Payment security aligned to
international practice
An SBLC is a bank's promise to pay a beneficiary if the applicant fails to perform under an underlying contract. Importers, contractors, and trading houses use SBLCs to reassure suppliers and align with international documentary practice.

Bank payment undertakings,
Contract-aligned security.

SBLCs that reassure suppliers, beneficiaries, and trading partners when performance risk must be clearly allocated.

Overview

An SBLC is a bank's promise to pay a beneficiary if the applicant fails to perform under an underlying contract. Importers, contractors, and trading houses use SBLCs to align with international documentary practice.

Mckesson Finance UK helps clients structure standby letters of credit with tenor, amount, and wording matched to the commercial agreement—whether for import, export, construction, or supply chain security.

We support you from initial structuring through issuance, amendment, and practical guidance on claims and documentation.

Our focus

To deliver SBLCs that beneficiaries will accept—structured correctly under ISP98, UCP, or contract-specific rules as applicable.

How we add value

By combining documentary expertise with issuer relationships so your instrument is credible, timely, and commercially appropriate.

ISP98

UCP-aligned

We structure instruments in line with recognised international rules and contract requirements.

50+

Years experience

Our team has deep experience across trade, import-export, and contract finance mandates.

Global

Counterparties

We support UK applicants with beneficiaries and banks in multiple markets.

Documentary discipline, commercial clarity

SBLCs succeed when wording, tenor, and documents match the underlying deal. We review contracts and beneficiary requirements carefully, recommend issuing banks or programmes that fit your profile, and manage the process through to delivery—reducing the risk of rejection or dispute.

What we arrange

Standby letters of credit for trade, import-export, and contract security.

Import and export security
Payment undertakings for international trade flows.

We structure SBLCs that support import and export transactions where suppliers need bank-backed comfort.

ISP98 / UCP alignment
Wording and practice matched to applicable rules.

We ensure drafts reflect the correct rule set and documentary requirements for your transaction.

Tenor and validity
Periods matched to contract milestones.

We align expiry and extension provisions with commercial timelines and beneficiary expectations.

Construction and supply
Security for contractors and trading houses.

We support mandates where performance and payment risk must be clearly allocated under contract.

Amendments and extensions
Support when contract terms change.

We coordinate amendments and renewals so instruments remain valid for the life of the deal.

Claims guidance
Practical advice on presentation and compliance.

We help clients understand documentary requirements to avoid technical rejection of demands.

How we work with you

A structured path from first enquiry to completion.

01

Review

We analyse the underlying contract, beneficiary, and documentary requirements including ISP98 or UCP where relevant.

02

Draft

We align tenor, amount, and wording with the commercial agreement and issuing bank practice.

03

Issue

We manage the application and issuance process through to delivery to the beneficiary.

04

Amend

We support amendments, extensions, and claims guidance through the life of the instrument.

Ready to Get Started?

Tell us about your contract, counterparty, and required instrument. Our team will review your file and outline the next steps.