What's the difference between a bank guarantee and a letter of credit?

A bank guarantee and a letter of credit are similar in many ways but they're two
different things. Letters of credit ensure that a transaction proceeds as planned,
while bank guarantees reduce the loss if the transaction doesn't go as planned.

A letter of credit is an obligation taken on by a bank to make a payment once certain

criteria are met. Once these terms are completed and confirmed, the bank will
transfer the funds. This ensures the payment will be made as long as the services
areperformed.

A bank guarantee, like a line of credit, guarantees a sum of money to a beneficiary.

Unlike a line of credit, the sum is only paid if the opposing party does not fulfill the
stipulated obligations under the contract. This can be used to essentially insure a
buyer or seller from loss or damage due to nonperformance by the other party in a
contract.

For example a letter of credit could be used in the delivery of goods or

the completion of a service. The seller may request that the buyer obtain a letter of
credit before the transaction occurs. The buyer would purchase this letter of credit
from a bank and forward it to the seller's bank. This letter would substitute the
bank's credit for that of its client, ensuring correct and timely payment.

A bank guarantee might be used when a buyer obtains goods from a seller then runs
into cash flow difficulties and can't pay the seller. The bank guarantee would pay an
agreed-upon sum to the seller. Similarly, if the supplier was unable to provide the
goods, the bank would then pay the purchaser the agreed-upon sum. Essentially, the
bank guarantee acts as a safety measure for the opposing party in the transaction.

These financial instruments are often used in trade financing when suppliers, or
vendors, are purchasing and selling goods to and from overseas customers with
whom they don't have established business relationships. The instruments are
designed to reduce the risk taken by each party.
How bank guarantees work

It helps to have a third partys vetting for your business.

When running a business, you might come across a situation that your client may
ask you to provide a financial guarantee from a third party.

In such circumstances, approach your bank and ask it to stand as a guarantor on

your behalf. This concept is known as bank guarantee (BG).

This is usually seen when a small company is dealing with much larger entity or even
a government across border. Let us take an example of a company XYZ bags a
project from, say, the Government of Ethiopia to build 200 power transmission
towers.

In this case, companies all over the world would have applied. The selection would
be made on the basis of lowest cost and track record as submitted in the proposal
form.

However, the government has limited ability to assess all companies for financial
stability and credit worthiness.

To ensure the project is done satisfactorily and on time, the government puts a
condition that company XYZ will have to furnish a guarantee given by one or more
banks.

In banking nomenclature, company XYZ is an applicant, its bank is the issuing bank
and the Government of Ethiopia is the beneficiary.

Usually, the BG is for a specified amount, which is a percentage of the total money
required for the contract.

Obviously, the bank will not just issue such guarantee with its own due diligence.
The bank does its own thorough analysis of the financial well being of company XYZ
to assess the amount of guarantee it can issue. After all, the bank is at a risk too, in
case the client defaults. This amount is called a limit.
Here too there is a catch. The bank will issue guarantee provided the company has
not exceeded its overall limit for BGs. And if the Government of Ethiopia is not
satisfied with the performance of the contract at a later date, it can invoke the BG.

In this situation, the bank will have to immediately release the amount of the BG to
the government.

BGs can be broadly classified into Performance and Financial BGs. As the name
suggests, Performance BGs are the ones by which the issuing bank, also known as
the Guarantor, guarantees the ability of the applicant to perform a contract, to the
satisfaction of the beneficiary.

VARIATIONS
Let us continue with our earlier example, to understand the different types of
performance BGs. XYZ might need to give a BG that guarantees it has the capability
to do the project, on winning the bid. This ensures only serious bidders are in the
fray for the project. This is called a bid-bond guarantee. XYZ also might be getting
an advance payment for buying materials, etc. Again, it will have to furnish a BG to
the extent of the advance, called an advance payment BG. To secure the project
even further, the Government of Ethiopia might insist on stage payment guarantees.
This would have milestones like 20 per cent, 40 per cent, etc and a period in which
these have to be done. As and when XYZ does that part of the work, the BG would
expire, thus freeing its limits with the bank (banks also charge for these services,
typically as a small percentage of the BG amount, even as little as 0.05 per cent).

Another interesting use of the performance BG is in importing materials into the

country. In this case, an importer might want to contest the amount of duty levied
by the customs and until the duties are paid, the goods are not released. The
importer can, in this case, present a BG for the amount of the duty (also known as
customs guarantee) and get his goods released. Once the final decision is taken, the
import duty is paid and the BG released.

