Can An ABL Lender Get Your Business Financing House In Order ? Key Take Aways For Asset Based Financing Success

Why Asset Based Business Credit Lines Just Might Be The Right Solution

Information on asset based business financing in Canada . How the ABL lender provides the capital needed by Canadian businesses.



Business Financing in Canada. We've always felt that an ABL lender (ABL = ' Asset Based Lending’) is one way for the Canadian business owner and financial manager to get the house... i.e. your company, in order!

Larger corporations, in Canada we often refer to them to as the FP 100, or FP 500 perhaps have access to capital in a number of ways. And if they are public companies relying on equity, all the better of course.

Unfortunately if your firm is in the other hundreds of thousands group you're a victim of the changing tides of access to capital in Canada. Think back to 2008 when it could not have gotten worse. The hurdles to that access to business financing seem... high!

In Canada there is a whole spectrum of business financing available. It's a question of knowing where it’s available, and how you can access it. That’s where the ABL lender comes in - they fulfill on of those huge niches in Canadian finance... Asset Financing.

The challenge quite often is simply understanding the terminology, and the finance folks in the industry do a great job, probably (we hope!) unintentional of confusing us with various terms in Canadian business finance.

We have found there is a solid roadmap business owners/managers can use to successful complete asset based business financing. So let’s share some of the steps on that roadmap.

Many clients we talk to need business financing... yesterday. And that many times is the problem in that they are perceived as somewhat desperate and in dire straits, creating potential negative perceptions around their ability to raise, and repay financing.

Knowing how you will use asset based lending is simply a case of ensuring that your ABL lender understands a clear use of funds. More often than not its cash flow and working capital financing... ie your daily operational needs.

In many cases certain types of finance are simply not suitable for your firm. You can waste a lot of time chasing financing that will never happen, and we’ve met our share of clients doing just that.

The ABL lender has one goal, and when it works you will be in great shape. That goal is to leverage assets. That of course has to be balance with an appropriate return to the lender, as well as your company’s' ability to generate a positive return on this new capital.

The true beauty of asset based business financing in Canada is that it covers the gamut of business stages: start up and pre revenue, emerging growth, growth, and mature.

The asset based line of credit works great in certain cases - its optimal when it finances receivables, purchases inventory, etc. It doesnt work when it is used inappropriately for term debt, fixed asset purchases, or product development needs.

The ABL lender is typically non regulated, they are private firms that compete with banks and finance assets they are comfortable with. Receivables and inventories and equipment are great ABL assets. These deals have no amortizations, grow with your firm, and are ' evergreen in nature.

Can ABL get your business financing house in order? It has for hundreds / thousands of firms, so consider speaking to a Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with finance success.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

CANADIAN ASSET BASED LENDING 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/abl_lender_asset_based_business_financing.html

Whats Your ‘ B A P ‘ With Cash Flow Financing ? Put In The Business Funding Fix Today

Beat these 6 Worries on Working Capital Finance In Canada


Information on cash flow financing and business funding in Canada . What solutions work best when, and why .




Cash flow financing in Canada for your business funding needs. And the B A P? I guess we'll have to confess and advise that it stands for ‘BIG A$$ PROBLEM’...!

Not sure if that’s the term we would use in talking with our bankers it’s probably a term that our cousin Frank would use if we were describing business financing challenges in Canada. ‘(Doesn’t everyone have a cousin Frank who is a bit rough around the edges?)


It is of course those cash flow problems that keep your business from moving forward and generating the sales and profits you need to. Naturally every company's situation is a bit different, but at the end of the day doesnt it boil down to these categories: Here's 6 of them -

Your growth is being penalized due to cash flow challenges

Your competitors seem to be beating you to the punch (how is it that they are doing that ... i.e. financing their growth

You're spending all your time worrying about cash flow challenges

A lot of the solutions you have heard about seem somewhat technical and hard to understand how they would work on a daily basis

You don't know where to start - it’s an overwhelming and confusing feeling

Insert your own problem here!!!!!



So where does the Canadian business owner and financial manager start. One firm calls the plan your ' growth and financing navigator ' ... its all about knowing where to start.

