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Flexible funding options tailored to business needs of domestic and international traders

Boost your trading plans with Trade Finance

We’ve got your back

We help everyone from SMEs to the largest corporates embrace the challenges of trading domestically and internationally, our team are committed to support you with:

  • Managing risk when dealing with suppliers or buyers.
  • Winning contracts in the UK or overseas
  • Building trust with your trading partners, allowing you to negotiate preferential trading terms to benefit both sides of each transaction.
  • Providing the financing options required to achieve your ambitions.
insights

Featured insight: What’s next for supply chains?

Rowan Austin, Head of Trade Origination & Advisory, takes stock of the big trends affecting supply chains. 

Our latest trade insights

NatWest Group named as Best Trade Finance Provider in the UK

Global Finance Awards 2024

Rowan Austin, Head of Trade Origination & Advisory at NatWest noted: “Our customers have been through turbulent times over the past few years as global events have triggered market volatility, and technology fundamentally altered supply chains and how businesses trade internationally. This award is true recognition of the work we do to support our customers during these times.”

Tools to help you Trade

Guidance, tools and information to help you understand the world of Trade Fiannce and how we could support your businesses growth.

Unsure how our Trade Finance solutions can help your business?

Click 'get started' to find out which of our Trade Finance solutions could be best suited to support your business needs.

Where can we help?
Where can we support you dealing with your suppliers?

Mitigate risks to support the timely and secure receipt of goods and services

Import Letters of Credit could be a valuable tool for managing supplier risk.

An Import Letter of Credit is a commitment from us to pay your seller on your behalf, using a pre-agreed credit facility. Payment is only made upon receipt of specified documents from your seller, ensuring that the transaction details are verified.

These letters of credit are designed to assist with supplier negotiations and facilitate the receipt of goods or services, whether sourced domestically or internationally. 

Alternatively, solutions such as Bonds, Guarantees, and Collections could also support your needs.

Whether you are engaging with a new supplier or managing risk with an existing one, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Manage costs and strengthen supplier relationships

A Trade Loan or Import Letter of Credit could be used to offer attractive terms to your suppliers, potentially achieving preferential terms without impacting your working capital. 

Alternatively other solutions that could support your business include Collections and Bills of exchange Discounting.

Whether you are negotiating with a new supplier or discussing pricing with an existing one, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Funding supplier payments

A Trade Loan could assist you in funding regular supplier payments or those required for a one-off contract. 

This type of loan can bridge the funding gap between paying your suppliers and receiving payment from your buyer. 

Alternaively, other solutions such as Import Letters of Credit and Collections could further support your business needs.

Whatever your funding requirements, we are here to provide a working capital facility tailored to your needs.

Where can we support you dealing with your buyers?

Manage risk, helping you to get paid

Export Letters of Credit could help you reduce risk when trading in the UK or overseas. You would receive a commitment from your buyer’s bank to pay on behalf of their client, provided certain pre-agreed conditions are met.

Alternative solutions that could potentially support your business include Collections, Bonds and Guarantees.

Whether you are working with a new buyer or looking to manage risk exposure with existing buyers, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Win contracts & strengthen relationships

A Bond or Guarantee could give you a competitive advantage when seeking new business opportunities or participating in contracts that require a bank guarantee. 

Other solutions that could provide a competitive edge include Trade Loans, Letters of Credit, and Collections.

Our solutions could support you in negotiations with buyers, helping to offer extended payment terms or provide assurance to buyers, potentially giving you a competitive edge.

Funding buyer credit terms

A Trade Loan could provide the working capital you need while waiting for payment from your customers. 

Alternative solutions that could potentially support your business include Export Letters of Credit, Collections, and Bills of Exchange Discounting.

Whatever your funding requirements, we are here to provide a working capital facility tailored to your needs.

What do you need working capital for

Funding supplier payments

A Trade Loan could assist you in funding regular supplier payments or those required for a one-off contract. 

This type of loan can bridge the funding gap between paying your suppliers and receiving payment from your buyer. 

Alternaively, other solutions such as Import Letters of Credit and Collections could further support your business needs.

Whatever your funding requirements, we are here to provide a working capital facility tailored to your needs.

Stock

A Trade Loan could provide the working capital you need to purchase stock. This type of loan can bridge the funding gap between paying your suppliers and receiving payment from your buyer. 

Alternatively, other solutions such as Import Letters of Credit and collections could further support your business needs.

Whatever your funding requirements, we are here to provide a working capital facility tailored to your needs.

Buyer credit terms

A Trade Loan could provide the working capital you need while waiting for payment from your customers. 

Alternative solutions that could potentially support your business include Export Letters of Credit, Collections, and Bills of Exchange Discounting.

Whatever your funding requirements, we are here to provide a working capital facility tailored to your needs.

A new contract

A Trade Loan could provide the working capital you need to deliver on new contracts.  This type of loan could bridge the funding gap between paying your suppliers and receiving payment from your buyer.

Our solutions offer the necessary funding at every stage of a new contract, whether it's for payables, stock, the manufacturing period, or buyers' terms.

Alternative solutions that could potentially support your business include Letters of Credit and Collections.

Whatever your funding requirements, we are here to provide a working capital facility tailored to your needs.

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Proud to support...

We are proud to support the government's campaign to inspire and assist businesses selling goods and services overseas, access guidance, tools, and services and work closely with both the Department for Business and Trade and UK Export Finance.

Please see below tools and information to support your business from the bank and the Department for Business and Trade.

Featured product: Trade Loans

An Ulster Bank Trade Loan could be used as a revolving facility supporting regular funding needs, including supplier payments or stock purchases, or to provide the working capital required to fund a specific contract.

 

We'll work closely with you to create a customised solution that fits your business, providing confidential financing that is kept separate to any other debt you may have.

Our products

With our expert trade finance solutions, we could help you mitigate the risks of international and domestic trade with the aim of improving your company’s cashflow, and gaining control over your imports and exports.

Bonds, Guarantees & Standby Letters of Credit

Provide companies with additional protection in respect of their business or customers, performance or financial obligations. We could issue guarantees on your behalf or receive and validate guarantees issued by other banks in your favour.

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Letters of Credit

Letters of Credit provide a secure method of settlement and reduce the risk of non- payment for delivered goods. Once issued they are legally binding, irrevocable and cannot be cancelled unless all parties agree.

 

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Documentary Collections

Cover your business against performance risk. Negotiate new payment terms with suppliers, which could offer better security for both sides.

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Trade Loans

This short term working capital funding could help source, produce, package and ship your goods – whether trading in the UK or internationally.

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Trade Finance Portal

Our new online platform lets you manage your domestic and international trade transactions effectively.

Contact our experts

Existing Ulster Bank business customers

If you’re an existing customer, please contact your relationship manager for more information on how we can support with Working Capital.

 

New customers

If you have a working capital requirement, give us a call on 0345 303 0077 (Relay UK Service: 18001 0345 303 0077).

For more information on accessibility, click here

Calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.

To see how much your call might cost, visit the call charge information page.

4 reasons to choose Ulster Bank

We’re open for UK businesses

We're helping so many businesses across Northern Ireland. Why not be part of the success?

We’re experts in most fields

We have customers in most sectors, so you can be confident with our expertise and support.

We offer a support network

You'll receive your own Relationship Manager (turnover and eligibility criteria apply).

Our app makes it easier for you

With fantastic features, our app can do the heavy lifting, so you can focus on your business. (eligibility criteria applies).

Something else we can help you with?