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.



Showing posts with label business capital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business capital. Show all posts

Friday, January 20, 2023

Is This The Golden Age Of Business Capital In Canada? Financing And Funding Your Company Credit Needs Unlock The Secrets To Business Capital In Canada

 

YOUR COMPANY IS LOOKING FOR  BUSINESS CAPITAL!

YOUR GUIDE TO CANADIAN BUSINESS FUNDING

You've arrived at the right address! Welcome to 7 Park Avenue Financial

Financing & Cash flow are the  biggest issues facing business today

ARE YOU UNAWARE OR   DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR CURRENT  BUSINESS  FINANCING OPTIONS?

CALL NOW - DIRECT LINE - 416 319 5769 - Let's talk or arrange a meeting to discuss your needs

EMAIL - sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

 

 

NAVIGATING THE BUSINESS CAPITAL LANDSCAPE IN CANADA

 

Business capital in Canada. Is this in fact the  ' GOLDEN AGE ' for Canadian companies seeking financial capital and business credit and funding?

 

 

WHAT IS  BUSINESS CAPITAL  

 

While most  business owners and entrepreneurs think of  ' money ' as being capital, and  cash that is in the business for generating a profit and return on investment, in general terms capital is actually the value  and financial assets of the business which might mean everything from hard assets to patents and intellectual property in the business

 

While your business can generate a return on capital from the ongoing operations of the business a company also has the choice of raising more equity as well as taking on debt to fund the business.

 

So capital can come from a number of sources:  owner investment, equity via angel investors, VC's, and private equity firms as well as traditional or alternative financing firms such as banks and alternative finance lenders - the new kid on the block in the Canadian business landscape.

 

Working capital and debt capital are often the most sought-after Canadian business financing solutions

 

We're not 100% sure ourselves; we read that rates are low and capital is abundant - while at the same time clients tell us it's never been as tough to satisfy lender criteria or access innovative capital solutions for their business needs -  especially for the small business owner as well as medium-sized corporations looking for information for funding needs.

 

The reality is that many business owners who aren't in the Financial Post top 1000 in Canada spend a lot of their time ' finding ' financing. The goal seems kind of easy - find enough financing for your business at a cost that makes sense and gives you the amount of risk that the Canadian business owner and financial manager are prepared to live with. At 7 Park Avenue Finanical we want to provide the help that business owners and their financial managers are looking for in their search for funds.

 

That ' risk ' of course comes with the fact that too much debt, and might we add the wrong kind of debt can cripple a firm.

 

5 WAYS TO FINANCE YOUR BUSINESS 

 STRATEGIES FOR SECURING BUSINESS CAPITAL

 

At the end of the day, we can maintain there are essentially 5 ways to finance your firm when it comes to business loans and your capital structure  - two of them, raising equity and issuing a bond or debenture are NOT the subject today.

 

What we're talking about is innovative ways of supplier financing, lease and asset financing for capital assets , and business lines of credit from banks or independent commercial finance companies.

 

 

DON'T FORGET SUPPLIER FINANCING! 

 

Many businesses don’t fully realize of focus on the fact that supplier credit is in fact a key driver of your firm’s cash flow. Just negotiating long terms with your key vendors allows you to generate positive cash flow - That’s a fine line though as you ultimately need the support of suppliers. The last thing you want is for them to turn the ' credit tap ' off.

 

EQUIPMENT LEASING FOR ACQUIRING NEW AND USED ASSETS

 

Yes, you can buy the fixed assets you need for your firm - but over 80% of companies in Canada in fact lease their assets. Whether its trucks, cars, computers, telecom equipment and heavy machinery the business owner has the option of leasing assets for anywhere from, typically, 2-5 years. That allows you to use up the ' useful life' of your equipment and match it to cash outflow vis a vis the payments.

 

Accounting has specific rules around the type of leasing arrangements that you enter into, primarily revolving around whether you are entering into a capital lease ' to own', or an operating lease ' to use '.

