What is a Bank Confirmation Letter (BCL)?

A bank confirmation letter (BCL) is a letter from a bank or another financial institution confirming the existence of a loan or a line of credit that has been extended to a borrower. The letter officially vouches for the fact that the borrower—typically an individual, company or organization —is eligible to borrow a specified amount of funds for a specified purpose.

How a Bank Confirmation Letter (BCL) Works

A bank confirmation letter's purpose is to assure a third party, generally a seller, that the borrower has access to sufficient financial resources to complete a transaction, such as the purchase of goods. The confirmation letter—sometimes known as a comfort letter—is not a guarantee of payment, but only an assurance of the borrower's financial resources to make payment.

A bank confirmation letter serves to assure all concerned parties in a business deal or transaction that the bank's customer (the borrower) has, or has available, the necessary financial resources to conclude the transaction.

Bank confirmation letters typically require the signature of representatives of the bank or the financial institution who are authorized to issue such correspondence.

Since a letter of confirmation is issued in regard to a particular transaction or project, and it is not transferable to a different transaction or project. If the bank's customer decides to enter into a different deal or purchase—for example, if a prospective home buyer decides to buy a different home than the one specified in a bank confirmation letter—the customer usually is required to obtain a new letter of confirmation.

Regulations vary from country to country in terms of whether and to what extent a letter of confirmation must state the specific purpose for which a loan or line of credit is being extended to the borrower.

Common Uses of a Bank Confirmation Letter

Bank confirmation letters are most commonly prepared for a business customer of the bank, vouching for the existence of a specified line of credit. The letters often serve to reassure sellers of a large quantity of goods. They may also be issued for a company that is entering into a joint venture project with another company. While the letter does not guarantee payment or provision of funds, it does provide an assurance of a high probability of the company receiving payment from the bank's customer.

The most common use of a bank confirmation letter by an individual is during the purchase of a home or land. In such cases, the letter provides confirmation to a seller or realtor that the bank's customer is approved for a mortgage up to a specified amount for a proposed purchase. The letter is not a commitment to buy the property; it is merely a reassurance that the bank’s customer has access to funds to complete a purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • A bank confirmation letter is a letter confirming that a line of credit has been secured from a financial institution or bank.
  • Bank confirmation letters are most commonly prepared for a business customer of the bank, vouching for the existence of a specified line of credit.
  • The most common use of a bank confirmation letter by an individual is during the purchase of a home or land.