Documentary Credit Comparison Table

Product highlights

A quick guide to the most common types of Documentary Credit (DC).

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Which Documentary Credit is right for you?

In basic terms, a Documentary Credit (DC) is an undertaking by a bank to make a payment provided the terms of the DC are met. There are several types of DC – the main difference is that some are more suited to transactions involving middlemen or traders.

DC

Back-to-back DC

Transferable DC

Transferred DC

Standby DC

Specific to transactions involving traders

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Buyer requires credit facility to issue DC

Yes

Yes*

Yes

No

Yes

Degree of freedom to specify terms of DC

High

Medium**

High

Low

High

Supplier is guaranteed payment if terms are met

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes***

Yes

DC issued on a transaction-by- transaction basis

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Degree of ease for supplier to obtain finance

High

High

High

Medium

High

Reminder: "To borrow or not to borrow? Borrow only if you can repay!"

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