WELCOME !

Thanks for dropping in for some hopefully great business info and on occasion some hopefully not too sarcastic comments on the state of Business Financing in Canada and what we are doing about it !

In 2004 I founded 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL. At that time I had spent all my working life, at that time - Over 30 years in Commercial credit and lending and Canadian business financing. I believe the commercial lending landscape has drastically changed in Canada. I believe a void exists for business owners and finance managers for companies, large and small who want service, creativity, and alternatives.

Every day we strive to consistently deliver business financing that you feel meets the needs of your business. If you believe as we do that financing solutions and alternatives exist for your firm we want to talk to you. Our purpose is simple: we want to deliver the best business finance solutions for your company.

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

A Big Secret No Longer ! A/R Financing & Factoring Isn't What You Thought!

Confidential Invoice Financing Makes It All Better !

Information on factoring and receivable finance solutions in Canada. Confidential Receivable Finance Works - Here's why.. and how

It's kind of not a secret if everyone knows it right? but we’re pretty sure when it comes to business funding that the factoring of accounts receivables on a confidential basis is one of the most powerful alternative Canadian business financing strategies that is a secret that only limited Canadian business owners and financial managers know about .

Let’s put this ' secret ' in the context of some real world examples that might closely resemble your firm’s situation and needs.

Working capital challenges. You have them, and they seem to pre occupy a lot, and we mean a lot of your business day. So how do those restraints on liquidity affect your firm... they manifest themselves in payroll challeges, meeting lease and loan payments, and that worst feeling of all, not being able to grow your business or take on that new customer because of cash flow challenges.

In many cases, and you are certainly not alone, you're just coming out of the recession and collections from customers is still difficult, and expense restraints seem the order of the day. If you're like many other firms there is some seasonality to your business and you occasionally have bulge needs for cash and working capital.

So... we have done a great job of giving you the problem, which you knew already! Let’s turn that around and give you the solution.

Accounts receivable financing and business funding , commonly known is factoring of accounts receivables, is the potential solution. But we can hear you already... you have heard about it and you dont like how this solution works and the perceptions some suppliers and customers might have around how you are financing your business.

Well, it gets better, because we have a solution to that problem and it’s called confidential factoring of accounts receivables. Under this type of financing you are in a position of selling your receivables as you generate them, at your option of course, and, here’s the kicker, you receive cash for those invoices the same day - while at the same time retaining the right to bill and collect your own accounts. That ability to bill and collect your accounts receivable financing process just turned you into a confidential cash flow machine, allowing you to meet day to day obligations and, as we said, grow your business.

The whole process is seamless and it takes only a week or so to set it up. This type of financing appeals to two typical small and medium sized firms (by the way, Canada's biggest corporations use it also!). It appeals to firms who don’t have access to bank credit, or more commonly, might qualify for some level of bank financing, but not enough. That is because, unlike the Canadian banks business funding in Canada via factoring focuses solely on the strength and size of your receivables. In some cases, are you ready for this..? Inventory can be combined into the same facility.

There it is then... a great secret and business financing strategy that will allow you to finance your business. Speak to a trusted, credible, and experienced business Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in completing this finance strategy.

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.

Stan Prokop

DRAFT

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Click Here For 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL website !

7 Park Avenue Financial provides value added financing consultation for small and medium sized businesses in the area of cash flow , working capital , and debt financing .

Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

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Sunday, February 24, 2019

Is The Wrong type of Equipment Finance Company Bad For ( Business) Health?

Match Your Asset Financing Needs With The Right Solution - Or Else !

Information on equipment leasing and financing in Canada. Choosing the right finance partner and finance solution is key to asset finance success for your business

They are all the same, aren't they? Absolutely, positively... Not! We are of course talking about the equipment finance company industry in Canada and how your selection of the right partner can determine which advantages and disadvantages you can enjoy... or suffer with. We prefer positive advantages that your business can benefit with, not Canadian business financing decisions that you will suffer via the wrong choice of a lease partner for your specific needs.

