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Letter Of Credit
Letter of Credit
Definition:
A letter of credit (LC) is a document issued by a bank on behalf of a buyer to a seller, guaranteeing payment to the seller if the buyer fulfills the terms of the contract.
Key Features:
- Issued by a bank: A letter of credit is issued by a bank on behalf of the buyer.
- Guarantees payment: The bank guarantees payment to the seller if the buyer fails to pay according to the contract.
- Conditions of payment: The letter of credit specifies the conditions under which payment will be made, such as the payment deadline and the documents required.
- Documents required: The buyer is required to provide certain documents, such as invoices and bills of lading, to the bank in order to claim payment.
- Creditworthiness: The bank assesses the buyer’s creditworthiness before issuing the letter of credit.
- Fees: Banks typically charge fees for issuing and administering letters of credit.
Types of Letters of Credit:
- Sight draft: Payment is required upon presentation of the documents.
- Documents draft: Payment is required within a specified time frame after presentation of the documents.
- Time draft: Payment is required at a specific time in the future.
Uses:
- International trade: Letters of credit are commonly used in international trade to facilitate payment between buyers and sellers.
- Government contracts: Letters of credit are sometimes used in government contracts to guarantee payment.
- Export financing: Letters of credit can be used as part of export financing arrangements.
Advantages:
- Protection for sellers: Letters of credit provide protection for sellers against non-payment.
- Convenience for buyers: Letters of credit allow buyers to make payments without having to provide collateral.
- Control over payment: Banks can control the payment process and ensure that payments are made on time.
Disadvantages:
- Cost: Letters of credit can be expensive to obtain.
- Time delays: Processing time for letters of credit can be longer than traditional payment methods.
- Credit risk: The bank’s credit risk is transferred to the buyer.