PBZ BANK LTD
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LETTERS OF CREDIT / DOCUMENTARY CREDITS

A documentary credit is an irrevocable commitment by the bank to pay the seller/ exporter of goods and services sum certain in money, within prescribed period of time provided the exporter/ seller presents documents in accordance with the terms and conditions of the credit.

Letters of credit or documentary credits is a credit instrument and means of securing and executing payments thus are very important in today’s international trade.

There exist strict formal requirements for documentary credits. It is therefore very important for exporter to understand that payment will be made only if the documents are in absolute conformity with the terms stipulated in the credit.

Issuing of documentary credit
Issuing of documentary credit

• Before issuing credit, the bank shall satisfy itself with:
- Applicant creditworthiness
- Assess credit risk inherent the transaction
- Assess country risk, political risks where beneficiary is located
- Current laws and regulations on foreign exchange
• Customer will apply for the issuance or opening of the documentary credit in favour of his supplier abroad.
• Credit officer will request applicant to submit the following documents:
- Application form
- Application for issue of documentary credit through SWIFT
- Sales contract between buyer (applicant) and the seller (exporter) beneficiary of the credit
- Board resolution for the companies only
- Mandate to the Bank to authorize it to debit customer’s account for charges and LC values
- If the applicant is enjoying credit line from the Bank and that the documentary credit will not be secured by cash cover, the credit officer shall demand from the applicant and satisfy himself with:
* Current financial statements
* Credit appraisal report
* Due diligence report
* Utilization of other facilities
* Nature of consignment and how readily will be available
* Whether there are orders already from buyers and contracts thereof
* Mode of payments from buyers etc
• Approval for opening letters of credit will be in accordance with chart of authorization and limits as per section 8.2 of this manual

PBZ BANK LTD