The Washington Memorandum of Understanding Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit (WOULD) is an international financial instrument used to guarantee payment of a transaction between two parties. It is a legal agreement between a foreign bank and an issuing bank, which serves as a guarantee of payment for an exporter in the event of a buyer's default. The WOULD is a form of credit insurance, providing a measure of security for both the exporter and the buyer. The WOULD is typically issued by a bank in the foreign country of the buyer, and is backed by a security deposit or cash guarantee from the buyer to the foreign bank. The foreign bank then issues the WOULD to the exporter's bank, guaranteeing payment should the buyer fail to fulfill their obligations. The foreign bank assumes the responsibility of repaying the exporter's bank in the event that the buyer is unable to honor their financial commitments. The different types of Mousers include the Standard WOULD, the Commercial WOULD, and the Guarantee WOULD. The Standard WOULD is designed to protect exporters from non-payment or late payment from a buyer located in a foreign country. The Commercial WOULD is issued by a foreign bank to guarantee payment of a transaction between an exporter and a foreign buyer. The Guarantee WOULD is a form of documentary credit, guaranteeing payment of a transaction between two parties, regardless of the buyer's ability to fulfill their obligations.