Getting Debt Financing Right Doesn’t Have To Involve Crazy Risks: From Short Term Loans To Asset Finance Monetization

The Hunt For Debt Financing In Canada

OVERVIEW – Information on debt financing in Canada . From short term loans to revolving credit facilities Canadian entrepreneurs and business people seek finance solutions that will work for their needs



Debt financing in Canada , whether it's short term loans, asset financing, and other traditional and alternative finance forms requires some solid understanding of who's involved and what's involved. Let's dig in.

Business owners and financial managers feel a lot more comfortable taking on debt ( versus raising equity ) when they understand they have negotiating ability while at the same time recognizing that are terms and other requirements that come with debt.

As we have noted debt is the opposite of your other form of capital - that's equity of course. While no one form of financing is all perfect all the time debt finance via short term loans, etc has significant advantages. The bottom line on that is, of course, that using debt properly allows the owner /manager to grow the company with appropriate leverage.

And that's without giving up the ownership you forsake in considering equity dilution.

When looking at a debt solution one other advantage is that there is always and end in sight via repayment, cash flow assessment, etc - again our bottom line is you can plan on retiring debt a lot more easier than equity takeouts.

One solid way for the business owner/financial manager to look at debt asset finance solutions is to assess them from the point of view of restrictions - i.e. what they can and can't do by utilizing the covenants and ration requirements that come with any single form of debt - for example a senior term loan with a bank.

We're big supporters of hybrid type solutions; one good example is asset based lines of credit that may or may not contain a term loan component. While you do take on ' debt ' at the same time you have corresponding assets such as inventory, equipt. and receivables that offset the entire obligation. Some owners might even agree to a small equity component to a debt deal that makes sense for their business. In corporate terms this is known as a warrant / option, etc.

While debt financing can be secured or unsecured. Whatever the case it's always going to come down to your cash flow - historical, present, and thank god... projected! That cash flow will often be the key component in the bank or commercial finance company's decision to grant business credit. If debt is unsecured we can only say that the ownership/management better be able to prove good credit quality. Unfortunately unsecured debt typically is only being achieved by firms with great combinations of cash flow, clean balance sheets and healthy profits.

Canadian firms who can accurately demonstrate and project sales, asset quality, and turnover of current assets are always in a better position to take on any form of business debt. The lender will of course make their own assumptions on the quality of your overall business credit situation.

If we had to identify one mistake our clients often made it's that they chased the wrong financing sources for the type of debt or asset monetization they really need. Talk about a false start

in business that's both expensive and time consuming.










If you want to isolate the identify the types of debt financing via short term loans or other methods of business finance seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your finance 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 - 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 ? :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Debt Financing Solutions






CONTACT:

7 Park Avenue Financial

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

Phone = 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

Stan Prokop

Debt Financing . What Factors Determine The Type Of Business Funding

Financing Via Debt


OVERVIEW – Information on the advantages and potential risk of debt financing in Canada . Factors that determine business funding when non equity solutions are required to fund Canadian firms.



Debt financing. When it comes to business funding that is ' non equity ' in nature the business owner and manager can benefit from a number of business financing solutions. A good solid way to begin is to ensure which solutions are available and to ensure you understand the pros and cons of each.

When it comes to debt finance solutions it's paramount to remember that the lender, finance firm, bank etc is not sharing profits and is at risk - as such pretty well their only focus is getting paid!

In a way that’s the benefit, i.e. one of our ‘pros’ of taking on debt - You know exactly what conditions and rates come with the loan ( hopefully!) - It's just up to you to ensure you have the cash flow to repay. So broadly speaking, you're very much in control, unlike being at the whims of an equity investor.

Let's recap some of the key sources of debt financing in Canada - they include:

Bank loans
Government Small business loans
Leasing
Mortgages

Also included in our list are:

Inventory financing
Receivables factoring
Asset based credit lines
Tax Credit Monetization
Supply Chain /PO Finance

These latter 5 monetize current assets so they are in fact a bit of a hybrid.

