Confusing Surety Stuff – SOLVED!

Here is a great question that came up during one of our training sessions in the office:

What’s the difference between an Irrevocable Letter of Credit, a Line of Credit and a Set-aside Letter?

Letter of Credit

This document is also referred to as an “ILOC,” a Letter of Credit or a Standby Letter of Credit. They are a commercial bank customers undistributed loan payable to a designated 3rd party. Wow, THAT explains it!

Here is an example: Elon is entering into a contract that must be secured. It could be a construction contract that requires either a Performance Bond or an ILOC. The instrument is needed by Elon and he is the applicant and paying for it, but the beneficiary is the other party in the contract, LaFawnduh.

The instrument says that if a default occurs the beneficiary can seek recovery via that instrument. LaFawnduh, can send a demand letter to the bank which will be obligated to send funds. It will be recorded as a loan to Elon.

Line of Credit

This is simply a credit facility, such a a home equity loan or Working Capital Loan for a business. The applicant / borrower can draw out funds when needed. A loan document governs the transactions.

Set-Aside Letter

This is an agreement executed by a bank regarding a customer they share with a bonding company. The bank is loaning money to the client to fund a project guaranteed / covered by a surety bond. This could be on a subdivision, where the borrower must self-fund the cost of construction.

In the event of the demise of the borrower, the set-aside letter promises to keep the loan in play so the surety has a source of funds to finish the work.

Now, was that so bad? All three concern the handling of money, but for different purposes.

Want to solve more bonding stuff? Call us with your next Contract SuretySite or Subdivision Bond. We’re problem solvers!

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company
2740 Rt. 10 West, Suite 205
Morris Plains, NJ 07950
Office: 973-541-3417

Providing A rated, T-listed bonds in all states!

Surety: Learn Abbrevs. ASAP!

“Boss, the FYE FS has NQAA and NWAA too low and D:E too high!”

“What the heck are you talking about?!”

Cool kids know these surety / construction abbreviations. Now YOU can be a cool kid too!

  • A/C: Air Conditioning
  • AAA: American Arbitration Association
  • ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992
  • AFSB: Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding
  • AGC: Associated General Contractors Association
  • AIA: American Institute of Architects 
  • AP: Accounts Payable
  • AR: Accounts Receivable
  • ARC: Airline Reporting Commission
  • BS: Balance sheet
  • CM: Construction Manager
  • CPM: Critical Path Method
  • CQ: Contractors Questionnaire
  • D:E: Debt to Equity (ratio)
  • D-B: Design-Build
  • D-B-B: Design-Bid-Build
  • DBE: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
  • DOL: Department of Labor
  • DOT: Department of Transportation
  • DUNS: Dun & Bradstreet
  • DVBE: Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise
  • EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
  • FS: Financial Statement
  • FYE: Fiscal Year-End
  • GC: General Contractor
  • GAI: General Agreement of Indemnity
  • GIA: General Indemnity Agreement
  • GMP: Guaranteed Maximum Price
  • GP: Gross Profit
  • HUBZone: Historically Utilized Business Zone program
  • HUD: Housing and Urban Development
  • HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
  • IBEW: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
  • ILOC: Irrevocable Letter of Credit
  • JOC: Job Order Contract
  • LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
  • M: Thousand
  • MM: Million
  • NAICS: North American Industry Classification System
  • NASBP: National Association of Surety Bond Producers
  • NP: Net Profit
  • NQAA: Net Quick As Allowed
  • NTP: Notice to Proceed
  • NWAA: Net Worth As Allowed
  • OH: Overhead
  • P&L: Profit and Loss Statement
  • PM: Project Manager
  • P&S: Plans and Specs
  • PE: Professional Engineer
  • PFS: Personal Financial Statement
  • PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
  • RFB: Request for Bid
  • RFI: Request for Information
  • SAA: Surety Association of America
  • SBA: Small Business Administration
  • SDVO: Small Disadvantaged Veteran Owned
  • SFAA: Surety & Fidelity Association of America
  • SIO: Surety Information Office
  • USGBC: United States Green Building Council
  • VE: Value Engineering
  • VOSB: Veteran Owned Small Business
  • WBE: Woman Business Enterprise
  • WCAA: Working Capital As Allowed
  • WOH: Work on Hand
  • WIP: Work in Process

Brought to you by the cool kids at FIA Surety: Site, Subdivision and Contract Surety Bonds PDQ!

First Indemnity of America Insurance Company
2740 State Route 10 West, Suite 205
Morris Plains, NJ 07950-1258
(973) 541-3417 Direct Dial

A carrier providing A Rated, T listed bonds in all states