Business Lenders In Canada : The Hunt Is On For Your Working Capital Financing & Loan Solutions

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YOUR COMPANY IS LOOKING FOR CANADIAN WORKING CAPITAL FINANCING SOLUTIONS! 

BUSINESS LENDERS ( CANADA )

Unleashing Business  Potential: Overcoming Financing Hurdles for SMEs in Canada

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

        Financing & Cash flow are the biggest issues facing businesses today 

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

Contact us!

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

EMAIL - sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

 

 

YOUR GUIDE TO BUSINESS LOANS IN CANADA

 

Working capital financing and the right business loan/loans for their company have many Canadian business owners looking to either leave or search for new business lenders that meet their financial needs.  The hunt is on for small business lending. Let's dig in.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION 

 

Capital access is key to growth and success in our rapidly competitive business world. Business owners and entrepreneurs frequently encounter the hurdle of securing the necessary funding to elevate their ventures.

 

Business lenders, experts in creating lending solutions, play a crucial role in this process. These entities can provide financial assistance for expansion, equipment purchase, or staffing. However, selecting a lender who comprehends your unique aims and challenges is crucial.

 

 

For Canadian businesses to flourish and reach growth goals, business lending access is essential. Still, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often face obstacles in securing traditional capital.

 

Fortunately, alternative finance options serve as a beacon for those struggling with bank financing. This article examines business lending's significance, SMEs' challenges in securing capital, and the abundance of alternative finance choices available.

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF BUSINESS LENDERS IN PROVIDING GROWTH CAPITAL  

 

Business lenders are key in driving your business growth, recognizing that capital is essential for entrepreneurs to expand, innovate, and hire. They supply the necessary funds enabling businesses to seize growth prospects and achieve objectives. Besides, lenders often possess sector-specific knowledge, offering valuable advice to help firms tackle difficulties and make wise choices.

 

Lenders offer various financing options, such as term loans, lines of credit, and equipment financing, tailored to businesses' unique needs.

 

These avenues allow firms to acquire funds for various conditions, including expansion, inventory management, working capital, or tech investment. Furthermore, recognizing the unique situations of businesses, lenders may provide flexible repayment options, offering solutions that align with your cash flow and ensuring loans serve as growth catalysts rather than burdens.

 

Collaborating with a business lender also offers non-monetary benefits. Unlike traditional banks, these lenders usually have a profound understanding of entrepreneurs and small business owners' challenges.

 

They are more inclined to take calculated risks and back businesses with potential, nurturing a trust-based, mutually beneficial relationship. Acting as valuable advisors, lenders can provide financial management, cash flow optimization, and growth strategy insights. This expertise helps businesses make more informed decisions, maximizing their success probability.

 

 

  

  

THE SME CHALLENGE IN CANADA   

 

Difficulties Faced by SMEs in Securing Traditional Capital: Regrettably, SMEs face multiple hurdles when attempting to obtain traditional bank financing.

 

Strict qualifying requirements often demand that businesses possess significant collateral and a solid credit history, which can be tough for emerging or small companies.

 

Besides, the bank approval process can be protracted and full of red tape, impeding firms from capitalizing on time-sensitive opportunities. Traditional lenders are also risk-averse, favouring loans to bigger, more established companies. These difficulties present a formidable obstacle for SMEs, limiting their access to necessary funds for growth and expansion. 

 

 

  

FINANCING A BUSINESS IN CANADA  

 

A  report in Canada's Globe & Mail indicated massive dissatisfaction with financial institutions regarding lending for small businesses  - referencing a 40% amount as the number of borrowing companies that are ' likely '  to leave their current business lender. Of great interest is that the main perspective of business owners/financial managers is that their bank or credit union does not understand their business when it comes to a small business loan, indicating a lack of confidence in the expertise of their lender.

 

The other harsh reality is that firms looking for SME COMMERCIAL FINANCE and loans don't have the option that major corporations do - that's for both short-term operating needs and long-term growth financing. Of course, those 'big boys' can tap into public and private equity as an example.

