Asset Based Finance : Here’s Your Hall Pass On Business Credit Lines

The Perils Of Perception In Asset Based Business Lines Of Credit




OVERVIEW – Information on business credit lines in Canada. Whether it’s the bank or asset based loan it’s critical for owners/managers to understand the positive and negative implications of each type of revolving facility

Business credit lines , we've found, come with certain ' perceptions' from business owners and financial managers in Canada. There are some dangers in those perceptions.

Let's dig in.

A business revolving credit line actually comes in a couple different shapes and sizes - and the differences between bank facilities and other commonly used financing methods are significant. So how about a ' hall pass '

on our subject. We'll look at the typical use of these facilities, who qualifies for what, and how they are structured in terms of collateral and security. Along the way you'll see there are some benefits and disadvantages from each type of facility, as well as some major cost differences.

Revolving credit lines are a specific type of secured financing and are directly related to the current and fixed assets of your business. Although Canadian chartered banks typically lend against receivables and inventory ( mostly receivables actually ) an Asset Based Lender has the ability to bundle a/r, inventory, and even your fixed assets into one asset base you can borrow against on a continuous basis . That's one of the key differences between a bank line and a credit facility

Credit facilities are available from either a bank or commercial finance firm for almost any size, and no firm is really ineligible - every industry really qualifies and that includes mfg firms, distributors, service firms, and technology related industries. Firms that sell on an all cash basis rarely qualify for bank or asset based credit lines unless they are large retailers where the financed asset is the inventory.

If there is one simple way to view the difference between a bank credit line and an ' ABL ' solutions it's simply the difference in how each of those two lenders looks at it. One is cash flow based (‘the bank ' )

and the other is asset based. (‘the asset based ABL lender').

Asset based lending focuses on the constant ebb and flow of turnover of assets - in almost every business there's a certain ' rhythm ' in that turnover that constantly repeats itself. So as the ABL lender gets comfortable with your peaks and valleys, and the quality of A/R and inventory it's relatively easily for your business to achieve all the working capital you need based on sales and asset growth.

Costs are a huge aspect of the conversation around bank vs. ABL lending. While mostly, (but not always) more expensive, asset based lending delivers on more borrowing power. The business owner/manager must balance access to credit vs. cost of credit. Additionally banks impose various covenant and ratio restrictions that must be met. Those restrictions tend to be only borrowing based focused when it comes to an asset based lien of credit.

If you're looking to maximize liquidity and borrowing power from business credit lines, and want to know the difference between your two choices seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can ensure your credit line needs are met with an objective and workable solution.





Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :

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 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = CANADIAN ASSET BASED FINANCE AND BUSINESS CREDIT LINES EXPERTISE




Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?
CONTACT:

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

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Stan Prokop

ABL Financing . Recognize Early Warning Signs For The Need For A Canadian Asset Based Finance Business Credit Line?

Time for a Paradigm Shift In Business Credit Line Thinking?

Information on ABL financing in Canada. How business owners can spot trends in the need for an asset based finance business credit line



ABL Financing in Canada. How do you know when it just might be time to both discover and utilize one of Canada's best financing mechanisms for a business? There are in fact some strong signals and warning signs when it comes to switching to an asset based finance business credit line.

It kind of sneaked up on us, but asset based finance is growing and becoming more popular everyday in Canada as a business finance mechanism. While banks and other lending institutions focus on cash flow and ratios and covenants the asset based line of credit lender sits quietly in the corner and focuses just on one thing- ' Assets '!

We're going to discuss how you can recognize some key early warning mechanisms around when to consider this method of finance, but the simple rule of thumb is that you have to have assets such as accounts receivables, inventories, lien free fixed assets, and even real estate... well lets just stay... you qualify! That’s why wholesalers, retail organizations, and manufacturers and service companies of all types are gravitating to ABL finance.

We're always surprised when we hear clients say they haven’t even heard of ABL. More so when you consider some of the largest companies in Canada have abandoned bank facilities and moved to ABL. While for the larger company asset based finance business credit lines can in fact cost less and be more flexible, the reality is that for the small to mid size sector the cost of such a facility will in fact be more than bank credit. But, consider this, if you don’t qualify for the amount of bank financing you need that lower interest rate doesn't mean much when you're forced to restrict growth and focus almost all day on managing cash flow in an often crisis type mode. That's when reasonable financing costs should be the least of your problems.

