LOC

LOC

See: Letter of credit

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LOC

See letter of credit.

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letter of credit (LOC)

(Pronounce each letter of the abbreviation;it is not pronounced as a word.) An instrument issued by a bank or other financial institution (issuer) agreeing that it will pay money to another (beneficiary), on behalf of the bank's customer (account party), upon the happening of certain named events.There is usually an issuance fee of 1 to 2 percent of the face amount of the LOC.Modern banking regulations require the same underwriting as for a commercial loan.The LOC will set out the exact prerequisites to be met before the bank will issue payment. These usually include a particular time and place to present the original letter of credit and the exact documents that must accompany the letter.Some states still follow the old “strict compliance”rule holding that any deviation from the instructions, no matter how minor, will justify the bank in refusing to pay. Others follow a “substantial compliance” rule, so that minor typographical or syntax errors in the presenting documents will not justify nonpayment. See also the two types of letters of credit: documentary letter of credit and standby letter of credit.