 

 CHOOSE THE RIGHT FINANCING & FUNDING FOR YOUR BUSINESS 

 

What are realistic options for small and medium-sized businesses in Canada for generating working capital and cash flow?  The lack of proper business financing prevents your firm from accepting larger orders or new contracts. That also entails waiting for 30, 60 or sometimes even 90 days for A/R to be collected.

 

 

The right working capital financing in place assists your firm in meeting its daily requirements and allows you to grow the business. It also allows your firm to extend credit on favourable terms to your customers.

 

Solution? There are several solutions to consider. If all firms had the same size and problems, we might have some easier decisions. However, when we meet with clients to outline working capital solutions, each company is in a different industry. They have other business models, and their funding needs vary by size and nature.

  

 

TYPES OF BUSINESS LENDERS  

 

 

Business lenders come in various forms, each with unique characteristics and advantages.

 

1. Traditional Banks: Offer various lending products like term loans, lines of credit, and commercial mortgages. They usually have rigid lending criteria, potentially requiring collateral or personal guarantees. Though they might provide competitive interest rates, their application process can be time-consuming and complex.

2. Online Lenders: These lenders are a popular alternative to traditional banks, using technology to simplify the lending process and grant quick capital access. They often have more flexible lending criteria and may fund businesses with less established credit histories. However, their interest rates might be higher than traditional banks.

3. Alternative Lenders: These include a broad spectrum of non-bank financial institutions, such as private equity firms, venture capital firms, and asset-based lenders. Specializing in specific industries or sectors, they can offer customized financing solutions that cater to businesses' unique needs.

 

 

 

 

 

  

CANADIAN BUSINESS FINANCING SOLUTIONS / FINANCING COMPANIES IN CANADA 

 

Let's recap some of the solutions available in Canadian business lending:

 

 

A/R financing/factoring / Confidential Receivable Finance / ABL Non-bank line of credit

 

Inventory loans

 

Bridge Loans

 

Sale Leasebacks

 

Non-bank asset-based lines of credit (these facilities combine your A/R, inventory and equipment assets into one borrowing facility that is margined much higher than bank facilities).  These facilities are often the best solution to overall operating financing needs - This type of borrowing does not put debt on your balance sheet - it monetizes / cash flows your assets!

 

Tax Credit Loans (SR&ED, etc.)

 

Royalty Financing

 

Equipment Financing / Leasing

 

 P O / Contract financing

 

Short-term working capital loan / Merchant Cash advances ( Good  credit scores for business owner's personal credit score are required  ) - parts of these programs allow you to apply online ( a typical loan term is one year )

 

Business credit cards - supplementing business lines of credit

 

 

While some firms in the SME sector will always consider angel investors, going public options, etc., these solutions are often not practical or realistic for the business owner.

 

  

SMALL BUSINESS BANK LOAN QUALIFICATIONS  

 

Canadian chartered banks offer several programs, but you should ensure you meet bank requirements. Some of those requirements are that you have been established and the business owners have a good reputation and reasonably solid credit history.

 

THE CANADA BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM ( SBL LOANS CANADA )

 

The Government of Canada offers a Small Business Loan program which is one of the best programs in Canada for Canadian businesses. An attractive interest rate comes with the program and flexible repayment terms around monthly payments. Previously this program only covered::

 

Equipment

Leaseholds

Real estate

 

Important - In 2022, the program was significantly upgraded to include a higher loan amount available and provide access to working capital and a business line of credit.

 

To ensure these programs meet your exact needs, let the 7 Park Avenue Financial team help you with your loan applications, as many feel that when you apply for a loan from the government, there is some paperwork involved.

One other government entity on the federal side offers working capital term loans; these are cash term loans and are generally unsecured, with only the promise to pay your company and yourself as owner. Rates are excellent for what you are getting.

 

  

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH THE RIGHT BUSINESS LENDERS  

Working with business lenders offers several benefits for entrepreneurs and business owners. Let's explore some of the key advantages:

 

1. Capital Access: Business lenders supply crucial capital to boost growth, catering to needs like expansion, inventory management, or tech investment. They comprehend businesses' unique funding requirements and propose bespoke financing solutions accordingly.

2. Flexible Financing: Business lenders typically offer more flexible lending criteria and repayment terms than traditional banks. They provide customized solutions in line with your business's cash flow and growth path, ensuring loans facilitate success rather than hinder it.

