Dear Abby : What Do I Need To Know About An Asset Based Revolving Credit Facility And ABL Loan? Signed: Anxious

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Information on asset based financing in Canada

Dear Anxious - A great question and now for some hopefully great answers on the subject of an asset based revolving credit facility for your company.

No doubt you have heard about the relatively newest form of business financing in Canada .What you may not understand is simply how an ' ABL ' loan is different from comparative offerings, such as the traditional chartered bank line of credit.

While is has many similarities to its competitors in daily utilization, the benefit of the facility tend to be significantly more enhanced for firms such as yours.

Typical borrowing facilities of this type are secured by two key assets, your receivables and inventory. Your goal when you enter into such a facility is clearly to optimize working capital around whats available today, and what you might need in the future. That’s where an ABL loan comes in. By giving your asset based lender the security around those two assets you create a borrowing margin immediately available to yourself.

We know you're asking yourself ' so whats so different about that ‘... ‘Haven’t you just described what a
bank line of credit facility is?’? The true merit of the asset based revolving credit facility is twofold, if we're going to keep things simple.

First of all the advance rates or the amounts you borrow can be significantly more than in other more conservative facilities. It is certainly no unusual to achieve an 85-90% advance rate on your eligible receivable, those under 90 days. And when it comes to inventory, don’t get us started ; because once its clearly understood what type of inventory you carry, what the general turnover is, and how you capture and track this asset you can usually borrow anywhere from 30- 70% against your inventory line .

The other key benefit is the absence of a lot of those ratio and covenant restrictions imposed by traditional financing, including the de-focus on areas such as your personal guarantees.

Let’s keep things simple. If you weren’t getting any significant inventory margining before, and were getting standard 75% a/r advance we can safely say that many companies can increase their borrowing capacity by anywhere from 50-100% on day one .. Via their ABL loan facility.

We keep using the term ' ABL LOAN ‘, but the reality is that your company is taking on zero additional debt in a true asset based line of credit scenario . You are simply ' monetizing ' assets for liquidity. Your facility goes up and down everyday, in the true business cycle as you buy inventory, reduce payables, generate sales, and of course collect them. It’s as simple as that.

So, who is eligible for this type of business borrowing? As we said, we like to keep it simple, so the reality is that any business requiring a working capital line of credit in excess of 250k is in fact eligible. And, get this, you can be public, private, doing well, financially challenged, or even in bankruptcy proceedings. We think we can safely say that ABL financing doesn’t discriminate - if you have assets your eligible in some form for this great new trend in Canadian
business financing!

Well that’s it ‘Anxious’. Want more info? Consider speaking to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on the merits and differences in asset based revolving credit facilities in Canada.




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

Early Warning Signs You Need A Canadian ABL Asset Based Finance Facility Line Of Credit

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Information on ASSET BASED FINANCING

As a business owner or financial manager you want to be able to ensure that a business line of credit has the ability to assist your firm before, during and after serious financial challenges occur. That's where the ABL asset based finance facility comes in.
In a perfect world (we know it's not) you want to be able to detect financial challenges, understand why they happen, and then implement a solution to avoid them. Understanding the problem (or problems) allows you to make the difficult decisions to continue your business successfully.

So what kind of problems can in fact your business run into. From our experience some are obvious and others not so obvious. And more importantly is there one specific business strategy; in our case today the ABL asset based line of credit that can in fact help you execute the turnaround.

There are probably 5 major early warning signs that your firm might need an alternative financing solution.
So what are some of those early warning signals? They are as follows:

1. Too much short term debt
2. You're trapped in a vicious cash flow cycle
3. You've accumulated current assets that have little or no value (example: obsolete inventories, poor receivables)
4. Your investment in fixed assets has put a major strain on your liquidity
5. Your firm is trying to find itself as it struggles to makes sales projections without the proper assets and financing to back up that growth


So whether your company has purposely created some of these challenges or whether external market forces have the good news in fact is there is a solution, and the one we are recommending today is the ABL facility. It's a business line of credit like no other.
The ABL business line of credit differs from a bank facility in that you have the ability to margin, at very solid levels your current and fixed assets, all in the form of a revolving business line of credit.

Typically the liquidity provided by this facility gives you access to much more cash flow and working capital, and at the same time isn't punishing your firm by forcing you to totally focus on meeting ratios, covenants, and even provide outside collateral.


That is to say the ABL revolver facility allows you to continue to operate, probably with much more liquidity in spit of your capital structure, your historical challenges or financial losses, etc.

In Canada ABL facilities are typically provided by non regulated commercial finance firms. The ultimate irony we've observed over the years is that the Canada's chartered banks themselves, recognizing limitations of traditional facilities, have themselves even ventured into this ' non- bank ' financing idea. Now that's business irony.



If you want a solid insight into some of the early warning signs that your current financing strategies aren't working speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor about the possible solution to those upcoming or existing challenges.









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

Looking For Asset Financing ? Looking To Double Your Business Credit Line?

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Business lines of Credit that Work !