 

 

 

THE BUSINESS LINE OF CREDIT IS A KEY FUNDING TOOL FOR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS  

 

Bank and commercial credit business capital in Canada supply businesses with revolving lines of business credit and funding. A credit line allows  your firm to draw down and pay back up, based on pre-set limits, the amount of funding you need for your business. The security of course is the assets of the business, allowing you to constantly replenish working capital

 

MONITOR YOUR DEBT-TO-EQUITY RELATIONSHIP

As a business owner, you have to choose the right amount of debt and equity. The finance guys call that your ' capital structure’. Is there a perfect mix or ratio for that?  The answer is... not really; it depends on the risk, flexibility, and amount of control you have in any particular financing.

 

SOURCES OF BUSINESS FINANCING

 

So, is it the Golden Age of business borrowing?  Our opinion is... not really. But you do have options and there are probably many innovative ways to finance your firm and achieve access to capital that you have not contemplated ; from government programs to commercial financing.

 

These include:

A/R Financing

Inventory Loans

Access to Canadian bank credit

Non bank asset based lines of credit

SR&ED Tax credit financing

Equipment / fixed asset financing

Cash flow loans

Royalty finance solutions

Government Of Canada Small Business Loan Program  - Guaranteed federal business loan -  Arguably the best financing program for a startup and franchise acquisition

 

THE STARTUP FINANCING CHALLENGE - STARTUP TO SCALE UP!

 

Financing a new business start-up in Canada is always a challenge - In connection with their own savings and investment into a business many entrepreneurs recruit friends and family type investments - as well as explore crowdfunding options.

 

The majority of start-ups in Canada, if not 99% or more do not qualify  or meet the criteria for business capital from  venture capital or angel investors

 

Many startups can benefit from local ' business incubators ' that are more often than not in the high-tech sector. These organizations don't provide financing per se, but they will often provide mentorship,  job creation, and sharing of facilities and hosting.

 

While ' grants ' are often sought after funds from the federal and provincial government in Canada this can be a time-consuming process, and often assistance from grant writers is required to source funds in areas such as r&d, productivity, etc. Talk to the 7 Park Avenue Financial team about grant financing strategies when grants require matching funding.

 

Business loans are available for the majority of small and medium-sized established businesses in Canada the startup has a large challenge in accessing financing. Good credit ratings and solid personal net worth will often attract some bank financing, but the best program by far, from a business loan perspective for startups is the Canada SBL loan - Recent changes to the program in 2022 increased the loan cap to over 1.1 Million dollars, and several different types of the financing were added to the program. The loan guarantee is provided by the federal government to the bank or credit union. A business plan should be provided with your financing request. SBL loans are one of the best financing solutions for small businesses in Canada, and the government loans out billions of dollars every year to thousands of firms.

 

CONCLUSION - TAKING YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL 

 

Talk to the 7 Park Avenue Financial team - we know that the majority of businesses can access venture capital and Angel investments - Government funding and grants can consume management time - Let us show you how debt and cash flow financing solutions are available to your business today can work to take your business to new heights.

 

Speak to 7 Park Avenue Financial,  a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor for small business owners, who can assist you with your business capital and funding needs in Canada.

 

 
 
 
FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS / PEOPLE ALSO ASK / MORE INFORMATION

 

What is the most effective form of business for raising capital?

 

Although a sole proprietorship or partnership can raise capital and borrow money the best form of business organization is the corporate legal entity. Equity capital can come from venture capital firms but venture capitalists or private investors will want a sizeable portion of the ownership of the business - as the goal and exit strategy of the VC is an initial public offering. Financial institutions prefer to deal with corporate entities as opposed to individuals when business lending is required. Economic growth is often easier to achieve by a company versus a private individual.

 

What is business capital in finance?

Capital in business financing is value creation and is often primarily identified only as cash and business assets. The financial statements of a business complete a full picture of balance sheet assets and profits.

 

What are some types of capital in business?

Different types of capital in business include debt financing, allowing companies to borrow from different sources such as banks, alternative lenders, and the government at interest rates commensurate with overall credit quality and type of financing.

Business owners have the choice of selling equity in the business via private financing or public equity offerings versus additional personal investment.

Working capital finance funds current assets such as accounts receivable and inventories and profit-generating assets can be financed on a long-term basis.

