Welcome to the TFG Supply Chain Finance (SCF) and Payables Finance hub. Find out about how we help corporates and large businesses access supply chain finance programmes, or keep up to date with the latest research, information and insights on supply chain finance.
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What is Supply Chain Finance?
Supply Chain Finance (also known as SCF, payables, reverse factoring and supplier finance), is a cash flow solution which helps businesses free up working capital trapped in global supply chains. Supply Chain Finance has recently been defined as a much broader category of trade financing, encompassing all the financing opportunities across a supply chain. Notwithstanding, the product is still very much seen from a narrower perspective, where its key feature is that it is buyer/debtor driven. In such a case, a buyer approaches its financial provider for the establishment of a receivables discounting line for its suppliers to use and discount the invoices they issued to that buyer.
It is a solution designed to benefit both suppliers and buyers; suppliers get paid early and buyers can extend their payment terms. This solution allows businesses which import goods to unlock working capital as well as reduce the risk associated with buying goods in bulk and/or transporting them globally. SCF is generally defined as ‘an arrangement whereby a buyer agrees to approve his suppliers’ invoices for financing by a bank or other financier’.
The termSupply Chain Finance (SCF)is often also referred to as
- Supplier Finance
- Payables finance
- Supplier payments
- Approved payables finance
- Reverse factoring
- Confirming
Given that there are no ICC rules for SCF (like there are forLetter of CreditorIncoterms), it’s often up to each provider to decide what they call it.
Despite the publishing of the ‘Standard Definitions for Techniques of Supply Chain Finance‘ by the International Chamber of Commerce in 2016, the definition is not yet widely adopted and providers of SCF often use various terms to describe their product offerings.
Receivables finance on the other hand, is well defined as ‘the purchasing of receivables or invoices from a seller, with or without recourse’.
In order to address some of the common issues and misunderstandings around SCF, we have put together this short guide.
Diagram: How does Supply Chain Finance work?
How can Supply Chain Finance benefit my business?
SCF is a very efficient way to underpin the stability of a Buyer’s supply chain and market reach vis-a-vis its suppliers, allowing it to benefit from better credit terms and streamlined invoice payment procedures (supply chain finance tends to be made available through online platforms). It is also very beneficial to suppliers, as it allows them to shorten their receivables cycle and therefore reinvest their operational cash-flow at a faster pace. The advantages also tend to include financing in better terms for both parties, as suppliers don’t need to take out financing under their own credit lines and may benefit from their clients’ access to credit at lower rates, and buyers may get credit from their suppliers at a lower cost than that of taking out a loan.
Benefits to buyers/ importers
- Buyers can maintain a healthy balance sheet
- Buyers maintain a good relationship with suppliers
- Promotes competition/ diversity in suppliers
- Allows buyers to make purchases in bulk to save costs
- Buyers can work with complex end-to-end supply chains
- SCF doesn’t disturb existing bank relationships or overdrafts
Benefits to suppliers/ exporters
- Suppliers can get paid earlier than their usual 30-day credit terms
- Little financial risk – insurance is sorted through a supply chain financier
- Doesn’t cost the supplier any extra
- Allows supplier to have the cashflow to work on numerous deals simultaneously
- Helps provide liquidity and reduces financing costs
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How can we help?
The TFG supply chain finance team works with the key decision-makers at 270+ banks, funds and alternative lenders globally, assisting companies in accessing trade & supply chain finance.
Our international team are here to help you scale up to take advantage of trade opportunities. We have product specialists, from machinery experts to soybean gurus.
Often the financing solution that is required can be complicated, and our job is to help you find the appropriate trade finance solutions for your business.
Read more about Trade Finance Global and our global team.
Get started – talk to our team
Contact Information
If you have a supply chain finance enquiry, please use the contact form.
Otherwise, you can reach us on the email addresses below.
Trade Finance Global
201 Haverstock Hill
Second Floor
London
NW3 4QG
Telephone:+44 (0) 2071181027
Supply Chain Finance Enquiries
Want to learn more about Supply Chain Finance?
Look no further. We’ve put together our feature trade finance insights, research and articles, and you can catch the latest thought leadership from the TFG, listen to podcasts and digest the latest in international trade right here.
From the Editor – Supply Chain and Payables Finance Insights
Emerging markets roundtable: understanding and addressing the trade finance challenges for SMEs – This year’s ITFA 48th Annual Trade & Forfaiting conference, held in Porto, covered a few key themes, one of the most notable being the increasing trade finance gap, which impacts small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets the most.
Ameriabank on international trade, sustainability, digitisation in Armenia – Trade Finance Global (TFG) sat down with Ameriabank to discuss how shifts in the global trading ecosystem have affected the Armenian economy.
TFG partners with UKEF and DIT to create a trade and export finance guide – Trade Finance Global has partnered with UKEF, the UK government’s export credit agency, and DIT to produce the UK Trade & Export Finance Guide.
Latest SCF Insights >>
Emerging markets roundtable: understanding and addressing the trade finance challenges for SMEs
Ameriabank on international trade, sustainability, digitisation in Armenia
TFG partners with UKEF and DIT to create a trade and export finance guide
Podcast: Olá, Porto! ITFA’s Sean Edwards on emerging markets and digitisation
World of Open Account (WOA) cofounders on the changing face of receivables finance
Fork in the road: A look back at the strategic rationale behind China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Videos – Supply Chain Finance
RELEASED: TFG’s full trade finance video series in partnership with ITFA
VIDEO: Factoring strikes back – FCI’s Aysen Çetintas on expanding trade finance education after COVID-19
VIDEO: Steady, dynamic growth – Santander’s Bertrand de Comminges on why corporates are moving into supply chain finance
VIDEO: Post-mortem analysis on Greensill and other cases studies
VIDEO: ‘No turning back’ – Bank of America’s Baris Kalay on trade digitalisation after COVID-19
VIDEO: On the red carpet – ITFA Chairman Sean Edwards on changes in global trade finance after COVID-19
Supply Chain Finance Podcasts
Supply Chain Finance – Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use Supply Chain Finance?
Currently, supply chain finance programmes exist predominantly in Western European and US markets, but Asian markets are quickly following suite, particularly India and China. Chief Financial Officers are beginning to include supply chain finance as part of their working capital and treasury agendas. Despite being around for over 70 years, supply chain finance is now being transformed by digital innovation. Proprietary software and technology platforms work with banks to automate and provide instant rates and terms which suit both parties. Payables data will typically get uploaded to a supplier platform and suppliers can immediately approve invoices and see invoices before they mature.
Supply chain finance is great for large corporations or SME suppliers/ buyers. Whether you’re looking to import automotives and vehicles or retail stock such as clothing, supply chain finance is an innovative solution which the UK government fully supports and encourages.
How can Trade Finance Global help your business access supply chain finance?
At Trade Finance Global, we are experts in providing insight on global supply chain and trade finance. In addition, we have a network of expert funders and advisors who have helped SMEs and businesses access finance to import and export goods or services worldwide. We work with you to find out what your business requires.
Our specialists work with leading funders and banks to offer you the most competitive rates; simply get in touch using the contact form below, and briefly let us know what you’re looking for. Alternatively, find out more about supply chain finance by reading some of the articles we have put together above.
How does Supply Chain Finance work?
- A Supply Chain Finance facility is entered by the buyer, financier and supplier
- Goods are shipped and sales invoice is raised on the buyer by the supplier
- Supplier submits invoice to financier’s supply chain finance platform
- Buyer approves the invoice on the financier’s supply chain finance platform
- The financier pays the supplier, excluding interest and fees.
- The financier debits the account of the buyer on the maturity of the invoice