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Assignment of Proceeds: Meaning, Pros and Cons, Example

Diane Costagliola is a researcher, librarian, instructor, and writer who has published articles on personal finance, home buying, and foreclosure.

Investopedia / Jiaqi Zhou

What Is an Assignment of Proceeds?

An assignment of proceeds occurs when a beneficiary transfers all or part of the proceeds from a letter of credit to a third-party beneficiary . Assigning the proceeds from a letter of credit can be utilized in many types of scenarios, such as to pay suppliers or vendors in a business transaction or to settle other debts.

Key Takeaways

• An assignment of proceeds can be used to redirect funds from a line of credit to a third party.
• An assignment of proceeds must be approved by the financial institution that granted the line of credit following a request and fulfillment of any obligations by the original beneficiary.
• A benefit of this type of transaction is the ability to redirect only a portion of the proceeds, in which case both the original beneficiary and third party can access the same letter of credit.
• A drawback of this type of transaction is that the original beneficiary is still responsible for fulfilling all requirements under the letter of credit, even when the funds are redirected to the third party.
• This type of transaction is used in a number of circumstances, such as when paying suppliers or vendors, or when settling outstanding debts.

Understanding an Assignment of Proceeds

A letter of credit is a letter from a bank guaranteeing that a buyer's payment to a seller will be received on time and for the correct amount. In the event that the buyer is unable to make a payment on the purchase, the bank will be required to cover the full or remaining amount of the purchase. The original beneficiary, the named party who is entitled to receive the proceeds from a letter of credit, may choose to have them delivered to a third party instead, through an "assignment of proceeds."

Due to the nature of international dealings, including factors such as distance, differing laws in each country, and difficulty in knowing each party personally, the use of letters of credit has become a very important aspect of international trade.

In order to process an assignment of proceeds, the original beneficiary of the letter of credit must submit a request to the bank or other financial institution issuing the letter of credit requesting to assign the funds to a different individual or company. The assignment of proceeds will need to be approved by the financial institution once it is submitted, pending the fulfillment of any requirements set forth in the letter of credit.

If the original beneficiary does not meet the obligations outlined in the letter of credit, no assignment will take place. Once approved, the bank or other entity will release the money to the specified third party to be drawn upon at will.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an Assignment of Proceeds

The main benefit of an assignment of proceeds is that the original beneficiary has the ability to assign all or just a portion of the letter of credit to the third party. The original beneficiary will retain access to any portion of the proceeds not redirected to the third party. This allows both entities to make use of the same letter of credit when necessary.

This benefit must be weighed against the potential drawback of this type of transaction. When an assignment of proceeds takes place, the financial institution is not contracting directly with the third-party beneficiary. It is only acting as an agent in supplying the funds to the third party. The original beneficiary is still responsible for completing any and all requirements under the letter of credit.

Example of an Assignment of Proceeds

Assume XYZ Customer, in Brazil, is purchasing widgets from ABC Manufacturer, in the United States. In order to sign off on the deal, ABC Manufacturer requires that XYZ Customer obtains a letter of credit from a bank to mitigate the risk that XYZ may not pay ABC for the widgets once ABC has shipped them out of the country.

At this point, ABC Manufacturer is able to request that a portion of these funds be redirected to DEF Supplier, whom ABC still owes money for parts used in making the widgets. Even though a portion of the funds has been redirected to DEF Supplier, ABC Manufacturer still has to fulfill its obligations under the letter of credit, such as shipping out the widgets to XYZ.

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Drafting an Assignment of Proceeds Agreement

Parties sometimes wish to assign all or part of the proceeds they will receive from an investment or other interest.  Individuals often seek to accept a lump sum in cash in exchange for payments they will receive over time in order to invest in other projects or to create liquidity in their operations.  However, there are a few considerations that should be kept in mind when drafting an assignment of proceeds agreement.

