Trade Finance for Supplier Payments, Stock and International Trade
Paying suppliers before goods arrive can put pressure on working capital.
Millbank FX Trade Finance helps businesses explore funding options for supplier payments, stock purchases and import/export transactions — giving you more flexibility between placing an order, receiving goods and getting paid.
Powered by
Is trade finance right for your business?
Trade finance may be relevant if your business needs to buy goods, pay suppliers or fulfil orders before cash comes back into the company.
What is trade finance?
Trade finance is funding designed to support the buying and selling of goods or services.
It is often used where there is a timing gap between paying suppliers and receiving cash from customers. For importers, exporters, wholesalers and manufacturers, that timing gap can create pressure even when the underlying trade is commercially strong.
Trade finance may help your business fund supplier payments, stock purchases, raw materials, purchase orders or goods in transit.
Trade Finance and FX
For importers, funding the order is only part of the picture.
If your supplier is paid in USD, EUR or another currency, the exchange rate and payment timing can affect the total cost of the transaction. A movement in the currency market between agreeing the order and paying the supplier can change your margin.
Millbank FX can help you consider the funding, currency and payment requirements together, so the transaction is clearer from the outset.
You may need to consider:
What currency the supplier requires
When payment needs to be made
Whether funds are released before or after currency conversion
Whether a forward contract or market order may be relevant
How exchange rate movements could affect the transaction cost
Whether supplier payment timing affects the lending structure
How Trade Finance works
We keep the process clear, structured and focused on the funding outcome your business needs.
1. Tell us about the transaction
We start with the supplier, amount, currency, timing, goods, customer order and reason for funding.
2. We review the trade finance route
We help determine whether trade finance is likely to be relevant or whether another route, such as invoice finance or a business loan, may be more suitable.
3. Provide supporting information
You may be asked for supplier invoices, purchase orders, customer orders, accounts, bank statements or other supporting documents.
4. Upload supporting documents
Documents are uploaded through a secure digital process with clear instructions on what is required.
5. Review and Progress the transaction
Once assessed, any available offers are presented clearly so you can decide whether to proceed.
Millbank FX is Authorised by the FCA
Safeguarded Funds
Your funds are held in safeguarded accounts, kept separate from operating funds, providing peace of mind with every transaction and an extra layer of security.
Secure and Trustworthy
Our advanced encryption and security protocols protect your data, ensuring every transaction is secure and handled with the highest level of integrity.
FCA Authorised
As a licensed payment institution, we meet rigorous regulatory standards and report to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring robust oversight and compliance.
Your suppliers don’t wait for stock to sell. Your funding shouldn’t either.
Get a no-obligation trade finance discussion
With a Millbank FX trade finance discussion, you’ll speak with our team about your supplier payment, stock purchase or import/export funding requirement.
In turn, you’ll get a clear view on how to:
Fund supplier payments and stock purchases where trade finance is suitable
Bridge the gap between paying suppliers and getting paid by customers
Consider FX and payment timing where overseas suppliers are involved
Already funding supplier payments through your bank?
That may work for some transactions, but it may not be built around the timing of your trade cycle. If you need to pay suppliers before goods arrive, fund a larger order or manage an overseas payment, we can help you explore whether trade finance is a suitable route.
Choose your next step...
Supplier Payment Support
Import & Export Funding
FCA Authorised Institution
FX & Payment Support
As featured in:
Frequently asked questions about trade finance
Trade finance is funding used to support trade transactions, such as supplier payments, stock purchases, import/export activity or goods in transit. It is often used where there is a timing gap between paying suppliers and receiving customer payment.
Trade finance is typically used by businesses that buy, sell, import, export, wholesale, manufacture or distribute goods. Eligibility depends on lender criteria, business performance and the details of the transaction.
No. Trade finance can support both international and domestic transactions. It may be relevant wherever a business needs to pay suppliers before being paid by customers.
Yes. Trade finance may be used to support overseas supplier payments, subject to lender assessment and the transaction structure.
Where your supplier payment involves FX or an international transfer, Millbank FX can help you consider the currency and payment side of the transaction alongside the finance discussion.
It may help where funding gives your supplier greater confidence around payment timing. Any impact on supplier terms depends on the supplier relationship, transaction structure and commercial negotiation.
Timescales vary depending on the lender, documentation, transaction complexity and any checks required. Complete and accurate information can help avoid delays.
Not always, but confirmed orders, supplier invoices or clear transaction documentation can strengthen an application. The requirements depend on the lender and facility type.
Possibly. Trade finance may require security, guarantees or indemnities depending on the lender, amount, transaction and business profile.
No. Trade finance is subject to lender assessment, affordability, product suitability and separate terms.
