Key Differences Between A Letter Of Credit & Standby LC

Both the letter of credit and standby letter of credit are payment instruments used in international trade but they are slightly different. Find out the key differences here.

Letter of credit (LC) & Standby Letter of credit (SBLC) are both the most popular, & reliable trade finance instruments used by global importers & exporters in international trade to reduce the risk of payment failure & to ensure financial stability.

A Letter of credit is a primary method of payment, while Standby LC is used when there’s a risk of buyer’s non-performance during a transaction. So, what is the difference between an LC and SBLC? Let’s check out:

Letter of Credit Vs Standby Letter of Credit

Both the letter of credit (LC), and the Standby letter of credit (SBLC) are payment guarantee instruments used in international trade. In this article, we’ve discussed the key differences and usage between LC and SBLC. Take a look:

What is a Letter of Credit?

Under a letter of credit service, the issuing bank guarantees an on-time & full-fledged payment to an exporter on behalf of its client ie. importer for the ordered goods or services. But in the event, if the importer defaults in payment or is unable to fulfill the terms & conditions of the LC contract, then, the issuing bank will compensate the beneficiary ie. the exporter.

The role of the issuing bank is to make sure that the buyer pays on time and the agreement goes as planned catering to all the T&Cs being followed by both parties.