Scope of the Proceeds

Perhaps the most important issue to keep in mind when drafting an assignment of proceeds agreement is the scope of the proceeds to which the Agreement applies.  Sometimes, parties wish to assign all of the proceeds related to an investment or other interest.  This includes reimbursement of any original investment made, dividends, rental income if applicable, and other monies.  However, sometimes the parties wish to assign only part of the proceeds that the assignor may realize from an investment or other interest.  The scope of the applicable proceeds is often the biggest source of disputes in assignment of proceeds agreements, so it is important that parties carefully consider and list all of the types of monies that will be applicable to the agreement.

Further Assignment

Another important consideration when drafting an assignment of proceeds agreement is whether such an agreement may be further assignable.  Assignees often wish for assignment of proceeds agreements to be further assignable without obtaining prior consent from the assignor.  The assignee may wish to sell their interest in the proceeds at issue in the assignment agreement to generate income or liquidity for themselves.  However, assignors may not want such an agreement to be further assigned, or at least require the Assignee to obtain the Assignor’s consent before the agreement is further assigned.  Assignees often may not wish to be involved with parties to which they do not have a pre-existing relationship, so they may wish to negotiate safeguards to the unconditional further assignment of an assignment of proceeds agreement.

Termination Right

Another critical factor to keep in mind when drafting an assignment of proceeds agreement is whether there should be a termination right.  Some such agreements permit the assignor to terminate the agreement to assign proceeds at some future time so long as they refund the purchase price for the assignment and make some other concession.  This gives the parties flexibility in case they wish to stop following an assignment of proceeds agreement.  However, the duration after the closing date that a termination right vests may be a point of contention between the parties.  Moreover, the amount of the concession that must be paid to terminate such an agreement is often negotiated between the parties.  Each party to an assignment agreement needs to carefully evaluate their situation and determine which negotiation right is best for their circumstances.

Bill of Assignment

A bill of assignment may be important when drafting an assignment of proceeds agreement.  After a sale, sometimes parties execute a shorter document simply relating that the sale took place and conveying some important information about the transaction.  This document is usually called a “bill of sale.”  In an assignment of proceeds transaction, it might also be important to have a similar document known as a “bill of assignment.”  This document lists all of the parties to the assignment and the purchase price of the assignment.  The document may also note whether or not the assignment is further assignable, and this document may reference the longer assignment of proceeds agreement.  A bill of assignment may go a long way toward making a further assignment possible and can be useful for other legal, tax, or accounting purposes.

Right to Audit

The ability to audit where proceeds are coming from is an important part of drafting an assignment of proceeds agreement.  Parties often cannot be trusted to fairly and accurately calculate the proceeds which will be conveyed to a third party under an assignment of proceeds agreement.  Sometimes, the amount of the proceeds may be difficult to calculate, and the sum of the money may be subject to different interpretations.  In order to ensure that they will be treated fairly, parties to which proceeds are assigned may wish to audit the party who is paying the proceeds.

It is important to list all the books, records, and other materials that can be inspected about any audit under an assignment of proceeds agreement.  In addition, the cost of such an audit may also be a point of contention between the parties.  Normally, the party conducting the audit will bear any expenses accruing as a result of the audit.  However, if discrepancies are found in the amount of proceeds paid to a party, that other party may be held responsible for the cost of an audit.  It is also important that audits only occur at a certain frequency and requests for audits are reasonable so that parties are not unreasonably burdened because they need to participate in an audit under an assignment of proceeds agreement.

Drafting an assignment of proceeds agreement can be a difficult process, and it is important to choose an experienced attorney who knows all of the issues that may arise from a transaction involving the assignment of proceeds.  If you are looking for an experienced New York and New Jersey attorney to handle your assignment of proceeds agreement or other legal issue, please feel free to contact The Rothman Law Firm to request a free consultation.

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Legal Templates

Home Business Assignment Agreement

Assignment Agreement Template

Use our assignment agreement to transfer contractual obligations.

Updated February 1, 2024 Written by Josh Sainsbury | Reviewed by Brooke Davis

An assignment agreement is a legal document that transfers rights, responsibilities, and benefits from one party (the “assignor”) to another (the “assignee”). You can use it to reassign debt, real estate, intellectual property, leases, insurance policies, and government contracts.

