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 purchase financing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business purchase financing. Show all posts

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Best Business Acquisition Financing to Buying A Business ?





How to Use Business Acquisition Financing to Buying A Business














When business owners and entrepreneurs make the decision to buy an existing business they need some solid info around how to finance the transaction . So what are in fact the best ways to execute your strategy on business purchase financing?

In many situations clients tell us they often have the ' inside track' on a business or company that would accept a good offer based on the current situation of the seller. There are of course various reasons for sellers wishing to divest of their business - these days succession and management buyouts are popular reasons.

Obviously there exists key reasons why buying an established company is a solid way to execute on your business plans . Most of those reasons are obvious:

Existing revenue and profits

Experienced management and personnel already in place

Elimination of start up risk

Etc. !



In many cases some seller financing may in fact prove to be critical in financing your deal. Previous owners remain in a subordinate position via whats known as a vendor take back, and often the skills an expertise of the seller are valuable in early stages of the takeover.

A debate sometimes exists, but most experts believe it is easier to arrange funding for an established business. When cash flow and sales are positive they play a key role in establishing the ability to repay business acquisition loans of various types. In many cases franchises are part of todays acquiring of businesses - they have brand and reputation already place.

The concept of valuation is key in purchasing a company . Higher valuations might in fact mean you have to finance goodwill when most lenders prefer asset financing solutions

We should point out that many businesses that are purchases are in some form of ' distress' . Here valuations are often attractive but the buyer must demonstrate confidence around ' the turnaround'. Valuations can be made through the buyers own expertise, or you can use the services of qualified business valuators.

What are the key issues in valuation and financing ? They include:

Quality of financials

Revenue trends

Cash flow and working capital positions ( Throwing off cash is better than using cash !)


When we work with clients we spend a lot of time ' normalizing' those financials to ensure the right assumptions and costs are in place.


Business acquisition finance can be facilitate through term loans from traditional and alternative sources, government loans, asset based loans, and cash flow loans.


Seek out and speak to a
trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor
with a track record of success in how to finance business acquisitions.





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 !






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.



Friday, September 28, 2018

Do You Know How To Raise Cash For Financing A Business Purchase Acquisition?














Hitting a Bull’s Eye In Canadian business acquisition financing!


Information on raising cash and debt financing for your business purchase acquisition in Canada



When financing a business purchase acquisition it kind of comes, fortunately or otherwise, to the fact that ' size counts '! . So the cash you need will directly relate to the size of the business you are financing, as well as the asset quality.

Naturally how the company you are purchasing and raising cash for is doing play a key element, as often less cash is required and the focus is on financing remaining assets. So a solid rule of thumb to keep in mind is simply that the amount of cash and ' finance power ' you need is very directly related to your targets situation on profitability. In other words a lot less real cash is required if a company is not profitable or barely breaking even. That certainly makes the job easier, right?

In talking to clients about financing a business purchase we often feel they are focusing solely on the purchase, and not on the on going capital and cash flow needs of your newly acquired business.

We also have to consider the fact that raising cash for a business might often be more feasible if you have a strategic partner or other equity investor. That unfortunately will dilute your equity position but might be realistically the best course of action. And it does certainly allow you to purchase and fund a business with less ' monetary' contribution to the deal.

In the case of larger transactions Canadian business people might well look to a private equity partner in the deal. Their assistance in helping you complete an equity investment, as well as their experience in any specific industry is of course a valuable consideration. And to sum up the whole issue of getting either a strategic or operating partner or private equity group we can simply say that often times this might well add credibility and realism to your offer in the eyes of the seller.


Bank financing in Canada is available to finance business acquisitions. You or your Canadian business financing partner needs to address the following issues at this point:

A concise overview of how you will run the business - i.e. management depth, experience, etc

You need to ensure the industry your business is in is ' in favor ' when it comes to a bank appetite

Your business plan and projections have to be realistic relative to cash and working capital resources re operations and growth

In a perfect world - and we know it's not! You want to be in a position to demonstrate sales growth, profits, and a balance sheet that hopefully won’t have a debt/ equity ratio of 3:1 as an example. And your assets such as inventory and receivables should demonstrate borrowing power quality.

Other ways to finance your business purchase include asset based lending, bridge loans, use of sale leasebacks, and even the government SBL loan if the business has under 5 Million in revenue.

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor when it comes to a capital raise for a business purchase acquisition 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

Office
= 905 829 2653

Email
= sprokop@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.



Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Business Purchase Financing Tips : End The Confusion On The Type Of Loan You Need To Buy A Company















Conventional and alternative solutions to business acquisition financing in Canada.


Information on business purchase financing in Canada . When you buy a business or competitor what type of loan and financial approach is required . Key issues to consider and focus on





We've spoken of buying a business and the types of purchase financing and loan that will help you accomplish that goal.