Most companies very quickly discover that no firm can be properly financed with 100% debt, so it’s important to keep in mind the relationship between debt and equity. That equity in fact becomes the business owners risk and that’s why it's probably also prudent to manage your debt load.

What factors affect a company's ability to get debt financing? In smaller to medium sized firms the actual credit status and history of the owners is very important.

Is size important in debt financing? It sure is! Many firms constantly struggle to acquire more debt based on their growth needs. We can pretty well guarantee to clients that if the proper cash flow projections aren't available, realistic and accurate that not a lot of debt financing is going to take place.

Rates are of course critical in debt financing, and are typically commensurate with the risk profile of your firm, as well as the nature of the firm or bank you are dealing with. The same pretty well goes for collateral, whether that is personal or corporate as a ' back up ' to the debt financing facility.

It's critical to exercise diligence and caution when taking on debt for your firm. Just the actual ratio of debt to equity is a good number to always monitor ... 2 times debt to equity is a commonly respected ratio. When it’s higher than that you're force to generate extra cash just to pay and service that debt.

We're pretty sure that we make debt sound like somewhat of a burden. That is not the case though, as the right amount of debt and overall leverage can make your company more successful, and if there is one guarantee in life it’s that debt is cheaper than equity. And remember also that there are a number of non bank firms that can supply the debt you need if you are rejected by our Canadian banking system.


In many cases rates and size of the loan or loans you seek might be appropriate but the overall conditions the loan demands may not be suitable. That's when you might well seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your debt financing and funding needs.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN DEBT 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 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/debt-financing-business-funding.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








Stan Prokop

Is There A Perfect Debt Financing ? Achieving Business Loans And Rates And Structures That Make Sense For Your Company

Looking For An Answer To The Right Business Loan Question?

OVERVIEW – Information on debt financing and business loans in Canada . What rates and structures work best for your firm ?




Not getting debt financing right in Canadian business finance can destroy a lot of prospects your company might have - we suppose it could also destroy your firm... period! So the right amount of debt, and business loans and rates your firm can manage is critical to long term success.

When credit is of course available it’s both easy and tempting to take on more debt. In fact if you have done that in 2008 right around the time the global economy imploded we are pretty sure there was some sledding at that time.

Of course it’s all about having the right objective in mind when your firm contemplates more capital. In some cases thought its not necessarily additional debt on the balance sheet that is going to get you more cash flow - you might also find that simply monetizing assets without taking on debt gets to the goal line just as fast... and in better shape!

Part of the temptation of debt is that your firm will miss opportunities along the way if you don't ' bulk up ' on capital. So that’s when some pretty basic questions come into play. They are as follows -

What in fact is the right amount of debt for your company to take on and manage?

Do you need to totally change your outlook on your capital structure - i.e. the right amount of debt and equity?

Can your projected cash flows sustain debt?


It is safe to say that if your firm has a lower debt level then you're probably more comfortable in managing through challenges. The more sophisticated finance folks tell us that the amount of carefully managed debt simply increases your overall returns - that’s a good thing. But when your debt levels are too high via business loans and rates that severely affect your cash flow the perception can easily arise, from customers and suppliers, that you are... well ' in trouble '.
It also is safe to say with the wrong amount of debt your firm is more prone not to be able to make new investments in capital, research, and marketing. Once suppliers start cutting you off that forces you to react with a new behavior to inventories you are carrying, thereby affecting sales and revenues. The finance books tell us tor most firms that a 2:1 ratio, o relationship of debt to equity is the right mix. That varies of course between different industry segments.
A good way of looking at new business loans, rates, and other debt alternatives is for the Canadian business owner and financial manager to simply as ' what could go wrong '?

