Discounting of Bill of exchange

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JoeE
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:20 pm

Discounting of Bill of exchange

Post by JoeE » Fri Nov 11, 2011 12:00 am

A letter of credit is issued by bank A and duly confirmed by bank B. As designated in the credit it is subsequently advised through bank C with a special condition that the advising bank C can discount the bill of exchange. The letter of credit is available by acceptance of a draft drawn on the confirming bank B. I would like to know if, once dicounted, Bank C would enjoy any protection under the UCP 600 and specifically under Article 12b, given that it is authoried to discount the bill of exchange.

Regards. Joe Esposito Malta
SergeyK
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Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:26 pm

Discounting of Bill of exchange

Post by SergeyK » Fri Nov 11, 2011 12:00 am

Dear Joe,

Based on Art2 (who is considered as nominated bank), I would say that 12b does not give any protection to an advising bank.

Regards,
Sergey
GSham
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Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:18 pm

Discounting of Bill of exchange

Post by GSham » Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:00 am

The LC should be amended to be available with Bank C by negotiation of drafts drawn on Bank B.

Regards, Gabriel
MohammadS
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:23 pm

Discounting of Bill of exchange

Post by MohammadS » Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:00 am

This financial instrument i.e., bill of exchange drives through a law commonly known as Negotiable Instrument Act / Bill of Exchange Act as well as some other names like Uniform Commercial Code in USA and Commercial Code in UAE. Accordingly, the governing law codify the rules of the game for managing negotiable instruments such as Cheques, Promissory Notes including Bills of Exchange / Drafts. The law also provide protection if a legitimate instrument is being discounted especially against value consideration by a party against the drawee / endorser and hence party C is legally enjoying a protection by virtue of the governing law prevailing in any specific jurisdictions where the transactions are taking place.

Regards,
Sohail
NigelHolt
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Discounting of Bill of exchange

Post by NigelHolt » Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:00 am

Sohail,

These laws are of little use if the confirming bank has not already accepted the bill. As Gabriel says, the credit needs to be available with the second advising bank by nego in order to protect it prior to acceptance by the confirming bank.
MohammadS
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:23 pm

Discounting of Bill of exchange

Post by MohammadS » Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:00 am

Smith,

Considering the title of the discussion and the mail from the Joee, it seems we are discussing ‘discounting’ and not ‘negotiation/purchase’ with recourse.
Any ways, thanks for adding here.

Sohail
GSham
Posts: 113
Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:18 pm

Discounting of Bill of exchange

Post by GSham » Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:00 am

Joe's question is whether the "discounting bank" would enjoy protection under the UCP 600 and specifically under article 12b.

As per UCP article 7, an issuing bank undertakes to reimburse a nominated bank that has honoured or negotiated a complying presentation. As per article 8, a confirming bank undertakes to reimburse another nominated bank that has honoured or negotiated a complying presentation. Thus it is clear that the reimbursement right applies to a nominated bank only, provided the nominated bank has negotiated or honoured a complying presentation.

"Discounting" is not a term defined in the UCP.
MohammadS
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:23 pm

Discounting of Bill of exchange

Post by MohammadS » Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:00 am

We must not discount the definitions given in the Art 2 of UCP 600 viz a viz Art 12 (b), Art 7 (c), 8 (c) & 12 (b), which technically covers the discounting element as well.

What’s your thoughts? Appreciate, if you may please comment.

Thanks,
Sohail
NigelHolt
Posts: 1449
Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:24 pm

Discounting of Bill of exchange

Post by NigelHolt » Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:00 am

Sohail, I am not sure what you are asking. Part of the problem may be that you are using a term that does not have any fixed meaning in the world of documentary credits, e.g. it cannot be assumed only an accepted bill (as opposed to an unaccepted bill) can be 'discounted'.
[edited 11/23/2011 9:11:53 AM]
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