Financing A Business And Solving Working Capital & Funding Needs

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

 

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

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

What Is A Working Capital Loan Used For?

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



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



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

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

Factors To Consider When Financing A Business

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

How To Get A Working Capital Loan

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

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

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



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

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

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



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



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

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

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

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






7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Click Here For 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL website !



7 Park Avenue Financial provides value-added financing consultation for small and medium-sized businesses in the areas of cash flow, working capital, and debt financing.



Business financing for Canadian firms, specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing, Equipment Leasing, franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance. Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations.

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations. He is an experienced

business financing consultant

.

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


Stan has over 40 years of

business and financing experience

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









Stan Prokop

What Are Short & Long Term Financing Options For My Business

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The Best Canadian Financing Options For Your Business

Short and long term financing options are not always comparable to the U.S. borrowing options we read and hear about in the business news. That is a double-edged sword when it comes to financing your company with the right loans, debt and cash flow options that allow the business owner and financial mgr to fund the company.

At 7 Park Avenue Financial new clients tell us they feel strongly that there is a lack of proper business funding options for small and medium enterprise firms in the Canadian business landscape.

For those companies that are clearly a ' barrier to growth', let alone survival in economic turbulence! Primarily we're talking about debt financing as well as ' asset monetization' to grow cash flow and working capital without taking on debt. Solutions such as business credit lines, either via the bank or a non bank lender, are critical to operating any business.

Businesses are funded in different manners, whether they are new and ' out of the gate ', often funded by owner personal investment and the proverbial ' friends and family '. Debt financing for the SME sector in Canada has historically been difficult to achieve.

Many new businesses, franchises included, are funded by the Canadian Govt Small Business Loan progra,m which offers significant capital to new and growing businesses. A combination of generous limits, low rates, and government guarantees and low personal guarantee makes this program very appealing to thousands of businesses every year.

We spoke of the business finance options in the U.S. It is important to note that there is probably a lot wider variety of options and lenders in the United States.

EXAMPLE : Canada set up its own version of the U.S. ‘SBA ' program. In Canada we call it the ' SBL ' - It's a govt guaranteed loan with the federal govt guaranteeing 85 % of your loan to the bank. In Canada, the program only finances equipment, leaseholds and real estate. In the U.S., numerous other options are available under the same program.


A different banking and financial system create the perception that there are more banks and lenders in the U.S., offering a larger variety of funding. But Canadian businesses should realize that a combination of traditional, as well as Alternative Financing solutions, do exist for borrowing needs.

Our Canadian chartered banks are significant ' deposit takers', as a result they are understandably risk averse, leading of course to a stronger banking and financial system ( that's a good thing ), but on the other hand limited business lending options to a certain degree.

The good news is that Alternative Lenders are providing more choices every day to thousands of Canadian firms, due somewhat in part to U.S. business financing models becoming more popular in Canada. Short term working capital loans, asset based lending ( ' ABL ' ), and numerous A/R and Sales financing solutions are now readily available to the Canadian business borrower.


The traditional financiers in Canada are:


Banks

Business Oriented Credit Unions

Insurance companies

Leasing Companies

Mortgage Institutions


Traditional financiers in Canada use the same approach for almost all borrowers, which of course has a tendency to restrict financing. In Canada companies seeking SME COMMERCIAL FINANCE (small to medium sized firms) constantly are challenged to finance sales and assets. Access to business lines of credit is always a challenge; Our previously mentioned Asset based lines of credit in Canada have exploded in popularity.


WHAT FINANCING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ENTREPRENEURS & BUSINESS OWNERS?


Offerings Business owners should consider include:


A/R Financing

Non Bank Asset Based lines of credit

Equipment financing

Sale leasebacks

Bridge Loans - asset based

Tax Credit Financing (film and SR&ED)

Franchise Loans

Govt Guaranteed Loans

Working capital term loans

Merchant advances


To borrow with a full understanding of your business finance options seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a track record of business finance success who can assist you with loans, funding and growth finance and survival options specifically suited to your business 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

Business Acquisition Financing

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How Do You Finance A Business Purchase ? Like This !

Business acquisition financing in Canada comes with several myths and when it comes to arranging finance for buying a business there are some key basics every business owner / entrepreneur needs to know . It's easy to get bogged down in the legal and accounting jargon sometimes so here at 7 Park Avenue Financial we strive to give you the layman's version - in plain English!