The other broader types of BGs are financial guarantees. These are used to secure a
financial commitment such as a loan, a security deposit, etc. For example,
guarantees of margin money for stock exchanges. These are issued on behalf of
brokers, in lieu of the security deposit that needs to be paid at the time of becoming
a member of the exchange.

The applicant, XYZ, has to prove credit worthiness only to one party, his bank, and
can bid for projects across the world. The beneficiary, Government of Ethiopia, does
not have to analyse how financially sound the companies are and knows that in case
something goes wrong, the bank will pay him.
What does the term 'Bank Guarantee' mean?

A bank guarantee is a commercial instrument in the nature of a contract, intended

between two parties, to secure compliance with the contract. It is an off-shoot of the
main contract between two parties.

A bank guarantee is a guarantee made by a bank on behalf of a customer (usually an

established corporate customer) should it fail to deliver the payment, essentially
making the bank a co-signer for one of its customer's purchases.

How do bank guarantees help in commercial contracts?

Guarantees are important instruments used to minimize the risks that are involved in
commercial contracts. For the enforcement of ordinary guarantees, as construed
dependence of the guarantee on the main contract may lead to unnecessary disputes
and litigation, arising from the main contract. These disputes may have a material
effect on the guarantee, thereby blocking funds in litigation. Hence, there was a need
for an innovative instrument which would enable the guarantee to serve its original
purpose; namely, providing a form of security.

The bank guarantee is one such innovative financial instrument whereby, if the
beneficiary perceives that there has been a breach of contract by the other party, he
can en cash the guarantee and avail of the amount immediately, without having to
undergo the hassles of litigation. Thus, the relevance of a bank guarantee achieves
relevance.

How can a beneficiary restrain the invocation of a bank guarantee?

The invocation of a bank guarantee by the beneficiary can be restrained by an

injunction under the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, or the Specific Relief Act, 1963.
However, the normal considerations, which apply in granting an injunction, will not
apply in cases of a bank guarantee.

Courts are usually reluctant to grant an injunction against a bank guarantee. If a

bank guarantee has to be restrained, it has to satisfy the following conditions:

Fraud;
Irretrievable injustice or injury.

Can the invocation of a bank guarantee be prevented by initiating

arbitration proceedings?

If the bank guarantee is unconditional, arbitration proceedings would in no way

affect the enforcement of the guarantee. This is because an unconditional bank
guarantee is independent of the main contract which refers disputes to arbitration.

However, if the bank guarantee includes a clause to the effect that it could not be
invoked prior to the decision of the arbitrators, such a bank guarantee, which is
conditional, cannot be invoked and an injunction can be granted.
What is the difference between a bank guarantee and a usual guarantee?

Following are some points of difference between a bank guarantee and a usual
guarantee:

1. A usual guarantee is governed by Sec. 126 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. A
bank guarantee is not directly governed by Sec. 126.

2. An ordinary guarantee is a tri-partite (3 parties) agreement involving the

surety, the debtor and the creditor. But a bank guarantee is a contract involving two
parties i.e. the bank and the beneficiary.

3. In an ordinary guarantee, the contract between the surety and the creditor
arises as a subsidiary to the contract between the creditor and the principal debtor.
The bank guarantee is independent of the main contract.

4. In an ordinary guarantee, the inter se disputes between the debtor and the
creditor have a material effect upon the surety's liability. However, the bank
guarantee is independent of the disputes, arising ex contractu (arising out of the
contract).

5. An ordinary guarantee does not have any time limit before which the debt has
to be claimed. Bank guarantees generally have a specific time within which they are
functional.
Bank Guarantee

Bank Guarantee-i is an irrevocable obligation in the form of written undertaking of a

Bank to pay an agreed sum, in case of default by a third party in fulfilling their
obligations under the terms of the Bank Guarantee-i.

Customer approaches the Bank for guaranteed surety. The Bank agrees to
discharge the customer's liability in case of defaults. The Bank gives the guarantee
under the concept of Kafalah . Bank Guarantee is not a financing instruments but
merely a guarantee.

a) The concept of Al-Kafalah refers to guarantee in regard to two categories

i. Guarantee in regard to goods:

Refers to the guarantee provided by a person to the owner of a goods who had
placed or deposited his goods with a third person, whereby any subsequent claim by
the owner for his goods must be met by the guarantor and the third person.

ii. Guarantee on a person:

Refers to the guarantee provided by a person (1 st party) to the 2 nd Party whereby

the 1 st Party guarantees joint-responsibility with the 3 rd Party.

b) Bank Guarantee may be issued in respect of Performance of a task'.

Types of guarantee:

1.1 Tender Guarantee/Bid Bond

This guarantee is issued to government, semi-government or private bodies in lieu a

certain sum to be deposited with them as Earnest Money' when they call for
tenders. Tender Guarantee/Bid Bond is required as an indication of good faith that
the tenderer is serious in tendering for the contract.

