Open
Source verified June 2, 2026
EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee
Free up collateral held against a standby letter of credit
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
EDC's Account Performance Security Guarantee provides project-based support for export-led Canadian businesses that need letters of guarantee or standby letters of credit. Eligible activities include bid bonds, performance bonds, warranty bonds, acquisition bonds and other guarantees that free up working capital for growth.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Issuing contractual or financial letters of guarantee, such as bid bonds, performance bonds, and warranty bonds, to support business operations.
- Facilitating business growth by freeing up working capital for new or ongoing projects.
- Securing supplier and lease guarantees necessary for project execution or expansion.
- Supporting mergers and acquisitions by providing guarantees for acquisition bonds or balance of sale requirements.
- Enhancing competitiveness by enabling rapid issuance of bonding needed to access new business opportunities.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Export-led businesses operating in Canada
Eligible expenses
- Collateral requirements for letters of guarantee, including bid bonds, acquisition bonds, advance payment guarantees, performance bonds, warranty bonds, lease bonds, supplier guarantees, and regulatory guarantees.
Selection criteria
- Operational and financial health of the company.
- Details and terms of the letter of guarantee.
- Profile of the customer and the economic conditions in their country.
How to apply
- Step 1: Contact EDC
- Reach out to Export Development Canada (EDC) to discuss your business’s needs for a letter of guarantee.
- Use the specified contact methods (contact link or 1-800-229-0575) to initiate the process.
- Step 2: Set Up an APSG
- EDC collaborates with you and your financial institution to establish the Account Performance Security Guarantee (APSG).
- Coverage may be pre-approved, allowing you to respond promptly to business opportunities that arise.
- Step 3: Application Review
- EDC reviews your company’s operational and financial status, the letter of guarantee, and your customer’s profile and their country’s economic conditions.
- Step 4: Application Outcome
- After submitting your request, EDC will respond within five business days.
- If further information is required due to exceeding approved parameters, EDC will contact you for additional details and advise if more processing time is necessary.
- Step 5: Utilize APSG Coverage
- Once approved, your financial institution can issue letters of guarantee using the APSG to cover your collateral requirements.
Additional information
- There is no setup cost for the APSG; fees are only incurred when the guarantee facility is used.
- The monthly rate for the guarantee is pre-set and can be included in contract pricing.
- The APSG can be used in conjunction with Performance Security Insurance to provide additional protection.
- An APSG may support mergers and acquisitions by covering acquisition bonds or guarantees on a balance of sale.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee Program
What is the EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee?
EDC's Account Performance Security Guarantee provides project-based support for export-led Canadian businesses that need letters of guarantee or standby letters of credit. Eligible activities include bid bonds, performance bonds, warranty bonds, acquisition bonds and other guarantees that free up working capital for growth.
Who is eligible for the EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee program?
To be eligible for the EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee program, you must:
Company's operational and financial health will be reviewed
Assessment of letter of guarantee and customer's profile
What expenses are eligible under EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee?
Issuing contractual or financial letters of guarantee, such as bid bonds, performance bonds, and warranty bonds, to support business operations.
Facilitating business growth by freeing up working capital for new or ongoing projects.
Securing supplier and lease guarantees necessary for project execution or expansion.
Supporting mergers and acquisitions by providing guarantees for acquisition bonds or balance of sale requirements.
Enhancing competitiveness by enabling rapid issuance of bonding needed to access new business opportunities.
Who can I contact for more information about the EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee?
You can contact Export Development Canada (EDC) or by phone at 1-800-229-0575.
Where is the EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee available?
The EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee program is available across Canada.
Is the EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee a grant, loan, or tax credit?
EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee is a Other Support
Who are the financial supporters of the EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee?
EDC — Account Performance Security Guarantee is funded by Export Development Canada (EDC)