Interview with Brian French, Senior Vice President of International Banking at Stock Yards Bank and Trust.
From This Global Trade Adventure by Jim Ray
February 9, 2026 · 30 min · Episode 32
About this episode
Brian French discusses strategies for businesses to secure payments in global transactions.
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…
People in this episode
Host: Jim Ray
Guest: Brian French
Topics covered
- international banking
- global transactions
- payment security
- cost-efficiency
- export advice
Keywords
- international banking
- wire transfers
- letters of credit
- documentary collections
- Incoterms
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Stock Yards Bank and Trust
Places: Mexico, Canada, manufacturing plants
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