 

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Financing A Business In Canada Here's Some Golden Rules For Working Capital and Loan Solutions












 Alternative Lending Cash Flow Solutions And Tips For Canadian Business Financing




Financing a business in Canada. A challenge? Let's just say that's an understatement when it comes to working capital, debt, and ongoing management and recognition of financial problems and opportunities. Are there some ' Golden Rules' we could follow. We here at 7 Park Avenue Financial think so so lets cover off some loans for business in Canada.


In some cases your firm might be growing too fast, and just at the time that when you are ready to either expand or take on larger orders and contracts your operating capital and business capital needs replenishing without having the funding you need to address growth challenges. Every company, small and large eventually needs more access to capital, for small and medium firms making a financing error can lead to impaired financials and even business downfall.

Firms with poor working capital typically are poorly managed and unable to meet cash flow needs, but on the other hand a constant reliance on new working capital often has the company demonstrating that it is investing all their cash to grow the business and increase return on investment.


Here is where expert advice and right choices come in, as the wrong debt must be matched to your cash inflows, and even more challenging is the fact that uncertain economic times, pandemics included making it very difficult to find business capital.

The amount of financing you need to run a business depends on how you operate it within your industry . Finance experts call that the ' operating cycle ' and it's simple, namely the amount of time it takes for a dollar to flow through your company from order to collection of the sale via your receivables. The ability to maintain positive working capital throughout that process dictates the amount and type of financing you need.

The amount of working capital a small business needs to run smoothly depends largely on the type of business, its operating cycle, and the business owners’ goals for future growth. However, while very large businesses can get by with negative working capital because of their ability to raise funds quickly, small businesses should maintain positive working capital figures. Even issues such as seasonality of a business can greatly affect cash flow needs.



Regardless of the product name, all financing solutions consist of either debt, equity, or a hybrid combination of both. Keep in mind that there are no “good” or “bad” solutions. The best solution for you depends on your specific circumstances and requirements.


One of those golden rules of business finance is to ensure that you properly match short term debt and long term debt appropriately. Each of these two has its own benefits and potential disadvantages. Is one better than the other? Not really, it’s just that it’s a case of making adjustments and staying ' in tune ' with what needs are appropriate or required at the right time.

Working capital loans , whether they be a term loan to inject permanent working capital into the business,or alternatively a short term loan, typically 12 months in duration are used to cover off short term operating needs such as payables, financing your investment in accounts receivable, salaries and wages, etc. It is improper to use shorter term working capital facilities for long term needs such as financing fixed assets/equipment, or real estate, etc,

From an understanding point of view we don't want to go too far down the textbook route in explaining working capital but it's important to simply know that its calculated by subtracting current liabilities from current assets on your balance sheet. Let's leave it at that.

But if there is a shortfall in that number, or the ratio is really tight you need short term liquidity financing of some sort - The good news is that more and more there are some new, creative and alternative financing options available to business owners seeking SME COMMERCIAL FINANCE. That SME " small to medium enterprise " segment in Canada is one of the largest parts of the entire Canadian economic landscape.



How to Get a Working Capital Loan


Numerous traditional and alternative lenders have the financing options you probably need to run your business. In general the same fundamental criteria apply to their level of due diligence into your business - i.e. years in business, annual revenues, is the business preparing proper financial statements that accurately reflect the state of the business, etc. Businesses that are smaller should realize that their personal financial affairs and how they are managed are viewed by the lender as a reflection of how the business finances are managed. Therefore decent credit bureau/fico scores are important.


HOW IS A WORKING CAPITAL LOAN REPAID?


In selecting a financing facility for your business you and your commercial lender should have a sense of repayment ability. Short term working capital loans are widely popular these days, in many cases online portals are used to apply, and lenders use algorithms to determine the amount of loan and repayment timing. Many business owners and their financial managers don't realize that the loans may sometimes be asked to be repaid weekly, but monthly is also common.

The loan amount for these facilities often called ' merchant advances ' is based on a formula of your annual sales, typically 10-20%, as well as factoring in your time in business. Interest rates and cost of financing tend to be some of the highest in Canada for these loans. The appeal is of course speed and flexibility of approval.