Information on a business line of credit known as an ABL facility via an asset based lender . This type of asset financing can double your access to business credit and working capital

You're on the hunt, and the prey is business financing under an asset financing scenario you have heard so much about. Let’s examine what an ABL facility is, who is the asset based lender that offers this financing, and, oh yes, do you qualify?

To say that business credit financing is top of mind these days with Canadian business owners and financial managers is clearly an understatement. With the economic clouds clearing on the horizon after the 2008-2009 business credit meltdown business owners are looking for growth financing.

And the reality is that the type of operating facilities that you are looking for are getting tougher to secure from Canada's major chartered banks. We are of course referring in general to firms that have some sort of challenge, because medium sized and large Canadian firms with great balance sheets, profits, and solid cash flows can access great credit terms from the banks.

Unfortunately that isn’t the client profile we're talking to everyday - as owners we meet have challenges such as inability to secure the operating cash they need, the requirement to acquire additional assets, or even a full acquisition of a competitor. And that economic turbulence we mentioned earlier usually means that many firms are coming out of a turnaround type environment and are slowly getting their financials back in order. Therefore the ability to secure an ABL facility (abl = asset based lending) for inventory and receivables becomes the goal in asset financing.

So what is the real difference in asset financing under and abl facility compared to a bank line of credit, commonly called a ' revolver ' in business finance. The best way we explain it to clients is that the bank focus is on cash flow, the asset based lender focuses on assets. Big difference!

So, does your firm qualify for abl financing? In general, as we stated, any firm with assets of receivables, inventory, equipment and real estate qualifies. Where the challenge comes in is deterring the overall quality of those assets as well as the size of the facility. An ABL facility is generally available for any firm with over 250k in a combination of receivables, inventory, and equipment. In certain cases even tax credit receivables can be financed.

Where you as a business owner have to focus is the choice of a partner in this type of financing. If your facility requirements are in the millions of dollars and you have high quality business assets (i.e. collectible receivables, inventory that turns) you can access significantly more credit than under a normal bank facility - at rates commensurate with bank financing.

Small firms pay a premium for this type of facility, but when you consider you can access almost all the business credit you need under such a line of credit, coupled with the ability to grow profits and revenues and take on additional orders... well , we'll let you decide if that’s worth a premium .

If you want to comfortably walk the business financing minefield in ABL and feel you aren't 100% conversant with the players, requirements, and pricing then consider seeking a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor in this area .

P.S. If you found your access to business credit has just doubled, don’t say we didn’t tell you!






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

Top Strategic Working Capital Funding and Facility Solutions

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Keep your company alive and functioning with Cash Flow Solutions

Information regarding working capital funding for Canadian business. A proper cash flow financing facility / business credit line is critical to long term business success. Cash flow solutions are available via traditional and alternative financing sources

Every Canadian business owner and financial manger wants to know that their firm has financial health in the short term. Your company's ability to access working capital funding means only one simply thing - you have the ability to pay off your short term liabilities such as accounts payable, taxes, source deductions, etc .


So do you in fact need a better type or working capital facility today, and, if so, what are you options. We can't cure the patient unless we can confirm he is sick... so how in fact do you determine if that working capital need exists. It could not be simpler. Go to your balance sheet, add up cash, receivables and inventory, and if they in total don’t cover your accounts payable, guess what... the patient has a problem .


Two points worth mentioning, we fully realize most successful business managers and owners know intuitively that they have a challenge in the area of cash flow. It's simply recognizing that on a day to day basis more and more time is devoted to working capital management - i.e. collections, invoicing, juggling payables, etc.


There are very specific cash flow solutions for your working capital funding requirements. But believe it or not many of them can actually be fixed internally. You ability to negotiate better terms with your suppliers is a critical cash flow factor. More importantly many business owners don’t focus on turnover and quality of your current assets such as receivables and inventory.


By effectively measuring and monitoring your turnover in receivables and inventory can significantly improve cash flow. Technically we're talking about reducing day’s sales outstanding and calculating inventory turnover. Your goal is to reduce the amount of time it takes for a dollar to flow through your company.


So we have identified the problem, and the measurement issues around that problem, let’s focus on solutions.


In a perfect world, and we know its not, your Canadian chartered bank would financing all your receivables and inventory on an ongoing basis, and , when you need it offer up a bulge type facility to take you through a working capital rough patch . That type of working capital facility is generally referred to as a business operating line of credit.


As we said, it’s not a perfect world apparently! ... And thousands of firms, perhaps yours, don’t have access to this type of facility. So the Canadian marketplace offers up a number of solutions, for medium sized and larger firms the alternative is an asset based line of credit that comes without the restrictions of a bank facility ( ratios, covenants, outside collateral, etc) but in fact provide you with more working capital than a bank could .

For smaller firms a working capital facility term loan is available via the government related bank in Canada. For smaller and medium sized firm’s receivable financing facilities, know as factoring, can turn your receivables into a constant ATM machine, albeit at a higher cost.


So whats our bottom line. Simply the right working capital facility will put life back into the patient, your company! Knowing what facility works best, what your options are, etc is really the only challenge, Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor to guide you through to the right cash flow solution.




