Trade Finance Structuring & Placement

Trade Finance Structuring & Placement

Importers, exporters, manufacturers, and commodity traders do not lose transactions because trade finance is unavailable. They lose transactions because credit files are incomplete, collateral and controls are undefined, and the deal is presented in a way a risk team cannot sign. If you have real flows, real counterparties, and verifiable documents, trade finance is still executable.

Financely works on the sponsor side. We take your contracts, shipment history, and operating reality, then structure lender-ready facilities and place them with regulated banks and private credit providers. Where collateral is incomplete, we focus on controls, eligibility criteria, and gap solutions that lenders actually recognize.

We support post revenue companies seeking practical access to letters of credit and working capital facilities , including receivables, inventory, and borrowing base structures. If the file is not bankable, we will say so early. If it is bankable, we build it to move through credit and close.

Who This Service Is For

This mandate is for operating companies with control over goods and cash flows, not for brokers, paper traders, or intermediaries with no execution ability. Typical clients include:

  • Commodity traders, distributors, and processors with repeat flows and documented shipment history.
  • Manufacturers importing raw materials or exporting finished goods with stable counterparties.
  • Trading subsidiaries that require ring-fenced facilities separate from group balance sheet funding.

If you are raising capital for a broader business transaction (acquisition, recapitalization, or asset-backed line), you may be better served by our private credit , business acquisition financing , or asset-based lending processes.

Instruments And Structures We Place

Core Trade Finance Products

  • Import and export letters of credit, including confirmed LCs, UPAS structures, and LC discounting where supported.
  • Standby letters of credit when counterparties accept standby formats for performance or payment security.
  • Receivables purchase and discounting, including insured receivables where eligible.
  • Inventory lines and warehouse finance where collateral and control are acceptable to lenders.

If your requirement is SBLC-led execution, pair this page with our Structured Trade Finance overview to understand control points and lender appetite.

Structured Facilities

  • Borrowing base facilities referencing eligible receivables and inventory under defined advance rates.
  • Pre-export facilities for producers with credible offtake, shipments, and controllable collections.
  • Blended bank and private credit structures where part of the risk is funded by credit funds rather than one bank.

Every structure is built around your actual flow of goods, documents, and cash, not theoretical products your counterparty will reject.

What We Need To Underwrite And Package Your File

A clean file answers the first ten questions a credit officer asks before a deal even reaches committee. At minimum, we require:

  • Company documents and ownership details that are verifiable and consistent.
  • Financial statements and recent bank statements or management accounts where applicable.
  • Trade evidence: contracts, invoices, shipping docs, and a short summary of counterparties and settlement terms.
  • Clarity on collateral and controls, including where goods sit, how title transfers, and how collections are received.

How Our Process Works

1. RFQ And Feasibility Review

You submit an RFQ with trade flows, requested facility size, counterparties, and a summary of collateral. We run an initial feasibility screen and give a direct view on what is realistic and what will fail.

2. File Preparation And Structuring

Once engaged, we build a lender-ready package that typically includes a credit memo, trade and cash cycle analysis, a draft term sheet, and a controls map. This is where weak files become fundable, or get ruled out quickly without wasting months.

3. Targeted Placement And Feedback Loop

We circulate the structured file to suitable lenders on a best efforts basis, capture feedback, and iterate where it improves execution. Our aim is to avoid mass emailing and keep your information controlled.

4. Term Sheet Comparison And Closing Support

When terms arrive, we help compare pricing, covenants, conditions precedent, collateral mechanics, and operational controls. Facilities are documented and funded directly between you and the lender under the lender’s license and documentation.

Typical Reasons Deals Fail

Most failures are not about “no lenders”. They are about controllability and proof.

  • Unverifiable counterparties or contracts that do not match real shipment behavior.
  • Weak document trails, missing shipping evidence, or inconsistent invoicing and settlement terms.
  • Collateral that cannot be controlled or verified, including unclear title and storage arrangements.
  • Sanctions or compliance risk in counterparties, routes, beneficial ownership, or payment chain.
  • Applicants seeking facilities for third-party flows they do not control.

Pricing And Engagement Model

Trade finance mandates require analysis, structuring, and controlled placement. We charge a retainer to cover file preparation and execution work, then a success fee payable only when you close a facility from our workstream.

  • Retainer aligned with complexity and target facility size, payable on engagement and not conditional on closing.
  • Success fee typically in the one to three percent range of the funded amount, subject to a minimum.
  • Third party costs such as legal, audit, collateral inspections, and KYC checks are for the account of the client unless agreed otherwise.

If you want a capital process that is broader than trade flows alone, review our asset-based lending and private credit pages for adjacent structures.

FAQ

Do you provide direct loans or issue letters of credit?

No. Financely is not a bank and does not issue letters of credit or lend from its own balance sheet. Facilities are provided by regulated third-party institutions under their own licenses, approvals, and documentation.

What is the minimum profile that usually works for trade finance?

Repeat flows, real shipment evidence, credible counterparties, and a controllable structure. Files without documentation or with purely brokered flows tend to fail quickly.

Can you help if we do not have full collateral?

Sometimes. The fix is usually controls and structure: eligibility definitions, collections control, inventory oversight, and a facility design that matches your cash cycle. In some cases, private credit participation can bridge gaps when a bank alone will not. See private credit financing.

How long does it take to get terms?

Timing depends on KYC readiness, document quality, collateral controllability, and lender cycle times. Strong files move faster. First-time applicants often take longer because compliance and credit have to be built from scratch.

Do you work on a best efforts basis?

Yes. No one can force a lender to approve a file. Our job is to make your case credit-ready and place it with the right desks so it can be assessed properly and quickly.

Will you share our data room widely?

No. Placement is controlled and targeted. We only share the package with relevant counterparties and track feedback so you have a clear view of market response.

Request Trade Finance Structuring Support

If your company has real trade flows and you need working capital, letters of credit, or structured trade facilities from banks and private credit lenders, submit your RFQ and core documents.

We will assess whether a trade finance structuring and placement mandate makes sense for your business.

Submit Trade Finance RFQ

Disclaimer: Financely is a corporate finance advisory platform. We are not a bank, lender, broker dealer, or deposit taker and we do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Any facility described on this page is provided, if approved, by regulated third party institutions under their own licences, terms, and documentation. All mandates are conducted on a best efforts basis and are subject to KYC, AML, sanctions screening, and internal approval. Nothing on this page is a commitment to lend or a guarantee that funding will be obtained.

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.

Submit a Request

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.

Submit a Request

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.

Submit a Request

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.