New York, N.Y., June 13, 2013 – Uniform Rules for Bank Payment Obligations (BPOs), a 21st-century standard in supply-chain finance that will facilitate international trade, is now available at the USCIB International Bookstore.
These new rules are set to revolutionize trade finance transactions. BPO is an irrevocable commitment made by one bank to another that payment will occur on a specified date after a specified event has taken place. It is an alternative instrument for trade settlement, designed to complement existing solutions, not to replace them.
The BPO provides the benefits of a letter of credit in an automated and secured environment, and enables banks to offer flexible risk mitigation and enhanced financing services to their corporate customers.
The rules were developed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Banking Commission, in partnership with the financial messaging provider SWIFT and take into account the expectations of all relevant industries and users. Reflecting consensus of the industry, the rules were unanimously adopted by the ICC Banking Commission in April.
“The importance of collaboration among the banking community is paramount today.” According to Michael Quinn, Co-Chair of the ICC URBPO Education Group, Chair of USCIB’s Banking Committee, and Managing Director of Global Trade at JP Morgan. Quinn went on to say, “we have case studies where banks are successfully using BPO in situations where there is high volume import, short shipment time periods and a need to provide liquidity to suppliers who are providing relatively low-cost retail consumer type goods.” Mr. Quinn also added, “this provides us with excellent examples of how BPO is being leveraged to facilitate trade without getting bogged down in the processing of documents.”
The speed of trade, the complexity of supply chains and the reliance on information and data today is overwhelming. Over the last 10 years banks and corporates have become focused on financing liquidity down supply chains to ensure products can get to customers. The financial crisis forced many companies to rethink their supply chain strategies and consider ways to ensure integrity down the chain while ensuring it remains liquid and appropriately protected. This, Quinn suggests, has led to a convergence of corporate needs for supply chain financing with banks’ need to support them in this and an ambition to reduce paper handling so that greater focus can be put on risk mitigation and financing.
The rules are set to go into effect on July 1. Order your copy today at USCIB International Bookstore.
About USCIB:
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org.
USCIB’s Trade Services include: ATA Carnet, commonly known as the Merchandise Passport, which allows goods to enter over 85 customs territories tax- and duty-free for up to one year; eCertificates of Origin, fully electronic processing of Certificates of Origin, returned to you by e-mail, fast and complaint with ICC Guidelines for Certificates of Origin; and the USCIB International Bookstore, which enables customers to learn international business through unique titles covering a range of topics.
Contact:
Hsin-Ya Hou, USCIB International Bookstore
+1 212.703.5066, hyhou@uscib.org