We have mentioned the need to separate short term borrowing for long term investments in your business. So for acquiring fixed assets equipment leasing and commercial mortgages are proven options to acquire assets/real estate. In some cases a firm might be looking to invest in leasehold improvements.

On' catch-all ' for financing assets, leasehold improvements, or real estate is the Government of Canada Small Business loan program, providing up to a $1,000,000.00 of financing with a government guarantee behind the majority of the loan. Seek out the services of an experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can help you acquire this loan. Key benefits are attractive interest rates, repayment flexibility, nominal personal guarantee, and financing for investments such as leaseholds that are typically harder to finance as they are intangible assets.

It is the perfect loan solution for building acquisition or modernization via leasehold improvements, as well as covering the purchase of new and used equipment. Since the largest portion of your loan is guaranteed by the Canadian government through this Industry Canada program that allows banks to lend to businesses that might not otherwise qualify for the funding they need.

So in financing a business it is really about what the finance experts call ' sources and uses ' of funds and what type of financing suits your firms specific company or industry needs.


Canadian Bank Financing


Often seen as the ' go to ' solution for general working capital, operating loan, and other financing needs the Canadian banks offer unlimited funding and flexibility for firms that qualify. The attractiveness of a bank revolving line of credit is that it is low cost and can be used only when you need to draw done funds. The banks are very focused on repayment !; so you must be able to demonstrate historical and present cash flow generation. Loans are structured to meet your business needs but borrowers quickly become aware of the more stringent credit qualification and criteria for firms to access bank financing. Those criteria include established businesses for the most part, and focus on the size of the business, quality of the balance sheet, debt to equity ratios, and personal covenants and outside collateral requirements.

The vast majority of businesses in Canada can qualify for both Factoring, as well as the related type of facility, Purchase Order Financing. Factoring financing is probably the fastest growing type of working capital financing when it comes to how to finance a business in Canada. While some call it a receivables loan it is in fact just monetizing your a/r for cash flow.


Since cash flow problems often stem out of a company's inability to collect it's receivables in a timely fashion any commercial or government-related receivable can be financed for immediate cash. At 7 Park Avenue Financial our recommend factor finance solution is ' Confidential Receivable Financing ', allowing you to bill and collect your own receivables without any intrusion by a third party.

If your firm had very good gross margins and can sustain the 1.5-2% fee associated with the financing your firm can become an ATM machine, generating cash as fast as you generate sales revenues. The flexibility and faster access to cash are the great appeal of receivables finance.

Another type of specialty finance related to your ability to take on larger orders and contracts is purchase order financing. This type of financing pays your supplier directly, allowing you to fulfill orders and contracts that might otherwise be lost to competitors for lack of working capital. Similar to factoring finance P O Financing has a higher cost but if your firm has good gross margins it allows your company to grow substantially larger without owners having to put up more equity. Alternative lending in Canada via solutions such as we have described is very much on the rise .

It certainly hasn’t escaped us that not only is it difficult when it comes to financing a business in Canada to manage internally, you of course have to stay in tune with what’s happening in the economy, your industry, and dare we say, politics! Talk about a full-time job.



A lot of your financing for loan capital of any type will probably come from external financial solutions. They might include a line of credit, bank debt, working capital term loans, receivable finance, inventory finance, equipment leasing, and monetization of tax credits. Those tax credits typically are covered under Canada's SR&ED program and if you have refundable tax credits they can be easily monetized under a SR&ED Loan facility. That accelerates the refund of your valuable investment in r&d capital.




However, you also generate cash internally, and you need to know how to measure that.



When you assess working capital or debt needs you need to be in a position to focus on cost, risk, and what that financing does to your balance sheet? All of those must be taken into consideration.



Also consider your current capital and debt structure and how your balance sheet will look after financing is completed. As an example, something to think about is that working capital and cash flow can be generated through monetization of assets - this doesn't really bring debt to the balance sheet, so you've achieved your goal without increasing debt.



On occasion it’s important to discuss any taxation impact on your financials with your accountant, as there are both positive and negative aspects to debt and tax.