1.2 Performance/Contract Guarantee

Sometimes called Security Guarantee. It is issued on behalf of the successful

tenderer in favour of the principal. The contract requires the contractor to provide
the principal with a deposit for a nominal sum of the contract value in lieu of which
a performance guarantee provided by the bank is acceptable. This will act as an
assurance that the contractor will fulfill his obligation.
1.3 Credit Guarantee/Supply Guarantee

This guarantee is issued to a supplier who extended his credit facility to our
customer for the purchase of goods on credit and therefore, it acts as a security
deposit.

1.4 Custom Bond

This type of guarantee is only issued to the Custom Department. For instance, a
forwarding agent is required to furnish to the Custom Department a custom bond to
guarantee the good behaviour of its employees.

Also included under this category is the guarantee in respect of temporary

importation of goods into Malaysia . Certain goods are imported as samples or for
temporary use.

1.5 Guarantee for Exemption of Custom Duties

This guarantee is used for import ation of goods into Malaysia on temporary basis
goods are exempted from import duties provided they are re-exported. The Custom
Department requires a bank guarantee to ensure that the goods are re-exported on
time failing which a claim will be made under the bank guarantee.

1.6 Advance Payment Guarantee

The Bank issues this guarantee to government bodies that have granted the
contract to the customer (the contractor). Advance Payment Guarantee allows the
government to gives advance payment to the contractor in order to carry out
government projects according to the terms and conditions of the contract.

1.7 Guarantee for Honouring of Cheque

This type of guarantee is issued to government departments to ensure that such

issuance cheque would be good for payment upon presentation.

BANK GUARANTEE

Targeted heading at payments and services

Unlike sureties, the contract of guarantee is not explicitly governed by law. As such,
the following two positions are taken:

Application of a contract to the charge of a third party (Art.

111 of the Swiss Code of Obligations)
Presence of an accepted payment order (Art. 466 ff. of the
Swiss Code of Obligations)
In addition, in the case of a contract of guarantee a number of
important clauses also apply.
The guidelines issued by the International Chamber of
Commerce aim to ensure uniform application.

The following applies:

The contract of guarantee contains an abstract promise to perform and is a separate
obligation independent of the underlying transaction. The guarantee is used to
secure the performance of a specific obligation, irrespective of whether the
performance is owed or not.

Direct/indirect guarantee
In principle, there are two types of guarantee:

Direct guarantees:
Direct guarantees are used primarily in domestic business. However, an accessory
security in the form of a surety is often enough. This is issued directly to the
beneficiary in the same way as a direct guarantee.
Guarantees apply whenever the bank's undertaking to provide security is not
contingent on the existence, validity and enforceability of the principal obligation.
For this reason guarantees are frequently opted for in cross-border transactions,
because the beneficiary is able to assert his or her claims rapidly due to the abstract
legal nature of the guarantee. Guarantees have the added advantage of being
easier to adapt to foreign legal systems and practices, because there are no form
requirements. Due to cost and risk considerations, direct guarantees are
increasingly being used in foreign business as well.

View the process as flash animation

Indirect guarantees:
Indirect guarantees are mainly issued in connection with export business in
particular when government agencies or public entities are the beneficiaries.
In addition, many countries do not accept foreign banks as guarantors due to legal
provisions or other form requirements (e.g. Middle-Eastern countries).
With an indirect guarantee, a second bank (usually a foreign bank with head office
in the beneficiary's country of domicile) is involved.

Formal verification

In making a claim under a bank guarantee, the beneficiary is exercising his or her
right to demand payment of the guarantee amount (or part thereof). The bank
checks whether the claim has been made in accordance with the conditions of the
guarantee.
Signature check:
In general, guarantees contain a clause (identification clause) whereby the
beneficiary's bank has to confirm his or her signature in the event of a claim. This
procedure ensures that the claim is only signed by a person or persons authorized
to do so.

Form of claim:
The claim generally has to be submitted in written form. The conditions of the
guarantee often permit claims to be made via encrypted telex or SWIFT
communications.

Time-limit of claim:
The claim must be received in the specified form, at the latest on the expiry date,
by the branch of the bank stipulated in the guarantee.
The beneficiary is responsible for the mailing risk and any other delays (force
majeure).