Let's get back to some of those early warning signs that just might signify your need to check out a new paradigm in business lines of credit. Sales revenue has a direct relationship to working capital needs. Because those higher sales and growth opportunities bring higher levels of receivables and inventory and of course higher levels of payables.

Velocity, aka ' speed'. It not becomes a greater challenge to turnover assets to generate that working capital. It's up to the Canadian business owner and financial manager to, as you're growing establish what is acceptable in inventory levels, A/R collection days, as well as, oh yes, paying those suppliers.

Two ways for you to monitor your financial cash flow and working capital needs over time are to keep a simple track of working capital to sales and working capital turnover itself. The former is calculated simply by taking your current assets and dividing them by sales for, say, an annual period. Working capital turnover is measured by taking you sales and dividing them by your working capital for any period. You then track those!

Let's say you kept track of your working capital turnover and notice the ratio is trending lower. That means poor working capital performance, and you probably are feeling this via cash flow pressures.

When you utilize an ABL Financing facility you will find those assets can be monetized faster, with more liquidity in margining, resulting in higher borrowing power for working capital needs.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor when you feel your firm just might be exhibiting signs of a need for a better way in a Canadian business credit line via asset based finance.




7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

ASSET BASED LINE OF CREDIT EXPERTISE







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 . 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 :

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

Downside Of Canadian ABL Asset Based Finance ? P.S. There Is No Downside! Business Financing And Lending That Works

Asset Based Lending Works



Information on ABL asset based finance. Explaining the perceived downside of lending via asset base lines of credit financing for Canadian firms.





So, which is it? We're big proponents of ABL asset based finance in Canada. So once in awhile a client pops the question. What's the question? It's ' Is there any downside to asset based financing for a Canadian firm?" Fair enough. ABL lending seems to have only good things attached to it in terms of the benefits. So about that downside...

We often hear the term perception versus reality. In the mind of the perceiver the perception is of course reality.

The world of ABL financing in Canada is in some ways fairly new. It's used by wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and manufacturers as an alternative to the commonly known ' bank operating line of credit '. One guesses that to be able to ' pan ' something and express concerns about the downside that you have to know what you're talking about.

In simple terms ABL lending in the context we're talking about it is a revolving line of credit secured by the assets of your company. Those assets are most commonly A/R, inventories, and in some cases we can throw unencumbered fixed assets and real estate into the mix. Again, simply speaking you borrow on a daily basis against the total value of all those assets once the asset value is agreed upon between yourself and the ABL lender.

So, on to that perceived downside! Many business owners and financial managers make the assumption that their firm must have the same credit quality that Canadian chartered banks require - that being profits, clean balance sheets, owner guarantees, the necessity for outside collateral on occasion, etc.

So the perception is that the downside here is that approval for ABL asset based finance is challenging. That clearly is not the case, if your firm has assets that can be financed you are in fact the best candidate for asset based lending.

Pricing. That clearly is perceived by many clients as the downside to this newer method of financing Canadian business. So, again, perception, or reality?! The reality is as follows: larger asset based lines of credit; particularly those in excess of 3 Million dollars are priced ultra competitively with Canadian banks. In some cases they might be lower!

How's that for a perception breaker?! For facilities between 250k and the, say 3 Million range pricing is done based on credit quality. In general these facilities are in fact priced higher, but in fact become the only alternative for firms that can't access any form of traditional financing at all.

‘Our company is public ' says a CFO. So we assume we can't access ABL revolver facilities?' Nothing can be further from the truth, as our ABL financing solution serves both private and publicly controlled companies, either on the TSX or Venture exchange in Canada. Even subsidiaries of U.S. companies by the way could qualify for asset based lines of credit. And in fact we think shareholders of public companies would like the idea that asset based facilities tend to grow and provide ongoing capital as the firm grows.