Ok, so what in the heck are we talking about? Essentially there are four types of asset finance partners in the
equipment leasing industry in Canada. And you thought that a lease finance company was a lease finance company!

The first type of partner is the ' captive ' - no you are not the captive! The term refers simply to finance companies that are owned and literally situated within various manufacturing firms. When clients ask us about lease finance options and they mention specific equipment we are always reminding them to ensure they determine if the manufacturer captive finance firm offers asset financing. If they do we can assure you it is probably the best financial terms you will be able to come up with, as well as a better chance for overall approval re rate, structure and other general terms. Why is that?

It's to do with motivation - the captive finance firm is motivated to finance and promote the sale of products using financial options such as leasing to get the products out to the marketplace. Want to know a secret that should surprise most business owners and financial managers? It’s simply that captive finance firms in a competing industry will finance their competitor’s products, often at better rates, terms and structures. That is simply because the financial transaction will probably give the competing mfr a foothold into your business to promote and sell their own products. So don’t think that a great firm such as IBM CREDIT CORP. is the only firm that will finance your products you purchase through them. Others will also!

The second main group of asset finance firms in Canada is our chartered banks - Two major banks have leasing arms that are very significant, others employ lease finance to varying degrees. Our real only comment here is that the credit bar is high and more often than not you have to be a customer of the bank to enjoy the great lease and finance structures they offer.

The third main category of the Canadian equipment leasing company market is actually the largest and most robust. It also requires the maximum amount of knowledge and navigation by Canadian business owners and financial managers. This is the Independent lease finance market, where there are tens of firms that offer lease financing based on various criteria of asset size, credit quality, geographical preference, industry specialization, etc,etc,etc .

You have a great choice with our category 3 partners, the independent finance companies. You can spend tens or hundreds of hours determining their credit criteria, additional collateral they require, the size of deals they do, the different lease structures they offer, or ... alternatively .. use our final category for lease provider , the independent lease finance advisor who are knowledgeable intermediaries who know the market, have a strong reputation with lease providers, and can match the advantages you seek in an equipment finance transaction to the right provider . Subtle nuances in your overall lease structure, depending on the size of your transaction, can save you thousands of dollars and untold grief at the end of the term of your lease.

So that’s your Canadian lease market overview. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can successful guide you through the asset finance maze.

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Friday, February 22, 2019

The Secret of Franchise Financing Loans

Prepared For Your Franchise Finance Strategy? You Are Now!

Information on franchise loans in Canada, Franchise financing can be a challenge for the entrepreneur . Here's strategies for franchising loans that work

It's appealing, we know that. It’s the idea of owning your own business that is a proven brand and money maker.
Franchise financing loans can help you address your entrepreneurial vision of owning a franchise in Canada. The ability to own your own business and generate profits and wealth is of course appealing to all.

Picking your franchise in some ways is half the battle, as you probably have been focused on purchasing a new or existing franchise that matches your skills, interest, and experience. The other half of the battle and some say the harder one (we would agree) is arranging franchise financing loans that make sense for your business and your own personal situation.

As we point out to clients, whether entrepreneurs are starting a major manufacturing company that might employ hundreds, or a pizza shop with a staff of three two considerations come to mind, always - they are debt and equity. We're of course referring to how much you will put into the business, and how much business credit for a franchise loan can be accessed.

So are there some great secrets and tips we can share with yourself as a prospective entrepreneur - there sure are.

First tip/secret # 1 is simply to investigate carefully the financial requirements that your franchisor requires. These must be addressed in a solid and dedicated manner. If you don’t understand the requirements how can you address them? So ensure you understand the amount of financing the franchisor recommends. Is that all? Definitely not, that’s where our previous concept of planning was mentioned. Make sure you consider two other aspects of the business financing; they are working capital for daily operations, and some sort of plan for long term growth or expansion.