Many clients are pleasantly surprised to hear they can monetize assets to increase cash flow and business opportunities. This can be done by:

Receivable financing
Asset based credit lines
Sale leasebacks
Financing Tax Credits
Supply chain / PO Finance


So... a bottom line? Simply that debt financing comes with risks and rewards, a classic case of Caveat Emptor. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in maximizing the right debt finance and asset monetization strategies

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN DEBT FINANCING AND ASSET MONETIZATION 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/debt-financing-business-loans-rates.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

Sources Of Canadian Business Capital And Debt Financing

Financing Solutions For Growth ( And Survival ) In Canada


Information on sources of business capital in Canada . The proper choice in equity and debt financing helps guarantee success for Canadian business owners / managers





Businesses that are growing require sources of capital. The capital in a company of course comes from the owner or borrowed funds. Generally speaking business owners prefer to borrow rather than sell equity in the company, as that sale of equity dilutes the ownership position, i.e. they own less of the pie!

Debt vs. Equity


New equity can come from friends and family, venture capital firms, and angel investors. These parties are looking for good management, integrity, owner financial stake, and growth potential.



However, in the current difficult financial environment many lenders are in fact insisting that business owners put more of their own money into the company. There is never an easy answer when it comes to the debt or equity question.

When businesses borrow funds there is a cost to that capital - as interest on that debt reduces over-all profits. New equity in the company of course does not reduce those earnings, however the profits are distributed more widely and the earnings are proportionately reduced.


Borrowing funds of course comes with risk, as those loans must be repaid. Business owners sometimes get caught in the trap of financing long term projects with short term money - they are therefore at the mercy of having to always roll over that debt, and potentially also seeing rates go up, sometimes dramatically. Also, a business can carry only so much debt, at which point cash flow becomes a potential problem if the company is over leveraged.


Currently rates are very low for businesses that have access to capital. Therefore in many cases it might make sense to lock into longer term loans in the current attractive rate environment.


When the business owner has made the decision to purse business loans the old Boy Scout model works very well - BE PREPARED! Business owners that do their homework will usually be successful. Lets not forget the banks and finance firms are actually in business to loan funds. Naturally collateral, or additional collateral certainly improves the chances of debt financing success and loan approval.


Debt and equity financing as a sources of capital should be used for the right reasons - expansion, seasonality of business, increased inventory and working capital that will increase sales. Funds that need to address business inadequacies such as poor management, financial losses, falling sales, etc are very difficult to come by!




Solutions for debt capital include :

Real Estate / Asset Leasebacks
Bridge Loans
Term Loans
Government Loans
Unsecured Cash Flow Loans/sub debt


Additionally assets can be monetized without the necessary addition of debt ; These include:


Receivable Inventory Financing ( or combinations thereof )
Supply chain financing
Royalty finance
Tax Credit Monetization

In summary, business owners should carefully consider the positive and negative effects of additional debt or equity capital. Once they have made an informed decision, either on their own or with a credible, experienced and trusted Canadian business advisor they should consider the cost of that capital and how it is best achieved.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN BUSINESS CAPITAL 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_capital_debt_financing.html

Debt Financing And Business Liquidity For Canadian Companies

Canadian business financing debt solutions – Is Now The Time?


Information on debt financing and business liquidity solutions for Canadian companies . Assessing and managing debt load.



Debt financing for your Canadian business. Should you... and when? That’s the key questions the Canadian business owner and financial manager takes a look at when assessing business liquidity.

No one is going to argue that the focus should not be on profits, but the reality is that if you have too much business debt, or aren’t properly monetizing current assets you're going to be in a situation where the last of your concerns are going to be profits, you'll in fact be fighting for business survival.

Notwithstanding the type of debt your company needs it’s in fact the level of that debt that is going to be the key focus of any financing partner you're looking at. That partner’s focus is very clear: getting repaid!

So are there in fact some ways you as a business owner or manager can determine what the right amount of debt is? Ultimately it's a case of ensuring that business liquidity is there to properly augment future business success.

We point out to clients that there is not magic formula for the right amount of debt; there are some industry standards though and that relates to the fact that different industries and business models require different amounts, and types, of debt financing.

The average business owner thinks of ' the bank ' when it comes to measuring debt. They are of course the masters of ratios (we have always preferred to call them relationships) and the covenants that come with those ratios. We're also not necessarily in agreement if some of those rations and calculations accurately reflect whats going on!?

