What is a bank guarantee?
A bank guarantee is an independent commitment of the bank to pay to the guarantee beneficiary (eligible entity) the amount indicated in the guarantee (guarantee amount) if the guarantee issuer, upon whose instructions the guarantee was issued, failed to meet its obligation.
Payment to the guarantee beneficiary is made directly by the guarantor bank or via another bank, after the beneficiary has met specific payment conditions, which may be ascertained with defined documents in the guarantee agreement, such as, for instance, invoices or consignments.
It is an effective instrument increasing transaction security and mitigating the risk of counterparty default. When the guarantee comes into force, it becomes a binding instrument irrespective of the validity of the main legal relationship (e.g. trade contract) between the principal and the beneficiary.