3. Industry-specific Guidance: Lenders have sector-specific expertise, offering valuable advice on financial management, cash flow optimization, and growth strategies. They understand entrepreneurs' challenges and can provide insights for more informed decision-making.

4. Partnership Approach: Lenders are more open to calculated risks and backing potential-rich businesses. They partner in your success, dedicated to helping you reach your objectives. This approach fosters a trust-based relationship promoting long-term success.

5. Efficiency and Affordability: Compared to traditional banks, business lenders often have more streamlined application procedures and faster decision-making, saving time and enabling you to capitalize on growth opportunities promptly. Furthermore, these lenders can offer competitive rates and fees, making their services cost-effective.

6. Networking Opportunities: Lenders often possess extensive networks, potentially connecting you with resources such as industry experts, potential clients, or strategic partners. These connections can unlock new opportunities and further propel your growth.

 

 

   

 CONCLUSION     

 

Business lending access is vital for Canadian SMEs to thrive and grow. Nonetheless, obstacles in securing traditional capital have triggered the emergence of alternative finance options.

 

These provide a crucial support system for businesses unable to secure bank financing. Peer-to-peer lending and government-supported loans offer accessible, versatile, customized funding for diverse business needs. By adopting these alternative financing strategies, SMEs can unleash their growth capabilities, stimulate economic growth, and flourish in the ever-evolving business environment.

 

If you're  'on the hunt' for business lenders that make sense for your operating and capital needs, speak to  7 Park Avenue Financial,  a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your small business loan options and other financing needs.

 

FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is Invoice Factoring?

Companies that need quick cash will benefit from invoice factoring. The company offers a percentage of the invoices to be paid now in exchange for funds upfront, and then they receive payments when their clients pay them back. One example is staffing companies that already have an employee's wages but are waiting until later during the month or year before getting paid by their client, so they can't survive without access to capital. Invoice Factoring allows companies to avoid negative working capital positions and stay financially afloat to meet business needs and debt payments.

 

How do you prepare for a business loan application?

 

You should be able to produce financial statements and demonstrate that your receivables and inventory are turning. It's great to have a forecast or a business plan, which also assists you as a good planning tool.

 

Smaller firms should try and avoid credit cards, merchant advances, or friend and family loans when business lines of credit from banks are not accessible  - they all work and are readily accessible but often are not the best alternative for financing costs and interest rates.

 

Preparing for a business loan application is crucial to increase your chances of approval and secure favourable terms. Here are some steps to help you get ready:

 

1. Assess Financials: Examine financial statements like balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. Understand your income sources, costs, and financial ratios to comprehensively view your business's financial standing and identify the loan amount needed.

2. Verify Credit Score: Your personal and business credit scores significantly influence the loan application. Request your credit reports for accuracy, and work on improving your credit score by settling outstanding debts or resolving disputes, if required.

3. Formulate Business Plan: A well-drafted business plan showcasing your industry knowledge, market, and competition is vital. Include growth strategies, target market, and financial forecasts. Highlight how the loan will boost growth and your repayment strategy.

4. Organize Supporting Documents: Lenders require various documents like tax returns, bank statements, financial statements, legal documents (such as articles of incorporation), and business licenses to evaluate your eligibility. Ensure these documents are organized and easily accessible and meet loan details required by business lenders.

5. Foster Relationships: Cultivate relationships with potential lenders before applying. Engage in networking events, join industry groups, and interact with lenders on social media. Building a good rapport and understanding their lending criteria could enhance your chances of loan approval.

6. Evaluate Collateral: Collateral might be required depending on the lender and loan amount. Assess your assets and decide what you can offer as collateral. This could include real estate, equipment, inventory, or accounts receivable. Understand the associated risks and ensure you can meet the repayment obligations.

 

What is revenue-based financing?

 Revenue-based financing is a financing method that involves businesses obtaining capital in return for a share of their upcoming revenue. The repayment aligns with the business's performance, offering flexibility for companies with variable cash flows. Typically, startups or enterprises with consistent revenue models utilize this financing type.