Case in point? The proverbial ' current ratio ' which many bankers and lenders focus on as a key measurement of debt and business liquidity. By going to your balance sheet and taking current assets and dividing them by current liabilities we're told that a 2:1 ratio is generally desirable, and that higher is better. But our point? It's simply this in fact might be a poor measurement if receivables and inventories are growing... BUT NOT TURNING!

Debt financing in Canada brings interest repayment. That's where interest coverage comes in - you want to be in a position to generate enough positive cash flow, at a minimum, to repay that debt. The quick formula if net income plus deprecation divided by interest expense. Here to the bankers tell us that 1:25 to 1 is a desired ratio that reflects positive business liquidity.

The total debt you carry in relation to your equity in the company is a very valid discussion point when it comes to your ability to achieve the amount of debt financing you need. And how you use that borrowed money, via leverage, is also key.

So whats our take away today when it comes to accessing the right amount of debt via business liquidity solutions Simply that you do need to understand how debt financing is score carded , by your lenders and yourself as an owner .
Using debt properly won’t put you in a cash crunch and will allow you to grow your business.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on sourcing debt financing that makes sense for your business liquidity needs. That might include bank debt, cash flow loans, equipment financing, subordinated debt, or merger and acquisition financing. It's score carding and measuring that’s the trick!

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

CANADIAN DEBT 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/debt_financing_business_liquidity.html

Creative Debt Financing Sources For Canadian Business . Canada Business Loans And Monetization Strategies

Debt Financing In Canada


Information on sources of debt financing in Canada . Business Loans In Canada for the right reason !



Debt financing sources in Canada. Most business owners and financial managers would agree that a little creativity can sometimes go a long way in helping a business achieve the stability and financial resources a business need to succeed.

Let's take a quick ' tour ' around some of those sources which include term loans, leases, and some other less known types of financing.

The reality is of course that different sources of debt meet different needs, so you need a sense of the ' lay of the land' when you're evaluating solutions.

It's also all about not ' wasting time ' and there is no better example of this in Canada than spending a lot of time, and in some case dollars in pursuing Chartered bank financing in Canada that will not happen .

Canada's chartered banks are the backbone of Canadian business finance. They are trusted proven providers of capital... if, and it’s a huge if, you can meet their criteria. However in fast moving or tough economies, while the banks would in fact be the best solution for you business, the reality is that on occasion they aren't suited to very specific needs.

Are there some quick ways to evaluate your ability to positive secure bank debt? There definitely are, and if you feel you can meet 4 - 5 key criteria then you should absolutely pursue Chartered bank debt in Canada.

What are those criteria then? Simply speaking they are profits, assets and collateral, sound operating ratios, repayment with outside collateral ( personal net worth issues, etc ), and finally your ability to summarize all that, typically in the form of a business plan or executive summary .

Banks look for positive cash flow. When you line up ' cash flow lenders' with ' balance sheet lenders ' banks typically are in the cash flow line up, required a positive cash flow ratio of typically 1.25: 1.

When it comes to collateral required for loans banks focus on the more liquid ones, such as receivables and verifiable inventory (not always inventory though).

Operating and liquidity ratio calculations play a key role in bank loans. They include leverage via debt to equity calcs, our aforementioned cash flow ratio, working capital rations, etc.

You can absolutely be expected to be asked for a personal guarantee when it comes to bank debt financing in Canada. Other sources of financing may also include personal guarantees, but they play less of a role in final approval.

You have to be able to summarize a bank proposal effectively. This can be done via a Canadian business financing advisor, your accountant, or some other third party. It’s critical to put forth a realistic financial and operating document that demonstrates repayment and viability.

Other sources of debt financing for business loans include asset based lenders, lessors, the government SBL program, cash flow loans, etc.

It's clear that it becomes a case of identifying what you need, and what you realistically can qualify for.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in identifying sources of debt finance and loans in Canada that make sense ... specifically for your firm!

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN DEBT 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/debt_financing_sources_canada_business_loans.html



















Stan Prokop

Starved For Cash ? Dying For Business Loan Debt Financing Or Working Capital Solutions ?