If you are using a more traditional approach and utilizing a Canadian chartered bank to finance the purchase we highlighted key elements of a successful close - management depth and experience, a strong business plan, and solid financial projections.

Don't forget also that typically in a more traditional process, i.e. through a bank you will also be required to provide personal financials and the guarantees that come with that. At the end of the day you want to be viewed as an owner or management team that has a strategy and objective, and that you are going to truly focus on growth and profits.

That issue of personal guarantees always comes up in client discussions. While we can in a general sense that any business purchase in the SME sector in Canada will come with that personal guarantee of the owner we can also quite safely say that you have some negotiating power on that issue that you might not know you had.

Are there any alternatives in the whole issue of the personal guarantee? We can offer up that different banks and finance firms have different focuses on the personal guarantee, and the reality is that if you are dealing with an experienced credible banker that has credibility with the bank underwriters you definitely have someone on your side in this issue.

As a final comment you can focus on some restrictions to your guarantee commitment, and you can even have a long term objective with your banker of then focusing on a release of the guarantee sometime in the future.

When we get down to the actual finance structure of your transaction it's critical to focus on the key assets of the business - accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, and in some cases real estate. One key issue that you want to determine early on is the issue of ' concentration ‘... for example if a huge part of the business volume is coming from one or two customers. This ' concentration ' issue alone can sometimes make or break your financing on the deal.

Cash flow is the solution that will take you to the goal line if there are not enough assets to complete the financing. On the other hand if cash flow is light or poor the actual assets might be the one element that allows you to successfully complete a purchase.

At a time like this it's actually useful to have a short list of the key elements that a bank or finance firm will focus on when it comes to approving your transaction - In ' old school ' terms they will be character and management depth, cash flow, collateral, current financial condition, and growth plans.

If you can't, or choose not to finance the business purchase through a bank numerous other solutions are available. They include temporary bridge loans, and asset based loan, unsecured cash flow loans, and receivable and inventory financing firms. Never forget you have the option to go ' ' conventional' or ‘alternative’.

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with the right type of loan when you buy a firm and are seeking business purchase financing.






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

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.





Friday, December 11, 2015

Business Purchase Financing In Canada : Winning Tactics To Buy A Company Successfully




Smart Strategies To Finance A Business Purchase In Canada





OVERVIEW – Information on business purchase financing in Canada. Numerous options to buy and finance a company are available to owner/entrepreneurs





Business purchase financing in Canada

requires ' smart' strategies to complete a transaction that make sense for both the buyer and the seller. In fact there are some proven winning tactics to effectively complete acquiring a business - even your competitor! Let's dig in.

Whether purchasers like it or not the amount and type of financing capital you can raise will often have a dramatic effect on the size of company you are looking to purchase, or merge with. We're talking of course of a combination of both debt and owner equity.

Of course valuation methods differ on that ultimate purchase price, and valuing a business from both the sellers and buyers perspective is an entire conversation for another day - suffice to say that good deals are completed when a fair purchase price is agreed upon.

If one expectation is clear in business purchase finance it's that there must be a reasonable amount of both debt and owner equity. As important is the fact that different types of finance will require more owner equity. When using bank financing it is safe to assume a good level of owner equity/down payment will arise.

When buying a company that has profit and financial challenges the purchase price will more often than not be very attractive - the challenge being ' the turnaround required.

In many cases sellers are willing to participate in the sale of the business to you. That's known as the 'VTB ' - the vendor take back and can be a strategic part of your overall financing plan.
Caveat Emptor - while the majority of banks or commercial finance companies view vendor take backs as quasi equity, in some cases this might simply be viewed as another form of debt - therefore subject to all those same capital/ debt equity issues .







What are the key elements of positioning your purchase of a company for a commercial finance company or bank? They include:

A solid business plan and operating strategy

A clear overview of the industry (which hopefully is not ' out of favor ' currently)

Ownership/mgmt experience

A financing plan for sales/ growth and profits


What then are the key mechanisms used to finance a business purchase? Note also that some of the finance strategies listed below is often a combination of financings depending upon how complex or large your transaction is -

Business Purchase Finance Solutions:

Canadian chartered bank term loans

Mezzanine financing / Cash Flow Loans

Asset based term loans or non bank business credit lines

Sale leasebacks / Equipment financing

Govt of Canada Guaranteed Small Business Loans


If you're looking to buy a company and want to ensure you've got a winning finance strategy in place seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you with your needs.


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing. Info & Contact Details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


7 Park Avenue Financial

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

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '



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.







Sunday, December 30, 2012

Business Purchase Financing Tips . End The Confusion On The Type Of Loan You Need To Buy A Company








Conventional and alternative solutions to business acquisition financing in Canada.

OVERVIEW – Information on business purchase financing in Canada . When you buy a business or competitor what type of loan and financial approach is required . Key issues to consider and focus on.



We've spoken of buying a business and the types of purchase financing and loan that will help you accomplish that goal.