What Is an Assignment Agreement?

What to include in an assignment agreement, how to assign a contract, how to write an assignment agreement, assignment agreement sample.

Partnership Interest

An assignment agreement effectively transfers the rights and obligations of a person or entity under an initial contract to another. The original party is the assignor, and the assignee takes on the contract’s duties and benefits.

It’s often a requirement to let the other party in the original deal know the contract is being transferred. It’s essential to create this form thoughtfully, as a poorly written assignment agreement may leave the assignor obligated to certain aspects of the deal.

The most common use of an assignment agreement occurs when the assignor no longer can or wants to continue with a contract. Instead of leaving the initial party or breaking the agreement, the assignor can transfer the contract to another individual or entity.

For example, imagine a small residential trash collection service plans to close its operations. Before it closes, the business brokers a deal to send its accounts to a curbside pickup company providing similar services. After notifying account holders, the latter company continues the service while receiving payment.

Create a thorough assignment agreement by including the following information:

• Effective Date:  The document must indicate when the transfer of rights and obligations occurs.
• Parties:  Include the full name and address of the assignor, assignee, and obligor (if required).
• Assignment:  Provide details that identify the original contract being assigned.
• Third-Party Approval: If the initial contract requires the approval of the obligor, note the date the approval was received.
• Signatures:  Both parties must sign and date the printed assignment contract template once completed. If a notary is required, wait until you are in the presence of the official and present identification before signing. Failure to do so may result in having to redo the assignment contract.

Review the Contract Terms

Carefully review the terms of the existing contract. Some contracts may have specific provisions regarding assignment. Check for any restrictions or requirements related to assigning the contract.

Check for Anti-Assignment Clauses

Some contracts include anti-assignment clauses that prohibit or restrict the ability to assign the contract without the consent of the other party. If there’s such a clause, you may need the consent of the original parties to proceed.

Determine Assignability

Ensure that the contract is assignable. Some contracts, especially those involving personal services or unique skills, may not be assignable without the other party’s agreement.

Get Consent from the Other Party (if Required)

If the contract includes an anti-assignment clause or requires consent for assignment, seek written consent from the other party. This can often be done through a formal amendment to the contract.

Prepare an Assignment Agreement

Draft an assignment agreement that clearly outlines the transfer of rights and obligations from the assignor (the party assigning the contract) to the assignee (the party receiving the assignment). Include details such as the names of the parties, the effective date of the assignment, and the specific rights and obligations being transferred.

Include Original Contract Information

Attach a copy of the original contract or reference its key terms in the assignment agreement. This helps in clearly identifying the contract being assigned.

Execution of the Assignment Agreement

Both the assignor and assignee should sign the assignment agreement. Signatures should be notarized if required by the contract or local laws.

Notice to the Other Party

Provide notice of the assignment to the non-assigning party. This can be done formally through a letter or as specified in the contract.

File the Assignment

File the assignment agreement with the appropriate parties or entities as required. This may include filing with the original contracting party or relevant government authorities.

Communicate with Third Parties

Inform any relevant third parties, such as suppliers, customers, or service providers, about the assignment to ensure a smooth transition.

Keep Copies for Records

Keep copies of the assignment agreement, original contract, and any related communications for your records.

Here’s a list of steps on how to write an assignment agreement:

Step 1 – List the Assignor’s and Assignee’s Details

List all of the pertinent information regarding the parties involved in the transfer. This information includes their full names, addresses, phone numbers, and other relevant contact information.

This step clarifies who’s transferring the initial contract and who will take on its responsibilities.

Step 2 – Provide Original Contract Information

Describing and identifying the contract that is effectively being reassigned is essential. This step avoids any confusion after the transfer has been completed.

Step 3 – State the Consideration

Provide accurate information regarding the amount the assignee pays to assume the contract. This figure should include taxes and any relevant peripheral expenses. If the assignee will pay the consideration over a period, indicate the method and installments.

