Intro MT999 is often used as a free format SWIFT message between banks. It looks simple and convenient. But when it is not authenticated, especially in documentary credit transactions, it may create risks that are not always clearly understood. QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, We would be interested to know how your bank treats non-authenticated SWIFT message MT999: How are …

Intro A small but recurring point of confusion in practice: when a credit is available by deferred payment, do we still need a bill of exchange—and if yes, who should it be drawn on? The answer is straightforward in principle, but often misunderstood in execution. Question Dear Sir, Good day! The LC shows: Available with: XYZ Bank Drawee: XYZ Bank …

Transferable LCs often look straightforward—but once you get into the details, they rarely are. When money is involved, two questions always come up: who gets paid, and when? And are we really dealing with two independent sets of documents? Let’s keep it simple.  QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, I have two questions regarding transferable letters of credit: When the second …

After many years working with Letters of Credit, I have come to a rather uncomfortable truth: Most of the time, things run smoothly. But the moment a set of documents starts to feel “off”, your heartbeat changes. And when the question arises — “What if the documents are forged?” — it is no longer a theoretical exercise. It becomes a …

Intro Most LC transactions pass quietly, exactly as they should. But every now and then, a set of documents raises a different kind of question—one that no banker enjoys facing. This Q&A revisits how banks should respond when presented documents turn out to be forged, and why the answer is rarely as straightforward as the rules suggest.  Question Dear Mr. …

Transferable LCs often look straightforward—but once you get into the details, they rarely are. When money is involved, two questions always come up: who gets paid, and when? And are we really dealing with two independent sets of documents? Let’s keep it simple. QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, I have two questions regarding transferable letters of credit: When the second …

In documentary credit practice, transport documents often come with different titles that can make examiners uneasy. One common example is the “House Air Waybill.” Does its title alone justify a discrepancy? Let’s take a closer look. QUESTION Dear Sir, We have asked for airway bill only. However, we have received an airway bill titled “House Air Waybill”. Can we raise …

A recurring question in document examination is whether the flexibility allowed by ISBP on language may, in practice, create more problems than it solves—especially in an era of AI-driven translations. QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, ISBP 821 A21(b) states that when a credit is silent regarding the language of documents, they may be issued in any language. In practice, could …

When a bill of lading shows one party as shipper “on behalf of” another, a simple but important question arises: who is entitled to endorse the document? This issue becomes critical under a letter of credit, where a mismatch between the named shipper and the endorser can lead to refusal—even when the underlying trade arrangement is perfectly normal. Question Dear …

The following case is adapted from a recent discussion shared on LinkedIn by Mr. Xin Zhong. As with many practical cases discussed in professional forums, certain facts may be condensed, but the issues raised are both common and worth closer examination.  ___ QUESTION Recent LC case in China Case Summary: Issuing Bank: A Bank, Ho Chi Minh City Branch Negotiating …