Special aspects

The beneficiary of the guarantee can normally assign his or her conditional claim for
payment to a third party, or assignee (assignment of the proceeds but not the
drawing right).
Things to note:

The assignee does not automatically receive the right to

invoke the guarantee. Only the beneficiary specified by name in the guarantee
document can claim under the guarantee.
Any change in the beneficiary of the guarantee requires the
agreement of all parties involved, i.e. the existing beneficiary, the UBS client and
the guaranteeing bank.
In contrast to the law concerning sureties, the assignment of
the guaranteed claim arising from the underlying transaction does not result in the
simultaneous transfer of the conditional guarantee claim.
Reasons for expiry

Direct guarantees
1. Ordinary expiry:
If the beneficiary has not made a claim by the date specified in the expiry
clause of the guarantee document, the guarantee will expire. This applies
irrespective of whether the guarantee document was returned to the bank or
not.

2. Payment of guarantee amount :

In the event of the definitive and final settlement of the guarantee amount
due to a claim by the beneficiary, the guarantee will expire.

3. Premature cancellation :
Formal discharge by the beneficiary.

Indirect guarantees
1. Expiry date:
Expiry of the bank guarantee issued by the guaranteeing (foreign) bank to the
beneficiary.
Expiry of the counter-liability and counter-guarantee of the initiating (Swiss) bank in
favour of the guaranteeing foreign bank (15 to 30 days following the expiry date).

2. Expiry of counter-liability and -guarantee:

Some countries do not allow time-limits for counter-guarantees from the initiating
bank. In this case, the obligations of the initiating (Swiss) bank do not expire until
the bank is discharged definitively and in full by the guaranteeing (foreign) bank.

3. Payment of guarantee amount:

If a claim is made under the guarantee by the guaranteeing bank or the end-
beneficiary, it will expire when the guarantee amount has been definitively paid by
the principal's bank.

Notification of a guarantee

Guarantees can, for identification and transmission purposes, be notified to the

beneficiary via a third-party bank, normally in the beneficiary's country of domicile.
This is primarily done electronically via SWIFT or encrypted telex. The notifying
bank does not enter into any direct guarantee obligations.
Guarantee from a third-party bank in your favour:

Naturally, the guarantee notification also functions in the opposite direction to the
procedure referred to above. We forward the third-party guarantee with no
commitment on our part merely for identification and transmission purposes to
you as the beneficiary. We will be happy to provide you with advice in the event of
uncertainties regarding the content of the guarantee (technical guarantee-related
language), the creditworthiness of the bank or the current country risk. You can
often avoid problems of this kind by requesting that the foreign company with which
you are doing business arrange for this guarantee to be issued by a first-rate bank
in Switzerland. We're here to answer your questions.

Dear Sir,

There are two types of Bank Guarantees

1. Perofrmance Guarantee

The performance Guarantee means, the Guaranteeing party will give guarantee for
execution of a particular happening of the incident/transaction or any other thing
which is good in the eye of law. for example a) construction of a
Building/dam/bridge, b) Supply and erection of machinery . Here the liability of the
person is to perform the incident/job/transaction not the financial liability.

2. Financial Gurantee

In Financial guarantee what ever may be the underlying happening of the

incident/transaction, if on account of non happening of the incident it ends with
financial liability on the person who guarantees.

All the terms/covenants of the Bank Guarantees have to be accepted by all the
parties to the guaranees ie.,

1. Applicant 2. Beneficiary of the Bank Guarantee ( In whose favour the Bank

Guarantee is issed) and 3. Banker who executes the bank guarantee.

Normally the bankers do not execute the Performance Guarantee. Beccaue they are
not experts in executing the particular/various types of jobs/transactions etc. In
General most of the guarantees ends with financial liability only.
On the assumption that it is Performance Guarantee ending with financial liability I
opine like :

a) The covenants/Terms are enumarated in the Bank Guarantee executed by the

Bank reveals that how that particular guarantee to be invoked. Generally they are 1.
By sending a letter in Regd with ack due 2. Servicing a invoking letter on the Bank in
person or any other means as agreed.

2) The invoking letter may be a simple letter addressed to the bank will be that of
stating " as the some/many of the terms and conditons of the original underlying
contract/agreement have not been fulfilled we are invoking the guarantee". Finally
the beneficiary may request the banker to send the invoked amount by means of
Draft/RTGS/EFT to his account.

Normal condition/ covenant in the Bank Guarantee is that - by mere asking the
amount bank has to make payment of the invoked amount.

Therefore Banks are required to make payment by mere invokation letter. Some
times the bankers needs a certificate/declaration that the invoked amount is final
and the liability under the said bank guarantee is satisfied. They may also ask to
send back the original bank guarantee issued by them for their records.

