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.



Thursday, April 5, 2012

Canadian Business Financing: Achieve the Impossible With ABL ? How The Asset Based Line Of Credit Facility Creates Financing

Canadian Business Financing: Achieve the Impossible With ABL ? How The Asset Based Line Of Credit Facility Creates Financing

Achieve the Impossible With ABL ? How The Asset Based Line Of Credit Facility Creates Financing





This Day In Canadian Business History :
April 5, 1966 - Canada signs three-year deal to sell $550 million worth of wheat to China.



Our Comment : ‘ Fast Forward To 2012 – China deciding to just buy Canada via an all cash sale’ – Stan Prokop



Need Financing For Any One Of These 5 Situations?


Information on the abl asset based line of credit facility . Why this facility works for Canadian business in a wide variety of circumstances .





Why do we maintain ABL financing achieves the impossible? For us, it seems pretty simple. It's that just one type of Canadian business financing, the asset based line of credit facility, can successfully address, and answer ' YES ' to the following questions:

Is Your Firm viewed as high risk by other more traditional institutions such as Canadian chartered banks?

Do you wish to acquire a competitor or another firm?

Do you need interim financing while in the stages of a ' turnaround'?

Are you experiencing ' hyper growth ' without the necessary financing to handle that growth?

Are you considering a bankruptcy/ receivership or in one now?


Doesn't it seems incredible that one unique method of financing can address those 5 issues, or is it just us that's impressed? Hopefully not.

ABL finance has gradually grown in popularity in Canada; we're often surprised why it has not grown faster. The reality is that some of the largest companies in Canada, both public and private now utilize this type of financing. Even more interesting, and somewhat ironic is that Canadian banks have boutique divisions that are also offering this method of finance.

We have often felt though that in the case of the banks there aren't to many differences in some of the credit criteria, which is great for pricing and size of the facility, but less so for approval!

So how do asset based financings in fact address the 5 business concerns we profiled earlier. It's actually pretty simple as a concept. In essence it's a line of credit facility that bundles all your assets into one revolving line of credit. We can't over emphasize the word ' assets ' - that’s the strength of the financing. In the case of ABL its not about ratios, covenants, outside collateral, high emphasis on personal guarantees... its just about... you guessed it .. ‘Assets’!

As the levels of your financing expand you are in a position to borrow against these rising assets due to sales expansion, etc. Naturally it goes without saying that the margining of these assets is what your new found liquidity is all about. For a starter A/R and inventory is margined at typically 90% and 30-70% respectively. That liquidity is further enhanced by allowing you to borrow against equipment and real estate within that same facility.

In Canada facilities such as this typically start at 250k and go to tens of millions of dollars. And they do address all of the 5 situations we have mentioned.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on how an ABL asset based line of credit facility just might be what you need ... today!



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/abl_asset_based_line_of_credit_facility.html






Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Therapy For Business Cash Flow Problems ? Working Capital Financing Solutions And Alternatives






THIS DAY IN CANADIAN BUSINESS HISTORY :
April 4, 1896 - News of the Yukon's Klondike gold strike reaches the outside world. Vancouver, BC

Our Comment : 'Thousands of stockbrokers descend on Canada with a viewpoint to providing valuable ' tips ' to clients '- STAN PROKOP





Looking Inside the Cash Flow Conundrum

Information on solutions and alternatives for business cash flow problems in Canada . Working capital financing when Canadian business needs it most .




Business Cash Flow Problems? Maybe some working capital therapy in order. Therapy - it's what they call a ' curative power ' , so let's examine some curative powers around one of the biggest challenges Canadian business financing, working capital and cash flow needs.

We're all familiar with the old phrase ' you need money to make money ‘; well scratch that, we have re-written that one for today and we'll offer up ' you need working capital to make more money '!

The unfortunate part of talking to many entrepreneur and business owners in many cases is that there seems to be a common belief that sales growth will take care of all your business problems ; the reality is that it will take care of things for awhile, but trust us, not for long.

Profits do fund growth for an interim period, but in the end you need to address some very basic issues. An example? Your valued vendors and suppliers want to be paid before you get paid from your own customers!

