A letter of credit (LC) is a financial instrument commonly used in international trade transactions. It serves as a guarantee of payment issued by a bank on behalf of a buyer to a seller. The letter of credit ensures that the seller will receive payment for goods or services upon fulfilling the agreed-upon terms and conditions. One example of a letter of credit is an irrevocable letter of credit. In this type, once the document is issued, it cannot be amended or canceled without the consent of all parties involved. This provides a high level of security for both the buyer and the seller, as the payment is assured as long as the required documents are presented correctly. Another type is a confirmed letter of credit. In this case, a second bank, usually in the seller's country, adds its confirmation to the letter of credit issued by the buyer's bank. This additional confirmation strengthens the creditworthiness of the buyer's bank and assures the seller of payment, even if the buyer's bank defaults. A revolving letter of credit is commonly used for ongoing trade relationships. It allows the buyer to make multiple shipments over a specified period, up to a predetermined amount. This type of LC simplifies the trade process as separate credits do not need to be established for each transaction. A transferable letter of credit enables the seller to transfer the credit to another party. This is useful when the original seller is unable or unwilling to fulfill the transaction and wishes to delegate their rights to another entity. However, the terms and conditions of the original credit must permit transfers. Finally, a standby letter of credit functions more like an insurance policy rather than a payment guarantee. It is often used to ensure the performance of a party in a contract, such as the delivery of goods or completion of a project. If the party fails to fulfill their obligations, the beneficiary can draw on the standby credit. In summary, a letter of credit is a financial tool that provides security to both buyers and sellers in international trade transactions. With various types of LC's available, such as irrevocable, confirmed, revolving, transferable, and standby, businesses have flexibility in choosing the most suitable option for their specific needs.