Business value and how companies are valued are key in a successful business purchase and financing. The pro's talk about ' future cash flows' and ' earning potential ' but the formulas and calculations around these can sometimes be a little overwhelming . For a starter this area of buying a business is key and should always require some third party input from a business pro. While future earnings are key there are a number of other areas that require your focus - including ' what are the cash flows today '!

Assets are a key part of any business purchase . More and more businesses today have ' soft assets ' which often makes valuation even harder . These typically aren't treated the same as hard assets , which can be more precisely appraised and valued. The bottom line is that you have to look at each asset, soft or hard, in the context of what they do for the business.

We can't count the number of times new business financing clients have told us they feel they ' over paid ' for the company they now own and run. It's clear to us they never looked at each asset under the telescope , or even more precisely , ' under the hammer '. That ' hammer' refers to the idea of liquidation of auction value of what an asset might bring under auction. Inventories and accounts receivable are also key aspects that require significant due diligence . You need to know those ' liquid assets ' ( A/R + Inventory ) are moving cash through the business. This can often easily be measure by applying basic '
' days sales outstanding' and ' inventory turnover' ratios to your analysis.

Hard assets often naturally enhance the value and financeabilty of the business. A winning combination is good assets and good cash flows from those assets.


Proper disclosure from the seller is a final point to focus in on - Beware of sellers with dark sunglasses! That of course refers to sellers who choose to keep buyers in the dark, and a purchaser who does not prepared to do proper due diligence . Can a deal be done in the dark? Absolutely ! Will it be a successful deal for both parties? Probably not.


There's an old saying that the best deal /negotiation is when both parties feel they didn’t get all they wanted, and there’s probably a lot of truth in that.

How To Finance A Business Purchase In Canada

SBL Govt loans

Asset based lending

Bank term loans

Bridge loans

Cash flow loans - secured/unsecured


Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a track record of business finance success who can help you with business acquisition financing.








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

What Different Types Of Commercial Loans Does Your Business Need ?

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Quick Guide to Types Of Business Loans

Different types of business loans can, in some cases, be challenging for business owners to achieve . Certain types of funding are often much better suited to your company's financing needs.

The good news is that a number of business finance solutions are more accessible than ever . Naturally the ' go to ' in the minds of many owners and their financial mgrs is ' the bank '. Here capital is virtually unlimited and the rates are typically the lowest when it comes to cost of funds .

Bank financing comes with a challenge though - the need to provide full financial disclosure around financial statements, owner personal credit history and net worth, collateral, personal guarantees, and in many cases the requirements to produce a business plan or cash flow forecast . Don't forget to take into consideration the ' timing ' factor, in that the process time might often be weeks stretching into a month.. or more.


Types of business loans offered by banks :


Business credit lines
Term Loans
Equipment Loans

We can safely say that Canadian banks offer the most flexibility and access to capital when a firm qualifies . Factors such as years in business, profits, acceptable balance sheet ratios , etc are key to bank loan approval.



Early stage businesses often utilize personal financial resources to access cash - that includes business credit cards , loans from friends and family, etc. At 7 Park Avenue Financial we encourage clients to separate personal and business financing , as those types of resources are not often the best choice to finance a company, as business failures can significantly damage personal credit .


Alternative Lending

For those firms that can't access all or even some of the funding they need alternative financing comes to the rescue . Alternative lenders provide the same types of loans available from banks - and are often quicker to approve loans . The cost of this financing is higher , but it provides access to capital.

Typical solutions available from alternative financiers include -

Non bank business credit lines
Inventory financing
A/R financing ( aka ' factoring ' )
Short term working capital loans
Tax Credit Financing ( SR&ED loans )

Both banks and alternative finance companies provide loans for long term business growth - These needs might include :

Commercial mortgages for owner occupied facilities
Mergers and Acquisitions
Franchise Financing
Leasehold Improvements - ( leaseholds can be easily finance via the Government guaranteed business loan )

These types of loans are typically longer in duration - ranging 2-5 years


If you are focusing on ensuring you understand and have access to the right type of commercial loans for your company seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a track record of success.




7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL website !



7 Park Avenue Financial provides value added financing consultation for small and medium sized businesses in the area of cash flow , working capital , and debt financing .



Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

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

Stan Prokop

Know How To Finance A Business . Financing Choices Are About Timing And Strategy In Funding Choices

Properly Forecasting Your Business Finance Needs ?