So what’s the solution? Most business owners and financial managers would offer up ' go to the bank ' or ' put in some more owner equity ‘. That's works of course, if that’s in fact possible - key word ' IF '!

What those sales have done is create a gap... for some clients we meet it’s a rather big chasm or canyon!

Naturally some firms need more working capital than others to address the business cash flow problems we are talking about. That’s because something known as the ' cash conversion cycle ' varies from industry to industry and probably even business to business within that industry.

The cash conversion cycle can be easily calculated by any business owner. The formula? Take your days sales outstanding, add your inventory on hand days, and subtract your payables. That number essentially gives you a very basic ' known ‘. It tells you how long it takes a dollar to travel through your company. And trust us, sometimes that ' travel ' seems to look like a slow meander!

As we said some firms require more cash flow than others - an example might be a large pharma firm who invests tons of money in advance of even bringing a product to market - assuming it’s approved by the government for use! On the other hand a large retailer doesnt sell on credit, they only take cash and credit cards, so their conversion cycle might be a lot less.

So, our take away today? The shorter you can control you cash conversion cycle, the better! And you can accelerate cash flow by bank lines of credit, receivable financing, and inventory financing, monetizing tax credits, or securitizing your receivables if you're a larger firm.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor to assist you with your business cash flow problems and working capital solutions to accelerate your cycle of cash.









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_cash_flow_problems_working_capital.html



Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Scientifically Proven ? An Asset Lease Whether Operating Or Capital Works For Financial Bridging of Canadian Business Financing




This Day in Canadian Business History - April 4 :

Canada agrees to acquire the Canadian section of the Alaska Highway, including telephone systems, buildings and other assets, for $108 million (1,221 miles at $88,000 a mile); 2,450-kilometre highway originally cost US$140 million to build, as a wartime supply route in case of Japanese invasion of North America.

Our thoughts ?
' What a Deal from a financial perspective! ' Ultimately of course there was a supply route invasion of Canada but it consisted mainly of LCD screens .... Stan Prokop



Conducting Lease Transactions in Canada – Bridging the Asset Gap



Information on asset lease financing in Canada . Capital and operating financial solutions provide the bridging you need for short term and long term fixed asset finance needs .




Scientifically proven? It's defined as a ' body of techniques’ for acquiring new knowledge. Unless we're missing something an asset lease is a trusted financial solution, bridging your operating capital needs to your long term financing solutions.

Whether it’s an operating lease versus a capital lease your company still benefits from the appropriate combination of use and to a certain degree, ownership.

So why does a lease finance solution allow you to reduce the consumption of capital. Simply speaking you can direct funds required to buy assets towards more important things, such as growing your business, expanding your products and services, etc.

When you choose between an operating lease ( using ) versus a capital lease ( owning ) it comes down to two basic criteria for final approval - the value and quality of the asset , as well as of course your firm's general credit worthiness.

The great news for Canadian business owners and financial managers is that leasing companies and solutions abound! They are provided by bank subsidiaries, independent commercial finance firms, and captive finance organizations of larger manufacturers. (In general you can’t beat vendor/captive financing for rates, terms and structures - simply because the finance arm is incented to approve and finance your asset based on the sales focus of the mfr itself).

Depending on what industry you are in you might well find that certain lease firms and solutions are more appropriate than others. Technology, computer, software, and telecom type assets lend themselves perfectly to be financed via firms with that special tech experience. More often than not you will, or in fact should, consider an operating lease for these types of assets.

What then are the key questions or issues that you should address when considering an asset lease, or utilizing this financing tool as a bridging solution... for example a sale leaseback ?

The key considerations are your expected term under which you believe you will use the asset. (3 and 5 year terms are most typical - however 2-7 year terms are available depending on asset type).

Capital or operating leases work best when they are part of an overall strategy. Your company will derive maximum benefits when you consider several issues around your asset or bridging needs - they include tax implications, how you will account for your lease, your future needs for the type of equipment you are acquiring, etc.

The Sale leaseback scenario is a great bridging strategy for financial solutions. It takes your current investment in assets and monetizes them, giving you critically needed capital.

Can leasing ever be a poor choice? Perhaps, but certainly not often. The weight of evidence, scientific or otherwise! suggests that this financing tool gives you maximum leverage in asset lease finance. If you're looking for more information and expert advice on lease concepts speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor.







