DCW Monthly: June 2026
A letter of credit is built on a simple promise: the bank pays on a complying demand, and the underlying
DCW Articles
Reassessing ISBP: What's Really Needed and Should It be Expanded beyond Examination?
With the immediate future of the existing ISBP now settled, the question turns to whether the industry should consider extending its role in a careful, deliberate way to reflect the realities of modern documentary credit practice.
DCW Articles
The Profile of LC Users: Evidence from 135,000 Trading Firms
A study of 135,000 Vietnamese trading firms reveals some interesting data regarding what it takes to access trade finance products from banks. Hint: start-ups do not get access.
DCW Articles
International Trade and the Strait of Hormuz: Disruptions, Risks, and Systemic Challenges
International trade depends on two inseparable flows: the movement of goods and the movement of money. When goods stop moving, payments stop moving — and when both stall, global trade seizes up. The near total closure of the Strait of Hormuz has exposed this reality with exceptional clarity.
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DCW Monthly: June 2026
A letter of credit is built on a simple promise: the bank pays on a complying demand, and the underlying
DCW Updates
ICC Releases Draft Opinions for July 2026 Discussion
Six Draft Opinions will be taken up by the ICC Banking Commission at its next quarterly Technical Advisory meeting on
DCW Updates
Versana Expands into LCs
New York-based data and digital infrastructure company Versana announced on 19 May 2026 that it now offers banks the
DCW Updates
The Problems are NOT with UCP600
The rules are what they are and it’s time to move beyond what more they should include, less they
DCW Updates
Data Suggests US Bank-Provided Trade Finance Poses Limited Risk
While acknowledging the reporting of trade finance data is “scarce and fragmented”, an article released by the Board of Governors
DCW Articles
Thank heavens: Why banks can keep calm and carry on after Celestial Aviation
Assessing the risk of breaching regulatory and compliance requirements while simultaneously examining for documentary compliance under stringent time pressures has complicated banks’ trade finance operations for years. A UK Supreme Court decision provides a degree of comfort and clarity to banks.
DCW Litigation Digest
Universal Property Services, Inc. v. Lehigh Gas Wholesale Services, Inc.
Case involved LCs containing a condition that Issuing Bank would only honor demands if Applicant first furnished indemnification to Issuing Bank.
DCW Profiles
It’s been a Fascinating Journey
Trade Finance Career Spotlights: Xiang Gao Curiosity about the multiparty dynamics of a letter of credit arrangement first motivated Xiang
DCW Articles
DCW Articles
Thank heavens: Why banks can keep calm and carry on after Celestial Aviation
Assessing the risk of breaching regulatory and compliance requirements while simultaneously examining for documentary compliance under stringent time pressures has complicated banks’ trade finance operations for years. A UK Supreme Court decision provides a degree of comfort and clarity to banks.
DCW Articles
The Case against UCP 600 Revision and for Education
Following the majority vote against UCP revision by ICC National Committees, Dave Meynell offers evidence suggesting education and guidance is the prudent way forward.
DCW Articles
Price Verification: Doing More While Preserving the Independence Principle
For LC bankers to meet the challenge of price verification while upholding the independence principle, there's no substitute for exemplary knowledge of customers and their businesses.
DCW Articles
Sustainable Finance: The Evolving Role of Banks in Trade Finance
Traditional financial metrics alone are no longer sufficient to support decision-making. Banks are now expected to consider sustainability risks, including environmental impact, supply chain practices, and governance standards. Doaa El Atawy explores the evolving role and where banks are headed.
