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Asset based Lending - Canada is catching on quite quickly to a new breed of financing facility that has been in existence in the U.S. for a number of years. Whether your firm is relatively new, large or small, you have the option of looking at an asset based loan as an alternative financing facility in Canada, unlocking your assets for capital! Let's dig in.
The acronym for Asset Based Lending is ' ABL ' - ABL has grown popular for some very simple reasons :
1. ABL facilities will often resemble a bank credit line, providing the client with full-service banking needs
2. ABL lenders have a solid understanding of specialized asset values
3. Transactions are often very much ' customized ' to a particular firm or industry
4. There are limited or no ' financial covenants in asset-based lending; As an example banks are focused on ' leverage covenants ', thereby forcing firms to meet debt to equity ratios as an example that may be unachievable for many firms. Covenants in finance in banking scenarios become a real challenge as a firm tries to balance ratios versus growth opportunities.
5. There are no real ' upper limits' on the amount a firm can borrow in ABL, while the smaller transactions commence in the 250k range, which is considered a very small facility
6. An ABL loan line of revolving credit facility will almost always deliver more liquidity to a business because loan margins are much more generous; typical advance rates for a/r and inventory are significantly higher than bank credit lines. Stand-alone inventory loans can also be accessed as an inventory loan is a subset of asset based lending.
7. Many company's and certain industries, in general, are very ' seasonal ' when it comes to revenue recognition, need to build up inventory, etc. Asset-based credit address this issue head on. Additionally, certain industries become ' out of favour' in traditional financing circles, and ABL can often easily finance cyclical or industry specific challenges
8. Outside of general borrowing needs asset finance loans are very appropriate for acquisitions and or management buyouts.
9. Certain banks also offer ABL loans and pricing is extremely competitive KEY POINT: It should be noted that in general non-bank commercial asset based lenders have higher rates than Canadian chartered banks
10. Asset based non-bank revolving credit facilities are not really 'capped' with an upper credit limit - they can easily grow as your sales and asset base grows. This is a key differentiator vs a bank line of credit.
Asset Based Lending Versus Cash Flow Lenders
Part of the reason that asset-based lending - ' ABL ' has caught on in Canada is the current state of commercial business banking and in Canada and the access to liquidity challenges that many firms face in the post-2010 business environment. Suffice to say the 2020 pandemic has brought those same liquidity challenges to Canadian businesses
A BUSINESS LOAN WITH COLLATERAL
When your company has significant assets tied up in accounts receivable, inventory equipment, and sometimes real estate you want to ensure you are financing them at optimal levels for both survival and growth. Asset financing is the ultimate working capital finance option, as it comes with flexibility and can deliver urgent timely cash flow needs that many companies require when they are in a process of transition, or, alternatively, exploring significant growth options.
HISTORY OF ABL FINANCING IN CANADA
Although the basic financing concept is new ABL has been prospering in the U.S. for a number of years - Canadian firms compete with U.S. ABL lenders in our own business financing marketplace. Every industry in Canada has potential access to asset financing lending solutions - we note though that many industries are the perfect ' poster child' for ABl. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers are very typical users of the ABL solution.
As we noted some of the largest corporations in Canada utilize this type of financing, but the demand for ABL probably grew more out of the need for smaller and medium-sized firms in Canada - let’s say with revenues under 20 Million dollars - to get the operating financing they need.
BENEFITS OF ASSET BASED LENDING
The benefits of ABL financing seem very obvious to Canadian business owners and financial managers. The financing revolves totally around assets, and places only a very small reliance on debt to equity ratios, operating ratios, cash flow coverage, etc.
When Canadian businesses cannot satisfy their bankers on the above ratios and loan cash flow coverage they view ABL as an alternative financing solution. We would point out that ABL financing, similar to any other commercial financing, is not a solution to a firm who is in a death spiral - years ago ABL had the taint of a 'lender of last resort' - that is categorically not the case now and is utilized by firms who want to maximize operating and working capital financing but cant in many cases satisfy all Canadian chartered bank requirements.
WHEN YOU SHOULD CONSIDER AN ASSET BASED LENDING SOLUTION
ABL finance is a business loan that relies exclusively on the value of assets that become the collateral for a loan or revolving credit facility. Banks as an example place a huge emphasis on a firm's ability to generate positive cash flow from operations. Firms that are unable to demonstrate cash flow but still require financing utilize asset based lending arrangements to generate cash. There may be a number of reasons why a firm cannot temporarily satisfy banking covenants - the firms' financials may not be ready or updated as an example.
The typical scenarios under which a firm considers an asset-based lending arrangement are:
Growing very quickly - in high growth mode
Expanding into new markets
Merging with another firm
In 'Special Loans 'now and wishes alternate financing
We can't over emphasis the before mentioned point about financial statement characteristics - Asset based lines of credit focus solely on assets, that is where the liquidity and the operating facility works at its best. In many cases firms that have previous financing arrangements can significantly increase their credit availability by switching to an ABL line of credit.
EXAMPLE OF AN ASSET BASED WIN!
Our firm, 7 Park Avenue Financial, worked with a firm that was in Special loans with a chartered bank. They had an original line of credit of 750,000.00 - the bank cut it down to 500,000.00 and also put the customer into a Special loans category. We originated an asset based line of credit for 1,000,000.00 based on the firm's receivables, inventory, equipment and real estate. The customer utilized the ABL for about 18 months and then migrated back to commercial chartered banking arrangements with another bank. That story plays out over and over again in Canada.
We can say that the amount of funding a company can receive in an ABL arrangement is really based on a hierarchy of value of any given asset category. So as assets become more liquid on your balance sheet and work up to 'cash on hand; they have higher loan to value ratios. So while it is improbably and very unlikely your firm would receive 100% financing receivables as an example typically qualify for 85-90% funding. Many firms owner their own premises and there is significant equity in real estate, so that category also would receive a higher 'ltv' ( loan to value) possible in the 75% range as is common. Standalone inventory loans are also a subset of ABL financing.
CONCLUSION
Asset Based Lending In Canada can be one of the most effective business credit facilities for customers unable to achieve full traditional bank financing. Securing liquidity through company assets allows your borrowing to expand and contract when you need cash flow. Companies of any size or transitional stage can take advantage of working capital provided by asset based lenders.
Asset based lending will work for your business credit needs if your cash flow requirements are seasonal and revenues fluctuate. If your business plan includes acquisition financing, a turnaround or restructuring, or even a need for capital outside of equity considerations ABL will work for your company. ABL allows you to leverage company assets and is often a bridge back to traditional financing for many companies in Canada. The ability to finance a firm when it is in transition is a key part of ABL's success in Canada.
Asset based lines of credit? Your mission, should you choose to accept it? Investigate this unique financing option and work with a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor if the solutions meet your working capital needs.
7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
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 areas 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.
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations. He is an experienced
business financing consultant
.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 financing 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.
Click here for the business finance track record of 7 Park Avenue Financial
Stan Prokop
7 Park Avenue Financial/Copyright/2020
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