Why Canadian ABL Finance & Asset Backed Financing Loans & Lending Are An Important Development

‘A significant consequence ‘. That’s one definition of ' Development '. We think it’s a perfect one for describing how ABL finance and asset back loans and financing are becoming the ' go to ' for business financing in Canada. Let's examine why.

Two key elements make abl financing a step above a traditional bank line of credit with a Canadian chartered bank. Those two elements are ' collateral' and ‘liquidity '. Let’s focus on that for a bit. All asset based lines of credit for business revolve around your asset base. The amount and quality of these assets will drive the ultimate amount of the credit facility you achieve under an asset backed financing.

Canadian business owners and financial manager know only too well that the focus from a traditional bank perspective is not as much on the assets as it is your overall financial picture, which includes the income statement and your ability to meet ratio’s and covenants that are bank designed to protect their lending to your firm. We understand that, and we respect that... it’s just that sometimes it doesnt work for our clients.

Your firm could be in various key stages when you consider ABL loans. You could be a start up, you could be enjoying (and suffering) through hyper growth... and you could be fixing historical financial challenges or suffering thru some sort of business crisis or challenge now. That kind of covers the gamut, don’t you think. Which is exactly why we offer up ABL lending to clients looking for the 21'st century alternative to a business line of credit.

So how is your overall facility determined? It could not be much more straight forward - you borrow, on a daily basis, against the ' true ' value of your assets -hence the word ' asset' in ABL (asset based lending). Those assets typically are your A/R, your various stages of inventory (raw materials, work in process, finished goods) and fixed assets and real estate if that makes sense for your firm. (Those assets must be owned and unencumbered of course).

ABL lending distinguishes itself from traditional bank financing in that the firms offering this type of financing tend to view themselves as experts in ‘asset ' valuation and liquidation . What does that mean to you? Simply that you have just leveraged up your borrowing capacity significantly.

We remember one client who was a wholesale to the dollar store industry who leveraged a 200k bank line into a 2 Million dollar borrowing facility. How? The asset based lending facility had the expertise there to view the true liquidation value of the inventory. Simple as that. As a challenge call your banker up and ask what the margining base is for dollar store inventory and keep us posted on that answer.

A common question from clients involve the long term viability of this type of financing for your firm .First of all there is the cost issue, and here’s where it gets a bit complicated , because ABL loans can be cheaper, the same as, or more expensive than a bank facility . (We’re assuming you can get a bank facility!)

Secondly the ABL industry makes no bones about the fact that it is often a bridge solution for a year or two, allowing you to migrate back to what you consider a ' traditional' financing structure. We point out to clients though that ABL is more often than not the ' new traditional '! Historically it was viewed as distressed or alternative funding, that is absolutely not the case these days, with some of the largest corporations in the world utilizing this type of financing in Canada.

We can’t overstate the flexibility around ABL financing and lending. It covers special issues, seasonality, over advances on what you actually qualify for, and comes at a cost commensurate with any firms overall credit quality. Interested? We hope so. Intrigued? No problem! Consider speaking to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on the merits, benefits of the new age of business finance in Canada - ABL finance.


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/abl_finance_loans_financing_lending_backed.html