The contract of guarantee
Unlike sureties, the contract of guarantee is not explicitly governed by law. As such, the following two positions are taken:
The following applies:
The contract of guarantee contains an abstract promise to perform and is a separate obligation independent of the underlying transaction. The guarantee is used to secure the performance of a specific obligation, irrespective of whether the performance is owed or not.
Direct/indirect guarantee
In principle, there are two types of guarantee:
Direct guarantee: A direct guarantee occurs when the client instructs the bank to issue a guarantee directly in favour of the beneficiary.
Indirect guarantee: With an indirect guarantee, a second bank is involved. This bank (usually a foreign bank with head office in the beneficiary's country of domicile) is requested by the initiating (Swiss) bank to issue a guarantee in return for the latter's counter-liability and counter-guarantee. In this case, the initiating (Swiss) bank will cover the guaranteeing (foreign) bank against the risk of any losses which it may incur in the event that a claim is made under the guarantee. It formally pledges to pay the amounts claimed under the guarantee upon first demand by the guaranteeing bank.
Expiry date of a guarantee
Reasons for expiry of direct guarantees:
Reasons for expiry of indirect guarantees: