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Who We Are
TEFO is an international trade financial services provider. We serve as the exclusive trade finance service provider for TradePort - California's Gateway for Global Trade. Since 1995, TradePort has been a key web portal and online resource for California’s international trade promotion network. Managed by the Monterey Bay International Trade Association, TradePort is owned by the Bay Area Economic Forum and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
The TEFO/TradePort partnership brings together a network of public and private sector finance organizations for the benefit of California’s trade industry. This network includes TradePort, the California Offices of the U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, the Small Business Administration and private sector trade finance lenders.
What We Do
TEFO’s mission is to promote growth of international trade through the provision of trade finance services. TEFO fills a significant gap in the financial market by providing trade finance support to Small and Mid-sized Enterprise (SME) companies, their buyers, suppliers and partners worldwide. TEFO offers the following services and support:
- Funding: TEFO specializes in structuring Pre-export Working Capital Loans for exporters, in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $10,000,000. Additionally, we arrange structured, low cost financing for overseas buyers of products and services sourced from the U.S.. Over the years TEFO’s management has developed working relationships with top trade finance service providers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. This network allows TEFO to provide the right solution with the right terms in order to meet virtually any particular trade finance requirements.
- Consulting: TEFO consults with each applicant to discuss their objectives and transaction requirements. Users can submit their contact information and financial requirements to initiate consultation on trade financing options.
- Deal Structuring: TEFO assists our clients to structure the optimal trade finance package. We provide the standard finance programs and offer important finance options that are not commonly available through local, regional or international banks. These include International Factoring programs, Forfait financing, Purchase Order financing and Pre-export financing secured by Letters of Credit.
- Education: TEFO educates our clients on the practical aspects of trade finance. We offer structured coursework with archived content. TEFO provides the use of online collaboration and communications technologies for consulting and interactivity in real-time. Certificate courses are available through the California Centers for International Trade Development (CITD) network, and West Valley and Mission Colleges in the California Community College System.
The TEFO Process
Importers and Exporters can use the TEFO web site to research their trade finance options, with additional tutorials provided on the TradePort site. Users may submit their contact information and financial requirements via an online form. TEFO staff will review the information, contact the applicant for follow-up and qualification, and discuss various options. TEFO will structure and arrange funding for creditworthy trade finance deals and/or arrange participations with members of our trade finance network.
Why Use TEFO
The decision made in selecting a trade finance service vendor can have important consequences. An experienced trade finance specialist can help a company expand internationals sales while mitigating risks. The wrong choice can lead to lower profits and possible losses. A number of regulated banks and unregulated finance companies advertise trade finance services. How does a company select the right financial institution that can provide the right trade finance program?
TEFO was established to answer this question in four ways:
- Credibility: The TradePort/TEFO management team has played a major role in trade promotion for California’s international trading community for over 15 years. TEFO has established a public-private sector finance network that includes agencies of Federal, State and Local governments, non-profit organizations, banks and trade service providers. All members of this network have been vetted for credibility.
- Trade Finance Options: TEFO can offer a much broader range of trade finance services with a greater range of transaction sizes than any one commercial bank lender. Through our network, TEFO offers a number of trade finance solutions – many not available from banks – including Pre-export financing secured by Letters of Credit, International Factoring, Forfait financing and Purchase Order financing.
- Skills: The combined trade finance experience of TEFO’s management team spans over three decades. Experience includes Trade Finance Specialist positions with major global banks, trade management service with major multinational corporations, and International trading experience with small trading companies.
- SME Support: Unlike the major multinational banks TEFO specializes in working with SMEs - Small and Mid-sized clients. Unlike the major banks that must follow strict lending guidelines, we can often work around common SME credit challenges such as accounts receivable concentrations, insufficient collateral, credit history issues, high debt-earnings or debt-equity ratios.
How Much Does It Cost
As a member of TradePort’s trade promotion team, TEFO’s provides trade finance counseling free of charge. All of the service providers and lenders that participate in TEFO’s network offer consultation and guidance at no cost. Because there are no additional costs, it’s advantageous to check with TEFO and see if we might provide a better solution than you may have found on your own.
TEFO is supported by:
California Independent Bankers Association
California Centers for International Trade Development
© 2007 TradePort Export Finance Online: The Source for California Trade Finance - info@tefo.com
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