Export Letters of Credit

Trade with confidence on the global marketplace by helping to reduce the risk of non-payment from your international customers.

About International Export Letters of Credit from M&T Bank

Extending payment terms to foreign customers can be risky. While each sale is an attractive opportunity, differences in language, regulations and accounting standards can complicate your efforts to assess your international customer’s creditworthiness. 

An Export Letter of Credit provided by M&T Bank can help you mitigate the risk of non-payment in international sales, so that your company can work to maximize your growth potential in new markets.

​When is it ​used?

Your Export Letter of Credit helps to ensure you get paid as long as the terms of the credit are met. Generally, it’s used in international trade transactions where goods are shipped via ocean or air, and the buyer and seller are often in two separate countries. 

The Issuing Bank is typically located in the same country as the buyer, and the Advising/Confirming Bank is generally in the same country as the seller.

Help reduce your credit risk.

An Export Letter of Credit advised by M&T Bank is an agreement from your customer’s bank to pay you. As long as you meet the requirements of the Export Letter of Credit, you are relying on your customer’s bank – not on your customer – for payment, thereby reducing your risk of non-payment. 

Get even more protection.

For additional protection from non-payment risk, consider an M&T Bank Confirmed Export Letter of Credit. With a Confirmed Export Letter of Credit, you can look to M&T Bank for payment once you meet the conditions outlined in your Export Letter of Credit.

How It Works  

  1. You and your foreign customer decide to use an Export Letter of Credit for payment. Your customer initiates the Export Letter of Credit with their bank, which sends the Export Letter of Credit to M&T Bank.
  2. You ship the goods to your foreign customer and send the documents required by the Export Letter of Credit to M&T Bank. M&T Bank reviews the required documents and sends them to the foreign customer’s bank.
  3. Your foreign customer’s bank checks the required documents against
the Export Letter of Credit. If the documents conform, the foreign bank notifies M&T Bank, and you receive payment from the foreign bank according to the terms of the Export Letter of Credit.
  4. Your foreign customer’s bank sends the required documents to the customer and obtains reimbursement from its customer.

Getting Started  

Your customer initiates the Export Letter of Credit with their bank, which sends the Export Letter of Credit to M&T Bank.

​Manage your account online.  

Our online web-based trade management system, International Trade Online, allows you to efficiently handle your Export Letters of Credit, including the integration of email notifications.

​Count on support from our dedicated team. 

M&T’s International Trade Finance Specialists have the knowledge to help solve your company’s most challenging international payments.

Note: Under Export Documentary Collections, M&T does not assume an obligation to pay you in the event that your foreign customer does not pay. M&T offers many other products, such as the Export Letters of Credit, designed to mitigate the risk of non-payment by your foreign customer. Subject to applicable International Chamber of Commerce uniform rules, customs or practices and any relevant agreements.
Subject to applicable International Chamber of Commerce uniform rules, customs or practices and any relevant agreements.
​All products and services are subject to eligibility and restrictions may apply.