Surviving A Bank Financing Approval For Business Credit In Canada . Working Capital And Term Loans Need To Make Sense For Your Firm

Looking For A Lifetime Warranty On Business Financing? There's No Guarantee of course but here's a good start

Information on business credit in Canada. Whether its term loans or working capital what information do you need to successfully access funding?





Business Credit and bank loans in Canada . When business owners and financial managers have successfully negotiated working capital facilities or term loans it should not be the end of the story – It needs to be credit and working capital that works for you, not just for the bank .

By that we mean that the business person needs to continually focus on what the bank or other financial institution requires, and more importantly, how they view the customer from a control point of view - i.e. are they in control or able to exert control on your business.


The balance sheet must be a top focus for the business owner - once a firm is over leveraged, i.e. borrowing too heavily, the bank generally starts positioning around their overall security or your ability to de-leverage.


Borrowers must be comfortable and knowledgeable about the use of 'triggers '.

Triggers are the implied actions the bank or institution will take when things aren't working out. This can include everything from general poor financial performance to very specific pre agreed upon financial ratios. And the business owner must remember that he or she agreed to and concurred with these ratios.


Banks want to see cash flow ' flowing ' - flowing to repay their debt - so there many be triggers put in place by the bank to ensure that minimum cash flow standards are kept, and also that owners and shareholders do not withdraw excess funds.

Over time business owners will probably find, in our experience, that the bank restrictions either tighten up or loosen, depending of course on the overall comfort level the bank has with the firm. Clearly firms that seem temporarily challenged in profits and balance sheet quality will receive much more scrutiny.


Business owners can do some very solid and valuable preparatory work in negotiation of bank triggers. If they have a solid long term history of earnings this should be a very strong negotiating point with the institution. Simply by self introspection of the firm can the owner or financial manager focus on what is going to go wrong re sales, pricing, forex, etc. The owner needs to be able to talk to these issues and show how he could address them.


For a start calculate your own key operating ratios, if they are going to be discussion points with your bank or institution you might as well know your numbers now. Using 'what if 'scenarios help immensely and will position yourself as knowledgeable about your business.


Discussions with your bank need not be absolute and immediate on any time of loan negotiation - you can get a great informal sense of what the bank is thinking and work from that point forward. Try and read between the lines as to what is hot, and what a Vis is not with the bank vis a vis their perception of your firm, industry, etc.

In summary, business owners need to show maximum flexibility on working capital and loan negotiations.

Negotiations should be from strength, accentuating the positive. Example - strong forecast sales and profits and potentially offset a weaker balance sheet. Trade-offs with the bank is also encouraged- and fewer triggers and covenants are better than more!


And yes, there is more than one bank in the world, although business owners should be cautioned that shopping around is not optimal at all times, and can in fact backfire, particularly a small business. Business owner beware!

Seek out and speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor for optimal solutions to bank credit and business capital in Canada .



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 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

7 Park Avenue Financial = Business Credit And Loan Expertise




7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

Stan Prokop