Supply Chain Financing in the Wake of Rising Tariffs: Structuring Issues, Key Documents, Pros and Cons, Recent Trends

The Trump administration's tariff agenda and market volatility have forced businesses to develop strategies to create working capital and handle the additional tariff-related costs. SCF is a viable option that provides buyers, suppliers, and investors with the flexibility to adapt to the changing tariff landscapes.

In seeking new ways of managing their balance sheets, companies with stable credit have found the extension of payment schedules on accounts payable can improve their cash flow and working capital. An SCF transaction facilitates timely payment by a third party to a company's supplier while extending the time the company has to make payment. The investor earns income because it pays the supplier's invoice at a discount and then collects 100% from the company at maturity.

There are structural issues associated with SCF, which counsel must address upfront. These include whether the supplier's participation will be limited by competing credit agreements, how changes in interest rates or the company's credit rating might impact the transaction, how to treat the facility for accounting purposes, and whether the deal will be regarded as "true sale" for bankruptcy purposes.

Listen as our authoritative panel discusses the structural issues and key documents required in SCF. The panel will also discuss the pros and cons of these transactions for buyers and suppliers, how SCF differs from factoring, the advantages of using SCF in cross-border transactions, and recent trends in SCF products.

I. Overview: current market conditions and the impact of tariffs

II. Pros and cons of supply chain financing for suppliers, buyers, and investors

III. Structuring issues: competing loan obligations, interest rate fluctuations, accounting and bankruptcy treatment

IV. Transaction documentation

V. SCF in cross-border sales transactions

VI. Current trends and financing structures

The panel will review these and other key considerations:

• When does SCF benefit both the buyer and its supplier?
• How does SCF vary from factoring and other invoice and receivables finance transactions?
• What are some of the key structuring concerns of SCF?
• How can SCF be used to facilitate cross-border transactions?
• What are some emerging trends and structures in the SCF space?
• How can SCF provide the flexibility that businesses need to address tariff uncertainties and market volatility?