USA Trade Finance: Bridge Capital & Letters of Credit

USA Trade Finance: Bridge Capital & Letters of Credit

USA Trade Finance: Bridge Capital & Letters of Credit

You need cash that lands on time and paper that clears credit. We arrange bridge capital and letters of credit for U.S. importers, exporters, and processors. The toolkit is direct. Confirmed and UPAS LCs, SBLC or APG backed prepayments, receivables purchase, inventory repo, forfaiting, and LC discounting. Controls are tight. Title, insurance, proceeds traps, UCC filings, and account control agreements.

“We were stuck waiting on buyer funds. The team confirmed the LC and discounted at presentation. Cash hit in 3 days.”

★★★★★
CFO, U.S. industrial distributor

Use the right terms

Say this: confirmed LC , UPAS LC , standby LC under ISP98 , Advance Payment Guarantee under URDG758 , receivables purchase under URC522 , inventory repo with collateral control , UCC-1 filing , blocked account or DDA control agreement.
Not this: “BG lease,” “instrument monetization,” or “success only with no documents.” That does not clear any U.S. credit committee.

Service snapshot

Facility types Bridge capital for shipments and inventory, DLC at sight with or without confirmation, UPAS LC, SBLC or APG backed prepayment, receivables purchase, inventory repo, forfaiting, LC confirmation and discounting
Typical size USD 10M to 300M per program. Smaller draws can sit inside a larger line
Tenor 30 to 180 days for trade cycles. Up to 12 months for standby support and structured bridges
Pricing Base rate plus margin on LC based structures. Discount rate or fee on receivables and repo lines. Price tracks credit, tenor, and controls
Controls Title and insurance verified, UCC-1 and intercreditor where needed, blocked accounts, lockbox or cash dominion, collateral managers for stock, OFAC and AML clean
Eligibility Post revenue traders and processors with audits or reviewed accounts, real contracts, acceptable counterparties and corridors, workable controls
Retainer USD 50,000 to 150,000 based on scope and speed
Success fee 2 percent of funded amounts, paid from proceeds at draw
Timeline 30 to 75 days from a complete data room and cleared KYC

What qualifies vs what will not

Fundable profiles
  • Signed trade contracts with INCOTERMS and specs that match
  • Audits or reviewed accounts and clean bank statements
  • Known buyers or suppliers with acceptable credit
  • Title, insurance, blocked account and proceeds traps agreed up front
Unfundable asks
  • “BG lease” or “monetization” stories
  • No source documents or unverifiable supply chains
  • Sanctioned counterparties or failed KYC
  • Success only with no budget for legal, inspection, or collateral control

Bridge capital use cases

  • Import bridge to cover production and pre-shipment with UPAS LC or SBLC support
  • Export bridge against take-or-pay or LC deferred payment obligations
  • Inventory bridge with repo, collateral managers, and exit via sales proceeds
  • Receivables bridge for accepted drafts, LC acceptances, or clean invoices to rated buyers
  • Seasonal bulge lines for peak procurement with cash dominion

Letters of credit playbook

Need Structure Cash effect
Supplier wants cash before loading UPAS LC or SBLC backed prepayment with escrow and shipment milestones Supplier paid at sight. Buyer pays at tenor
Buyer wants 90 to 180 day terms Confirmed or insured LC with discounting at presentation or acceptance You convert paper to near cash
Large shipment needs comfort Standby LC or APG with hard performance conditions Counterparty risk reduced so the deal closes

Our process

1) Intake
NDA, KYC, OFAC checks. Data room with contracts, specs, shipping plan, and financials
2) Underwriting
Structure against risk, tenor, and controls. Draft term sheets. Line up collateral managers and insurers
3) Placement
Run active banks and funds on your corridor and commodity. Lock allocations
4) Closing
Paper the facility. Issue instruments. Move funds against documents. Monitor performance

What we need to start

  • Trade pack per deal: contract or pro forma, specs, INCOTERMS, delivery plan, insurance
  • Three years audited or reviewed accounts plus latest management statements
  • Top customers and suppliers by volume with payment terms and history
  • UBO chart, corporate documents, signatories, and sanctions screening
  • Agreement on controls: UCC-1, blocked account or cash dominion, collateral management where relevant

Request a Term Sheet for USA Trade Finance

Share your contracts, corridors, and target size. You will get a workable structure, controls, timeline, and a pricing range.

Request a Term Sheet

Financely is an advisory and placement firm. We are not a bank. All engagements require KYC, AML, and OFAC screening. Instruments follow UCP600, URC522, ISP98, or URDG758 as applicable. Eligibility depends on lender or insurer approval and country limits. No guaranteed outcomes. Any securities activity is conducted through a licensed chaperone, Member FINRA and SIPC.

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.