Step 4 – Provide Any Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions of any agreement are crucial to a smooth transaction. You must cover issues such as dispute resolution, governing law, obligor approval, and any relevant clauses.

Step 5 – Obtain Signatures

Both parties must sign the agreement to ensure it is legally binding and that they have read and understood the contract. If a notary is required, wait to sign off in their presence.

Related Documents

• Sales and Purchase Agreement : Outlines the terms and conditions of an item sale.
• Business Contract : An agreement in which each party agrees to an exchange, typically involving money, goods, or services.
• Lease/Rental Agreement : A lease agreement is a written document that officially recognizes a legally binding relationship between two parties—a landlord and a tenant.
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The document above is a sample. Please note that the language you see here may change depending on your answers to the document questionnaire.

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§ 5-114. Assignment of Proceeds.

(a) In this section, "proceeds of a letter of credit" means the cash, check, accepted draft, or other item of value paid or delivered upon honor or giving of value by the issuer or any nominated person under the letter of credit . The term does not include a beneficiary's drawing rights or documents presented by the beneficiary.

(b) A beneficiary may assign its right to part or all of the proceeds of a letter of credit. The beneficiary may do so before presentation as a present assignment of its right to receive proceeds contingent upon its compliance with the terms and conditions of the letter of credit .

(c) An issuer or nominated person need not recognize an assignment of proceeds of a letter of credit until it consents to the assignment.

(d) An issuer or nominated person has no obligation to give or withhold its consent to an assignment of proceeds of a letter of credit, but consent may not be unreasonably withheld if the assignee possesses and exhibits the letter of credit and presentation of the letter of credit is a condition to honor .

(e) Rights of a transferee beneficiary or nominated person are independent of the beneficiary's assignment of the proceeds of a letter of credit and are superior to the assignee's right to the proceeds.

(f) Neither the rights recognized by this section between an assignee and an issuer , transferee beneficiary , or nominated person nor the issuer's or nominated person's payment of proceeds to an assignee or a third person affect the rights between the assignee and any person other than the issuer, transferee beneficiary, or nominated person. The mode of creating and perfecting a security interest in or granting an assignment of a beneficiary's rights to proceeds is governed by Article 9 or other law. Against persons other than the issuer, transferee beneficiary, or nominated person, the rights and obligations arising upon the creation of a security interest or other assignment of a beneficiary's right to proceeds and its perfection are governed by Article 9 or other law.

What Is an Assignment of Proceeds?

An assignment of proceeds is a financial document that is used to redirect all or a portion of a currently active letter of credit from the current beneficiary to a third party beneficiary. This type of activity can only take place if the current beneficiary is willing to agree to the arrangement, and files the necessary paperwork with the institution that extends the letter of credit to allow for this redirection of proceeds. Once the institution is satisfied with the paperwork, and the principal party involved with the letter of credit continues to comply with all the terms and provisions associated with that letter of credit, the portion transferred to the third party can be drawn upon at will.

One of the benefits of an assignment of proceeds is that the principal party still retains access to any portion of the proceeds not redirected to the third party, effectively allowing both entities to make use of the same letter of credit when necessary. For example, a parent company may be the principal party but choose to assign a portion of the proceeds from the letter of credit to a subsidiary as a means of providing backup funding for some project that the subsidiary is undertaking. This effectively creates a financial cushion that the subsidiary can draw upon if needed, all under the umbrella of the parent.

An assignment of proceeds can also occur between individuals. One individual serves as the principal party in the arrangement, and may choose to designate a portion of the proceeds to two other individuals as a means of creating some sort of support mechanism for those parties. For example, a parent may secure the letter of credit and allocate a portion of the proceeds to two children who are of legal age to participate in the arrangement. As long as the original beneficiary provides the necessary paperwork to divert a portion of the proceeds to the third party beneficiary, all parties can benefit from the assignment.