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/asset_lease_operating_capital_financial_bridging.html







Monday, April 2, 2012

A Quick Proven Way To Accelerate Cash Flow Finance ? Use A Purchase Receivables Factoring Program







Cash Flow Financing Via A/R Finance Doesn’t Have To Be Ultra - Secret !



Information on cash flow finance and purchase receivables factoring in Canada . Benefits, Costs, and How To !



Waiting for anything good to happen is business isn't really our favorite thing to do. That's why cash flow finance via a purchase receivables strategy to finance your business eliminates waiting.

Waiting for what? Well the question simply becomes: ' Would you rather have cash in the bank now for your sales, or would you prefer to wait 30, 60, and oh wow... 90 days for the funds do your firm from your clients?”

The answer is pretty obvious of course, and that’s why factoring, aka the purchase of your receivables by an independent finance firm is one of the quickest and most solid ways to eliminate the cash flow growth and survival programs that come with growing your business. Those cash flow challenges come of course, from the simple fact that as you sell more your inventory and receivable portfolio grows

So why don’t hundreds of thousands of firms that are eligible for this method of financing utilize it? We don’t know for sure but we often think it boils down to either they haven’t heard about it, or they have but don't understand how it works.

How could Canadian business owners not consider using a financing method that eliminates the pressure of having cash on hand, making payroll, and paying your government taxes such as HST and employee remittances?

How then does cash flow finance via factoring work. It couldn’t be simpler. As you make sales you are able to borrow immediately, and by immediately we mean ' same day ' against those sales. The way the industry handles the mechanics around this is that your A/R is in effect ' purchased ' as you generate sales. And by the way, with the right type of facility you certainly are under no obligation to finance all your sales, only the amount you require. That’s a key flexibility option.

Our opinion is that the best purchase receivables program is in fact a confidential one, one that allows you to bill and collect your own A/R. The majority of the industry in North America does not offer this solution, but working with an experienced advisor allows you to in fact choose this method over the traditional one as long as you identify up front in discussions that the confidentiality aspect is important to yourself.

‘Can we learn more about the daily ' mechanics ' of this method of financing?' That's a typical client question, so here's the answer. As you generate sales you submit invoices for services that product that you have rendered or delivered. (Service receivables can be financed also!).

Typically you receive 90% of those funds the same day - the balance is held as a holdback or buffer. You receive the other 10% when you client pays, less a discount of approx 2% for financing costs if your terms are 30 days and your client pay in 30 days. Otherwise daily per diem charges run until your customers pay.

So why is this method of Canadian business financing fast and why is it effective at the same time.

The answers should seem obvious - you accelerate cash flow, your receivables are the asset you are borrowing against, so there is no debt incurred. At the same time as a business owner or financial manager you're doing what we think you do best - running and growing your busines, getting new larger orders, etc!

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on the method of receivable financing via cash flow finance factoring that works best for your firm.




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Originating Canadian business financing , 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/cash_flow_finance_factoring_purchase_receivables.html

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Byte Sized Tips On Financing Technology For Your Canadian Computer ‘ IT ‘ Leasing Needs !



Thinking of Jumping ? .. into The Present For Your Tech Finance Requirements ? !

Information on financing technology for the Canadian business owner / manger . Canadian computer , IT , and telecom leasing works!



Financing technology. Is it as complicated or even risky as it might seem when it comes to your Canadian computer, IT, and leasing needs for survival and growth. Perhaps we have been doing it too long, but we don't think so - lets cover off some key basics.

We've often spoken about a killer concept, the idea of what is your ' obstacle to innovation '. Unfortunately many times it's price and cost, and financing those tech needs provides a solution to the elimination of the barrier. If you know how, and why, and... when!

In a recent Canadian Federation of Business (CFIB) poll over 63% of all small and medium sized business owners indicated that both price and costs were what limited their access to the technology and computer IT needs they had. Unless we're missing something that’s a majority.

Naturally most business owners and financial managers also referenced that they needed to be able to achieve a solid return on those investments. Information technology (‘IT) allows you to do that, and even gives you certain measures of flexibility you didn’t think you had.