Information on business finance solutions in Canada . Financing and funding a business is about time horizon, current and future needs , and risk

Is there a right way and a mistaken way to finance a business in Canada? We definitely think we can show you there is ... as well as pointing out those risks and benefits. And by the way, it is in fact possible to change horses in midstream to adapt to today’s changing times when it comes to financing your company.

As we have been prone to say lately the concept of ' term' is critical in both assessing and choosing the right business finance. By terms we simply mean short, intermediate and long term, as all of those have a number of different implications. And to compound the challenge for the business owner and manager both the type and ' term ' of the financing can impact the amount of funds that flow in and out of your business.

So what in fact are some of the things you need to consider when choosing a financing solution? There are a number of factors, probably all as equally important. They include cost/rates, the amount of risk you are taking with any particular form of finance, how your overall structure changes with any one particular sort of financing, and the amount of cash flow, working capital and profits that that financing will deliver... or take from your company!

It's easy sometimes to get confused on the timeframe when you're in the middle of searching for a finance decision. We meet and talk to many clients that are looking to solve an immediate problem and somehow miss considering the growth and future of their firm. A simple example might be a banking arrangement - i.e. not considering whether you can live through the tough times based on covenants, guarantees and collaterals that you have either offered up or have been demanded of you.

One of the most proactive things the business owner/manager can do is to focus on planning to be short of cash and what solutions might be available. Why? Because cash flow shortfalls always happen, for pretty well everyone!

The toughest decision many business owners have to face if giving up equity and ownership of some sort in their business because debt levels are too high or the right financing is not available.

So what are some of the short and intermediate financing solutions available - They include:

Supplier financing

Bank lines of credit

Receivable financing

Equipment leasing



Supplier financing is almost always overlooked when it comes to cash flow financing. Just negotiating better payment terms or taking supplier prompt pay discounts can save firms many thousands of dollars.

Bank financing in Canada takes many forms - when you can achieve approval. Those forms include lines of credit, term loans and fixed asset financing for long term assets.

We caution clients that the crux of the bank relationship should revolve around what you need to provide in the form of collateral, covenants, and reporting. Many Canadian business owners simply don’t know that alternative financing for their businesses can in fact be arranged outside of Canadian chartered banks. While these solutions might be more expensive they solve problems!

What financing solution suits your business? Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor today.

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

Business Financing In Canada : Are Asset Finance Strategies Your Secret Weapon For Loans & Business Funding

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The Optimists Guide To Business Financing In Canada

OVERVIEW – Information on business financing in Canada. Adopt a positive outlook to loans and funding needs via these asset finance strategies

Business financing searchers in Canada sure could use a secret weapon for their loans and funding needs. Adopting a positive attitude sure helps, and that's achieved when you're confident of the alternatives and solutions. Let's dig in.

The reality is that certain business finance strategies and tools work better than others based on your firms particular needs. ABL, the acronym for ' Asset Based Lending' might well be the main ' secret weapon' you've been search for in cash flow independence.

.What if you have a financing mechanism that was a non bank type financing that covered all every size of business, all industries in Canada, and did not place a major emphasis on your balance sheet, income statement, profits or lack thereof! And was, relatively speaking easy to arrange.

We can hear you lining up as we speak! Let's talk a bit about what this financing is, how it works, and cover off some key questions that clients have about costs, day to day paper flow and reporting, and the key advantages.

No business finance strategy is without some form of ' downside ' so we'll explore that also in case there are concerns that need to be addressed.

ABL, or asset based lending allows you to borrow, on a regular, ongoing basis, against; you guessed it, ' assets '! Your assets in any business are always going to be the same and they can be categorized into a few key categories which include receivables, inventory, equipment, and, in some cases real estate.


When you are in a traditional Canadian chartered banking relationship your lender lends against those same assets, but probably not to the extent that a true asset based line of credit would provide you with. And the pre requisites for that banking facility are all too clear for Canadian business owners and financial managers.

To achieve traditional Canadian chartered bank financing you must be profitable, have a solid balance sheet, and have a decent measure of personal guarantees and outside collateral.

That's now what ABL is about, it's about only your business assets, and monetizing them in a fashion that makes them as liquid as you need them to be.

