One L/C, Two Expiry Places? Singapore or Hong Kong Intro From time to time, L/C applicants try to build a little flexibility into the credit structure. One common request arises when a beneficiary operates in more than one location and has not yet decided where the documents will be negotiated. Can an L/C show two possible expiry places instead of one? A reader recently raised this practical question. Question … Read More
Đi xem phim Mỹ Tâm Đặt cái tiêu đề vậy coi bộ hơi… thiệt thòi cho Mai Tài Phến. Bởi người ta mới là đạo diễn, còn Mỹ Tâm chỉ đóng vai nhà sản xuất của bộ phim “Tài”. Nhưng Mr. Old Man đoán chắc nhiều bạn trẻ đi xem phim này cũng vì… Mỹ Tâm. Một phần vì là fan của cô ca sĩ … Read More
How to Maintain Buyer–Supplier Confidentiality Under a Transferable L/C? In international trade, intermediaries often wish to keep their buyer and supplier from knowing each other. One common concern is whether the supplier’s name will appear on the bill of lading when the goods are shipped directly to the buyer. A reader recently raised this practical question. Question Dear Mr. Old Man, I am a middleman who received an order … Read More
“Optional” but Essential? Understanding Fields 45A and 46A in MT700 In SWIFT MT700, Fields 45A (Description of Goods and/or Services) and 46A (Documents Required) are classified as optional. For many practitioners, this raises an immediate question: If these two fields define what is being sold and what documents must be presented, how can they possibly be optional? A recent question from a colleague highlights this apparent contradiction. Question Hi, A … Read More
Nhớ Sếp Lộ – từ một lá thư 15 năm trước Sáng hôm qua, khi chia sẻ bài viết về buổi gặp mặt đầu xuân theo lời mời của Ban Giám đốc Vietcombank Đà Nẵng, Mr. Old Man có đăng lại một tấm ảnh chụp chung với các sếp tại lễ kỷ niệm 50 năm ngày thành lập Vietcombank Đà Nẵng (30.4.1975 – 30.4.2025). Trong tấm ảnh ấy có Sếp Nguyễn … Read More
Same Company Name, Different Address as Notify Party: Does It Create a Discrepancy? Introduction Questions frequently arise when the same company name appears in different capacities within a documentary credit transaction — particularly where the address differs. Does a difference in address automatically create a conflict under UCP 600? Or must such differences be assessed in light of the document’s role and the credit’s requirements? The following case illustrates this issue. ____ Question … Read More
Một buổi sáng đầu xuân vui vẻ với BGĐ Vietcombank Đà Nẵng Sáng nay Mr. Old Man rất vui đến dự buổi gặp mặt đầu xuân theo lời mời của Ban Giám đốc Vietcombank Đà Nẵng. Buổi gặp mặt đầu năm Xuân Bính Ngọ có mấy điều để vui. Một là, Mr. Old Man được gặp lại hầu như đầy đủ các sếp cũ từ hơn ba năm trước và ai trông … Read More
Commercial Invoice Showing Notify Parties and Consignee: Discrepancy or Not? Introduction In practice, disputes often arise when applicants request additional details to be inserted in the commercial invoice — even though the credit itself does not expressly require such information. The following question concerns whether the inclusion of notify parties and consignee details in a commercial invoice may create a discrepancy, and whether a special clause relating to the beneficiary … Read More
Restricted UPAS LC: Can the Issuing Bank Refuse If Documents Bypass the Discounting Bank? Introduction UPAS LCs (Usance Payable at Sight) are widely used to combine supplier liquidity with buyer credit terms. However, operational questions often arise when the credit is restricted to a nominated (discounting) bank, but the beneficiary presents documents directly to the issuing bank instead. Does bypassing the restricted bank create a discrepancy? Can the issuing bank refuse the documents on … Read More
Disillusionment in the Age of AI — When Your Idol Turns Out to Be Just an Algorithm This morning, while sipping coffee and scrolling the web, Mr. Old Man came across an article on VNExpress with a headline that made him… laugh through tears: “Disillusioned After Mistaking an AI Character for an Idol.” A young man in Hanoi happened to watch videos of a girl who called herself Tieu My. Delicate face. Crystal-clear voice. She specialized in … Read More