It's probably not written in stone somewhere, but we have always felt that clients aligning themselves with a major brand that has a larger number of multiple units have a strong chance of financing success. Of course that isn’t always the case, as some new concepts in a number of industries continue to be introduced all the time, but it sure helps if the lender is enamored by the franchisors brand and success.

Another great tip and secret is simply that as opposed to spending all the time on the business itself when you are discussing financing, rather also focus on your own personal financial situation and experience. This is absolutely one of the most important criteria that banks pay attention to - namely how have you run your personal affairs, and at the same time do you have the type of business of management experience.

Some franchisees think because they don’t have very direct experience it might hinder their financing - the reality is by properly positioning your skills in a general sense, i.e. previous sales experience, customer service, etc you can capitalize on general business skills required to run any business .

You may not like to hear the news, but the reality is that you do in these times need a sizeable personal investment into the business, aka your owner equity. Those typical ranges between 30-50% depending on the size and nature of your franchise. In some cases you might be in fact buying an existing franchise from another franchisee who wishes for some reason to 'move on.

Let’s share probably our greatest secret in financing your franchise
- the government of Canada. Many clients are surprised to hear that a government program known as the CSBF / BIL program is the largest financier of franchises in Canada. Its underwritten, structured, and supported by the government and offers great rates, terms and structures for amounts up to 350,000.00 - that amount was increased from 250k in previous years.

A final secret - experts are preferred - Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on how you can efficiently and successful gain knowledge on franchise financing loans for your new business.

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Conquering Canadian Business Cash Flow Challenges

The Cash Flow Financing Conundrum.. Solved!

Information on business working capital and cash flow solutions for Canadian business . Solutions are available for operational credit and financing in the current economic environment ?

Interested in finding out why business working capital and cash flow challenges for operational needs are a challenge for small and medium sized businesses in Canada? We are pretty sure you are even more interested in some solutions to that challenge!

One report has noted, among other things ,that small and medium sized firms are still having huge challenges in raising the working capital they need - even though in many sectors business is back to ' booming ' again . As a Canadian business owner or financial manager you would like some solutions to get that cash flow booming again, we're sure.

For firms that are mature in age, have good assets and strong operational cash flow those challenges are limited. However, if your company is on the opposite side of that spectrum you're living in a ' business hell ' if we can use that term - at least if it isn’t hell its purgatory!

How can you identify the best, what we can call ' straight forward ' options for working capital and business cash flow solutions? We think the answer is simply understanding and getting a handle around the traditional ( or conventional ) Canadian business financing techniques , but, even more importantly, understanding newer solutions that are becoming more mainstream in acceptance everyday . Without the resources of an experienced business financing advisor you might not even have heard of some of these solutions, let alone having considered implementing them.

We're the first to agree that Canadian banks are lending again, rates are close to all time lows, and credit reins and collateral and covenants have slowly loosened. But again, small and medium sized businesses aren’t feeling it. Another recent March2011 survey, albeit U.S. based said most business owners still experience temporary or severe cash flow issues, forcing them to delay payments to suppliers, and delay spending on new assets for business growth.

In order to implement better, or newer working capital and cash flow business operational strategies your firm must understand how you are managing your finances now, what assets are available to monetize, and, often forgotten, you must have a handle of what future cash flow needs will be.

As we noted, traditional bank financing is alive and well in Canada. For those that can't leverage the amount of operational credit that they require a better understanding of ' new ' solutions is required. And we know you've been waiting for what those new solutions are!

More recent and increasing widely accepted methods of generating working capital include the following -

asset based lending , working capital facilities that margin a/r and inventory as a combo , confidential invoice discounting , securitization, cash flow sub debt loans, purchase order and contract financing, as well as bridge loans on already owned equipment . Our favorite - asset based lending... but more about that one on another day.

Any of the above solutions will allow you get your cash flow and working capital under control. Speak to a trusted, credible an experienced Canadian business financing advisor. Reclaim your business cash and operational financing!

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Monday, February 18, 2019

Does Your Firm Need Bank Lines Of Credit ? Ready For Canadian Business To Business Financing ?