With regards,

MRR Gupta

Sent a letter to the concerned banker for invoking BG. Generally the BG does not
contaion any condition, means a BG is un conditional and you can invoke it any time
(for this purpose read your BG). The banker will pay to you the BG amount after
completion of formalities which differs from bank to bank.

Dear Members,

Could anyone please explain the proceedure for invoking the Performance Bank
Gaurantee from the Bank?

Thanks in advance

Dear Sir,
The first & foremost ground for invocation of BG shuld be read thoroughly to know
on which circumstances it can be invoked.

Generally in the commercial transaction if there is any deviations certainly issue a

letter to banker quoting the clause for their reference as such BG amount can be
invoked.

It can be sent by fax /RPAD/Courier to banker(guarantor) who has issued the BG

within 3 working days the bank to honour and credit the amoun to your account.

Trusting this would suffice you, if not pls. feel free to revert.

Regards,

S.Sateesh

Email:sateesh_1974@rediff.com

Tender Guarantee (also called Bid Bond)

This is usually issued for an amount equal to between 1 and 2 percent of the contract
value. It gives the employer compensation for additional costs if the party submitting
the tender does not take up the contract and it must be awarded to another party.

Performance Guarantee

Normally issued for an amount equal to between 5 and 10 percent of the contact
value, this guarantee assures payment to the employer in the event that the
contractor fails to fulfill contract obligations.

Advance Payment Guarantee

This enables the employer to get a refund of advance payments made in the event of
default by the contractor. It is issued for the full amount of the advance payment,
but may contain reduction clauses, which enable a reduction in the maximum
amount upon evidence of progressive performance.

Retention Money Guarantee

Most major projects call for stage payments as work progresses. Often the employer
retains a percentage of the payment (retention money), as cover for any hidden
defects in the completed work. A retention money guarantee allows for immediate
release of retention money to the contractor. The employer can get a refund of
retention money released, in the event of default by the contractor.
Payment Guarantee

This is used as security for payment obligations. It is also referred to as a Standby

Letter of Credit.

Facility Guarantee

This is normally not trade related. Its purpose is to provide security to another bank
to advance money to an individual or company. It is often used when a company
does not have any credit record and wishes to expand offshore.

Maintenance Guarantee

This ensures that the contactor does not abandon the contract after completion of
the construction phase, but continues to honour any maintenance obligations as per
the original agreement.

Customs Guarantee

Contractors often need to import equipment temporarily to carry out a contract.

Import duty would normally be payable, but the customs authorities will grant
exemption if the contractor undertakes to re-export the equipment on completion of
the contract. The contractor then has to provide the customs authority with this
guarantee, which prevents the contractor from selling the goods instead of re-
exporting them.

Shipping Guarantee

This enables the buyer to obtain release of the goods from the carrier, despite the
bills of lading being lost or delayed.

A Letter of Guarantee is issued by a banker to a third party indicating that the

bank would meet the financial consequences (to a specified amount) in the event of
failure of its client in adhering to the terms of the contract with the third party.

Letters of guarantee are primarily of the following nature:

* Performance Guarantees: The bank guarantees to make good the

penalty in the event of failure of its client to meet the requisite performance
obligations. This is generally provided on behalf of clients undertaking
execution of contracts, etc
* Financial Guarantees: The bank here guarantees to make good any
default by its client in honoring commitments made in a financial transaction.
Manage international trade risk

A guarantee or bond, as they are sometimes known, provides the beneficiary with
acceptable security if the applicant (you) fails to fulfil its obligations in the underlying
contract.

Extensive experience, attractive terms

At HSBC we have extensive experience of guarantees, together with a

worldwide network of group offices and correspondent banks to meet your
domestic and international needs
Our global presence means we can provide you with attractive terms on
foreign guarantees
Our specialist Guarantees Team based in London can provide you with
valuable support for your business.

Commonly used guarantees

When you're trading internationally you may often come across the following
guarantees. We can arrange these and guarantees to cover many other kinds of risk.

Performance Bond

The most common type of guarantee

Usually required for the duration of a contract, plus a grace period to allow the
beneficiary to make a demand in the event of non-performance of the obligations
covered by the guarantee. Tender Guarantee/Bid Bond

Often called for in support of contract tenders, particularly in international

trade situations
Provides the beneficiary with a financial remedy if the applicant fails to fulfill
any of the tender conditions.

Advance Payment Guarantee

Used where the applicant calls for the provision of a sum of money at an early
stage of the contract
The beneficiary can recover the amount paid in advance, or part thereof, if
the applicant fails to fulfil their underlying contractual obligations.

VAT Bond/Duty Deferment Bond

Provided to HM Revenue & Customs enabling the applicant to import goods

from outside the EU without the immediate payment of duty or tax.