By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds Global Digital Banking Revolution Reaches Trade Finance The banking industry has widely adopted digital transformation across most services, but trade finance tools, such as standby letters of credit, have lagged behind. In 2025,...

By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds Global Understanding SBLC Fee Structures Finding standby letters of credit with minimal fees requires understanding the typical cost structure. For standard corporate risk, budget 1% to 3% per annum for issuance plus any...

By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds Global Major Commercial Banks Lead the Market When seeking standby letters of credit for international trade transactions, accredited investors typically turn to established commercial banks for their needs. These institutions offer...

By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds Global Understanding Standby Letters of Credit in Today's Market Standby letters of credit (SBLCs) serve as crucial financial instruments for businesses requiring payment guarantees or performance assurances. But finding...

The small business financing landscape has witnessed a notable shift in 2024, with standby letter of credit (SBLC) issuance for companies with annual revenues under $50 million increasing by 41% compared to the previous year. This surge reflects a growing recognition...

Introduction: Why This Matters to You In global finance, few instruments inspire as much fascination — and confusion — as the Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC). On the surface, it looks like the ultimate safety net: a guarantee from a bank that if one party fails, the...

By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds Global International trade finance hasn't fundamentally changed in decades—until now. While trillion-dollar cargo ships traverse oceans in days, the paperwork still takes weeks to process through antiquated banking systems....

By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds Global A telex transfer is an electronic method of moving funds between banks using telegraphic communication systems. This payment method, also known as a telegraphic transfer or wire transfer, enables the secure transmission of...

By Taimour Zaman, Founder, AltFunds Global Alternative capital projects present unique risk-return profiles that require specialized evaluation frameworks. Unlike traditional investments, these projects often involve illiquid assets, longer time horizons, and complex...