Trade Finance

Get Funding to Transact Business through Trade

  • Strengthen business potential
  • Downsize the risk of trading globally
  • Maintain cash flows
  • Augment revenue
  • Allow competence in operations

Amplify trade opportunities for business through financing

Are you looking forward to taking your business to global markets? You would need financial support to carry out business through trade. Keeping up with cash flow and managing trade expenses demands a big-sized cash reserve. Fortunately, you can do this by relying on well structured trade finance options available in the UK.

Do not worry if your business is going through a stressful phase! Avail of this funding to shore up the trading requirements immediately. You can get in touch with TheBusinessFunds, a responsible business finance broker, if you are curious to know in detail about various trade finance lenders.

Here, we can act like an interface between you and an ideal finance provider. You can discover the most awaited finance deal coming straightaway from a reliable lender through us. Getting this type of funding becomes critical to even out the cash flow fluctuations and stabilise your business.

It requires the involvement of an importer, exporter and financier. Access to this type of funding makes the period between shipping to receiving payment, less stressful. It simply erases the drawbacks of international trading.

Some exclusive elements have distinguished this financing option from other credit types. These are:

  • Basic product or service supply
  • Sales or purchase contract
  • Shipping and delivery information
  • Certificates of origin
  • Insurance cover
  • Payment terms and instruments
trade finance loan

What is trade finance? is it different from supply chain finance?

A trade finance loan company provides funds to help businesses cover costs starting from production to shipping their products to an international buyer. It is obtainable before you receive any payment from the end buyer. Documents related to distribution and payments are vital proofs to take forward the business transaction with minimum risk.

This effective funding solution lets the exporter handle the payment process-related risk. On the other hand, it is a profitable deal for importers as it helps them manage the supply risks. The trade finance lenders in the UK decide the borrowing limit by looking at the following aspects related to business:

  • Equity
  • Financial stature
  • Business profitability

The various types of trade finance instruments employed by importers and exporters are:

Purchase order finance: Procure it from the finance provider as an advance to pay your supplier. It provides a great way to support business cash flow. Getting 30% to 70% of the purchase order amount is possible with this option. Despite limited capital, sales growth will not suffer as you can arrange more inventory.

Stock or warehouse finance: This funding supports holding goods in the warehouse on behalf of the seller till it reaches the buyer. A third party will support it. This funding is a common form of supply chain instrument.

Structured commodity finance: It is a financial arrangement exclusively designed for companies that are at the producing end. This financing specialises in commodity-based trading. Businesses working around developing markets can take advantage of this funding solution.

Discounting and factoring: Here, the exporter will sell the invoice to the financer at a discounted price. After that, the importer will pay the full price for it to the financer. As a small business, you can have the upper hand by utilising this asset-based finance as discounting against outstanding invoices and factoring against unpaid invoices.

Payable finance: Reverse factoring is the other name of this finance. The business will get the opportunity to extend the payment term with the supplier. This is another short-term borrowing opportunity to help ventures keep up with the cash flow.

Letter of credit: A written letter of promise from the bank to the exporter. It says the bank will complete the payment once the transaction ends. Businesses can also explore sub-categories like commercial letters of credit, standby letters of credit, transferable letters of credit, back-to-back letters of credit, etc.

Bonds: It is like a bank guarantee committing to paying the beneficiary if the exporter or importer fails to fulfil the contract. This is another form of raising funds and can be treated like a loan that you can receive from the investor.

Trade loans: Getting trade finance loans would make sense if your business requires short-term funding to carry out regular import and export transactions,. It has nothing to do with the method you follow to carry out trade.

In the UK, trade finance lets you handle the funds' requirements at the start of the supply chain. On the flip side, supply chain finance is funding buyers will receive from the suppliers to purchase raw materials or inventories.This funding arrangement can be used along with invoice financing.

How to navigate the perfect trade finance option?

Any small business involved in export and import operations needs structured trade finance to manage the perils of doing trade nationally or internationally. Now, out of the different options available under this category, the business owner must point out the most suitable one to proceed. Some aspects that can help in easy decision-making are:

  • Type of product – The risk involved in trading will depend on the type and value of the product you will use. You must pick the option for sufficient coverage and convenience, keeping the product's characteristics in mind.
  • Market situation – It is one of the determining factors when selecting the best trade finance option for your business. Keep all the essential documents handy if your business deals with complex market situations.
  • Relationship between buyer and seller – Depending on the equation you share with your buyer, you can opt for short-term or long-term finance opportunities. The trust factor is crucial here to help you select an option, i.e., an equally beneficial option.

What are the features that trade financing include?

The emerging markets of finance and trade facilitate borrowers to receive a finance deal at a competitive price and flexible terms. Our role as a business finance broker is to ensure that you can find the best finance provider without any exertion at all. The structured trade finance helps work out different types of payments in a business trade cycle.

You can treat it like an essential financial tool to contribute to the growth capital of your business. It ensures that business operations go on while the goods are in transit. The prominent features that are part and parcel of this financing are:

  • Bespoke terms and rates

    Our trade finance services facilitate you to bag the most pocket-friendly deal from prominent trade finance lenders. It will include bespoke terms and rates. We maintain an exclusive network of lenders who will present different types of offers for different budgets. You have to compare and discern the most suitable offer.

  • Diverse security alternatives

    In the case of this financial arrangement, you can make use of different types of security options. Feasibility is on display here as you can put anything, starting from purchase orders, invoices, future payments etc., against the amount you want to withdraw. Besides, you can prefer trade finance loans to cover short-term cash shortfall. Therefore, scopes are quite high for your business.

Terms and rates
  • Intervention of lender

    A trade finance agreement will show how the lender deeply involves in the entire process. After all, the lender's finance will help you transact the business via trade. They need to be wary about what is going on in the trade cycle to have complete control of the finance.