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Business credit line operating loan arrangements are often sought by companies that are new, established, or growing (that pretty well covers all the scenarios!!) their businesses. The operating loan is often the heart of a company's financial arrangements yet many business owners/financial managers don't really understand all their options for a source of credit in this area of Canadian business financing.


And yes, there are two kinds of business line of credit arrangements your company can undertake, and time has proven there's room enough in town for both of them, but which suits your firm. Let's dig in.


About those two arrangements. There is of course traditional Canadian bank operating lines of credit. These come with typically a maximum ' credit limit' that you can borrow up to based on historical benchmarks of cash flow, sales levels, and quality of receivables and inventory. Banks of course prefer receivables to inventory as they are more liquid and manageable - and quite frankly they aren't in a position to do much with inventory if something goes awry in your business arrangement with the bank.

The key benefit of a bank operating loan and commercial line of credit from a traditional lender is that it is short term in nature and provides maximum flexibility around business borrowing based on the pre-set credit limit designating the amount of funds your firm can borrow at any given time.

Canadian chartered banks offer a revolving line of credit in order to allow your company to bridge payables as receivables are collected. Most Canadian business owners will immediately recognize that more and more clients are delaying payments in order to enhance their own cash flow. The ability to delay payables is a method by which any firm can increase cash versus taking on a business loan.

Bank facilities are priced based upon interest charges on funds used via the ' operating loan ' process. Naturally, balances are paid down as cash inflows are received by the company. When borrowing from a bank a company must satisfy terms and covenants within the approval. Banks view business credit lines as ' short term ' commercial borrowing, and a bank will typically constantly revisit the approval to evaluate ongoing risk - this is part of the regulatory and fiduciary responsibility of Chartered banks in Canada.




Bank facilities are secured, with the most common security being inventory and accounts receivable. Banks consider these types of facilities ' demand loans ', allowing the bank at any time to ' call ' the loan and, you guessed it .. ' demand ' payment in full. Banks register their security on these loans via the appropriate lien filings in the jurisdiction where the business operates. These ' secured loans ' are a large part of bank lending in the Canadian economy, for businesses both small and large, public and private.


KEY POINT - Although Canadian banks secure the operating line of credit via short term current assets ( a/r and inventory ) it is important to understand that the bank will almost always take collateral on all the assets of the company, as they would enforce security by liquidating both short term and long term assets. Those long term assets typically will be equipment and, if applicable, real estate.



From an accounting point of view, the bank line is designated as a liability on the company financials, typically shown as a ' current liability ' given the bank views this as a loan that revolves within a one-year business cycle.

Many businesses in the Canadian economy operate with heavy seasonality being a part of their revenue recognition model. Business lines of credit are a great ' gap bridging ' when seasonality occurs in your company. As a company's CASH CONVERSION CYCLE increases more dependence will be placed on a line of credit for business.




Having that access to bank credit should best be viewed as a strategic tool in your financing of day to day operations. Having the credit facility in place lets you know you have access to business capital at future points in time. Business owners and financial managers should view the ' operating line ' financing of their firm as a part of their overall financing structure, as the company will typically require long term debt in some form, whether that be term loans or equipment financing.

Unsecured Credit Line For Business 

There is an important distinction between ' term loans ' and ' credit lines '. Term loans place major emphasis on the overall credit profile of the borrower - the focus will be good balance sheets, profits, and reasonable owner equity compared to the debt load. The 'credit line ' on the other hand focuses on ongoing financial performance and asset turnover.

We can make the case that the credit decisions and the amount of time it takes to get approvals in each case differ. Also, those term loans or cash flow loans ( also called ' mezzanine loans' ) come with monthly installments and a one time receipt of funds.

The obligation to make those monthly installments is different from the flexibility of the revolving facility that has no fixed payments - although it should be understood that lines of credit are best viewed by the bank when they ' revolve '. In a perfect world, the revolver facility should at some point be paid down in full and then borrowed against on an ongoing basis.

SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT LINE ? CREDIT LINE FOR BUSINESS NEEDS ?