First things first so you need a handle on your business, and it’s not as hard as you think. Spend some time to address how your company looks from a balance sheet point of view, what amount of funds do you really think you need, and what are some specific issues around your industry or company? I guess that’s where we say ' INSERT YOUR OWN PROBLEM HERE '!

Naturally all companies are in different stages - either start up, early revenue growth, or mature with prospects of growing. In some cases your firm might be established and looking for alternative financing to enhance your growth prospects.

In many cases in the SME sector owners of the company ar also the managers, so you need to be in a position to both step back and also when it might be time to bring in a trusted business financing advisor who can objectively assess risk management and liquidity solutions.

That’s when you have to assess whether you're going the debt or equity route. Equity is a whole different kettle of fish and not our subject for today. That therefore leaves us with either new debt, or, our most favorite solution, monetizing existing assets to accelerate cash flow. Through the whole process reality checks are often needed, i.e. what is really achievable here?

There are probably at least ten, if not more solutions to cash flow financing for your firm. As we said, they are a combo of debt and monetizing assets.

They include receivable financing,
inventory financing
leasing and sale leasebacks
supply chain financing
bridge loans
bank lines of credit
non bank lines of credit
government busines loans
securitization

ETC!

So, as our rough around the edges cousin said, figure out your B A P and then also consider speaking to a Canadian business financing advisor to assist you in cash flow financing and business funding.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

CANADIAN BUSINESS CASH FLOW 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/cash_flow_financing_business_funding.html

Don’t Overlook These 5 ( Other ) Leasing Finance Issues On Lease Documents In Canada

Successful Equipment Leasing In Canada Depends On …


Information on leasing finance in Canada and why issues such as lease documents should not be overlooked re risk and advantages for lessees in Canada .


Leasing Financing in Canada. It could not be any more popular than it is. In fact a recent major study indicated the following:



Canadian business optimism is increasing

Canadian firms have challenges accessing certain types of finance (not leasing by the way!)

Access to asset financing was the 2nd largest concern expressed by the majority of business in Canada (No surprise that government bureaucracy was the largest concern)

Canadian Asset lenders are the largest provider of debt asset financing in Canada behind the Chartered banks in Canada

84 Billion dollars of assets are under finance in Canada by asset based lenders/lessors



Awhile ago, we wrote on 5 key documentation issues that Canadian business owners and finance managers have to ensure they address when it comes to lease documents . We pointed out that often it’s the terms, conditions and documentation around equipment financing in Canada that makes or breaks a successful vs. non successful lease transaction.

Those issues were master leases, warranties, ensuring you understand the different between capital leases and operating leases, asset registration issues, taxes, and return requirements. So that's it right?

But wait, as the fellow on TV says, ' there's more! Let’s examine some other key issues you probably need to consider to ensure that confidence that comes with knowing you have entered into a win/ win transaction with a lessor of assets.

One of those is maintenance, meaning that you need to ensure you understand your written obligations on maintaining the asset in good working order. This becomes even more important when you in fact have the intention or obligation of returning the asset in question.

Insurance becomes our 2nd issues to ensure you consider. You will often be required to produce a certificate of insurance which names your lessor partner as beneficiary in case of loss, theft, damage, etc. That’s just common sense of course, given they are financing the asset.

Thirdly, in certain cases you might want to ensure your lease specifies you have the right to assign the transaction to a third or related party. Naturally you want to ensure this right, if required, is not ‘unreasonably withheld ' as the lawyers say.

You may also wish to address the area of location to ensure you have the right to move the leased asset to another location, perhaps a branch plant or other office, etc.

Finally, in the case of say technology assets, i.e. computers, telecom assets, etc, make sure you clearly understand what can be added to or removed from the asset. In our tech example a good example might be software or additional disk drives, etc.


There you have it, 5 ' OTHER ' things to consider in the critical area of lease documents in Canada. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in structuring a transaction that makes sense.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

CANADIAN EQUIPMENT 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_finance_lease_documents_canada.html

Let Financing Receivables Stop That Feeling Of Borrowed Time . “ Lien “ on Canadian Invoice Finance And Factoring For The Solution.

A Canadian Financing Strategy .. that works!


Information on financing receivables in Canada . How the invoice finance and factoring solution helps Canadian business stay cash flow positive!