  • Early settlement benefit

    You can take advantage of different perks when carrying advance money. It works effectively when you have to receive raw materials from the supplier. Paying money upfront will make you eligible for discounts from the supplier. You can even money to the working capital.

  • Survive currency fluctuations

    Changing exchange rates invites huge risks when you are handling international business transactions. A sudden overnight change can make you owe money instead of making a profit. Trade financing will keep you immune from this type of complex scenario.

How to make use of trade finance funds?

Structured trade finance makes it effortless for you to enter the global market. Reach out for this funding to enjoy exciting growth opportunities that await your business. It can be a perfect solution for businesses that cannot achieve outright payments from the exporters.

Trade finance lenders will act as a third party by providing funds to importers like you who must ship their products. Cashing in this finance in the best possible ways is the main trick. Find out how you can do this:

  • To pace up business advancement

    Access to this funding lets you have advance money for any occasion. In fact, you can purchase raw materials in large quantities. You can quickly complete big orders without facing any financial crunch. Finally, more work streams will strengthen your working capital.

  • To keep cash flow consistent

    As a business owner, you must ensure the swift running of all business activities. You must also keep money ready to pay for different expenses like the export or import of goods. Trade finance takes care of unforeseen expenses and helps in boosting the cash flow.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a trade finance loan?

The trade finance market holds good possibilities for business owners aspiring to take their businesses to the next level. However, you must be aware of the pros and cons of it before actually experiencing it. TheBusinessFunds, as a business loan broker, will help you determine if getting structured trade finance will be worth it.

Advantages Disadvantages
Allows you to meet supplier’s payment on time. The interest levied for this short-term funding is high than other business financial products.
It lets you enjoy extended payment convenience. In the case of this financing option, the danger of losing security in the event of default prevails.
Upholding the trading cycle. The interest rate will accrue in case of late repayment.
Avail transaction-specific funding solutions. Delayed repayment can even affect the goodwill of the business owner.
Downsize the overall cost of borrowing. You cannot prevent extensive paperwork due to the involvement of different documents.
Manage transactions around different currencies. Varying requirements of trade finance lenders can complicate the process for you.

How does trade finance work?

To better understand the workflow, you must look at the different steps part of the borrowing process. Our job is to work as an intermediary between you and the finance provider. One step will follow the previous step, as mentioned below.

Forward the application: Send your loan request to us so we can forward it further to different lenders. Minimal information is required from our end. Thus, you can fill out the loan form quickly.

Fetch a free quote: You can choose the loan provider based on your necessity and capacity after validating the free quotes obtained from multiple lenders. It will give you a preview of how the actual offer might look like.

Add your supplier: You can include suppliers you want to work with as a part of the trade process. Conduct your research carefully ahead of adding suppliers who will receive payment from the lender.

Place an order: It will depend on the finance provider. They will send a notification to the supplier to process your order. Next, you will receive some communications from the supplier.

Share documents: You must produce the necessary documents to proceed with the process. Keep all the essential papers ready by your side ahead of applying for financial aid.

Authorisation of the payment: If everything goes well, the provider will approve funds for your desired purpose. After that, the issued funds will reach their desired location and will let you go ahead with your business transactions.

How to analyse the cost of trade loan finance?

The funding you want to obtain to support your business during the trading phase will incur costs. Acknowledging the overall spending is critical. It will help you validate how much you need to pay to borrow.

Here is a complete breakdown of the money you will spend on trade finance.

Interest: It is the prime element of the cost. The rate of interest will vary depending on the amount or risk. Other fees might add up if you choose other forms of funding.

Arrangement fees: Lender will impose these fees to cover various administrative expenses. Expect some variation depending on the vulnerability of the business.

Documentary credits: These will be charged in addition to the other fees. Your affordability will play a pivotal role in determining these rates.

Why find trade finance deal through thebusinessfunds?

We work with efficient finance providers who can curate the best offer to sponsor your business trading needs. Our primary work is to assist businesses in deciding and obtaining the best financial solutions to carry out trade in other countries. As a business finance broker, we project a different approach to dealing with the commercial funds' requirements. It has become possible due to our:

Market understanding: We constantly excavate the trade finance market. It teaches us how we can become the link between lender and borrower.

Wide reach: With time, we are increasing our reach by adding more lenders to our network. It lets us amplify borrowing opportunities for you.

Competence to work in a dynamic environment: We never consider ourselves experts. Rather we denote ourselves as learners by being able to work in different types of scenarios.

Strive to deliver better: We make it a point to upgrade our services now and then. The main intention is to deliver the best results to our borrowers.

Long presence: It takes time to get experience. Since we have been exploring the market for quite some time, you can exploit our long presence.

FAQs

Who can benefit from trade finance?

Importers, exporters, traders, manufacturers etc., can access this finance facility. Businesses of any size can opt for it, provided it has been running for some years. Start-ups and sole proprietors should not apply for this type of financial assistance.

Is trade financing a highly risky option?

You can get this finance by producing various documents related to business trade. For this reason, you cannot overlook the risk of documentary fraud in the case of this funding. One deadliest misuse of it would be for money laundering.

What will happen in case of late payment?

Late charges and penalties will follow if you do not pay back your finance on time. Above all, you will have to bear the accrued interest rate. It will start compounding once the due date is over.

How does trading in a car with outstanding finance in the UK affect you?

It can have an impact on your credit scores. You need to be very cautious while trading with the car. It can cost you more. You have to discuss this with the dealership to understand if they can pay it off on your behalf.

What is the difference between invoice and trade finance?

Financing that you receive by placing the invoice as security is invoice finance. You can take the help of trade finance to pay advance money to suppliers for raw materials and to finish the order for a customer.