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

Why You Should ( And Should Not ) Lease Equipment. When Do Financing Leases Make Sense Via A Leasing Company In Canada

Lease Equipment Strategies In Canada – Is Timing Right For Your Company?



Information on the pros and cons of financing leases in Canada . To Lease Equipment may via a leasing company may, and may not always be the right decision for your firm . Here is why !


Financing leases in Canada. Should we... or perhaps we shouldn’t ... and who with... and when ... and why. Can we make up our minds here!

No one is a bigger fan of lease equipment strategies in Canada than us... when you're with the right leasing company it's a powerful double whammy of financing success. But is it always advisable to choose equipment finance, and when are there some clear disadvantages to this popular method of Canadian business financing.

Although 80% of North American firms utilize lease finance it might not always be your preferred strategy. Two obvious alternatives of course are to purchase the equipment outright, while the other options might just be a term loan strategy.

If there was in fact on perfect method of financing fixed assets, trust us... we'd be all over it. However the real world suggests that it's always about some pros and cons where you as the business owner or financial manager have to weigh in.

One of the most obvious benefits of those who have used leasing before is simply that it more efficient and less time consuming than seeking loan financing. The industry in Canada is basically categorized as ' document efficient’... smaller transactions can almost always be approved in a day or so ... sometimes within hours if you're at the lower end of the spectrum.

One other key advantage of asset finance via a lease strategy is your ability to manage what is known as the obsolescence factor. Because you're paying over time and the lessor owns the asset it becomes the risk of your leasing company when it comes to declining asset values. Most of us know that 99% of busines assets depreciate, not appreciate in value.

One solid example of the whole issue of obsolescence is the technology area. Whether its computers, software (yes software and software licenses can be financed) and telecom equipment are prime examples of expensive higher ticket items that can lose their value almost overnight given changing technologies. So to pay for them in cash or to lock into a term loan that has no flexibility is simply... not recommended!

Many companies in the manufacturing sector rely on production assets to run their company. These quite often need to be upgraded, if simply for the wear and tear aspect something mechanical. So the idea of flexibility in a lease to return, upgrade, trade in, and then refinance is a highly sought after financing strategy in Canadian business.

Not all fixed assets that your company needs will be needed for a long time... in some cases they may even be project oriented. That’s when a shorter lease term with an aggressive depreciation policy makes solid sense.

That’s just a couple advantage of leasing in Canada. But should you always be using this option? We do like to present a balanced picture!

If there are situations when you can maintain residual upside in the value of the equipment or asset (perhaps your company jet?!) then by all means consider an operating strategy or a term loan scenario.

Also, if you are in a position to pay cash and not hinder your overall cash flow situation then there is some accounting and cost advantages to outright purchase.

So, bottom line today? It's simply to manage and understand the weight of evidence that come with any lease vs. buy strategy.

Need help? Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor today for your lease equipment needs.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN LEASE 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/leasing_company_lease_equipment_financing_leases.html

What Does Receivable Financing Have To Do With Fine Wine? AR Finance And Invoice Funding and Discounting in Canada

Canadian Receivable Financing


Information on receivable financing in Canada . Proper monetization via an AR finance and invoice funding strategy allows you to … grow!




Receivable financing in Canada. Is there a comparison here between AR finance funding and fine wine? We think there is, and it's pretty simple... Aging is good for fine wine ... its not really that great for your receivables!

Let's examine why invoice financing is a solid solution for working capital for Canadian business. And like our wine analogy, here's another shocker..... You don’t have to take on debt all the time when you want to grow your business!


Invoice financing in Canada, when properly structured and with the right party allows you o grow your business when that growth results in revenues and the resulting A/R that accelerates your need for working capital.

In a perfect world you want to strive to be able to address these sorts of issues proactively prior to having cash flow financing challenges.

So how does that solution work and how does the Canadian business owner and financial manager go about securing Receivable Financing? It's really about a simple process, on an ongoing basis, of the sale of your receivables as you generate sales. The factors that affect your ability to successfully complete an A/R invoice finance program are the size and nature of your customer base, their general quality or creditworthiness, and any particular conditions revolving around your industry or your own firm’s current situation.

What most Canadian business owners don’t realize that there are a number of... let’s call them ' flavors ' when it comes to this method of finance. Unlike bank lines of credit A/R facilities operate in a different manner. In a bank scenario your receivables are in effect collateralize and form the backbone of your borrowing base... in Canada it becomes a question of picking the type of facility that works best for you.