That flexibility, along with the benefits of using new tech solutions allows you stay competitive, as well as save you time and money, two precious business resources.

Financing your IT needs allows you to do the basics, ie run your office, manage your financials... in effect, and run your business.

When choosing new tech assets focus on over what time period you will receive a payback. At that point it’s when lease financing emerges as solid acquisition tool because it allows you to spend cash as you are in fact receiving those benefits over the term of the useful life of the asset.

Software, and software licensing is a huge part of lease financing in Canada. We are often surprised when many business owners don't even know that application software can be financed - It surely can! Although software is viewed as a soft cost, i.e. not a hard asset it still has a significant value to you the use, including of course the right to use the software under license from its owner .

The documentation around financing technology is critical. Long term relationships are more well served under a Master Lease concept - simply speaking you sign one lease with terms and conditions you are comfortable with and then add on as you replace or delete assets .

Capital vs. operating lease choices are critical in Canadian computer IT leasing. It’s all about owning and using respectively. Operating leases can provide fabulous flexibility when it comes to using for a shorter period, upgrading, buying out early, etc

Maintain a competitive edge by considering financing technology needs. The larger corporations, even banks do it all day, every day. So should your firm. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on how to achieve the right balance of cash outflows and return on investment in computers and IT.





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/financing_technology_canadian_computer_it_leasing.html

Saturday, March 31, 2012

No ‘ SRED ‘ Of Doubt ! SR And ED Tax Credits Finance Via A Bridge Loan Is Still Here !



SR&ED Finance – Alive And Well


Information on sred bridge loan finance in Canada . Despite recent changes to the program your s red ( sr & ed ) tax credits are still eligible for financing .




SR & ED Tax credits. Did you or your firm have any doubt about the SRED program in Canada? I think we can safely say thousands did, and the good news is that the SRED Program is still intact... yes some changes, but still alive and well .

And even better news? Your SR ED claim is still 100% financeable with the same criteria that have always been in place.

Let’s step back a bit. Naturally the thousands of business owners in Canada who receive a total of Billions, yes that Billions with our capital ' B ' were concerned about what many felt was the best research tax credit scheme ever, the Scientific Research and Experimental Development ( hence ' SR & ED ' ) program .

Criticism and hope abounded from every direction. The government wanted to ensure that funds spent were getting Canada an appropriate return on investment - which seems like a reasonable request for us taxpayer type folks. At the same time thousands of firms used the refundable tax credit as valuable cash flow and working capital to both survive, grow or start their business, and to be able to invest even further in next years r&d.

Many felt the program was too complicated. We're not lawyers, accountants, or government mandarins, so there’s certain issues we won’t weigh in on, and that’s one of them!

The reality is though that close to 4 Billion dollars was being doled out every year to almost 25 thousand firms in Canada, which was a huge portion of the government R&D subsidy. And it was all about return on investment as we said;

Who in fact is benefiting?
How are they benefiting? Etc!

A major report that was widely anticipated concluded that a reduction of the program was appropriate and needed, and that the better choice was for strategic financing initiatives that would bring a better ROI.

Anyway, its over, if in fact the federal budget that was table will be ratified by the government. So yes, there will be changes in how your expenses are computed, and in some cases they will be reduced. Capital expenditures, which were often a large part of the calculation seems to have been eliminated... again futher reducing your total refund.

Certainly the onus is on the industry's private SRED Consultants to prepare higher quality claims and in some cases address their fee structures from a viewpoint of optics.

Anyway, that’s the news from the top! But down here at the bottom, where we toil in the real world sred (sr & Ed) tax credits are still financeable via a bridge loan for the finance of the credit.

The criteria are still the same. Your SR ED claim is generally financed at 70% loan to value... the transaction is structured as a bridge loan with no monthly amortized payments. You receive the balance of your claim, i.e. the other 30% when the claim is audited/approved, less financing costs.

Basic back up info is still required, i.e. a copy of your claim, confirmation of your firms arrears or non arrears to CRA, and your financials. It's as easy as that.

Did you have that ‘ SRED OF DOUBT ‘ ? ! The dust has settled, and if you want to finance your claims via the SR & ED bridge loan speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian busines financing advisor today.







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/sred_sr_ed_tax_credits_bridge_loan_finance.html