If your firm is mature and operating efficiently you’re in a position to access all sorts of traditional financing. The other side of that is alternative finance, which works just as well but might be more costly on occasion - not always, but sometimes.





It's hard enough to access financing but choosing the right partner is a struggle in itself sometimes, ensuring that the funding source will be with you in tight markets and good times. Apparently, those two fluctuate over time. The 2008 worldwide debacle caused many finance firms to disappear or implode, causing havoc among thousands of businesses in Canada, whether you were a start-up or large corporation!



One solid Golden rule of business finance is to be proactive when it comes to access to debt solutions and working capital. You might even have to make the tough decision around diluting equity when there is too much debt on your balance sheet. That’s a costly one.



Another of those Golden rules is to have a solid sense or understanding of how outside forces, pandemics included, can affect your company's financial viability! If market conditions are continually volatile you clearly need to focus on longer term stable financial solutions.


WHAT ARE YOUR BUSINESS GOALS ?



Constantly stay on top of your cash flow planning, and consider the need for a proper business plan that accurately reflects the true growth and profit potential of your company. You might be focusing solely on growing sales, in other cases you might be going into new product lines or geographies, or investing in r&d. If you want to more clearly understand what business financing solutions are available for financing a business in Canada speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor.



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 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.


' 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. 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







7 Park Avenue Financial/Copyright/2020
















































Financing A Business In Canada Here's Some Golden Rules For Working Capital and Loan Solutions


Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Financing A Business And Solving Working Capital & Funding Needs



















When  Is  A  Working Capital Loan is Right for Your Company! Financing A Business For Your  Working Capital And Funding Needs

 




Many business owners turn to working capital loans any time they need to get their hands on some quick cash. The truth is that this type of loan is better used when you need to stay afloat, cover general operating expenses, and pay bills with invoice financing. These products essentially buy you some time so you can come up with new ways to generate revenue based on your existing assets and resources.

Financing a business always seems to come back to that tried and true (cliché?) term of cash flow to finance the daily needs of your business. So when it comes to loans for businesses in Canada it is no surprise that cash flow is often called the lifeblood of your company day to day operations.



What Is A Working Capital Loan Used For?




It's all about your day to day operations, not long term financial commitments such as leases for equipment financing, term debt, etc. The most common day to day cash needs include payables, the financing of accounts receivable, salaries, and fixed costs such as rent, utilities, etc.



No matter how overused the term might be most business owners and financial mgrs would not dispute the need for the right amount, and type of business funding . That involves taking a hard look at your balance sheet and reviewing the relationship of the current ratio items, namely your short term assets such as a/r and inventory, as well as obligations such as payables, loan payments, etc. That current ratio drives your working capital and cash flow loan needs.



The downside of not having, or being able to arrange cash flow and working capital financing is simply that you have a lesser ability to grow sales, maximize profits and take advantage of new opportunities.

So what in fact are the working capital and financing issues that are raised on an ongoing basis for your business?



Factors To Consider When Financing A Business




Key is understanding how your receivables, inventory, and other assets come together to drive working capital and cash flow. And, to our point, how do you finance those assets and those needs?



What are the real drivers in funding need - typically it's growing revenues, expanding, and in some cases buying or merging with another business.



Although most business owners/financial mgrs can't imagine having too much capital for their business that overabundance would actually mean you are not using capital properly! The bottom line, as experienced by most business folks, is that financing a business is actually a balancing act when business capital is sought.



One of the main things you should focus on is your ability to pay your current debt - On the balance sheet, your accountant shows that as ' current portion of long term debt ' - You always want to be in a position to meet these obligations as failure to do that means you are bordering on insolvency. All of that snowballs into major issues with your bank, your suppliers, and other creditors such as leasing or finance firms.



So as we have said, you need to be able to calculate, or measure working capital, and then address how you will satisfy the need that comes out of those numbers. There are some easy calculations you can perform in measuring your overall cash flow - it's really simply understanding your inventory and A/R turns, as well as having a handle on your accounts payable days outstanding.



If it was a perfect world you could raise all the working capital you need internally. How would that work?! Well, using an extreme example if you collected your receivables in 45 days, and turned your inventory in 45 days, and were able to pay your payables every 90 days you would be very self-financing.