HOW TO GET A BUSINESS CREDIT LINE

INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR BANK CREDIT LINE APPROVAL

At 7 Park Avenue Financial we focus on a complete package for clients looking for traditional bank financing. A typical package would include:

Articles of Incorporation
Financial Statements
Bank Statements
Aged payables/receivables
Inventory List
Cash flow Projection
Business Plan or Executive Summary


Generally, companies in early-stage/pre-revenue situations will have difficulty in establishing lines of credit. Companies not showing a profit or having inexperienced management  teams will also be challenged in accessing revolving credit.

KEY POINT - Understanding qualification criteria, timelines, loan costs, and miscellaneous fees are crucial to being successful in obtaining bank credit. Understanding bank requirements around loan covenants, debt to equity ratios, and the proper amount of owner equity contribution in the business is key to successful bank negotiations if an advisor is not used. That debt to equity ratio typically desired by a bank is in the 2 to 1, or 3 to 1 range - implying the bank wants to see the proverbial ' skin in the game ' of owners.

We advise clients to always have a backup plan in place for alternative financing solutions when time is of the essence and financing is critical.

THE ABL NON BANK BUSINESS CREDIT LINE

The other alternative, gaining more traction every day in Canada is the Asset-Based Credit Line.        " ABL " )These facilities are offered by commercial finance companies and mirror bank arrangements really only when it comes to how you access funds and how the facility revolves. In almost all other cases differences are a bit more dramatic.
For companies that have a higher debt to equity ratio, or fluctuating profits and cash flow that is erratic at times- For that reason, it is the perfect facility for a business line of credit. The ability of a company to generate working capital by being able to cash flow the assets they have in the business.

At 7 Park Avenue Financial we have found that the ABL solution can assist companies in various categories of financial health - those that require restructuring and turnaround as well firms who require financing significantly more than a bank is willing to provide. That allows firms to grow without being impeded by the covenants and other restrictions a bank might place on a borrower.

Business credit line operating loans give a company the flexibility it needs to manage day to day operations through the ' operating cycle ' of the business - namely the time it takes for a dollar to flow throughout the company from the sale to cash collected. Depending on what industry the company is in that might be a significant amount of time - business experts call it the ' cash conversion cycle '.

Common users of non-bank business credit facilities will often include manufacturers, distributors, retailers, etc although services based companies can also utilize the asset based facility. Outstanding balances of the credit line will fluctuate based on sales revenues and cash needs.



Operating loans via asset-based lending allow a company to borrow a much larger percentage of margin based on the value of the assets. The collateral in the receivables, inventory, and equipment is called a ' borrowing base ' and provides funding on an ongoing basis based on sales revenues and ongoing operations.

In Canada the majority of the banks offer an asset-based business credit line operating loan, but these boutique divisions withing the bank are much smaller and many borrower feel that bank ABL's mirror traditional bank lending - which may or may not be the case in our experience here at 7 Park Avenue Financial. Remember also that banks operate in a highly regulated capacity, while the vast majority of non-bank commercial loan provides in asset-based lending are private firms that are self-regulated. Some ABL lenders in Canada are subsidiaries of foreign corporations wishing to establish a commercial lending base in Canada.




The solid advantage of an operating loan is the fact that you are only using credit when you need to - the facility revolves and interest is only charged on the funds you are using at any given time. Banks tend to structure these facilities as ' demand loans' which means they can be ' called' at any time. Trust us that's not a call you will always want to take!


To effectively access operating loans and business lines of credit of this type you need to ensure you have some key basics nailed down. They include perhaps a business plan or executive summary, but always your historical as well as up to date financials and a cash flow forecast. While asset-based line of credit lenders don't place an overemphasis on the personal credit of owner’s banks insist that the owner demonstrate personal creditworthiness and external assets as backup collateral.

carries.

BENEFITS OF THE ASSET BASED BUSINESS CREDIT LINE OPERATING LOAN

1. Companies take comfort in the fact that they have a steady supply of cash flow based on revenues generated - as revenues grow a company must invest more capital in receivables and inventory which have a time component attached to their conversion to cash

2. Any company that has some level of seasonality or ' bulge ' needs can access liquidity during times of large orders and the necessity to build inventories

3. Rapidly growing firms experiencing ' hyper-growth ' often cannot access traditional bank finance but ABL solutions allow the constant

4. While banks place significant reliance on covenants and operating ratios for financing approval the asset based lender is ' collateral-based ' and instead focuses on regular monitoring of business assets to maximize borrowing power

5. Many asset-based lenders have special niches of expertise in a variety of industries and will frequently customize a borrowing solution outside of the ' credit box ' of a Canadian chartered bank.