While 99% of invoice financing companies in Canada either prefer, or in fact mandate your company to have your client made directly to them after they have financed the receivable you do in fact have the ability to bill and collect your own receivables. We term this a confidential invoice finance facility and it's generally available to firm that have facilities in excess of 250k on an ongoing basis.

Invoice finance quite often is the first type of finance that many firms enter into when they are in start up or early stage mode. Over time many graduate to a Chartered banking relationship and it's important to note that when banks are not able to service a firm for growth or other reasons AR finance solutions make a lot of sense.

The benefits of invoice finance are quite clear - it provides you with immediate working capital and cash flow when you can't meet the requirements of a bank facility. Oh and by the way, your limit on this method of financing.....? It's pretty well unlimited, as the size of your facility is typically based on your receivables and growth. That is NOT the case with a bank.

One misunderstanding around invoice finance is that you are required to finance all your receivables, all the time. Absolutely not the case, it's your choice when and how much you wish to draw based on your business needs.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in structuring a proper solution for cash flow needs.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

CANADIAN A/R 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/receivable_financing_ar_finance_invoice_funding.html

Business Financing In Canada . Know Your Options for Funding And Finance , Loans and Monetization

Traditional ? Alternative ? Which Finance Solutions Make Sense For Your Firm


Information on business financing and funding in Canada . What options for loans and finance strategies exist for the Canadian business owner.





Sources of business financing. What we really mean is do you as a business owner or manager really understand the type of funding your company might need, and moreover what alternative to loans and finance exist.

Capital has always been a challenge for Canadian business, more so in the SME sector. While larger corporations have Chartered banks, advisors, and access to capital pools both public and private the ' little guy ' in the small and medium enterprise sector struggles to search for capital.

It really is a bit easier than some business owners or financial managers might think - it’s about knowing whether it’s the time to take on more debt, how you balance taking on more capital, and why loans and funding, seemingly expensive, are in actuality much cheaper than equity.

Your ability to generate financing is of course what is going to make or break your growth aspirations. While there is probably no one perfect solution for all your financing needs the reality of the matter is that you can actually often ' cobble together ' finance sources that make sense when it comes to funding your firm.

As we hinted previously, you of course could consider equity investments into your firm via VC's or angel investors but the reality is these are demanding sources of capital and selling ownership at a point when you are starting to grow is in fact, quite simply, not optimal !

Let's then examine some sources of capital that are both traditional and a bit alternative. We say a bit alternative simply because many of those sources are becoming the new traditional. Talk about a paradigm shift.

Lease financing is a great example of traditional financing that works. You can use the cash to fund working capital for receivables and inventory growth. In Canada lease finance is available for firms of all credit quality and asset finance requirements. While it quite often might be a bit more expensive than bank financing it's simply less painful to acquire.

No one is a bigger fan of Canadian chartered banks than us. To companies that are well qualified they are a veritable ' buffet ' of funding and loans for cash flow, fixed asset acquisition, real estate, etc, Just make sure that you're in a position to qualify for bank financing or you might waste a lot of precious time . And remember also that the bank looks to alternative collateral, strong cash flows and balance sheets, etc.

Although the Canadian banks administer Govt SBL loans they in fact are underwritten by the government. These loans make bank financing seem quite a bit ' looser’... and thats a good thing .Because the government guarantees a major portion of your loan the bank financing on an SBL loan is flexible, competitive, and less restrictive from a pesonal covenant point of view .

The small 2% service fee on an SBL loan is, in our opinion well worth the quality of financing and funding you're receive with this product .

Are there some sources of business financing and funding in Canada you have not even considered. Some are very obvious, some less so. As an example let you customer finance your business! How? Consider an advance payment structure which also clearly identifies the commitment a client is prepared to make with you.

In the same vein as above ask suppliers for extended terms. If you're a valued client who has paid promptly in the past you've got more bargaining power than you think.

Monetize. That’s our alternative word for the day. Take a look at your balance sheet and if you have tax credits under the SRED program due your firm you can also finance those. Borrowing against a tax credit is a solid funding strategy.

Keeping in line with our monetization theme we are huge fans of receivable financing, aka factoring. By selling your receivables your balance sheet immediately becomes cash positive, there are no limits to this method of financing if you are in growth mode and the only trick here is getting into the right facility with the right partner.

Many firms who have an actual product as opposed to a service can take advantage of setting up their own vendor finance program. With a solid partner the cost is pretty well zero, and provides you with increased selling power plus the obvious fact that you have provided a true total solution to your product - you make it, sell it, and finance it! Setting up a program is a lot easier than you think.