Sounds great, except you can hear your suppliers and creditors now I bet... Also, the profits that you generate out of your business obviously become a new additional part of the working capital component and would even further benefit your overall position.



But let's get back to the real world, which states that if you have more current assets than current liabilities you 99% of the time need external working capital.



Canadian business owners achieve that additional working capital in a number of ways - the most beneficial is bank lines of credit, or in some cases, if your firm meets the criteria, a cash flow working capital loan. If you are unable to meet bank criteria and are still in a challenged or growing position then we advise clients to consider a non bank working capital or asset based lending facility.



How To Get A Working Capital Loan




Numerous new solutions in financing a business have emerged in Canada. That includes cash advance merchant lenders as well as common subsets of what is known as alternative financing. Those subsets, actual real world solutions include a/r financing, working capital term loans, tax credit financing, inventory finance, and mezzanine cash flow loans for more established firms.

When it comes to the merchant advance lenders the focus is on typical business credit optics such as how long your company has been in business, what your annual revenues are, and the overall turnover of current asset categories such as receivables and inventory.

Depending on the size of the transaction the personal credit history of the owner/owners is also a subject point in the overall decision. As far as ' working capital loan repayment ' works the formula is actually quite simple - a short term loan based on approx 10-20% of your annual sales that is repaid monthly, or sometimes weekly based on a review of your cash inflows.



If those receivables we discussed tend to be your main current asset than a factoring or invoice discounting facility makes the most sense. Most Canadian business owners don't fully understand how factoring in Canada works, and are often confused by the costs and process. At 7 Park Avenue Financial our recommended funding solution in this area is Confidential Receivable Financing. This is not a receivables loan but a true sales based cash flow financing facility.

It is critical to ensure that you are matching your business financing needs against either a long term or short term solution. When your company needs new equipment, real estate, etc the business owner and financial manager must explore options such as equipment loans or commercial mortgages where payments are fixed and amortized over longer terms.

When it comes to an ' operating loan ' solutions for your company include a traditional bank revolving credit facility or in some cases an alternative lending solution such as a non bank asset based lending facility.



The Canada Small Business Loan financing program, unfortunately, does not cover working capital needs, although the government's crown corporation non bricks and morter entity does offer long term working capital loans that come with prerequisites of profits and a reasonable balance sheet.



Export Development Corporation ( EDC Direct Lending ) and the somewhat related financing of refundable tax credits are solutions, but these facilities take a significant amount of time to set up. When exploring government loans or related financings it is strongly recommended that you use the services of a business financing consultant with expertise in this area.

Alternative lending Canada based solutions are continuing to dominate Canadian business financing needs and compete regularly with traditional business offerings provided by Canadian chartered banks and are truly an advanced alternative lending solution when traditional financing doesn't solve your business capital needs.

So what’s our bottom line recap - it’s simple!

Understand how much financing you need - that means ' measuring' your needs, as well as what type of funding suits that need. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a financing track record of success.






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 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.


' 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. 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.



















Sunday, May 10, 2020

Business Capital Solutions In Canada : Accessing Proper Cash Flow & Commercial Financing











Cash Flow Solutions - What Are The Types Of Capital For Your Business






Business capital requirements in Canada often boil down to some fundamental truths the business owner/financial mgr/entrepreneur needs to address when it comes to financing for businesses.

One of those truths? Knowing the true state of their financial condition and what financing they do and don't qualify for when it comes to meeting commercial lending requirements in Canadian business.

Business Loans In Canada


Whether you are smaller or start-up firm looking for information on how to get a business loan or a larger established firm looking for growth financing or acquisition opportunities we're highlighting 3 mistakes that commercial loan seekers like your company need to avoid making when addressing, sourcing and negotiating your cash flow / working capital and commercial financing needs.



1. Understand the true condition of your company finances - These are almost always successful addressed when you spend time on your financials and understand how your financial statements reflect your access to commercial loans & business credit in general



2. Ensure you have a plan in place for sales growth and financial needs as it relates to commercial financing



3. Understand that actual hard facts about cash flow which is, of course, the lifeblood of your company



Can you honestly answer or feel optimistic about all those 3 points. If so, pass Go and collect $ 100.00!