6. In some cases, an asset based lender will consider an ' over advance ' of the facility - allowing the company to temporarily borrow beyond the approved limit. A firm's cyclical nature will often be the driver in a request for an over advance - a classic example is when sales are slower but there is a need for inventory build-up due to seasonality. In other cases a borrower might be viewing an opportunity to acquire a large amount of product at special pricing.




At 7 Park Avenue Finacial, we strive to provide a balanced approached to the bank vs non-bank credit line facility debate.

So it's important for ABL borrowers to understand that the cost of business credit lines in the asset based lending environment will almost always be more expensive, and must be factored into the final borrowing decision. Many companies feel that need to constantly update their reporting places some level of burden on the company. Asset based credit lines provide the lender with the ability to control the business cash account when the borrowing base is lower than the approved operating line of credit amount.



Asset credit lines also differ substantially from a bank business loan in that they will almost always lend against your fixed assets as a part of your borrowing line. That's a key difference, especially in companies that are capital intensive.


If you're looking to ensure your search for operating finance and a business credit line operating loan is a boom, and not a bust, seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your operating loan and corporate loan 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. He is an experienced

business financing consultant

.

Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.


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


Click here for the business finance track record of 7 Park Avenue Financial







Stan Prokop
7 Park Avenue Financial/Copyright/2020

Business Credit Line Operating Loan Solutions Canada

Buying And Financing A Business Acquisition . Loans To Finance Existing Businesses

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INFORMATION ABOUT BUSINESS ACQUISITION FINANCING - BUYING AND FINANCING A BUSINESS IN CANADA

Buying and financing a business acquisition is one of the major challenges of firms in the SME (Small and medium enterprise) sector in Canada.
Unlike the big boys who have access and funds available to hire expensive talent to complete the transaction the Canadian SME business owner and financial manager has the desire to complete a transaction , but needs help and information they traditionally don't have immediate access to .

Naturally acquisitions can be completed via an all cash purchase, the reality is that most businesses don' have the capital to complete a deal in that manner. And another thing, completing a transaction without acquisition loans and funding doesn't make perfect sense all the time because you are not taking advantage of leverage and return on investment.

So what information is in fact required as you are contemplating buying that firm? Is there in fact a ' short list ' of information? A great start would be some basics such as a business plan or executive summary which profiles the transaction.

Other critical data are the financial statements of the firm you are acquiring, some cash flow analysis, and most importantly, some financial modeling around the future profitability and cash flow generation of the combined business.

It’s those cash flows of course that will repay your business acquisition loans and financing!

A key concept around your deal is the equity component in the transaction. There has to be some reasonable equity in the combined firm, and that can come from your firm, the assets of the firm you are acquiring, or potentially some new equity and ownership participation.

So what can go wrong in a transaction like this? Well without the assistance or information we have spoken of, lots!

Timing is always a key component of your deal. The closing of your transaction can be driven by external deadlines, the deadlines imposed by the seller, or your own commitments to closing. Bottom line, leave enough time - it’s as simple as that.

A lot of transactions we look at have some huge ' gaps ' of missing information. To complete a proper purchase and financing a business acquisition properly with the right amount of loans, debt, etc requires all the missing pieces in the financial puzzle to be on the table.

So how can the acquisition be financed? There are some great and innovative strategies you can utilize to complete a deal successfully. They include and asset based lending scenario which monetizes the assets of the sellers firm. Smaller transactions under 350k can be efficiently handled via the Canadian CSBF loan program which has solid rates, terms and structures.

Business people need to remember also that you need to borrow enough to not only acquire the business, but to ensure you have the working capital and access to liquidity to grow the firm.

There are some great reasons to consider buying and financing a business. Some typical reasons include diversification, the ability to grow sales and reduce costs on a synergistic basis, and in some cases you just might have discovered a ' jewel in the barn ' - the type of firm that is undervalued or has a motivated seller.

