Interview with Brian French, Senior Vice President of International Banking at Stock Yards Bank and Trust.

In Episode 32, Brian French, Senior Vice President of International Banking at Stockyards Bank and Trust, brings over 25 years of financial experience to the discussion of how businesses can successfully get paid during global transactions. He highlights that many companies often fail to recognize their business as "international" when dealing with neighboring countries like Mexico or Canada, which still requires navigating specific nuances and risks. French emphasizes that his primary goals when onboarding a client are to improve the cost-efficiency of transactions and enhance payment security. To achieve this, the bank offers diverse services including international wire transfers in over 70 currencies, exchange rate hedging, and clearing foreign checks. For securing payments, he discusses the trade-offs between the guaranteed protection of letters of credit and the more cost-effective but less restrictive documentary collections.

A recurring theme in the interview is the necessity of involving banking experts early in the negotiation process to avoid complications after contracts are already signed. French prides himself on the "personal touch" his institution provides, often visiting manufacturing plants in person rather than relying on automated call centers. He also provides practical advice for exporters, such as understanding Incoterms and requesting invoices in both U.S. dollars and foreign currency to avoid hidden markups. Ultimately, the conversation underscores that a strong network of advisors—including bankers, freight forwarders, and the World Trade Center Kentucky—is vital for navigating the "ebb and flow" of global trade.

In closing, I hope you found the information helpful, insightful, and when you're ready to do business internationally, just remember at the World Trade Center, Kentucky, we're connecting businesses globally.

To Learn More:

Website: www.syb.com

Phone Number: [phone]

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 02/10/26 – Kentucky Industry Legislative Reception

· 04/14/26 – 04/16/26 – International Trade Certification

· 10/12/26 - 10/21/26 – Discover Beautiful Ireland with WTCKY

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 03/09/26. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

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