DCW Updates
DCW Updates
ICC Releases Draft Opinions for July 2026 Discussion
Six Draft Opinions will be taken up by the ICC Banking Commission at its next quarterly Technical Advisory meeting on
DCW Updates
Versana Expands into LCs
New York-based data and digital infrastructure company Versana announced on 19 May 2026 that it now offers banks the
DCW Updates
The Problems are NOT with UCP600
The rules are what they are and it’s time to move beyond what more they should include, less they
DCW Updates
Data Suggests US Bank-Provided Trade Finance Poses Limited Risk
While acknowledging the reporting of trade finance data is “scarce and fragmented”, an article released by the Board of Governors
DCW Profiles
DCW Profiles
It’s been a Fascinating Journey
Trade Finance Career Spotlights: Xiang Gao Curiosity about the multiparty dynamics of a letter of credit arrangement first motivated Xiang
DCW Profiles
Super-Charging the Machinery that Makes Commerce Go
A Conversation with Iqbal Karmally Although the bulk of his trade finance career was rooted in paper-based examination and
DCW Profiles
Keyboard was Springboard to Fulfilling LC Career
A Conversation with Pattie Marshall After more than five decades working in the letter of credit business, Pattie Marshall, SVP
DCW Profiles
Court Cases Ignite Interest
Trade Finance Career Spotlights: Soh Chee Seng How do leading trade finance professionals get to where they are? In this
DCW LC Statistics
DCW LC Statistics
LC Statistics: 1Q26 US Bank LC Issuance
DCW reports quarterly LC issuance statistics for the top 600 banks headquartered in the US. Numbers are in USD 1,
DCW LC Statistics
LC Statistics: 4Q25 US Bank LC Issuance
DCW reports quarterly LC issuance statistics for the top 600 banks headquartered in the US. Numbers are in USD 1,
DCW LC Statistics
Trade Finance Activity of the Top 50 U.S. LC Banks
DCW is beginning a series of visualizations drawn from our long-running U.S. LC statistics dataset. This first chart
March 2026
Upgraded DCW LC Statistics + Introducing DCW Data Lab
DCW’s LC Issuance Statistics for U.S. banks have an upgrade and a new look. The updated statistics now
DCW Conference Report
DCW Conference Report
2025 ABA Financial Crimes Enforcement Conference: Executive Summary
The American Bankers Association’s 37th Financial Crimes Enforcement Conference took place in Arlington, Virginia in October 2025, as banks and regulators grappled with AML reform, rising fraud, stablecoins, and the growing impact of AI on financial crime controls.
DCW Conference Report
2025 Americas LC Law Summit: Executive Summary
For the 26th consecutive year, the IIBLP conducted its one-day Americas Letter of Credit Law Summit. Held in New York City on 5 November 2025 and hosted by Baker McKenzie, the program was organized as a hybrid event. This Executive Summary provides an overview of key topics discussed and debated.
DCW Conference Report
2025 Americas Standby & Guarantee Forum: Executive Summary
For the 19th consecutive year, IIBLP conducted its Americas Standby & Guarantee Forum. Held in New York City on 4 November 2025 and hosted by Baker McKenzie, the program was organized as a hybrid event. This Executive Summary provides an overview of key topics discussed and debated.
DCW Conference Report
October 2025 ICC Banking Commission Meeting
The ICC Banking Commission’s quarterly meeting, held via Zoom on 21 October 2025, discussed six draft opinions, the status of Technical Advisory Briefings, a call for comments on the future of UCP and ISBP, and the emergence of stablecoin as relates to ICC rules and digital trade law.
DCW Litigation Digest
DCW Litigation Digest
Universal Property Services, Inc. v. Lehigh Gas Wholesale Services, Inc.
Case involved LCs containing a condition that Issuing Bank would only honor demands if Applicant first furnished indemnification to Issuing Bank.
DCW Litigation Digest
Evergrowing Bank Co., Ltd. v. Sambu Shipping Co., Ltd.
Case from China's Jiangsu High People’s Court involving issuing bank suing carrier for compensation for carrier’s release of cargo against applicant’s letter of indemnity in lieu of original bill of lading contains important lessons for banks.
DCW Litigation Digest
Ningbo Nanheng Import & Export Co., Ltd v. Shinhan Bank Corp. [2021]
The legal consequences of backdating paper bills of lading under letters of credit and use of surrendered bills of lading emerge from the China case, Ningbo Nanheng Import and Export Co. Ltd. v. Shinhan Bank Co.
DCW Litigation Digest
Petefish Skiles & Co v. Meads-Maes USA Chiren Joint Venture Company [2025]
Case raises important questions and concerns about a URDG guarantee issuer’s obligations and distinguishing an independent bank guarantee from an escrow account arrangement.
ISP98 Model Forms
ISP98 Model Forms
ISP98 Model SBLC Forms
The ISP98 Model Forms are fillable templates written by bankers and lawyers, and are aligned with ISP98 (ICC Publication No. 590), the most widely used rules for standbys.
ISP98 Model Forms
ISP98 Form 1 - Model SBLC with Payment Demand
ISP98 Model Form 1 is a template for a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) that also incorporates an annexed Form of Payment Demand with Statement.
ISP98 Model Forms
ISP98 Form 2 - Model SBLC Providing for Extension
ISP98 Model Form 2 is a template for a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) providing for extension and incorporating annexed Form of Payment Demand with Alternative Non-Extension Statement.
ISP98 Model Forms
ISP98 Form 3 - Model Standby Providing for Reduction
ISP98 Model Form 3 is a template for a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) providing for Reduction and that also incorporates an annexed Form of Reduction Demand.