Export Assistance
Guides to Exporting
Export Glossary
Export Acronyms
Export Documentation
Proforma Invoice
Commercial Invoice
Packing Lists
Insurance Forms
Customs Documents
Document Completion Guide
Export Marketing
What is involved in export Marketing?
Export Marketing Channels
Using Export Agents
Finding Export Agents
The Role of Trade Fairs
Finding Trade Fairs
Create your own e-Marketing Campaign
Website internationalisation
E-marketplaces
Export portals
Embassies and Consulates
ETO Systems
Dealing with Export Environments
Trade Agreements
Export Tools
Export Readiness Checker
Export Checklists
Export Business Planner
Export SWOT Analyser
Country Risk Evaluator
Trademap
Product map
Translator
Currency Converter
Export Documentation
Document Completion Guide
Export Software & Technology solutions
Export e-Newsletter
Export Law
Laws affecting Exports
Maritime Insurance
Exchange Control
SA Export Regulations
Trade/Maritime Lawyers
ITC Services
Export Tools
Trademap
Productmap
Export Assistance
Trade Advisors
 

STEP 9: OBTAINING FINANCES/RESOURCES FOR YOUR EXPORTS
You are here: Step 9: Obtaining finances/resources for your exports > Bank financing  
Bank financing

One of the most common ways of financing exports is by obtaining credit from commercial banks (much like you would finance your domestic activities). Although this tends to be a traditional source of finance, most smaller exporters complain that banks are not very receptive to their financing needs and are far too bureaucratic in their procedures. Bank credit also tends to be relatively expensive. You may want to read more about dealing with banks.This credit may be in the form of an overdraft that you negotiate with the bank or it may be a loan for a specific project, although prefer not to finance individual orders as they prefer to establish an ongoing business relationship with customers.

Although many entrepreneurs may complain that getting financing from a bank is like drawing blood from a stone, the reality is that banks are the key source of exporting financing the world round. Banks are not reluctant to provide financing. Indeed, providing financing or credit is one of the main ways for them to earn income for themselves. At the same time, banks do not want to simply throw their money away and so they take great care in considering and analysing the requests for financing that they receive from prospective exporters. In so doing they take many factors into consideration.

To begin with, they look at the business history of the company asking for financing. If you have had a rocky relationship with your bank and have struggled to pay back money in the past; or if your business is currently struggling to make ends meet, then do not expect a open-armed welcome. Your bank will require considerable convincing that you will make a success of this venture.

If this is your first time venture into exports, your bank may be more reluctant to assist you (or will at least want considerable assurance of your likely success). Your bank is certainly not likely to give you money unless you can show the thought and effort that you have put into this venture already. They will want to know:

  • What research have you done?
  • What plans have you made (they will almost certainly want to see your export plan)?
  • What makes your product so special?
  • Why have you selected this particular country?
  • Who have you spoken to?
  • How will you market your product?
  • What sales/profits do you expect and how long will it take to achieve these sales?

Do not view these expectations in a negative light. If you can convince your bank of your case, then you stand a good chance of success. If your plans are not thought through, are very thin, or are unrealistic, expect a frosty reception from your bank. The best is to go back to the drawing board and do your planning properly.

If, on the other hand, you are able to put a clearly thought through export plan on the table that shows the research you have done and the export plan you intend following, and if this plan is realistic, the banks will almost certainly consider it favourably. Be particularly realistic about what you hope to achieve, the sales you will achieve, the profits you will make, the time it will take and the effort involved. Banks know exactly how difficult exports are. Indeed, our suggestion is that if you do not have a well-formulated export plan on paper, forget about approaching your bank!

Top of page

Step 9: more information

 

Step 9: Obtaining finances/resources for your exports
      .Payment methods as a means of financing
      .Payment terms and export financing
      .Pricing as a means of financing
      .Export receivables
      .Foreign currency loans
      .Alternative sources of financing

Click where you want to go

Custom Search
More information on Step 9
Learning to export... The export process in 21 easy steps
Step 1: Considering exporting
Step 2:Current business viability
Step 3:Export readiness
Step 4:Broad mission statement and initial budget
Step 5:Confirming management's commitment to exports
Step 6: Undertaking an initial SWOT analysis of the firm
Step 7:Selecting and researching potential countries abroad
Step 8: Preparing and implementing your export plan
Step 9: Obtaining financing for your exports
Step 10: Managing your export risk
Step 11: Promoting the firm and its products abroad
Step 12: Negotiating and quoting in exports
Step 13: Revising your export costings and price
Step 14: Obtaining the export order
Step 15: Producing the goods
Step 16: Handling the export logistics
Step 17: Export documentation
Step 18: Providing follow-up support
Step 19: Getting paid
Step 20: Reviewing and improving the export process
Step 21: Export Management
Export Reference
TARIC Codes
HS Codes
SIC Codes
Country Codes
Airline Codes
Airport Codes
Port Codes
Telephone Codes
Export control
Electricity Voltages
Transportation Types
Container Types
Hazardous Cargo Symbols
International Trade Agreements
Country Info
International Trade Organisations
Export Documentation
E-marketplaces
Export Opportunities
Export portals
E-marketplaces
International Trade Fairs
Country Info
Country Help
International Trade Statistics
Trademap
Productmap
Sources of International Statistics
UNCTAD Statistics

Our sister sites:

CountryHelp

Trade Training

FreightForwarderHelp

AssociationFinder

LearnTheNet

- Copyright: Cornelius Bothma -


Disclaimer | Privacy Policy

   
exppo