Global Trade Services

As you prepare to do business in the international marketplace, SVB's experienced international bankers work with you to choose and implement the most effective strategies to manage your trade payments.

We offer a full range of services for both companies that import and that export goods and services. We can help you accelerate cash flow, minimize the risks of nonpayment, maintain a competitive edge and control payment to suppliers.

Global trade services include:

• Commercial Letters of Credit. Import and Export Commercial letters of credit are one of the most common ways to execute international trade. Commercial letters of credit are safer than transactions conducted on open account terms, easy to customize, and allow for flexible financing options. Commercial letters of credit are typically used for imports and exports when the ability of the buyer to pay is uncertain, when required by a country's commerce regulations, or when a seller or a buyer needs to obtain financing.
• Export Bills Purchase Program. SVB's export bills purchase program accelerates your payment collection and maximizes your cash flow by using export letters of credit with deferred payment terms. Leveraging our processing capabilities and extensive international banking relationships, we ensure you have the funds you need when you need them, at minimal cost.
• Standby Letters of Credit. A standby letter of credit provides a conditional guarantee, typically used in lieu of a cash security deposit on a lease or as an alternative to a performance bond that the beneficiary can turn to the issuing bank for payment. They are often used to support payment and performance instruments such as bid bonds, performance bonds, lease obligations, repayment of loans and past-due notices.
• Documentary Collections. Documentary collections are a way to ensure you receive payment for goods. It's an effective way to mitigate payment risk and it's safer than relying on payment based on open accounts.
• Bankers' Acceptances. A banker's acceptance is a unique negotiable discount instrument that enables you to finance the import or export of current shipments of readily marketable goods anywhere in the world. Bankers' acceptances provide short-term financing for the movement of goods, and are an attractive financing alternative as the rates are often more competitive than traditional credit facilities.
• Advisory Services. Our experienced team brings a wealth of knowledge that helps you execute your global business transactions. We leverage our extensive international banking relationships in countries throughout the world, offering a hands-on approach to guide you through the complexities of international expansion.