Letter of Credit Discounting

Letter of Credit (LC) discounting, also known as LC financing or LC negotiation, is a financial service offered by The Eminence Capital that allows exporters to obtain immediate cash by discounting or selling their export Letter of Credit to the bank. It provides exporters with access to working capital before the actual receipt of payment from the importer/buyer.

Here are some key details about Letter of Credit discounting:

• Letter of Credit: A Letter of Credit is a payment instrument issued by a bank on behalf of the buyer (importer) to guarantee payment to the seller (exporter) upon the fulfillment of specified conditions. It provides assurance to the exporter that they will receive payment for their goods or services.


• Purpose: The purpose of LC discounting is to provide immediate liquidity to exporters. Instead of waiting for the buyer's payment under the LC, the exporter can approach a bank and receive a discounted value of the LC. The bank assumes the risk of non-payment by the buyer and provides funds to the exporter based on the discounted value.


• Discounting Process: The exporter presents the original LC and supporting documents to the bank. The bank verifies the documents and assesses the creditworthiness of the buyer and the issuing bank. If the documents comply with the terms of the LC, the bank offers to discount the LC by paying the exporter the discounted value. The discount amount is determined based on factors such as the creditworthiness of the buyer, the tenure of the LC, prevailing interest rates, and the bank's policies.


• Financing Options: Depending on the bank's policies, the exporter may receive immediate cash equivalent to a certain percentage (typically around 80-90%) of the LC value. The remaining amount, minus fees and interest charges, is held as a security deposit by the bank until the payment is received from the buyer. The bank's charges may include interest on the discounted amount, handling fees, and commission.


• Risks and Obligations: By discounting the LC, the exporter transfers the risk of non-payment by the buyer to the bank. The bank assumes responsibility for collecting payment from the buyer upon maturity of the LC. However, the exporter may still be liable to the bank if the buyer defaults or the documents are found to be non-compliant.


• Creditworthiness: The bank's decision to discount an LC is based on the creditworthiness of the buyer and the issuing bank. The exporter's relationship with the bank and their own creditworthiness may also be considered. Banks typically assess the financial stability and reputation of the parties involved in the transaction before providing the discounting facility.


• Repayment: Once the bank receives payment from the buyer under the LC, the exporter's liability to the bank is settled. If the payment is delayed or the buyer defaults, the exporter may be required to reimburse the bank for the discounted amount, fees, and interest charges.

Letter of Credit discounting offers exporters a means to access working capital quickly, improving cash flow and reducing the risk associated with delayed payments. It provides flexibility in managing their financial needs and enables them to take advantage of growth opportunities. However, it is essential for exporters to carefully review the terms and conditions of the discounting facility, including interest rates, fees, and potential liabilities, to make an informed decision.