Is Your Business Growing – Need Funding ? What’s The Best Solution


Information on working capital and debt financing for Canadian business owners . What type of business loan or asset monetization makes sense for your firm, and why.





At one point or another all business owners and financials managers find they have to focus on either working capital or debt financing business loan type solutions for the growth or perhaps even the survival of their firm.

The ' go to ' solution seems intuitively always to consider additional debt for the company - part of the reason is that the leverage that business loans via debt provide and pay off in higher returns on equity . Larger firms consider this as a potential means to obtain a higher valuation.

But is debt always the way to go ... not necessarily as there can be some troubling side effects for the starving patient! Working capital and debt financing are of course, when considered as a whole, the alternative to raising additional equity, bringing in a partner, having to consider the sale of your firm, etc.

So is there ways to consider ' sensible' business financing that actually make sense to the business owner of financial managers of a firm? We think there are.

Certainly there is nothing wrong with debt per se... It’s just that we hope in business that its ' good debt '. Business people recognize that as debt grows on your balance sheet (and assuming you can make the payments) your return on equity increases considerably. That’s a good thing! Higher sales will increase profits under that strategy. But again, at the end of the day it’s all about not pushing your firm to the brink with that increased debt.

The challenge also is that when firms use debt in an aggressive fashion they often have challenges in raising funding quickly, at rates that make sense and they are deserving of. At the extreme end of the curve debt will of course force a company to miss out on lost opportunities, competitors also seem to have a keen knack of sensing your weaknesses!... and in general day to day operating is often affected by the focus on debt repayments .

So are there some key management points and techniques to asses whether you should be taking on more debt. Here are some issues to consider.

Look at your financing needs from a longer term perspective; that’s often difficult to do and disregarded by many. Look at it from the viewpoint of can you defer financing additional debt without missing out on opportunities for growth.

At the same time, are you aware of the types of debt financing that might work for your firm. In Canada that consists of term loans, asset financing, cash flow loans, and other subordinated debt scenarios. Ensure you are comfortable with the rates and structures of each type of financing - more importantly from a time wasting point of view ensure you are aware of the requirements that each type of lender has for all those different debt scenarios.

This is of course the time to do some keen financial planning around your ability to meet any debt payments - and it’s a good time to consider worst case scenarios of not being able to make payments.

When debt financing isn’t the answer a working capital solution often can work. That could involve monetization of current assets via an asset based line of credit, receivable financing, securitization, or financing of tax credits or an asset sale leaseback for working capital purposes.

The best time to address finance needs is often when things are going well for your firm; consider speaking to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in business loan or working capital finance.



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/working_capital_business_loan_debt_financing.html

Looking for debt Financing ? Don’t Ignore Working Capital Funding Sources

We're not shocked - You wont be either - a recent U.S. survey by CFO Magazine stated that cash flow and working capital and accessing working capital funding sources was the biggest concern of any financial manager.

Welcome to Canada ! We are pretty sure we are in the same boat as we talk to clients who seek alternatives to debt financing and liquidity for their companies.

The other key item in the study was that business in general was dissatisfied with their banking relationships - again no real surprise.

So we all agree there is a gap in working capital solutions for Canadian business. Let’s discuss why that gap exists, and, more importantly is there alternatives to taking on more debt financing while at the same increasing cash flow in your firm.

As we have written in the past we always tell clients the best program in Canada, bar none in our opinion is the government small business loan program, which is underwritten by our good friends in Ottawa. Great rates, terms and structures, what more could you ask for. Well here’s the problem, the program only covers equipment, leaseholds and real estate - that’s called debt financing. So not working capital or cash flow is ever going to come out of that program for your firm. Let's move on then.

We can start by defining our working capital problem by simply saying it’s the day to day liquidity in your business that we are talking about - essentially the amount of funds you have in your company that could be liquid if you didn’t have them tied up in inventory, accounts receivable, and in some cases prepaid current assets. And of coruse the ' double whammy' comes in when you have your obligations on the other side of the balance sheet, i.e. accounts payable and term loans.