Don’t You Need Bank Financing ? Here’s How it Works !

Information on bank lines of credit . Why business to business financing requires specialized finance knowledge

For every complaint you hear about Canadian business to business financing and our chartered banks (Trust us, we hear a few!) there are still some great things happening in commercial business banking in Canada . Let's examine bank lines of credit, and your need for such a facility to grow you sales and profits.

Canadian businesses use operating lines of credit to finance current assets. Typically those asset categories are predominantly accounts receivable and inventory.

So how do banks facilitate this borrowing arrangement? The typical manner in which this is done is to simply have a document executed that provides the bank with a conditional assignment of accounts receivable, your inventories, and any other current assets.

Canadian bank operating facilities are also called demand loans, because they are typically secured by another document called a GSA, which stands for Genera Security Agreement. This document, as you can imagine, allows the bank to ' call ' your firms loan at any time .It's just common sense that Canadian banks do never with to ' call ' those loans, its simply their protection if and when things go awry.

Clients are sometimes under the mistaken impression that bank lines of credit are good for an indefinite amount of time. Typically however they are renewed annually - which requires a review by your account manager.

If there is one other very common question asked by clients it revolves around how exactly the banks calculate lines of credit. The formula is not as complicated as you think! A typical business to business financing on a Canadian chartered bank line of credit margins your accounts receivable at 75% or their value. Its critical here to note that the bank uses 90 days as a measurement tool - no receivables over 90d days can be margined, or in effect ' borrowed against ‘. Why is that? Again, common sense prevails, in that the bank, (and us too by the way!) makes an assumption that the receivables over 90 days are uncollectible to a certain extent. Your firm might think differently, but that’s how it’s done.

Inventory. Wow! What a different kettle of fish this is! If we had to generalize, but be as specific as we can be for info purposes we can say that in general banks really wrestle with inventory financing. Margining and inventory percentages are very different based on your industry, as well as the composition of your inventory. (Inventory typically comes in three categories: raw materials, work in process, and finished goods)

Typical bank financing of inventory usually never exceeds 50% and at the same time usually has a cap on the facility, meaning that even if your inventory is growing it still might be subject to a maximum of financeability.

The take away here is that banks aren’t in the inventory business, these assets are much harder to liquidate than receivables, and rarely does a lender ' win ' in an inventory liquidation!

So let’s get back to the security the bank takes on bank lines of credit. Do your clients find out about this? In Canada they would normally never be notified unless there is a default by your firm on the line of credit facility. In that case you clients would receive a notification of assignment, in which the bank would direct your clients to pay them directly, reducing the loan of course.

Banks register their security with the appropriate provincial and federal authorities, further protecting their position.

There is a great tendency in Canada to ' blame ' our conservative banks for limiting lending possibilities for commercial business to business financing. (We love our banks by the way).

Consider the reality though, that we entrust them to protect our savings and deposits, and its Canadian business owners and financial mangers that run their businesses into problems.

Clients are encouraged to maintain solid relations and seek out great commercial business bankers. (Not all are great unfortunately). If you're looking for a banking facility that works, for both you and the bank seek to speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will assist you in managing your bank as a partner, not an adversary, thereby maximizing your bank line of credit for your firms sales and profit growth.

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Friday, February 15, 2019

You Need A Business Plan : Here's Why

YOU NEED A NEW BUSINESS PLAN

DO YOU WANT TO ELIMINATE THE WORRY AND STRESS OF GETTING A PROPER BUSINESS PLAN COMPLETED ?

LET US DELIVER IN A PROMPT AND VERY COST EFFECTIVE MANNER A PLAN THAT INCLUDES ALL THE COMPONENTS OF A PLAN THAT YOU NEED

Information on business plans in Canada. Here's why banks and other commercial lenders want a plan

Many business owners or budding entrepreneurs are taken aback when their lender asks ( or insists ) on a business plan . Why do lenders need a business plan ?

