Introductions to Banks, Non-Bank Lenders and Investors for Trade Finance Deals

Financely helps companies structure trade finance transactions and place them with relevant capital providers. Our work covers the complete process from initial underwriting through lender or investor engagement.

We work with banks and non-bank lenders. We can also approach investors where the transaction requires equity or first-loss capital.

The service is built for companies with an identifiable financing requirement and a documented commercial transaction. We analyze the deal first and determine which type of capital fits the underlying trade.

The mandate can cover import finance, commodity finance and working capital. It can also cover receivables or inventory-backed facilities.

What Financely Does

Financely acts as a structured finance advisor and capital placement partner for qualifying trade transactions.

Our role begins before a lender sees the opportunity. We review the commercial transaction and determine how the capital should enter the trade cycle.

We then prepare the financing case and map it against relevant capital providers.

We Introduce Trade Finance Deals to Banks

Banks remain an important source of trade credit for established companies.

The appropriate banking relationship depends on the transaction and applicant. A bank may support an LC facility or a revolving working capital line.

Other transactions can be financed against receivables or inventory.

Bank placement is most effective when the financing request is matched against actual credit criteria.

Financely's structured trade and commodity finance advisory service supports this preparation.

We Introduce Deals to Non-Bank Lenders

Banks are only one part of the trade finance market.

Private credit providers can finance transactions that require more flexibility. Specialty lenders can also focus on specific collateral or trade structures.

Non-bank capital can be particularly relevant for commodity traders and growing importers. It can also support transactions that fall outside conventional bank parameters.

Depending on the transaction, we can target:

• Private credit funds
• Specialty trade finance lenders
• Commodity finance funds
• Asset-based lenders
• Receivables finance providers
• Inventory finance providers
• Bridge lenders
• Supply chain finance providers
• Structured credit funds
• Family office credit strategies

We Introduce Investors Where Risk Capital Is Required

Some trade finance transactions require more than senior debt.

A lender can require the trader to contribute first-loss capital. A commodity trader may also need equity before qualifying for a borrowing base.

Financely can structure the capital requirement and approach suitable investors where the transaction supports an investment case.

This can include:

• First-loss capital
• Preferred equity
• Common equity
• Joint venture capital
• Structured equity
• Transaction-level investment
• SPV capital

Commodity companies with an equity requirement can review our guide on raising first-loss capital for trade finance.

Who We Serve

Our trade finance placement work is designed for businesses that control the commercial transaction or financing requirement.

Typical Transactions We Can Place

Borrowing Base Facilities

Established traders can require a revolving facility rather than financing one transaction at a time.

A borrowing base can advance against eligible inventory and receivables. The available amount changes as the collateral pool changes.

These facilities require detailed underwriting of collateral and reporting systems.

Financely arranges borrowing base revolving credit facilities for commodity traders where the underlying business supports a recurring structure.

Inventory and Receivables Financing

Trade finance often revolves around two assets. Goods sit in inventory before sale and invoices remain outstanding after delivery.

Both positions can consume working capital.

A properly structured facility can advance against eligible inventory or receivables. Some facilities can combine both.

Financely supports trade finance facilities against inventory and receivables for qualifying operating companies.

Commodity Trade Finance

Physical commodity transactions require specialized underwriting.

A lender needs to understand the buyer and supplier. It also needs to understand title transfer and logistics.

Commodity type matters because price volatility affects collateral value. Storage arrangements can also affect lender control.

Financely works on commodity trade finance for metals, energy products and other physical trade flows.

How We Decide Which Lenders to Approach

Capital provider selection follows the structure of the transaction.

We review the financing amount and jurisdiction. We also review borrower financial strength and available collateral.

The team then assesses the appropriate lender universe.

We Underwrite Before Making Introductions

Financely starts with the transaction rather than a lender list.

Our team reviews how the trade works and identifies the actual financing gap. We then determine which credit structure can address that gap.

A commodity trader might initially request an LC. Our analysis may show that a borrowing base is more appropriate.

Another company might ask for a working capital loan. Its strongest financing asset may instead be a portfolio of receivables from investment-grade buyers.

Structuring the transaction before placement improves the quality of lender engagement.

What We Review Before Capital Placement

• Company financial statements
• Management accounts
• Existing debt
• Requested facility amount
• Use of funds
• Purchase contracts
• Sales contracts
• Purchase orders
• Offtake agreements
• Buyer credit quality
• Supplier terms
• Trade margins
• Inventory position
• Receivables
• Logistics structure
• Repayment source
• Existing banking relationships

Our Trade Finance Placement Procedure

Our Fees

Financely works on a retainer plus transaction-fee model for structured trade and commodity finance placement mandates.

The retainer allows us to allocate a dedicated transaction team before capital provider outreach begins.

What the USD 50,000 Retainer Covers

The retainer is allocated to the work required to turn the financing requirement into an institutional placement mandate.

Why We Charge a Retainer Before Lender Outreach

Institutional placement requires significant work before the first introduction occurs.