Working capital funding sources come from two areas, debt and the monetization of those current assets. We prefer monetizing and cash flowing things like A/R and inventory as opposed to debt financing, which infers a long term commitment.

So let’s get right to the point, what are your alternatives to cash flow success. The good news is there are a good handful of alternatives - they include operating lines of credit which can come from your bank or your non bank lender. Clients are increasing more interested in hearing about non bank lenders because these firms can more readily approve financing for your inventory and receivables. The ' buzz word' around this industry is asset based lending, and we advise clients to check it out, because in many cases it’s the ultimate solution to working capital success.

If you are a smaller firm you can employ accounts receivable financing, otherwise known as invoice discounting. If done properly ( and many times it is not ) it can turn your firm into literally an ATM cash flow machine, as you generate instant cash flow for all your sales . This type of facility comes at a cost and we find there are many misconceptions about the cost of this type of financing, and as importantly, how it works.

So lets summarize - you aren’t going to get working capital from our friends in Ottawa - if you qualify for bank financing employ it! Many of our clients don’t, so consider great alternatives for working capital funding sources such as asset based lines of credit, receivable financing, or in some cases even securitization.

So if your firm has a thirst for liquidity (!) speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will work with you to solve your cash flow challenge .
--
Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

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

Straight Talk On Why Asset Based Lines Of Credit Are Alternatives To Debt Financing

Canadian business owners and financial managers continue to hear about newer forms of business financing in Canada, particularly asset based finance, and even more particularly an asset based line of credit facility.

Clients always ask us the same thing, is this a form of debt financing, and exactly what is the difference between this and a Canadian chartered bank facility . Let’s examine those questions more closely.

In general asset based finance is a broad term which in fact could refer to a number of things, We have the same problem with other terms such as working capital and cash flow, they seem to be 'catch all 'phrases for a number of types of business financing, and to make things more complicated they infer different things to different people.

So let’s be clear, using asset based lines of credit jargon we are talking about a business line of credit that a Canadian chartered bank offers, and comparing it to the new kid in town, as asset based line of credit via an independent commercial finance company.

When you firm originates an asset based credit facility you are in effect using the liquidity in your current assets ( typically those are receivables and inventory ) and in some cases pulling some liquidity out of fixed assets such as equipment and real estate . Yes, you can access cash flow on a revolving basis out of your equipment and land if in fact they are unencumbered.

We still probably have most business owners confused a bit, because they are asking themselves right now that this seems exactly what my bank does (or that you would like them to do).

So here’s the difference, asset based lenders are high specialized, they, unlike many bankers who are generalists are high focused on the actual true underlying value of your assets on an ongoing basis. By ongoing we mean daily, weekly, monthly, not long term. In the old days ( and boy do we wish the old days were here in business financing ) you met with your banker quarterly or yearly, reviewed your financials , re set the credit line, and off you went to grow, prosper and succeed.

However business banking has changed in Canada and it has become more challenging to access the cash flow and working capital you need on a daily basis. Banks are regulated by provincial and federal governments around their capital bases, what they can lend on, and are subject to concentration issues. By that we mean that a bank could not choose to lend all its capital to one industry such as autos, etc.

So the key differentiator in asset based lines of credit is simply that you are working with a company that is most often not regulated, and is staffed by specialist who has a strong handle on your asset base. That's where the good news kicks in, because you can access sometimes up to 50 -100% more in revolving credit facilities because the advances against receivables, inventory (yes inventory!) and other assets are maximized to the hilt. In essence you are working with an asset based finance lender that can provide you with maximum cash flow and work with you to give you strong insights into asset turnover and help you through special situations. And remember, this is not debt financing via term loans or additional debt on your balance sheet, you are simply monetizing your liquid assets to the maximum .

So there’s the main difference , and if this type of financing for your business seems to make sense speak to a trusted , credible and experienced business financing advisor to guide you through the next evolution in Canadian business financing .

--

Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/asset_based_lines_of_credit_debt_financing.html