Your key goals are to analyze the operating activities of the firm to be acquired, ensure you have a financing plan in place, and, as we said ensure you have the capital ready to ensure proper cash flow and replacement and upgrade of any needed assets.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your business acquisition loans 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

ABL Asset Based Finance

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How To Recognize These Early Warning Signs For Your Need for The New Paradigm In Revolving Lines Of Credit

ABL asset based finance can be the solution for business revolving lines of credit when your current finance strategy isn't working. And what are those early warning signs? They include situations where your financing currently just isn’t working due to financial challenges you have experienced in the past. They also include acquisition scenarios, turnarounds, and the proverbial double edged sword, high growth.

The simple reality is that although the ABL credit lines have essentially the same goal they in fact get to that goal line in a very different manner. Both the chartered bank facility as well as the ABL line provide you with a bridge for financing from the time you receive customer payments while all the while generating expenses.

Receivables are often the primary component of an ABL strategy. The ABL facility is not capped, so as your sales grow so can the facility, it’s as simple as that. All of this might seem similar to a bank solution, so whets the real difference. One is in fact margining, in that asset based lines of credit, with respect to the a/r component, are usually margined at 90% - typically the bank is at 75%. Although the reporting is generally stricter with ABL the reality is that the tradeoff is significant, you can borrow more and are not focused on staying within any pre set credit limit.

Many clients we talk to don't understand the daily mechanics of how the asset based lender operates given they are not a bank. (The ABL is generally not a bank, but it actually can be sometimes). The typical way this is handled is via a separate blocked account where all the deposits you receive are handled separately from your operating account. Simply speaking you get money from the ABL via your operating account, and your receipts go into the other account. Naturally both accounts are fluctuating all the time.

While some of these terms and the actual ABL facility itself might seem ' new ' the reality is that this type of financing has been happening for decades in the U.S. and is enjoying more popularity everyday. In effect it has become ' mainstream'.

While we have focused on receivables as one component of the ABL strategy the other parts are inventory, equipment, and even real estate. All of these are neatly combined into one revolving facility, enhancing your overall borrowing power. The fact that they are margined at much higher rates than a chartered bank facility simply becomes a ' win ' for your firm.

While banks focus on profits and cash flow, which sometimes are difficult to achieve! the ABL asset based finance revolving lines of credit focus on Assets! Therefore typical bank requirements such as debt to equity, tangible net worth, cash flow coverage, etc simply don’t apply in ABL finance.

ABL can cost more (it can also cost less by the way), and as we noted it require more reporting to your ABL partner. However, if it can provide solutions to growth, turnaround, acquisition, and survival we think it certainly merits your investigation. Often times the higher price of the facility can easily be offset by proper usage of funds to generate profits and savings.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor if you with to look at the new paradigm in business line of credit.


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

Don’t Make Mistakes In Sources Of Capital And Financing For A Canadian Business Loan. Debt Or Equity? What’s Best?

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INFORMATION ON SOURCES OF BUSINESS FINANCING IN CANADA

You're looking for sources of capital and financing for you Canadian business. A Loan? An equity arrangement? A monetization of assets ? What works best is of course the nagging question that continuously faces Canadian business owners and financial managers.

Many Canadian businesses who contemplate equity type arrangements simply aren’t ready, and it’s also the most expensive form of financing when you consider the ownership dilution that comes with that strategy.

There is usually never an easy or obvious method to get rid of financial challenges. In fact if you're looking at bank financing, which is of course ' debt ' you may well find that the bank feels that more equity from yourself is in fact required in order to obtain that debt. That's a bit ironic sometimes!

Are there any tools available to help the Canadian business owner understand both the cost of debt and equity? There are, of course.

Whenever any Canadian firm looks for financing outside the business there is a cost to the owners. Naturally if you borrow in terms of term debt the additional interest financing costs reduce profits. Selling equity of course reduces no profit, but, and it’s a big one, ownership is proportionately reduced.

We are always preaching to clients that many forms of business financing outside of equity in act do not reduce earnings if in fact you're monetizing assets and have a healthy turnover in key areas such as receivables, inventory and fixed assets relative to overall sales. That’s why we're big proponents of strategies such as A/R financing, supply chain financing, asset based lines of credit, etc.