Credit needs to be analyzed and the facility needs to be structured. Financial information must also be reviewed.

The capital provider universe then needs to be filtered against the transaction.

The retainer funds this work and allows a dedicated team to be assigned to the mandate.

Who Works on Your Trade Finance Mandate?

Different transactions require different specialists. Financely assigns resources based on the facility and underlying trade.

Transactions We Prioritize

Financely focuses on transactions with identifiable principals and documented commercial economics.

We generally work on meaningful financing requirements attached to established businesses or credible trade programs.

Structured trade sourcing mandates generally involve contracts or financing requirements of at least USD 5 million.

Strong mandates usually include:

• Direct access to the borrower or transaction principal
• Identifiable buyer and supplier
• Executed or advanced commercial contracts
• Demonstrable transaction economics
• Historical financial information
• Defined financing requirement
• Clear use of funds
• Identifiable repayment source
• Operational capacity to execute the trade
• Appropriate KYC documentation

Physical Commodity Transactions

Commodity finance requires direct control over the transaction.

Lenders will examine product control and supplier authority. They will also review the buyer and logistics chain.

For larger physical trades, capital providers can require evidence of inventory and title. Inspection and warehouse controls can also form part of the credit structure.

Financely provides physical commodity transaction funding for qualifying transactions.

Short-Term Trade Finance

Some businesses require capital for only one part of the trade cycle.

A bridge facility can cover a defined timing gap. The repayment event should be identifiable from the transaction.

This can include supplier settlement before buyer payment. It can also include logistics or inventory funding before a contracted sale completes.

Financely structures short-term trade finance bridge loans for eligible traders and importers.

What Happens After We Identify a Suitable Capital Provider?

An introduction starts the institutional underwriting process.

The lender can request additional financial information and transaction documents. It may also request legal or collateral diligence.

Financely remains involved through that process.

We coordinate information requests and support commercial discussions. We also help resolve structural issues that arise during underwriting.

A Typical Trade Finance Placement

Consider an established commodity trader purchasing USD 20 million of product under a confirmed sales contract.

The supplier requires payment before shipment. The buyer pays after delivery.

The trader needs capital during the period between supplier settlement and buyer collection.

Financely would analyze the trade cycle and collateral position. We would then structure the financing request and approach capital providers whose mandate fits the transaction.

Why Use Financely for Trade Finance Placement?

A trade finance market is fragmented across many types of capital.

Banks can have strong credit appetite for one structure and little appetite for another. Private lenders can accept different risks but price those risks differently.

Investor capital introduces another layer of economics and control.

Financely coordinates these options through one structured placement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Financely introduce trade finance clients to banks?

Yes. We can introduce qualifying transactions to banks where the credit requirement fits the institution's mandate.

Do you work with non-bank trade finance lenders?

Yes. Our placement universe can include private credit funds and specialty trade financiers. Asset-based lenders and other institutional capital providers can also be considered.

Can you introduce investors for trade finance deals?

Yes. Investor capital can be considered where the transaction requires equity or first-loss capital. The underlying economics must support an investable structure.

Who do you serve?

We serve importers and exporters. We also work with physical commodity traders, manufacturers and distributors.

What types of facilities can you arrange?

Mandates can include borrowing bases and revolving trade facilities. Receivables finance, inventory finance and bridge facilities can also be structured.

How much does Financely charge?

Structured trade and commodity finance placement mandates generally start with a USD 50,000 retainer.

Finder's or transaction fees generally range from USD 200,000 to USD 1,000,000. Final pricing depends on transaction size and complexity.

What does the retainer cover?

The retainer covers underwriting and financial analysis. It also covers structuring, transaction packaging, capital mapping and placement execution.

When is the finder's fee paid?

The transaction fee is tied to the financing outcome defined in the engagement agreement. The applicable payment mechanics are set out before the mandate begins.

Do you simply provide a list of lenders?

Our service is a managed capital placement mandate. We underwrite the transaction and identify suitable institutions before introductions are made.

What size transactions do you work on?

Structured trade sourcing mandates generally focus on transactions or commercial programs of at least USD 5 million. Larger recurring facilities can also be considered.

Can you finance a commodity broker?

Financing depends on control over the underlying transaction. We focus on principals and companies with direct commercial rights or obligations.

Does an introduction guarantee funding?

Banks and capital providers retain their own underwriting authority. Financing remains subject to credit approval and due diligence.

What should I submit for review?

Submit the financing amount and use of funds. Include company financials, contracts and available buyer or supplier information.

This article is provided for general informational purposes. Financing is subject to independent capital provider underwriting and approval. Financely provides structured finance advisory and placement services on a best-efforts and mandate-based basis. Financely does not guarantee funding or investment. Where licensing or regulated activity applies, transactions may be executed through appropriately regulated partners under their own approvals. Fees vary by mandate and are documented in the applicable engagement agreement. Third-party legal, banking, diligence and collateral-management costs may apply separately.