Letters of Credit

online banking login

Select your online banking system:

enroll demo

Enter the global business market courtesy of your community bank

Letters of credit are an invaluable resource for businesses operating in today’s global market. Versatile, convenient and secure, a letter of credit helps you to do business internationally with the convenience you’ll only find locally.

Benefits of letters of credit include:

Full documentation of even the most complex transactions.
Customizable to your specific situation or transaction.
Immediate notification when your letter of credit arrives or is processed.
Virtually any currency can be designated for your Import Letter of Credit.

Import Letters of Credit

An Import Letter of Credit is appropriate if you are the buyer of goods or services. (Use an Export Letter of Credit if you are the seller of goods or services for your particular transaction.)

The Import Letter of Credit gives you Columbia Bank's promise to provide payment for your transaction, as long as all requirements are met. Our International Banking Department can help structure your Import Letter of Credit to meet your specific needs.

Export Letters of Credit

An Export Letter of Credit is appropriate if you are the seller of goods or services. (Use an Import Letter of Credit if you are the buyer of goods or services for your particular transaction.) The Export Letter of Credit has established parameters that must be met for payment to be made.

Standby Letters of Credit

A Standby Letter of Credit ensures payment in the event of default or non-performance by the applicant in connection with transactions or situations not necessarily involving the movement of merchandise. This instrument typically fulfills the terms of contract, removes the need for cash deposits and can be used for performance and bid bonds, as well as other uses.

Transferable Letters of Credit

Most letters of credit only guarantee payment to a specific beneficiary; however, one beneficiary may transfer a letter of credit to another, who will become the second beneficiary. Transferable Letters of Credit must be designated as such by the issuing bank.

The beneficiary is allowed, through a Transferable Letter of Credit, to ask that the bank transfer part or all of the letter of credit to a separate party (or parties). The "second beneficiary" then receives the same rights as the original beneficiary.

Commercial Letters of Credit

Also referred to as "documentary credit," a Commercial Letter of Credit is issued by a bank that guarantees to pay a specific sum of money in exchange for documents representing the transfer of title to specific merchandise drawn and provided in accordance with pre-negotiated terms and conditions.