What is a letter of guarantee (LG) (2024)

A letter of guarantee is a document issued by your bank that ensures your supplier gets paid for the goods or services it provides to your company, in the event that your company itself can’t pay. In that case, your bank will pay your supplier up to a specified amount.

A letter of guarantee is different from a commercial letter of credit, which commits the bank to pay the supplier directly on your behalf when the services are rendered, whether your company has the ability to pay, or not.

Your company might request a letter of guarantee from your bank when your suppliers are uncertain about your ability to pay. This may happen when:

  • Your company is working with a new supplier that does not want to offer trade credit (i.e., allow the purchase of goods or services without immediate payment).
  • Your company is in start-up mode and doesn’t have enough credit history for a supplier to judge your ability to pay.
  • Your company is dealing with a supplier outside its normal trading area or in another country.

To get a letter of guarantee for one of your suppliers, your company must apply to your bank just like any other loan application. If approved, your bank essentially transfers its credit rating to your company, so the supplier company can rely on it for payment. This makes it easier for your company to buy the products and services it needs.

As long as your company is able to cover its expenses, it won’t actually require the bank to pay any of its bills, which is why a letter of guarantee is also known as a “standby loan.” Companies pay an annual fee but no interest for this privilege. The fee is usually a percentage of the total amount guaranteed by the letter.

More about letters of guarantee

The amount guaranteed by the letter does not appear on the company’s balance sheet, but is noted as a contingent liability (a liability that may or may not occur) in the notes to the financial statements.

What is a letter of guarantee (LG) (2024)

FAQs

What is a letter of guarantee (LG)? ›

A letter of guarantee is a document issued by your bank that ensures your supplier gets paid for the goods or services it provides to your company, in the event that your company itself can't pay. In that case, your bank will pay your supplier up to a specified amount.

What is the purpose of letter of guarantee? ›

A letter of guarantee is an agreement by a bank (the guarantor) to pay a set amount of money to some person (the beneficiary) if a bank customer (the principal) defaults on a payment or an obligation to the beneficiary. Letters of guarantee aren't transferable.

What is a letter of guarantee from a parent company? ›

Parent Company Guarantee is a written undertaking by Contractors ultimate parent to Client, guaranteeing performance and undertaking to complete obligations under the Contract in the event of default in Contractor's performance (a subsidiary of such parent).

What is the difference between a letter of credit and a letter of guarantee? ›

Key Takeaways. A bank guarantee is a promise from a lending institution that ensures the bank will step up if a debtor can't cover a debt. Letters of credit are also financial promises on behalf of one party in a transaction and are especially significant in international trade.

What is an insurance letter of guarantee? ›

Details. Q: What is a Letter of Guarantee? A: A Letter of Guarantee is requested by an insurance company when a vehicle is deemed a total loss due to being stolen or totaled in an accident. The Insurance settlement claim amount on a total loss may not pay the entire loan balance in full.

What is an example of a letter of guarantee? ›

Dear Sir/Madam: This letter will serve as your notification that (Bank Name) will irrevocably honor and guarantee payment of any check(s) written by our customer (Customer's Name) up to the amount of (Amount Guaranteed) and drawn on account number (Customer's Account Number). No stop payments will be issued.

What are the rules of letter of guarantee? ›

Letter of Guarantee is a promise by the bank independent of the underlying commercial transaction between the applicant and beneficiary. Issued directly in favor of the Beneficiary, the Bank is bound to make payment without delay, when it receives a demand that complies with the terms of the Guarantee.

Is a letter of guarantee a contract? ›

A guarantee is a contractual undertaking where one party assumes responsibility for the debt, or performance obligations, of another party should that other party default in some way.

Why do you need a parent company guarantee? ›

the main reason for seeking a performance bond or parent company guarantee is to provide the developer with comfort that it will be able to recover its additional costs of completing the works should the contractor become insolvent.

What is the difference between a letter of comfort and a parent guarantee? ›

Differences Between a Comfort Letter and a Guarantee

In the case of a straight guarantee, the guarantor who has paid the creditor of a subsidiary has, by law, an automatic claim against the subsidiary. On the other hand under a letter of comfort the issuer of the letter does not have an automatic claim.

What are the three 3 types of guarantees? ›

Traditionally, a distinction is made between:
  • Real guarantees relating to assets having an intrinsic value.
  • Personal guarantees involving a debt obligation for one or more people.
  • Moral guarantees that do not provide the lender with any real legal security.

What is the difference between a promissory note and a letter of guarantee? ›

A promissory note entails an individual's commitment to the business to make payments on a specific date. On the other hand, a personal guarantee entails a contract an individual signs up for to stand in for the company's debt if they fail to repay the loans within a given period.

What is issuing a letter of credit and guarantee? ›

A Letter of Credit (LC) is a document that guarantees the buyer's payment to the sellers. It is issued by a bank and ensures timely and full payment to the seller. If the buyer is unable to make such a payment, the bank covers the full or the remaining amount on behalf of the buyer.

What is LG in banking? ›

A Letter of Guarantee (LG) issued by KFH covers an agreement by the Bank to pay another party (the beneficiary) if the Bank's customer (the principal or applicant) defaults in his debt or obligation (a job contract) to the beneficiary. Main types of LG include: Tender Guarantee.

What is a irrevocable letter of guarantee? ›

An irrevocable letter of credit (ILOC) is a guarantee for payment issued by a bank for goods and services purchased, which cannot be cancelled during some specified time period.

What is a letter of guarantee for a purchase order? ›

A letter of guarantee can be issued for a purchase order transaction between a principal and a beneficiary. After the purchase order is created, the principal can create a letter of guarantee request for the vendor and submit it to the bank.

What is the objective of the contract of guarantee? ›

Assume the presence of a debt - The fundamental purpose of a guarantee contract is to ensure the payment of the major debtor's obligation. if there is no such debt. As a result, in circ*mstances where the debt is time-barred or void, the surety has no duty.

Why is a guarantee agreement important? ›

It is a risk management tool used to protect lenders and creditors, ensuring that they have recourse if the debtor is unable to fulfill their financial obligations.

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