An excellent way to address your company's finance plans is to ensure you understand growth finance solutions, as well as how to manage in a downturn - i.e. not growing, losing money, etc ; It's never fun to fund yourself in an economic or industry downturn such as the COVID pandemic of 2020!



When we talk to clients of new or established businesses it seems they are almost always talking about sales, so the ability to understand and focus on the differences in their profits and cash fluctuations is critical.



How do cash flow and sales plans and projections affect the type of financing you require? For one thing sales growth usually starts out by consuming your cash, not generating it. A poor finance plan will drag your business down, and addressing financing simply gets tougher and tougher.



Three basics always emerge when it comes to your search for the right business capital and financing.



1. The amount of financing you need



2. The type of financing (debt/cash flow/asset monetization) The business loan interest rate will be dramatically affected by whether you choose traditional or alternative financing solutions. Private business loans in Canada come from non regulated commercial finance companies most often known as ' alternative lenders '. These lenders are typically highly specialized in one ' niche ' of business financing and may be Canadian firms or branches of U.S. banks and non-bank lenders



3. How the financing is structured to be manageable with your day to day operations




What Finance Company In Canada Can Meet Your Borrowing Needs & Why Is Capital Important In Business 





Let's identify and break down key financings your firm should know about and understand if they are applicable and achievable to your business. They include:



A/R Financing / Factoring / Confidential Receivable Finance



Inventory finance / floor planning / retail inventory



Working Capital term loans



Unsecured cash flow loans



Merchant working capital loans/advances - these loans are geared toward short term cash needs and are typically one year in duration. Loan amounts are typically 15-20% of your annual sales revenues.



Royalty finance



Asset based non bank business lines of credit



Tax credit financing (SR&ED bridge loans)



Equipment Leasing / Sale leasebacks - Equipment financing in Canada is used by almost 80% of all companies looking to acquire new, and used assets.



Govt Guaranteed Small Business Loan program - Government Loans in Canada are sometimes referred to as ' SBL', aka Note: BDC Finance solutions are available from this Canadian non-bricks and morter crown corporation. A small business loan via the government-guaranteed loan program comes with true flexibility around term loan duration, market rates, no pre payment penalties, and of course the low personal guarantee that is required by borrowers. These two ' government ' loan solutions are often perfect for financing a new business.



If you're focused on not making mistakes in your business finance needs and want to capitalize on the solutions your competitors are probably already using seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your cash flow and commercial financing needs.



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 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 .


' 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.







Monday, May 4, 2020

Asset Based Financing ? Check Out The Bank Credit Line Alternative










Alternative Lending Can Provide Your Company With The Business Financing You Need




A bank credit line alternative can be found via asset based financing solutions for Canadian businesses. Additionally, this type of capital for business offers many reasons for owners/financial managers to consider an alternative for a small business line of credit in Canada. We're discussing some of those reasons. Let's dig in.

The Business Credit Line Alternative


The ability to borrow the maximum you can under an asset based financing credit facility is a key part of the attractiveness of ' ABL ‘loans - in particular the revolving line of credit option. Those selected assets include almost always: Receivables, Inventory and Fixed Assets. Alternative lenders tend to be experts in looking at all your business assets so as to maximize borrowing power.



Alternative lending also has the ability to differ from traditional bank finance - Note also that potentially you can include real estate and in some cases even your intellectual property if either of those applies to your company.

Those latter two are more rare additions to your borrowing, but they are there. Interest rates are almost always higher in asset based credit line revolving facilities, but they offer a financial alternative to small and medium sized businesses who are unable to borrow some or all of the capital they need to fund operations and grow the business via ongoing working capital needs.



The best way we describe asset-based credit line loans is simply that they bundle your assets into borrowing power, with less emphasis on the overall credit quality that our banks focus on as it pertains to balance sheet quality, cash flow, and profit/loss history. Compared to other types of financing, most commonly the bank revolver, this solution almost always delivers significantly more borrowing power.

What Are ABL Line Of Credit Requirements ?

