The book elucidates the importance of a letter of credit in matters of trade finance. A letter of credit is an instrument that is used worldwide to facilitate the flow of trade finance. This book is ideal for beginners who are interested in the subject but do not possess a clear understanding of the basics of the letter of credit or adequate technical knowledge. It may also benefit bankers and students of international trade finance. It will help them build a strong foundation to help understand how to tackle difficult day to day transactions. The book explains the UCP 600 guidelines that govern letters of credit and the roles of the issuing bank, beneficiary, advising bank, nominated bank, confirming bank, applicant and so on. This book is not exhaustive as letter of credit is a vast subject and every single transaction carried out is unique. The book has been written keeping in mind the difficulties I faced while working at a bank and the experiences I have gained thus far, on my journey as a trade finance professional.

International Standard Banking Practice (ISBP) for the examination of documents under documentary credits, answers the most relevant questions practitioners have concerning how UCP 500, ICC's universally used rules on documentary credits, are to be integrated into day-to-day practice. The product of more than two years of work by the ICC Banking Commission, ISBP is based on the official Opinions issued by the Banking Commission in response to queries submitted by users of UCP 500. The text provides responses to the key questions relating to the examination of drafts, multimodal transport documents, insurance documents, certificates of origin and a range of other documents associates with letters of credit. This publication reflects international standard banking practice for all parties to a documentary credit. Figures show that 60%-70% of credits are rejected for discrepancies on first presentation. The new ISBP, by encouraging a uniformity of practice worldwide, is expected to cut these figures dramatically and, by doing so, to facilitate the flow of world trade.

Letters of Credit: Theory and Practice explains in simple English all the important information you’ll ever need on letters of credit (LC). This book provides extensive, easy-to-understand, practical and useful suggestions to help during negotiations, in selecting the right terms of payment, improving operations, reducing errors and risks, facilitating trade and final settlement, and much more. It is extensively researched, delving deep into the subject of international trade, presenting current issues and solutions related to LCs that the reader may not otherwise come across easily. A gold mine of information on payment risk management, it’s the last word on documentary credits. “This book is a great read for knowledge and practical information on letters of credit. It succinctly takes the reader through the concepts of risk management, explains the fundamentals of global trade finance issues, the dilemmas plaguing international sellers and buyers, and standardised ways for the buyer and the seller to secure goods and make payments, respectively. This is a must-read book for academicians, exporters, importers and bankers looking for complete, authentic information on international trade finance and global business.” - Dr. Deepankar Sinha, Professor; Head - Research Division, Kolkata Campus; Programme Director - Centre for Trade and Logistics (CFTL), Kolkata Campus, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

This book is the first to provide an extensive analysis of the range of defences to payment under letters of credit and demand guarantees. It considers the extent to which different defences undermine the abstraction of these instruments. This is a fundamental issue, since letters of credit and demand guarantees are designed to be abstract, or autonomous, from the underlying contract that called for their use. The purpose of that abstraction is to provide certainty of payment, but the various defences diminish that certainty. The book examines the spectrum of defences that are frequently litigated and debated in international practice: fraud in the documents, nullity, fraud affecting deferred payment letters of credit, fraud as no honest belief, unconscionable conduct and illegality. Vitally, the book provides analysis of the relevant judicial decisions and offers clear practical guidance on which defences are most suitable for each instrument. As the instruments are heavily used in international trade, this work is particularly suited to financial and commercial law practitioners who draft agreements, as well as those who advise on disputes concerning these instruments. Accessible and engaging, the book is also relevant for academics and students.

Commercial letters of credit are the lifeblood of the international trade system and, for more than 70 years, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has established the rules governing documentary credits worldwide. Used by letter of credit practitioners (including bankers, traders, lawyers, transporters, academics and all who deal with letter of credit transactions worldwide), Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP) are the most successful private rules for trade ever developed. UCP 600 entered into force on July 1, 2007 and contains substantive changes to the existing rules that all international business professionals need to know. This version of UCP 600 also includes eUCP (ICC's supplement to the UCP governing presentation of documents in electronic or part-electronic form) and a glossary of international trading terms.

Letters of credit and bank guarantees are the most important financial instruments in international exchange. Matti S. Kurkela, a leading expert in the field, presents an advanced, extensive study and guide to letters of credit. The author analyzes the material rules and principles applicable to them; conflict of laws as well as law merchant applied regardless of place of operation or nationality of the parties involved. Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees under International Trade Law is the only true guide whose focus is on international law and choice of applicable law, with comparisons of the UCP, the UCC and selected national laws. Bank attorneys, international bankers, commercial bankers, international trade and finance attorneys in law firms, in-house counsel, financial institutions, and academia will find this a clearly written, invaluable guide to the latest rules, case law and practice relating to these financial instruments. The new, expanded Second Edition includes: - Analysis and comparison of commercial and standby credits, bank guarantees and bonds in use in international exchange - Introduction to the various sets of rules in use in international operations and banking - Changes made to the UCC Article 5 and UCP 600 - New development and landmark decisions and case law since the publishing of the first edition - Guidance to and analysis of inter bank relationship, indemnity agreements and reference to sample documentation, and numerous sample clauses - Reference to statutory laws of lcs in various countries