Lenders view the business plan as having forced the business owner or entrepreneur to look carefully in a critical way into their business project . They feel that if the company needs to grow or be successful such a document will guide the business person to their goals .

Ultimately those the business plan is a concise document which in effect communicates the business persons ideas to the lender .

In theory the business plan should identify areas of weakness or strength . If truth were to be known of course business plans tend to accentuate the positive . The writer of this article has a favorite saying - ' I never met a pro forma financial I didn't like '!

More about that last comment later , but suffice to say that in theory a good business plan geared towards financing should balance both the positive and negative aspects of the business and its financials . A solid business plan geared towards a lender will show you have ways of solving some of the business challenges raised in the business model and it's proposed financing .

We all know that stat's - half of new businesses fail within the first two years, 90 % within the next ten years . Why is that the case . Business guru's tell us its lack of planning . That is precisely why a business plan geared towards lending and the financials should be used as a critical follow up in the business . It should not be stored away ! As we all have learned, ' tuition is extremely high in the school of experience ' !

Most importantly though people that don't know you, or might not know your business model use a properly created plan to evaluate your business and lend you funds . The ' business plan ' in effect is really a financing proposal . That's how we look at it in our firm .

Let us remember how a lender , who you in many cases don't know, thinks. First of all he or she is hoping the information you have provided is true . Remember also that the lender works for someone, and they must communicate your idea to an underwriter of investment committee . If you haven't met the lender, trust me you definitely have not met the underwriter or investment committee.

Some of us also might think that we are the only business plan the lender is reviewing . That is not the case, our plan might be among 10-20 others in an given lending environment . And finally, people have biases - they will benchmark your own projections against their past experiences . If your business plan and financials make them think of Microsoft and Rim they will dig into the plan , if visions of Nortel come to mind that won't be the case !

Therefore business owners should put forth their plan on the basis that it will be ' attacked' by the lender , so the business owner must counter with ' real ' upside potential . The lender must genuinely feel some sort of enthusiasm about the business .

The biggest secret of business plans , and yes , we are revealing it here, is that they generally are not always read in totality by the lender . The real world dictates they are given a 5 minute read, and more careful emphasis is generally only placed on the financials . The owner should never think that either quantity or finesse in fonts and graphs will gain the funding they require.

In summary, we do not infer that a plan is in fact not required for a lender or financing, in fact a business owner or entrepreneur with no plan is , outside of luck, guaranteed to fail .

WHY BUSINESS PLANS FROM 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL ?

We prepare and consult on many business plans for our customers . There are a variety of needs when you require a Business plan - We only focus one one of those ! ---> Our plans are focused on obtaining financing , as many other plans are too sales, marketing, or , unfortunately , ego driven .

Business plans prepared by 7 Park Avenue are very reasonably priced . We have researched the market and our plans typically range well below the price of other firms . We deliver the plans in a timely fashion, usually in less than one week . Plans require some input and key information from the business owner(s) , that consulting is included in our fee.

Most business people agree that entrepreneurs and owners need business plans with a clear goal and outline for their business model . Our plans are geared toward financing and investment . Our plans will show your bankers , financiers, and investors how you will make money and how debt will be repaid .

A business plan prepared for you by 7 Park Avenue Financial includes data on your industry and info and statistics that prove financing viability . Other components of our plans are owner overview and background, opening balance sheets, 3 years income statements and cash flow ( 5 if required ) etc. Typically our final plans are between 30-40 pages and include appropriate charts, graphs , etc.

Many bankers and financiers have refer customers to 7 Park Avenue Financial for such a document . They know we will deliver a professional industry driven final document thats realistic and what the bankers and lenders want / need to see.

Call now for a free consultation and a plan that will be delivered promptly at an affordable rate . Whether you are a start up, or require a plan for a new project or financing - Call now - 416 319 5769 , or email your questions to :

info@7parkavenuefinancial.com

7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

WELCOME !

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

A Big Secret No Longer ! A/R Financing & Factoring Isn't What You Thought!