Confirming Bank

Publication Date :

13 Mar, 2025

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Table of Contents

Confirming Bank Meaning

The confirming bank is a financial institution that undertakes the main responsibilities of the issuing bank upon the issuing bank's request. This bank is familiar to them and suggested by the issuing bank for ease of transaction and is typically situated in the beneficiary's country.

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It is a crucial tool in international trade finance, providing additional protection to the recipient of a letter of credit. It ensures payment even if the issuing bank faces financial difficulties, facilitating trade transactions and reducing risks. This trust-building mechanism strengthens the relationship between the parties involved, especially when the recipient is uncertain about the bank's reliability or political stability.

Key Takeaways

The confirming bank or confirmer performs the principal duties of the issuing bank in an LC transaction.
They receive the beneficiary's presentation, determine if it complies with the terms, and make payment if it does.
These banks assume direct liability to the beneficiary, whereas advising banks act as communication channels with no primary liability.
The banks mitigate risks and enhance credibility in international trade transactions, facilitating smoother trade operations and strengthening bargaining positions.
Role of confirming bank in LC ensures compliance with international trade regulations and facilitates dispute resolution as the mediator between the parties involved.

Confirming Bank Explained

A confirming bank is a bank that, upon authorization or request from the issuing bank, provides its confirmation to a letter of credit. According to Article Two of the Uniform Commercial Practice (UCP) 600, confirmation is an explicit commitment by the bank for confirmation, in addition to the issuing bank, to honor or negotiate a presentation that meets the required criteria.

A confirming bank letter of credit (LC) serves as a secondary guarantee by the confirming bank, assuring the beneficiary of payment irrespective of the issuing bank's ability to pay.

Payments made under letters of credit are subject to the terms outlined in the instrument. Only presentations that adhere to the LC's terms are deemed "complying presentations" under UCP 600. If any terms are not met, neither the issuing bank nor the confirming bank are obligated to make payment unless the applicant agrees to waive discrepancies and has sufficient credit or cash lines to facilitate payment.

Typically, when a letter of credit is issued, the issuing bank assumes the risk of fulfilling payment upon receipt of a required presentation. However, there are situations where the parties involved are not satisfied with the adequacy of the issuing bank's guarantee or are concerned about the issuing bank's location. In such cases, a confirmed letter of credit is requested.

In a confirmed Letter of Credit, another bank, often located in the same country as the beneficiary, known as the "Confirming Bank," adds its confirmation to the LC. The Bank confirms the beneficiary's claim under the instrument, provided they fulfill all terms and conditions of the specific Letter of Credit. If confirmation is added, the credit becomes available with the Confirming Bank for payment or negotiation. This enables the confirming bank to make payment prior to the issuing bank's payment fulfillment.

Examples

Let us look into a few examples to understand the confirming bank letter of credit better

Example #1 - A Hypothetical Example

Suppose there are two companies

Company A, based in the USA, intends to import machinery from Company B, located in the UK. Company A has concerns about the financial stability of the issuing bank in the UK and seeks additional assurance.

To address this, Company A requests its local bank, Bank A, to act as a Confirming Bank and add its confirmation to the letter of credit ( or LC) issued by the issuing bank in the UK. Bank A agrees to provide confirmation, thereby adding an extra layer of security for Company A. With Bank A's confirmation, Company A is assured that payment will be guaranteed to Company B, the beneficiary, upon fulfilling all the terms and conditions of the letter of credit.

By involving a Confirming Bank, Company A mitigates the risk associated with the issuing bank's financial stability and the uncertainties of international trade. This arrangement instills greater confidence in Company B, ensuring prompt payment regardless of the issuing bank's ability to pay. Bank A's confirmation fosters trust and credibility between the involved parties, facilitating a smoother and more secure trade transaction.

Example #2 - A Real-life Example of the Concept used in a Study

In the publication of the Fordham Law Review, it was observed that under the then-present interpretation of the Code, the confirming bank was shielded from liability, which discouraged it from acting in good faith towards the ultimate customer. The confirming bank, having direct dealings with the beneficiary, was in the best position to detect fraudulent conduct. The hypothetical scenario highlighted that the confirming bank might have additional business relationships with the beneficiary, leading to a natural alliance between them.

Despite the absence of privity between the confirming bank and the ultimate customer, there were legally supportable grounds for imposing liability. These included extending the Code provisions by analogy, imposing tort liability, or utilizing a warranty theory. Extending the duty of good faith owed by the confirming bank to the ultimate customer was deemed consistent with the overall framework of the Code. Importantly, interpreting this duty as running to the ultimate customer would have a necessary chilling effect on any wrongful inclination by the confirming bank to honor the credit.

Importance

The importance of the bank is given as follows or role of confirming bank in LC:

Risk management: The participation of the bank adds a layer of protection for the beneficiary. It thus helps in minimizing the risk of non-payment arising from the default or insolvency of the issuing bank.
Assurance for the recipient: The confirmation by the confirming bank assures the beneficiary that payment will be received. This is done even if the issuing bank faces financial challenges or fails to meet its obligations.
Establishment of credibility and reputation: Engaging a reputable bank enhances the credibility and reputation of the applicant in international trade dealings. This helps in fostering trust and confidence among suppliers and business partners.
Facilitation of trade operations: Leveraging the bank’s presence in the locality and familiarity with regulations, customs, and legal frameworks in the beneficiary's country can streamline trade activities. This helps in reducing administrative issues and probable delays.
Strengthened bargaining position: The involvement of a confirming bank may bolster the beneficiary's bargaining power, enabling the negotiation of more favorable trade terms and conditions.
Compliance Oversight: The banks ensure transactions adhere to international trade regulations, enhancing compliance assurance.
Dispute Management: Should disputes or discrepancies occur, these banks can facilitate resolution as mediators between involved parties.

Confirming Bank Vs. Advising Bank

The differences between both the concepts are given as follows

Points	Confirming Bank	Advising Bank
1. Definition	The bank adds its confirmation to a given letter of credit.	An advising bank simply advises the beneficiary of the existence of the credit.
2. Liability	The bank assumes a direct liability to the beneficiary by confirming the availability of credit.	An advising bank is merely a communication channel between the issuing bank and the beneficiary. It has no primary liability.
3. Role	The bank is a co-owner in the deal.	An advising bank is an agent.
4. Payment Obligation	The bank is obligated to honor or negotiate a complying presentation.	An advising bank is not obligated to make payment and is not responsible for payment under the LC.