Financely is a placement and advisory firm. We are not a bank. All bridge facilities are subject to lender approval, KYC and AML, sanctions screening, and enforceable collateral and assignment of proceeds. Any securities-related work is conducted through a licensed chaperone, Member FINRA/SIPC. This page is informational and not a public offer of credit.