Fees. That’s the other common complaint we occasionally here about asset based finance. Here's where we will give in a little bit to those naysayers, as yes, there are some miscellaneous fees associated with ABL lending. But those fees only are a bit larger when we're talking about those very large revolving facilities, and in that case the pricing and access to more credit and working capital tend to offset any cost such as an appraisal fee, commitment fee, etc.

Finally, time to get approved and closed. Clients perceive ABL financing, perhaps because it’s different, as taking long to close. If you have solid reporting, can talk intelligently about your business and are prepared to commit to a new lending relationship we don't think there is any more time involved versus a bank line of credit.

So, perceptions. Realities. You decide, but be open to accessing this new method of financing. Speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor for assistance in your reality check!







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 . 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 :


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

Canadian Asset Based Finance Has All The Best Ingredients For A Business Line Of Credit – Business Receivables Financing

A winning strategy for business lines of credit in Canada


Information on asset based finance facilities in Canada – Why ABL working capital facilities are a solid line of credit solution for business receivables, inventory and equipment finance.



Asset based finance is a solid working capital solution for a business line of credit as an alternative to bank financing. An ABL (asset based lending) line of credit provides an operating line of credit facility for a combination of both receivables and inventory. This can be achieved in Canada via a traditional receivable financing facility for firms that have both domestic and out of country receivables.

Often times this type of facility provides cash flow when your company is growing, or perhaps wants to acquire another firm... even a competitor. If we had to label many clients that are searching for the right asset based finance facility we would quite frankly put them in the category of being in a turnaround or restructuring situation.

Proceeds from this facility can be viewed in many positive ways, one of which is to simply give you leverage and negotiating power with suppliers for pricing and discounts ... and why? Because you now have cash flow that allows you to buy smarter, purchase larger quantities of materials - all of which are on top of your new found ability to feel more comfortable about day to day financial burdens such as payables, salaries/wages , etc.

Many Canadian companies that approached asset based finance solutions have often exhausted traditional financial solutions. We stress to clients that asset based finance solutions are the last thing from ' lending of last resort '. In fact they in some cases can be more cost effective, and almost 99% of the time, in our experience, provides clients with more liquidity and access to capital.

And don’t forget also that when you approach asset based finance from a business receivables or inventory financing point of view you are no longer forced to consider scenarios such as raising additional equity and diluting ownership .. and that’s a good thing if you're a business owner in Canada.

So how exactly do asset based finance solutions provide that much more liquidity, than say... a traditional Canadian chartered bank line of credit. They do that by margining you receivables at higher levels, or margin rates that banks, and also include additional borrowing on that same facility based on inventory, equipment and real estate, all of which are rolled into one day today borrowing facility.

In order to qualify for this type of financing it becomes a question of controls and reporting. Your firm should be in a position to report on an on going basis on aged receivables, payables, inventory counts, etc. It's that level of business control that will get your firm the highest asset based finance facility.

Look at business receivables financing via an ABL facility as a type of financing that becomes the bridge for your firm to either move to a Canadian chartered bank facility or a true tier one ABL facility with comparable bank rates and structures.

When you are not aware of all the possibilities available to your firm for a business line of credit option speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can help you reach the higher ground in asset based financing in Canada.



7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

Canadian Business Financing

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

Stop Me If You Have Heard This But Isn't Business Credit Still Challenging and what is Asset Based Finance?

It is always surprising to us that asset based lending is still probably less than 5% of Canadian business credit while in the U.S. it accounts for hundreds of billions of dollars of ongoing business financing.

However the trend is reversing and new transaction are being completed everyday in this asset financing category. Canadian businesses who need financing in excess of 250k (the upper limit is almost unlimited) can benefit from this relatively new Canadian business financing strategy.

Clients always have questions as to what the financing actually is and, more importantly, how it works and does their firm qualify.
ABL is simply A business loan secured by collateral (assets). The line of credit, is secured by inventory, accounts receivable and/or other balance-sheet assets, and is non bank in nature .

Lets address the qualification issue first - the reality is that if your firm has business assets in receivables , inventory, equipment , and even real estate those assets can be monetized into a business line of credit that focuses on the asset , not the overall quality or condition of your balance sheet.

