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Forfeiting; International Financing
Forfeiting plays a role for some exporters who prefer cash instead of deferred payments, especially from customers in countries where protection against credit, economic and political risks is difficult. Forfeiting, which in some ways is similar to factoring, involves the surrender by the Seller of its rights to a negotiable debt instrument (such as a promissory note, or a usance letter of credit) in return for an immediate payment from the Forfeiter. Typically, forfeiting is done with longer-term accounts receivable-typically due in one to five years and when large amounts of money (typically in millions of dollars) are involved. These longer-term accounts receivable may carry the guarantee of the foreign government or may be guaranteed by the importer's bank through a letter of credit, a promissory note, or a bill of exchange.
The advantage to the exporter of forfeiting is immediate cash against its accounts receivable. The cost involves the fact that the forfeiter pays less than the face value of the obligation. The discount rate charged by the Forfeiter is a function of a number of factors including:
- Country risk,
- The maturity date of the obligation,
- The stability of the currency the sale is denominated in,
- The value or safety of any guarantee associated with the accounts receivable,
- Whether or not the transaction is done with or without recourse to the Seller.
© 2011 by Michael C. Dennis. All Rights Reserved. Michael is the author of "Credit and Collection Handbook." E-mail questions or comments to him at mcdennis13@yahoo.com