The Pros and Cons of International Trade Finance

Many of the businesses involved in global trade use international trade finance.

Trade finance – what is it?

Trade finance helps businesses around the world to buy and sell goods around the globe in the international marketplace. Trade finance makes it possible for import/ export businesses to import products from multinational companies or overseas partners. These solutions help businesses make the most of their capital. Trade finance also enables importers and exporters trade smoothly by acting as a third party to fill the financial gap.

How does it work?

Trade finance plays the role of introducing a third party into the business transaction. This reduces or removes risks associated with international trade. To benefit it is important to understand trade finance and its complexities. Different kinds of financial transactions are initiated by intermediaries. Intermediaries may be a bank or any financial institution. These intermediaries can act domestically or internationally. They work on a variety of services including forfaiting, lending, factoring, export credit and financing.

The tools of trade finance

Trade finance is a general term that is used for many products offered by banks and financial institutions. These tools make trade transactions simpler. Different trade solutions offered include:

Letter of Credit (‘LC’): LCs are documents that are issued by the banks on the behalf of the buyer in an international transaction. They are a promise to pay the seller the full amount of the transaction once it is completed.

Bank guarantee: In the scenario where the exporter or the importer fails to fulfil the terms of the contract then banks work as a guarantor. This way the beneficiaries who suffer a loss in the transaction will be offered financial protection.

Export credit: Export Credit is similar to working capital. Exporters use it to have smoother international transactions. This type of credit facility will ensure there is sufficient capital to cover raw materials or costs related to staff maintenance and operations.

Facets of Trade finance

Lower payment risk: Trade finance can diminish the risks associated with international trade. It assures exporters will be paid and importers receive their goods.

Factoring: Factoring is used by exporters to boost their cash flow. Exporters may sell their invoices at discounted rates to trade financiers. Here the financier is termed as "Factor". When the importer pays, the Factor makes a fee, as the exporter has already sold the invoices for working capital. Exporters use working capital for their business as well as to avoid bad-debts.

Improved revenue: For companies looking to reduce costs and boost revenue, trade finance services may offer opportunities. For example, if a company does not have the resources to trade with a foreign importer trade finance may be the solution. By opting for trade finance the company may be able to produce the goods and send them to foreign customers. In this way both parties are able to trade.

Forfaiting: This is where the exporter sells accounts receivables at a discounted rate to the forfaiter in exchange for cash. In return, exporters receive immediate cash from the forfaiter. In this manner, the debt the exporter owes is transported to the forfaiter. However, the receivables the forfaiter brings must be guaranteed by the bank of the importer. This is important because it is the importer who will be taking the products on credit and selling them before settling the forfaiter.

Pros and cons of trade finance

Trade finance helps global businesses by financing them for certain transactions. For international trade, they work as an effective method of securing working capital.

There are pros and cons:

Pros

• An easy way to secure short-term finance
• Trade financiers can easily monitor and control their investments and international trade ventures.
• They offer an insurance policy to keep the goods secure.
• They enable businesses to focus on areas like growth.

Cons

• It may be expensive if payments are not made on time.
• New companies cannot always access these finance options.

Summary

In time, trade finance may herald transformation in global trade. Different types of financial services are needed for import-export businesses looking for robust financial solutions. These trade finance services will enable businesses to generate revenue while reducing financial issues. These solutions will also enable businesses to improve the efficiency of their business. Import/export businesses may avoid cash flow issues and face fewer issues with shipments and payments.

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