Earnings and cash flow analysis is a solid way of evaluating debt and equity alternatives.

What then are the key areas you should always focus on when it comes to debt vs. equity analysis? Some solid ones are overall risk with respect to your ability to make payments under any debt scenario.

And whether its debt or equity consider what flexibility you have with respect to any covenants the lender or equity partner might insist on. Always watch your leverage, there is only so much debt your firm can manage and handle.

The irony in either borrowing or looking for some equity is that you're usually in one of two positions, success, or failure! That one never escapes us, as we meet clients who are successful and have a need to finance new growth or expansion, of alternatively, they are currently losing money and have some real deficiencies in their company that need to be fixed.

When you are looking for debt you can be sure the lender will focus on
working capital coverage, leverage, and operating efficiencies. Equity lenders will focus on management, growth potential, and why your business is unique.

If you want to properly understand available sources of capital when it comes to business financing, a loan, or an equity arrangement consider speaking 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


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

8 Reasons To Consider Canadian Receivables Finance

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INFORMATION ON RECEIVABLES FINANCE IN CANADA

Receivables Finance! said the client. ‘Give me one good reason why .... ' We hear that one a lot , so we'll do one better and provide him, or her with 8 solid business reasons to consider an account receivable service for your
cash flow financing needs .

Reason # 1 is simply growth... one of the ultimate ironies we have found in business financing is that many clients are punished for growing. Generally of course that's growing too fast and traditional banking in Canada somewhat dislikes high growth.

But tell that to the entrepreneur who has been building his or her company, or working forever on that major contract or sale. We have said it before and we'll say it again, a surefire method to generate positive cash flow immediately is to slow down sales and accelerate collections. You'll be flush with cash, but guess what, you won’t be growing and that’s the dream of most entrepreneurs and business owners.

A/R finance likes, no, scratch that, loves! growth. In fact under most facilities you will enter into for this method of Canadian business financing you are automatically approved for whatever level of financing you need, as long as you have the sales and resultant receivables to back up your request.

Reason # 2- the ability to purchase smarter and harder. With the cash on hand from your instant a/r collections via receivables finance you are in a position to negotiate better pricing with key suppliers, giving them at the same time the assurance you will pay .

Reason # 3 - This is a powerful but often overlooked one. It's simply your new found ability to take prompt payment discounting, typically 2%, off major purchases. That reduces the cost of an accounts receivable service significantly.

Reason # 4- Timing and speed. A solid A/R facility financing can usually be put in place within a week or two. Compare that to the time it takes to set up a bank facility with all the requirements imposed by Chartered banks in Canada, which by the way also include profitability, personal guarantees, potential outside collateral, etc .

Reason # 5 - This one is a bit tricky. Under traditional A/R finance in Canada utilizing the popular U.S. model the finance firm takes over all your collections, after all they have purchased the receivable. That reduces collections costs and focus by the Canadian business owner.

That’s all good, but we'll point out that our favorite and in fact recommended facility is a confidential invoice financing, wherein you bill and collect your own receivables and sales. So in this case opting for our recommended solution would in fact not save you the burden of collections and customer interfacing.

Reason # 6 - You're in control. In Canadian A/R finance you are under no obligation to finance all your A/R, so you only pay for financing you use, when you need it. That’s flexibility. Many bank facilities have standby and usages fees that kick in when the facility is not used. That’s not the case with Canadian accounts receivable service finance.

Reason # 7 - Customers who have liabilities with Canada Revenue for source deductions, H.S.T. etc and in fact use their a/r advances to clear up these federal and onerous obligations . That's a good thing, as the tax man should be on your side, not at the door!

Finally, reason # 8. It's basically the concept of the bridge. View receivables finance as your temporary bridge to a more traditional financing. A properly constructed facility should have little or no contractual obligations, allowing you to move on to another method of financing that might come with a lower cost.

There are numerous other reasons to consider A/R finance as a business financing strategy for Canadian business owners and financial managers... We have touched on some of the key ones, but further investigation by you will no doubt lead to other potential benefits.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in implementing a facility 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

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.