Financing receivables in Canada. It's no secret that invoice finance, aka ' factoring ' is part of the ' new normal ' when it comes to Canadian business financing.

There are probably thousands of Canadian businesses who constantly feel they are living on borrowed time. That is why invoice financing, collateralized by a ' lien ' on your receivables has become a solution of either choice or necessity for the business owner or financial manager.

Oh and by the way some of the biggest corporations in the world also utilize this method of financing their growth and largest asset, the A/R.

A lot of the activity around financing receivables is, unfortunately, being driven by... yes; you guessed it, your clients. Why is that? Simply because they either by policy, or practice, have chosen to slow down their payments to yourself. We're aware of one case wherein one of the largest companies in the world advised their printers they would pay all invoices on 120 day terms. Talk about a painful hit to cash flow!

While we certainly realize that the typical payments from your clients are probably closer to 60 days these days, (that kind of seems to be the new norm) it allows a financing receivables strategy to ensure you take much less of a hit on your cash flow and working capital.


The triple whammy. That's our own term for what else is happening out there in the Canadian business financing marketplace. Your suppliers slow down, bank financing becomes harder to achieve, and you still want and have the ability to grow your company. Talk about a perfect storm that comes together to challenge your firm in every manner!

One of the reasons that invoice finance is so popular these days is simple that is a ' stable ' source of funding for your firm. What business owner or manager doesnt want a reliable source of funding and working capital .in the current economic environment? That is a basic premise of invoice financing or factoring - the fact that your facility can be reviewed anytime, within pretty well a days time, to be increased based on your needs.

Cost is often a factor that turns off many clients who look at financing receivables. While the cost is higher than traditional bank finance that has to be balance off against access to capital. In trying to present a balanced outlook on invoice finance we also note that you typically have to report more regularly on your business progress - that typically includes monthly reporting on aged receivables, payables, and a balance sheet and income statement snapshot. We don’t think that necessarily is a bad thing though, as many clients tell us that process allows them to understand and run their companies better.

So, if you want to stop that feeling of ' borrowed time ' let a invoice finance firm ' lien ' on your receivables . That immediate uptick in cash flow and working capital should allow for better business performance... with less stress! Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor today on how invoice finance works, for you.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

CANADIAN RECEIVABLES 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/financing_receivables_invoice_finance_factoring.html

Financing Sources For Alternative Finance Needs In Canada . Why Asset Based Lending Works

New Sources Of Finance for Challenged and Growth Businesses

Information on financing sources for alternative asset finance in Canada . When traditional doesn’t work!

New financing sources in Canada can be a challenge for firms that are in one of three categories when it comes to alternative finance. They might be a start up, or perhaps they are in hyper growth mode (traditionally banks and certain other institutions don't like hyper growth!), or, finally, the company might be recovering from major challenges. They are in fact in turnaround mode and the faster the better.

Even firms that might be coming off a bad year, with solutions in place do in fact find that new sources of finance are difficult to achieve.

Why is that? Well, forgive us for sounding like father time here, but the word ' credit ' as in ' business credit ' comes for the Latin word ' credo ' which is to ' trust and believe '. And, surprise, surprise, your vendors, or your current bank, or worse yet, your valued suppliers can probably be forgiven for mistrusting a bit after your firm has gone through a challenging period.

So the goal of the Canadian business owner and financial manager is, of course, to reinstate that relationship to its former glory!

That's where asset finance comes in, because your business asset, ie receivables, inventory, equipment, and perhaps real estate allow you to focus on mending that reputation, or loss thereof , you have with our three aforementioned parties .

If it was a perfect world, (apparently its not) the best route would be standard ' traditional' financing as we know it in the Canadian marketplace. That typically comes from a bank, is has great flexibility, rates are low (they are lower than ever these days!) and are easily achieve, if (here it comes ...!) you have solid business creditworthiness. That of course means profits, clean balance sheets, and cash flow and debt ratios that make sense... to the bank.

That is why asset based loans and financing, whether they be bridge loans or straight asset monetization of working capital accounts.

