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Account Performance Security Guarantee

Issue standby letters of credit without tying up your capital

The key to maximizing your working capital

Our Account Performance Security Guarantee (APSG) is the only solution in Canada that gives your financial institution a 100% guarantee for standby letters of credit. This frees up your cash or credit line to help grow your business.

  1. Free up cash

  2. Increase competitiveness

  3. Scale your business

Contact EDC
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Why you should consider an APSG

  • Free up cash
    With an APSG, your lender gets a 100% guarantee on any bonds, letters of guarantee or standby letters of credit. This means they don’t need to hold your collateral, so your cash is free for other uses.
  • Increase competitiveness
    Issuing bonds quickly shows your potential customers that you are ready to start projects and seize new opportunities as they arise.
  • Scale your business
    An APSG gives you access to pre-approved bonding at a set rate, allowing you to confidently plan for future contracts, protect your profit margins and secure better terms with suppliers and customers.

To determine your eligibility, we will review:

  • Your company's operational and financial health.
  • The letter of guarantee.
  • Your customer's profile and their country's economic conditions. 

Unlock the collateral tied up by your letters of guarantee

Issuing letters of guarantee can put a significant strain on your balance sheet. Check out our free guide to learn how using an EDC Account Performance Security Guarantee eliminates the need to tie up your collateral, unlocking your full potential for future growth.

Why do we ask for your business email address? It allows us to adapt our communications, latest insights, and solutions offerings to fit what’s best for your business. If you don’t have a business email or don’t want to share it, you can still continue to access your guide.

I agree to receive trade insights and updates about EDC solutions and events. I can withdraw my consent at any time by unsubscribing.

Unlock the collateral tied up by your letters of guarantee

Issuing letters of guarantee can put a significant strain on your balance sheet. Check out our free guide to learn how using an EDC Account Performance Security Guarantee eliminates the need to tie up your collateral, unlocking your full potential for future growth.

Tell us about yourself:

What are your total business annual sales?
Is your business currently invoicing a company outside of Canada?
Does your business currently have letters of guarantee issued or plans to use them in the future?
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Thank you for applying for coverage under your PSG Margin.

EDC will respond to your request within the next five business days. If the coverage requested exceeds the parameters approved under your PSG Margin, EDC may require additional information to enable it to assess possible risks and may require additional time to process your request.

How to get started with an APSG

  1. Step 1 1

    Contact EDC

    Get in touch with EDC to discuss opportunities that require a letter of guarantee, whether it’s for immediate needs or part of future plans.

  2. Step 2 2

    Set up an APSG

    EDC works with you and your financial institution to set up an APSG. Coverage can be pre-approved so you can react quickly to opportunities as they arise. 

  3. Step 3 3

    Grow your business

    Once approved, your financial institution can use your APSG to cover your collateral requirements when issuing letters of guarantee.

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Protect yourself from wrongful calls with Performance Security Insurance

EDC’s Performance Security Insurance (PSI) is an optional add-on that insures your letters of guarantee against wrongful calls.

PSI can be used alone or with an APSG. It covers up to 95% of your insured losses if your customer wrongfully calls a letter of guarantee or if a call is triggered because you cannot meet your obligations due to specific political risks.

Account PSGs are now integral and essential to our operations. Without them, the collateral demands on our working capital would significantly limit our ability to manage and grow our export-led business.

Andrew Treble CFO, Canadian Hydro Components
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Trade Impact Program

We understand the challenges Canadian exporters face amid market uncertainty and will continue to provide support as you adapt to these new realities. Through this program, the following may now be eligible :

  • Standby letters of credit and letters of guarantee issued in support of certain customs obligations

Explore more about Trade Impact Program.

Contact us

Frequently asked questions

An APSG allows you to issue letters of guarantee through your financial institution without needing to put up assets as collateral. EDC assumes 100% of your financial institution’s risk, allowing your lender to confidently issue guarantees while keeping your working capital available for other business needs.

An APSG provides a 100% unconditional, irrevocable, AAA-rated guarantee to your financial institution. If your letter of guarantee is called by the beneficiary, EDC will cover their claim within five business days.

An APSG can provide collateral replacement for contractual and financial letters of guarantee, including:

  • bid bonds
  • acquisition bonds
  • advanced payment guarantees
  • performance bonds
  • warranty bonds
  • lease bonds
  • supplier guarantees
  • regulatory guarantees

There is no cost to set up an APSG. You only incur costs when your lender draws on the facility to cover a letter of guarantee you need issued. The monthly rate is pre-set and agreed upon in advance. You only pay for what you use. This fee can be factored into your contract price, making the APSG a low-cost solution.

If your business is involved in M&A, EDC may be able to provide an APSG that covers a letter of guarantee securing a balance of sale (or acquisition bond). Contact us to learn more. 

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Have a question about EDC’s Account Performance Security Guarantees?

We’re here to help.

Contact us using the link below or call us at 1-800-229-0575.

Contact EDC
Date modified: 2025-07-22

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