Trade Services

If import and/or export is important to your business, Fortis can help you with advice and solutions designed to mitigate the payment and delivery risks that are associated with these transactions. In addition, we can help you with financing products – such as discounting and forfeiting – specifically designed for each purpose.

Our clients

Fortis' customers for trade services include production and trading companies of all sizes from around the globe that are active in importing and/or exporting products ranging from commodities to capital goods. Our financial professionals also serve public authorities when they operate in this arena.

How we can help you

Our dedicated experts are ready to look at the proposed structure of your transactions – in combination with trade services solutions like import LCs, export LCs, collections and bank guarantees – and evaluate the risks to which your organisation would be exposed. If needed, they will offer you a fully optimised package for your requirements.

Fortis' teams can ensure smooth and competent handling of all the practical steps to be taken throughout the process of your transaction, including, among other things:

• assisting you in the wording of your LC or bank guarantee 
• advising you as to how your transaction should be amended to become or remain workable 
• advising you in the preparation of documents and (pre-)checking documents 
• facilitating communication with other banks

We can also bring you specialised financial services by discounting drafts and documents under your LCs, collections and forfeiting drafts, promissory notes and invoices.

Fortis Merchant Banking: the right choice

Unlike many other banks which outsource their trade services work and focus on the process, Fortis' capability is fully in-house and run by dedicated and experienced professionals who focus on the requirements of the client. Your Fortis trade services specialist stays with you throughout the process, from start to finish. In some fields, we have unique experts who can offer you full service for every solution we offer, and for every stage of each of those solutions – including import and export LCs, collections, bank guarantees, forfeiting and discounting and even combinations.

To learn more, contact our experts via the Trade Services Contacts document on the right side of this page.