If you are using a more traditional approach and utilizing a Canadian chartered bank to finance the purchase we highlighted key elements of a successful close - management depth and experience, a strong business plan, and solid financial projections.

Don't forget also that typically in a more traditional process, i.e. through a bank you will also be required to provide personal financials and the guarantees that come with that. At the end of the day you want to be viewed as an owner or management team that has a strategy and objective, and that you are going to truly focus on growth and profits.

That issue of personal guarantees always comes up in client discussions. While we can in a general sense that any business purchase in the SME sector in Canada will come with that personal guarantee of the owner we can also quite safely say that you have some negotiating power on that issue that you might not know you had.

Are there any alternatives in the whole issue of the personal guarantee? We can offer up that different banks and finance firms have different focuses on the personal guarantee, and the reality is that if you are dealing with an experienced credible banker that has credibility with the bank underwriters you definitely have someone on your side in this issue.

As a final comment you can focus on some restrictions to your guarantee commitment, and you can even have a long term objective with your banker of then focusing on a release of the guarantee sometime in the future.

When we get down to the actual finance structure of your transaction it's critical to focus on the key assets of the business - accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, and in some cases real estate. One key issue that you want to determine early on is the issue of ' concentration ‘... for example if a huge part of the business volume is coming from one or two customers. This ' concentration ' issue alone can sometimes make or break your financing on the deal.

Cash flow is the solution that will take you to the goal line if there are not enough assets to complete the financing. On the other hand if cash flow is light or poor the actual assets might be the one element that allows you to successfully complete a purchase.

At a time like this it's actually useful to have a short list of the key elements that a bank or finance firm will focus on when it comes to approving your transaction - In ' old school ' terms they will be character and management depth, cash flow, collateral, current financial condition, and growth plans.

If you can't, or choose not to finance the business purchase through a bank numerous other solutions are available. They include :

temporary bridge loans

An asset based loan or non-bank credit line

unsecured cash flow loans

receivable and inventory financing

Never forget you have the option to go ' ' conventional' or ‘alternative’.

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with the right type of loan when you buy a firm and are seeking business purchase financing.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN BUSINESS PURCHASE FINANCING AND LOAN EXPERTISE





Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/business-purchase-financing-buy-loan.html






7 Park Avenue Financial

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com




















Friday, June 29, 2012

Looking For Business Purchase Financing In Canada ?. Buying An Existing Company? Finance and Buy Tips .



Benefits And Tips On Canadian Acquisition Financing

Information on business purchase financing in Canada . Buying an existing company ? Tips on how to finance and buy a business.



Business purchase financing. When you or your firm has made the decision about buying an existing business in Canada you need some solid information around how to finance your transaction.

Why buy a business in the first place. Many clients we speak to are fortunate enough to have what we might call an ' inside track' on a company or business that would accept a favorable offer based on current situation.

The obvious benefits around our ability to buy a business that is established already is simply the fact that there’s a revenue stream, a client base, and assets and location that are already in place . That certainly beats a start up scenario and all the work and challenges that go with that.

Also, business purchase financing also has the ability to structure a financing deal with the owner remaining in a subordinate position via a VTB, i.e. a vendor take back. Naturally the skills and expertise of the owner and current management team might also have a significant value to your own efforts to grow the business, at lease for an interim period.

Is it easier to arrange funding for an established business versus an existing business? There's never a clear answer to that one, but many people do believe your chances of success are much higher when you buy an established concern; and if you're a lender looking at a transaction such as this it also means you're more positive than negative, wouldn't one think?

Naturally cash flows and profits of an existing business are positive in the context that you can demonstrate immediate cash flows and profits to repay loan financing. In some cases you might be purchasing a franchise and you will need the support of the franchisor to make that acquisition. Once again the ' branding ' and ' reputation' around that franchise is clearly positive as opposed to negative.

Valuation is a challenge when it comes to both purchase and financing when buying a business. A higher valuation will mean you might have to finance a goodwill component, which is difficult in an asset based transaction. On the other side of the coin we meet clients who are interested in buying a distressed business that has been trending down - valuation is cheap and they believe they can engineer a turnaround. Easier said than done sometimes.

Valuations on the business can be supplied by the owner, or you can arrange your own through a qualified advisor or appraiser. That's particularly important when it comes to an asset based business.

Key issues to consider in the valuation and financing of the business are quality of the financials, revenue trends, cash flow generation - i.e. does the business use cash or throw off cash? ( The latter is better!) You or your accountant and advisor need to ' normalize ' the financials, making the assumptions on how the business costs will look after you take ownership.

In Canada businesses can be financed with term loans, asset based lending, franchise financing if applicable, and even the Government Small Business Loan if its a smaller transaction under 350K.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on how to properly structure and complete buying a business in Canada.


7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN BUSINESS PURCHASE FINANCING EXPERTISE




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

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