We are of course referring to Canadian chartered bank lines of credit that provide a similar and more often than not less expensive form of financing via revolving lines of credit. However most business owners know those facilities focus on balance sheet and income statement strength, ratios that must be met, and heavy emphasis on personal covenants and outside collateral. That is not asset based lending relative to what we are talking about!

Your asset based lending financing facility is secured by business assets. These facilities are typically available through private finance firms that are non-bank in nature. One of two of Canada’s banks offer this type of financing outside their normal business banking, but qualifications and deal size are still somewhat challenging to meet in our opinion .

When you negotiate an A B L facility (that’s the acronym the industry uses) you and the lender agree up front on the market value of your ongoing receivables, inventory, and unencumbered equipment. That collateral becomes the essence of your financing and drawdown capability.

So why is this all different from a bank? The answer is simply - banks have regulated formulaic methods of financing business - in fact many would agree that bank business credit got increasingly difficult to get since the 2008 worldwide debacle.

Finance firms offering asset based lending are not regulated in the same manner, do business in almost every industry in Canada, even those that are deemed ’ out of favor ‘and the management of these firms typically have years of experience in lending against receivables, inventory (yes, inventory!), with the additional enhancement of allowing you to monetize your credit facility by including some borrowing against your equipment for ongoing working capital and cash flow.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced business financing advisor in this specialized area and find out how a new financing facility can put you head and shoulders above your competition in overall financing strategy.

----

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 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/business_credit_asset_based_finance.html

What Asset Based Finance Could Do For Your Company

Your company is facing a variety of challenges – many of them tend to be business financing related. The challenges can be positive in nature, and some might pose serious threats to your business growth or even existence. How asset can based finance aid your firm in allowing you to generate the working capital and cash flow you need to prosper and grow, let alone survive?

Asset based financed helps your firm in both good time and challenging times. The reality is that most business owners and financial managers in Canada currently don’t think we are in ‘good times ‘and business financing continues to be a huge challenge.

Asset based finance comes in a variety of forms – it is commonly in the industry itself referred to as ‘ ABL ‘ financing, and typically your firm would negotiate what is simply or commonly known as an asset based line of credit . The facility provides you with a revolving line of credit very similar to a chartered bank facility – it might also include a significant inventory financing component, and usually address what we could best call special needs or special situations re: turnarounds, growth, distress, etc.

The best candidate for an asset based finance line of credit is a firm that is experiencing strong growth but can’t attract the traditional capital that is used to finance receivables, inventory, plant and equipment, and even in some cases real estate.
An asset based line of credit can best be described as a ‘creative’ financing solution – that is because it takes your balance sheet and finances it to the desired ‘max’ based upon your different asset components. In some cases even intellectual property or patents might be included in the overall financing, although that clearly is not the norm.

Pricing in Canada on asset based lines of credit is all over the map – We tell clients they can expect to pay anywhere near a point or two over prime up to an including 1.5-2% per month . What defines that huge difference in pricing is what our clients are always asking. The answer is that that there are different what we will call ‘ tiers ‘ in ABL lending in Canada, and the overall size and deal quality of your firm will ultimately drive you to an asset based finance partner that more closely matches your needs and your overall ‘ risk profile ‘.

The reality is that asset based finance has somewhat changed the overall face of business financing in Canada and more and more firms , both large and small are gravitating to this form of finance . Deal sizes in Canada vary greatly – we do not encourage clients who have an under 250k/mo need to explore asset based finance because at a certain point the reporting, costs, etc done make sense for neither your firm or the ABL lender .

Asset based lending margins your assets to the extend of their current market value. Inventory financing is a major component of your facility if you require that, and inventory financing in Canada, from traditional sources, is difficult to arrange.

Is there any downside in asset based lending and an ABL working capital facility? Our clients ask. With relative certainty we can say any downside is significantly offset by upside. The facility gives you almost unlimited working capital, and margins assets that might otherwise not be finance able. And dont forget, this type of facility does not add debt to your balance sheet, you are simply monetizing your hard and in some cases soft assets.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experience advisor in asset based lending who can highlight financing options that make sense for your firm’s survival and growth.