by Brendan MacDonald | Jul 14, 2025 | Premium
By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds GlobalIn most of the financial world, a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) is a signal of strength. Issued by reputable banks, it’s widely accepted as proof of a client’s ability to transact — a structured instrument that...
by Brendan MacDonald | Jul 10, 2025 | Premium
Let me take you behind the curtain. After more than five decades in international banking and trade finance, I’ve come to learn that most deals don’t fall apart because of bad numbers. They fall apart because someone didn’t understand how banks...
by Brendan MacDonald | Jul 10, 2025 | Premium
Let’s be honest: most 27-year-olds (my younger analysts included) aren’t spending weekends googling “credit enhancement in securitization.” However, if you’re in business, finance, or trying to secure funding for your company, you need to know this. Because credit...
by Brendan MacDonald | Jul 10, 2025 | Premium
In today’s financing landscape, one of the most misunderstood tools is the Standby Letter of Credit, commonly referred to as an SBLC. It’s often treated as a silver bullet—something that can unlock capital, close a deal, or secure funding. But what most people don’t...
by Brendan MacDonald | Jul 8, 2025 | Premium
Few SWIFT messages are as misunderstood, misused, and mis-sold as the MT799. Everyone in structured finance is familiar with it. Some believe it unlocks capital. Others think it replaces an SBLC. But very few truly understand its role, its limits, and its power when...