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
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Pick The Best Canadian Receivables Factoring and Financing! Cost and Rates Of Invoice Finance

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We encountered a great term the other day when it comes to business financing - the term was ' expansionary finance '. Is it just us or does this term seem to perfectly cover off factoring and receivables financing.

Often though three key issues come up when Canadian business owners and financial managers consider this type of financing. What are those 3 issues? They are the total cost of this type of financing, the rates associated with this facility, and probably most importantly what type of firm offers the best facility to match your company's own specific needs.

Let's learn and cover off those issues, which will allow you to get more comfortable we think with this type of Canadian business financing.

So, why should you even be considering receivables factoring? Simply because it has become a common way for Canadian business to cash flow their accounts receivable and generate working capital based on your own policy of extending credit terms to your customers.

And, as most business owners know, sales does not equal cash flow and when business financing of your A/R is not available from your bank a logical place to turn to is to an independent finance firm that offers invoice financing.

But, what does this type of financing cost, and who offers it, and an even better question... 'How do you pick the best factoring partner?

In Canada the financing and factoring of A/R varies widely. As a general rule we can say the cost is between 1-3% per month based on the size of the facility, your overall financial condition, and most importantly, whether you have sought out and picked the finance firm that best suits your needs.

Let's clarify our comment on your overall financial condition. Receivable financing places much less emphasis on your firms overall financial health - in fact a huge amount of Canadian firms that utilize this type of financing are in stages of turn around, high growth, experiencing temporary financial losses, etc. So don't despair that your firm isn't eligible. But, as we said, your client base, the size of your A/R portfolio on a monthly basis and some other factors will dictate your overall pricing.

Frankly the best costs in factoring finance in Canada start to be achieved when your monthly financing capability for A/R is greater than 250k. Is there a ceiling on the amount of facility? Absolutely not, and facilities that go into the several millions of dollars on a monthly basis happen everyday in Canada.

Clients often ask our favorite most recommended type of facility. That's a simple one - its called C I D - which stands for confidential invoice discounting, allowing you to be in total control of billing and collecting your own a/r without any notification to clients that comes with the U.S. and U.K.versions of a/r finance.

Remember also that when you are addressing the always top of the list issue with firms such as yourself, ' Cost ' that you need to factor in things you might never have thought about. They include your ability to grow your business and generate more profits simply because you now have the capital to do so, albeit at a higher cost. And couldn't you offset some of the cost of factoring by taking discounts with your own suppliers (and improving relations with them along the way!), as well as purchasing more effectively with your new found working capital?

So, in summary, if you need a financing partner when you are considering a receivable management and financing solution seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will ensure your cost and partnership with your factoring firm is focused on a mutually beneficial relationship for financing 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


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















Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6210381

Canadian ABL Financing – Why Asset Based Finance Lending Is A Class By Itself : Trusted And Versatile !

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Asset Based Lines Of Credit For Canadian Business

Information on ABL financing in Canada . How does this type of asset finance differ from bank facilities and why asset based lending increases borrowing power for working capital purposes

'Confidence in good sense ' - that’s one definition of the word trusted. And we think that’s a great way of thinking about ABL financing and asset finance in Canada. So ABL... What is it? It stands for asset based lending, and the simple definition of this new Canadian business financing facility is simply as follows.

ABL is a revolving line of credit facility whereby your assets are secured by the facility you borrow against all those assets on a daily basis.

But, and its a big but, as opposed to bank financing via a Canadian chartered bank facility you are allowed to borrow against the real world maximum liquidity of those assets . Typical assets secured under an ABL financing facility are receivables, inventory, fixed assets, and on occasion real estate if that also fits into your asset equation.

The uniqueness of Asset based lending is simply that the majority of these facilities are offered by what we call ' non - banks - given that that majority of Canadian business owners and financial managers associated ' borrowing' and lines of credit with Canadian chartered banks. Instead , the ABL community tend to be independent finance firms, some of whom are U.S. based but doing business here , who focus and have tremendous expertise in the one thing you cherish most - your business assets !

So where does the versatility com from then? That’s the great part of a line of credit via asset finance strategy. It's all about what we call ' maximization ' (is that really a word?). In ABL financing usually 90% of receivables become an immediate borrowing base, and inventory tends to be financed in the 30 -70% range. In case you haven’t figured it out yet (we’re sure you have) that’s about 30-70% more than you probably were getting before. And, under the concept of true asset finance, the appraised value of your unencumbered fixed assets also now become part of your daily borrowing ability for cash flow and working capital as you need it . Tell us that isn’t versatility!

Because ABL financing increases your ability to borrow for liquidity purposes it allows you to put aside the challenges of meeting qualifications for chartered bank lines of credit - all those things your banker loved to talk about - leverage, cash flow coverage, minimum debt to equity ratios and on it goes... you know the drill.

So, is your firm eligible? It is if you meet the sole criteria - you have assets! The beauty of asset finance is that it works for small firms, major corporations, firms that have financial challenges, and those enjoying the best of all worlds, high growth and profits and a need for constant new working capital.

So, got what it takes? If you have the need, for increased, flexible and higher lines of borrowing power then speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will ensure you have a facility that meets your firms unique survival, growth, and 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


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

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

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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!







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