While an assignment of proceeds is an excellent and straightforward way to transfer or assign a portion of proceeds to a third party, it is important to note that the principal party remains responsible for the proceeds drawn on that letter of credit. While the beneficiaries are free to repay any amount borrowed on the credit, in the event that they fail to do so the principal party is obligated to settle the debt. For this reason, care should be taken to evaluate the circumstances closely before choosing to enact an assignment of proceeds and make sure each party is aware of his or her responsibilities in terms of repayment.

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What Is an Assignment of Proceeds?

An assignment of proceeds is a financial document that is used to redirect all or a portion of a currently active letter of credit from the current beneficiary to a third party beneficiary. This type of activity can only take place if the current beneficiary is willing to agree to the arrangement, and files the necessary paperwork with the institution that extends the letter of credit to allow for this redirection of proceeds. Once the institution is satisfied with the paperwork, and the principal party involved with the letter of credit continues to comply with all the terms and provisions associated with that letter of credit, the portion transferred to the third party can be drawn upon at will.

One of the benefits of an assignment of proceeds is that the principal party still retains access to any portion of the proceeds not redirected to the third party, effectively allowing both entities to make use of the same letter of credit when necessary. For example, a parent company may be the principal party but choose to assign a portion of the proceeds from the letter of credit to a subsidiary as a means of providing backup funding for some project that the subsidiary is undertaking. This effectively creates a financial cushion that the subsidiary can draw upon if needed, all under the umbrella of the parent.

An assignment of proceeds can also occur between individuals. One individual serves as the principal party in the arrangement, and may choose to designate a portion of the proceeds to two other individuals as a means of creating some sort of support mechanism for those parties. For example, a parent may secure the letter of credit and allocate a portion of the proceeds to two children who are of legal age to participate in the arrangement. As long as the original beneficiary provides the necessary paperwork to divert a portion of the proceeds to the third party beneficiary, all parties can benefit from the assignment.

While an assignment of proceeds is an excellent and straightforward way to transfer or assign a portion of proceeds to a third party, it is important to note that the principal party remains responsible for the proceeds drawn on that letter of credit. While the beneficiaries are free to repay any amount borrowed on the credit, in the event that they fail to do so the principal party is obligated to settle the debt. For this reason, care should be taken to evaluate the circumstances closely before choosing to enact an assignment of proceeds and make sure each party is aware of his or her responsibilities in terms of repayment.

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2023 New York Laws UCC - Uniform Commercial Code Article 5 - Letters of Credit 5-114 - Assignment of Proceeds.

(a) In this section, "proceeds of a letter of credit" means the cash, check, accepted draft, or other item of value paid or delivered upon honor or giving of value by the issuer or any nominated person under the letter of credit. The term does not include a beneficiary's drawing rights or documents presented by the beneficiary.

(b) A beneficiary may assign its right to part or all of the proceeds of a letter of credit. The beneficiary may do so before presentation as a present assignment of its right to receive proceeds contingent upon its compliance with the terms and conditions of the letter of credit.

(c) An issuer or nominated person need not recognize an assignment of proceeds of a letter of credit until it consents to the assignment.

(d) An issuer or nominated person has no obligation to give or withhold its consent to an assignment of proceeds of a letter of credit, but consent may not be unreasonably withheld if the assignee possesses and exhibits the letter of credit and presentation of the letter of credit is a condition to honor.

(e) Rights of a transferee beneficiary or nominated person are independent of the beneficiary's assignment of the proceeds of a letter of credit and are superior to the assignee's right to the proceeds.

(f) Neither the rights recognized by this section between an assignee and an issuer, transferee beneficiary, or nominated person nor the issuer's or nominated person's payment of proceeds to an assignee or a third person affect the rights between the assignee and any person other than the issuer, transferee beneficiary, or nominated person. The mode of creating and perfecting a security interest in or granting an assignment of a beneficiary's rights to proceeds is governed by article 9 or other law. Against persons other than the issuer, transferee beneficiary, or nominated person, the rights and obligations arising upon the creation of a security interest or other assignment of a beneficiary's right to proceeds and its perfection are governed by article 9 or other law.

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