Trade & Project Finance Instruments
What Is a Bill of Lading in Trade Finance?
A bill of lading is trade finance's core document: receipt, contract, and title all in one. See what it does and why banks require it.
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Latest articles
Trade
Documentary Collection vs Letter of Credit
A letter of credit adds a bank's promise to pay; a documentary collection only routes documents. How the two compare on risk, control, cost and paperwork.
Trade
What is a Documentary Collection in Trade Finance?
In a documentary collection, banks pass shipping documents to the buyer against payment or acceptance, without promising to pay. How D/P and D/A work.
Trade
What is UCP 600? The Rules Behind Letters of Credit
UCP 600 is the ICC rulebook a letter of credit can adopt by reference. What it covers, when it applies, and how it sits beside US law.
RBF
How Much Does Revenue-Based Financing Really Cost?
Key Takeaways: * The collection percentage is not the price of the funding—it's the repayment method * Always calculate usable cash received, not
RBF
Revenue-Based Financing 2026: How It Works, What It Costs, and Who It Suits
Key Takeaways: * RBF links payments to your sales—but it is not automatically "flexible" or affordable * A slowdown in sales reduces the
RBF
How Revenue-Based Financing Payments Are Calculated
Key Takeaways: * Multiply eligible receipts by the collection percentage—then check for any separate minimum, fixed-payment cap, fees, or balance limit * The first
Trade
Standby Letter of Credit vs Bank Guarantee
A standby letter of credit and a bank guarantee both pay on a demand, not on proof of default. How they differ in rules, wording and US bank practice.
Trade
Confirmed vs Unconfirmed Letter of Credit
Confirmation adds a second bank's promise to pay. What it covers, what it does not, and when an exporter's bank may be asked to confirm a credit.
Trade
Trade Finance Instruments Explained: A Plain Guide
Letters of credit, standbys, guarantees, collections and bonds: what each trade finance instrument does, who carries the risk and which rules apply.
Startup Funding
What is Sweat Equity? Definition, Tax and Vesting
Sweat equity is ownership given for work instead of pay. How it is documented, why the IRS treats it as compensation, and what vesting changes.
Startup Funding
What is Non-Dilutive Funding? A Plain Definition
Non-dilutive funding is money raised without selling equity. What counts, what only looks non-dilutive, and what it takes instead of ownership.