A typical asset based revolving line of credit would margin all your receivables, a significant extent of your inventory, and include drawdown ability on unencumbered equipment and real estate if they in fact were available and required. You therefore only have to remember one thing in ABL lending, ' assets ‘. Business assets mean access to funding!


Clients always want to know if and how they qualify for such a facility. You must be in a position to provide some decent reporting around the aging of your receivables, the turnover of your inventory, and the market value of your equipment.

We would respectfully suggest if you can't do that you might not even be a candidate for staying in business, so those certainly aren't onerous requirements!

So who is eligible for asset based financing? Businesses that are the best candidate for this type of financing are those with high growth patterns, or firms which are coming out of a challenging period in their history. A frequent misunderstanding around this type of financing is that it is ' debt '. That is not the case. ABL strategies simply monetize assets - They accelerate borrowing capability based on turnover and value of assets.

There's no Holy Grail ' perfect ' financing strategy - but asset based finance should always be considered when you're looking at day to day funding for growth & operations.

Oh, those ' disadvantages ' and risks we spoke about? The two disadvantages, or potential concerns are the higher cost of this financing, as well as the additional reporting we spoke about.

Other frequently used asset financing strategies that should be considered include:

Factoring/ AR Financing

Sale Leasebacks

SR&ED Tax Credit Bridge Loans

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your funding needs.


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 13 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.


Stan Prokop

Business Credit Solutions In Canada : Exploring Asset Based Finance & Loans

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Time For Self Help In Asset Based Finance Business Credit : Right Loans For The Right Time

OVERVIEW – Information on asset based finance solutions in Canada . Business owners & financial mgrs should focus on business credit alternatives and loans and cash flow monetization strategies that make sense for their company

Asset based finance solutions for your business are a solid ' self help ' strategy that delivers on loans & business credit alternatives made to run and grow your company . ‘Self help ' seems to be more popular than ever ... so let's dig in.

Companies face a lot of challenges these days, and financing is certainly one of them. Let's not forget thought that those challenges might have a positive spin to them - sales growth opportunities, competitor acquisition, yet can also be daunting when it comes to threats against your very existence in today’s competitive environment.
How then can asset based finance aid your firm in allowing you to generate the working capital and cash flow you need to prosper and grow, let alone survive?

Asset based financed helps your firm in both good time and challenging times. It comes in a variety of forms - it is commonly in the industry itself referred to as ' ABL ' financing, and typically your firm would negotiate what is simply or commonly known as an asset based line of credit . The facility provides you with a revolving line of credit very similar to a chartered bank facility.


Non bank operating credit lines might also include a significant inventory financing component, and usually address what we could best call special needs or special situations re: turnarounds, growth, distress, etc.

The finance costs are higher, but asset finance solutions deliver! Pricing in Canada on asset based lines of credit is all over the map - We tell clients they can expect to pay anywhere near a point or two over prime up to an including 1.5-2% per month . What defines that huge difference in pricing? The answer is that that there are different what we will call ' tiers ' in ABL lending in Canada, and the overall size and deal quality of your firm will ultimately drive you to an asset based finance partner that more closely matches your needs and your overall ' risk profile '.


A perfect match? The best candidate for an asset based finance line of credit is a firm that is experiencing strong growth but can't attract the traditional capital that is used to finance receivables, inventory, plant and equipment, and even in some cases real estate.


Creativity is the benchmark for asset based financing. Essentially your balance sheet can be financed ' to the max ‘based upon your different asset components. In some cases even intellectual property or patents might be included in the overall financing, although that clearly is not the norm.


The reality is that asset based finance has somewhat changed the overall face of business financing in Canada and more and more firms , both large and small are gravitating to this form of finance . Deal sizes in Canada vary greatly - we do not encourage clients who have an under 250k/mo need to explore asset based finance because at a certain point the reporting, costs, etc done make sense for neither your firm or the ABL lender .

Other general asset based financing solutions include:

A/R financing

Inventory Loans

SR&ED Tax Credit Loans

Sale leasebacks on owned equipment/real estate



Is there any downside in asset based lending and an ABL working capital facility ask our clients? With relative certainty we can say any downside is significantly offset by upside. The facility gives you almost unlimited working capital, and margins assets that might otherwise not be finance able. And don’t forget, this type of facility does not add debt to your balance sheet, you are simply monetizing your hard and in some cases soft assets.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced advisor in asset based lending.


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 13 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.


Stan Prokop