Supply chain financing or purchase order financing is also a solid alternative funding vehicle for your firm. If you have good vendors and qualified customers the PO financier will pay your suppliers directly, assuming the risk in the whole supply chain scenario

Never forget you have options, both traditional and alternative for funding via loans and monetization strategies in Canada. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor today. It's all about the options!

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN BUSINESS FINANCING EXPERTISE




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

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

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

Franchise Loans In Canada . 4 Critical Components of Franchising Financing And Lending For Canadian Franchisees

Franchise Financing In Canada


Information on franchise loans in Canada . When it comes to franchisee financing and lending the applicant needs to identify key requirements of franchising loans.




Franchise loans in Canada. Is the financing for a franchisee opportunity really any different than any other type of business lending / loan? The answer is no... And yes ... so let's spend a bit of time defining those differences!

It's very safe to say that franchising is a sought after business model in Canada... all the reasons are obvious - proven business strategies, demonstrable examples of your success from existing franchisees, etc.

So the immediate problem then becomes: Where do I get the cash and financing to complete a successful transaction. Here's where your financial search begins, and as we noted, there are some strong similarities in what you need for any business loan - some of them being a business plan and reasonable financial projections.

Although the majority of business financing in Canada requires personal guarantees from the owners as a back up plan for your lender there are in fact ways to limit your personal guarantee when it comes to financing a franchise . One of the best options in that area is to consider a BIL/CSBF loan, which is a federally sponsored program that significantly limits your personal guarantee to 25%. Now that's good news for the prospective franchisee.

You can of course explore financing options with your franchisor - we very quickly point out to clients they should expect some solid advice from the franchisor as to how things might work, but certainly don't expect direct financing in the form of a loan, etc. That’s your job!

Are there some potential franchisees who actually expect they can get 100% franchising for their proposed new business? Unfortunately there are, and even more unfortunately they are wrong. You do need a personal equity component to your overall finance strategy. What amount is that? We can safely say is a minimum of 10% permanent equity, but you should be able to demonstrate access to other working capital sources that will at a minimum be able to help you get out of the gate until your revenue expectations are starting to be met .

So where in fact do franchise loans and financing for your new business come from in Canada. In reality it's a small handful of sources. Oh and by the way, we never recommend to clients that they entirely pay cash for their new business, as you do no want to put all your financials resources at risk in the even of a business failure or downturn. And by the way, That’s just another great reason ensure you are incorporated.

Lending for franchises in Canada comes from a small handful of specialized finance firms, although the majority of franchises under 350,000.00$ are in fact financed by the government small business loan. Financing can also be accomplished by cobbling together those two solutions with equipment financing and other forms of alternative working capital from non bank lenders.

Collateral. Is it required from a franchisee for franchise loans? In general, we can say it is not. Although your overall credit history and personal net worth are factors in franchise lending, or any lending for that matter, a properly structured franchise loan will in fact not require collateralization of personal assets ... and that's a good thing!

Your overall business experience and personal demeanor in your franchise loan presentation is key to a good financing package. Lenders look for people that have business and marketing savvy and who come across as positive and successful.

We identified in our title today 4 components of a successful finance lending strategy. In case you have missed them we've purposely kept them subtle, but in fact they are character, capacity, and collateral and credit history. Those by the way are components of any successful business financing, so as we said at the outset, while there are some nuances in franchise lending common sense business applies also!

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you to ensure lending for your franchisee dream is met with success.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN FRANCHISE FINANCE 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/franchising_loans_financing_lending.html

Canadian Film Tax Credit Financing. You Need To Know This About BC & Ontario Credits Finance

THE INSIDE STORY ON TAX CREDIT FINANCE – CANADIAN STYLE

Information on Canadian film tax credit financing, How BC, ONTARIO and Animation Credits Are Financeable !


Canadian film tax credit financing. Clearly there is no secret path to financing a film, TV or animation project anywhere... Canada included... Ontario... BC... where ever. But one sure fire method of successfully completing a project is in fact your ability to monetize the tax credit.

From some of the sagas' and stories we hear the financing of a project in any of the above mentioned genres could well qualify for a script of their own!

Producers and owners of successful projects already know that there are some key elements to the financing of any project. In a way they are not dissimilar to the financing of any business...your owner equity. Debt of some form, and in our case also, the monetization of a tax credit.