ABL loans are offered by commercial lenders who in some cases even have significant expertise in your industry as it's been their niche. But at the end of the day every asset based lender focuses on the overall asset evaluation and the ability of you to report on regular basis those assets.

That is often easily accomplished by reports that include aged receivables, aged payables, inventory lists, etc. We suggest to clients that if you can't supply those basics you probably have other problems!!

Asset based credit lines also distinguish themselves via ' flexibility ' - It's all about providing a finance solution that is focused on any complexity in your business and industry.

Types Of Alternative Lending In Canada

Remember also that another key difference here is that whole bank credit facilities from our Chartered banks tend to offer fixed upper limits and are reviewed almost always on an annual basis.

ABL credit lines can easily fluctuate with your sales levels, with increases in borrowing power most often easily accomplished as seasonality and sales bulges occur in your business. Many firms gravitate to asset based lending lines for the sole reason that is allows them to take on larger business, new contracts, etc.

Thousands of firms are checking into the asset based financing alternative - it's about flexibility, specialization, and increased liquidity.

Alternative finance requires special insights into your business needs, so it is recommended that you seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a track record of business finance success who can assist you with your borrowing needs.



7 Park Avenue Financial :

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
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 more than 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.
Before 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.



Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Looking For Working Capital And Business Capital In Canada ? Commercial Lending Isn’t What You Think













Cash Flow Financing Decisions , and Alternatives!

Information on working capital financing in Canada . What type of commercial lending will deliver on business capital you need for growth and cash flow survival







Having a closed mind on achieving working capital and business capital financing via commercial lending just might not be the best thing .

Let's focus in on working capital financing and talk specifically about the type of cash flow solution that might best suit your business - which you haven’t even considered!

No one is disagreeing with you that Canadian business financing solutions aren’t difficult to achieve, yet alone envision. By itself working capital and cash flow financing is more unsecured from a finance firm or lenders position. So exactly how do you go about financing your business and determining what, in today’s challenging environment ( post 2008-2009 ) are the best solutions for business capital?

When you think about it, its really all about your cash cycle, how funds flow through your business and historically how your business has operated with this ' cash cycle ' in mind . Every business, or rather industry, seems to have a little bit of its own nuances.

And if you are a service focused business then the receivables you generated pose an even more of a required focus as we need to determine how you will use working capital financing to finance business operations. That is not to say that service type businesses cant be financed, it just becomes a question of securing financing that meets your specific needs - as the financial folks would say , you business is not capital or asset intensive - yet you still require cash flow financing - as your sales grow your receivables and operational needs grow also.

So let’s get to the nub of our discussion, what are the solutions available for working capital in the current Canadian commercial lending environment?

If you are more of a service business ( i.e. not capital intensive - example = mfg ) and can demonstrate on going recurring sales and receivables you are a prime candidate for a receivable financing facility . Our favorite and in fact recommending is a confidential invoice discounting/financing facility. This type of commercial lending facility is generally available through what we call non banks - i.e. private independent finance companies. It allows you to generate cash flow and working capital as you generate sales, and you can then focus on meeting your obligations of staffing and operations prior to collecting from clients. You also do this on a confidential basis, i.e. there is no notification to your client basis, as is the case with more traditional receivable financing.

Firms that are more asset intensive need to consider ABL facilities ( asset based lending ) that provide a combo of inventory, a/r and equipment financing that is margined ( on a daily basis !) to give you all the cash flow and business capital you need . Canadian businesses know only too well that lengthy collection periods can become the death of their business.

Also in many cases the amount of receivable financing you need simply isn’t always available from Canadian chartered banks - we meet many clients who have some commercial lending from banks, but it never seems to be enough when you are in growth mode or experiencing some sort of other business challenge. This then forces the Canadian business owner and financial manager to assess options that you don’t necessarily have to consider, i.e. getting in additional equity and diluting your ownership.

In summary , yes we agree its complicated - term loans, asset based loans, invoice discounting facilities, unsecured cash flow financing ... a lot of considerations . And which one is truly best for your firm. As we've said it might not be as complicated as you think .Speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor to understand the best solution and the cost and ramifications of commercial lending that makes sense for your firm.




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

<a href=" http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com "> Click here for 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 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.