Financing of entertainment projects in our 3 genres could not be any ' hotter ‘than in the current Canadian time frame of 2012. Also, for the first time one of Canada's provinces seems to be opting out of the tax credits - that's the province of Saskatchewan.

If properly structured and qualified your Canadian film tax credit financing in provinces such as Ontario, BC (British Columbia) and Quebec and cover anywhere from 30-50 per cent of your entire project budget. When revenue, distribution, pre-sales and other targets are a challenge the tax credit, when properly submitted and eligible becomes the more straightforward method of financing projects.

Tax credits are often referred to as ' soft dollars'. The one thing we've always found interesting about tax credit finance is that they don't really rely on the overall success of the project from a public acceptance point of view. When applying for and financing the film/TV/animation tax credit it’s very simply about meeting the technical criteria of the credit program itself.

It's therefore all about ' the spend' and the quality of the spend. And once you've qualified you then are in a position to monetize the tax credit - it becomes the collateral for extra cash flow. While in most cases that cash flow and working capital helps you on the current project it could of course be used for your next (hopefully successful!) production.

Tax credits are typically financed at a ' discount ' and a general norm might be in the 70% range - of course this varies per quality of the project and the experience and stability of the ownership team.

For successful eligibility and financing of Canadian film tax credit financing you require the services of a qualified tax credit accountant; that being a bit of a niche area of accounting. And with respect to the financing you need to be able to demonstrate that the credit can properly be assigned and that there are clear chains of title around your project.

Do you have to finance your film, TV and animation / transmedia tax credits? Absolutely, positively not. You can simply use the non repayable funds for any general corporate purpose. But if you, as a producer are challenged by successful project financing then the ONTARIO, BC AND QUEBEC tax credits can be a solid part of your overall financing plan.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor today on how you can successfully obtain.. and if you choose monetize and cash flow that same credit.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN FILM TAX CREDIT 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 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/canadian_film_tax_credit_financing_bc_ontario_2.html

Harsh Truth, Cost, and Benefits Of AR Accounts Receivable Finance In Canada . Factoring & Reality 101!

Explored Every Cash Flow Financing Mechanism?

Information on AR accounts receivable finance in Canada. Why factoring works, what it costs, and what to look out for in a good facility



The truth. We don't think we've met a business person, man or woman, that doesn't appreciate the real truth when it comes to business. So when it comes to AR Accounts Receivable Finance, aka ‘factoring’ let’s just clear up a few things if you don't mind!

We think if you lined up ten business people and asked them who they believe they could rely on when it comes to business lending most would say ' the bank ' That's been Canada's choice for decades .. that’s for sure.

But does everyone company have access to cash flow and growth financing when it comes to our beloved chartered banks. Here's the harsh reality - they don't.

So is there an option? There is. Its accounts receivable financing, which has become attractive to many firms when they look at some key advantages. Is factoring the only solution? Definitely not, firms can also utilize lease financing, sale leasebacks, and other debt mechanisms.

Debt mechanisms ... optimal? Certainly not all the time, and that’s why AR Accounts receivable Finance is a non - debt solution. It's just a monetization of your key asset, the receivables.

So why doesn't everyone utilize this form of financing. It certainly appeals to Canadian business owners who can't supply the type of security that a bank requires.

What then are some key reasons that businesses avoid factoring? We think we can summarize them quite clearly - they include a general lack of awareness of what the financing is and how it works.

In certain cases there appears to be an ' image ' problem. Why then do some of Canada's largest and most successful firms utilize this finance mechanism? We'll never figure out that one!

The cost of factor finance always comes up. In Canada a typical financing facility would be in the 1.5 -2% range based on a collection period of thirty days.

What Canadian business owners don't realize though is that cost can be offset in a solid handful of manners - they include your ability to purchase smarter, take discounts with suppliers, and take on new business and contracts you never could even consider in the past. We can honestly say that we're met some clients who have totally eliminated the entire cost of financing when they utilized factoring.

Some other harsh reality? If your sales are going down instead of going up factoring won't necessarily work, because your borrowing asset base is declining... not growing. Also, a very small handful of industries, such as construction pose more difficult challenges when it comes to AR finance utilization.

But the majority of Canadian businesses can actually do the following:

- access immediate short term funding

- improve cash flow

- utilize a pay for what you only use method of business financing

So, our bottom line? Take some time to investigate a bit more thoroughly, without some of those biases this method of business finance. Speak to a rusted, credible and experienced business financing advisor today.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN RECEIVABLE FINANCE 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/ar_accounts_receivable_finance_factoring.html