Asset based lending in North America goes back to the early 1900’s. In Canada it has gained significant traction in recent years, simply because specialized non bank asset lenders are comfortable with your business collateral .Although rates are typically ( not always, but typically ! ) higher than the Canadian chartered banks they provide great liquidity for receivables, inventory, fixed assets, and even a real estate component can be thrown into the mix .

If you are not the ' investment grade ‘ credit that is sought by banks and insurance companies then investigate asset based lending financing sources in Canada . Typical advances of A/R and inventory are 90% and 5-80% respectively.

Speak to a trusted, credible, and experienced Canadian business financing advisor for alternative asset finance solutions in Canada.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN ALTERNATIVE ASSET BASED 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/financing_sources_alternative_finance_asset_canada.html

Secrets To Growth Finance in Canada . Get Rid Of Business Funding Challenges Once And For All!

Canadian Business Financing



Information on growth finance strategies and tools for successful business funding in Canada



Business funding in Canada. As a manager or business owner growth finance tends to be ' top of mind ' when it comes to your job of being able to identify both the type of funds you need as well as the timing around that challenge.

Growth and yes, even survival in Canada revolves around three key elements, profit, cash, and general cash flows. If you ultimately can't get positive closure on those three issues, simply speaking, your firm won't survive, and we read about those casualties in the Canadian business papers everyday. It's ironic, but even companies that are experiencing some serious challenges can quite often be in growth mode.

The fundamental concept around growth finance is simple - as you sell more you need to build up more inventories, receivables, and probably some measure of fixed assets.

In the case of inventory and A/R you simply need stock on hand and your customers of course want, and often demand credit terms. Some even want better credit terms!

It might not be obvious, but as you grow you automatically become eligible for growth finance - as you pay you obligations in the ordinary course of business and customers pay you , you are in effect getting some measure of business funding - generally though .. NOT ENOUGH!

As your payables increase you have the ability to manage them for greater cash flow - in effect you're stretching your payables or asking your valued suppliers for better / longer terms. However, if suppliers perceive you as unable to pay, or slow pay you might find they are unwilling to assist, and in fact taking the opposite tact of shortening payment terms.

Whether you think business is great ( cash flow, profits, sales ) , or if you're experiencing challenges in any of those areas you cannot lose the fact that you need some measure of supplier finance as well as external business funding .

Many firms that find themselves in a crisis look to a couple time tested tools to accelerate cash flow internally. They do that by monitoring and focusing on sales to inventory and sales to A/R relationships. Managing those two carefully typically can get any company back on track.

Business funding in Canada, for the majority, is done via or chartered banks. But many firms find they might no longer be in a position to either get any business credit, or, as common, the amount of credit they need.

So are there secrets and alternatives to other Canadian business financing alternatives? New capital and cash flow can come into your company from a variety of sources.

They include:

Receivable financing
Asset based lending
Sale leaseback / bridge loan strategies
Tax Credit Monetization
Unsecured cash flow loans

All of these are available from a variety of sources. The trick or challenge rather is determining which one you need, when, and from whom?


Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in determine solutions to growth finance.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

CANADIAN GROWTH 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/growth_finance_business_funding_canada.html






Stan Prokop

Can You Buy Your Competitor Via An Asset Based Lender ? Unique Acquisition Strategies!

Here’s A Great Asset Based Lending Strategy To Finance An Acquisition !

Information on how you can use an asset based lender to buy a competitor via a acquisition finance strategy .. that works!



Ever had the idea to buy a competitor? Even more so have you wondered how this acquisition could possibly be done? One method is to use the service of an asset based lender to complete such a deal.

Even more interesting ... we couldn’t help but catch an article in one of the two leading business dailies in Canada... it said... (To us it screamed!) ‘BUY A COMPANY FOR NO MONEY DOWN! ‘... and this was from one of Canada's leading investment advisors!

The concept here was simply all about ' assets ' and a formula derived from Ben Graham, who is acknowledged as being one of the most prudent and smartest investors ever. (Buffett is a student of Graham... so something there must be working!

The actual formula Graham used to derive this strategy was to take all the current assets of a company, deduct all liabilities, and get a number he called ' net working capital '. If you know a bit about your competitors financial statements you will know this formula is not always going to work ... but if it did... well you have got the makings of a deal!

There is of course one key assumption here which is that all the assets are worth what they say they are worth on the balance sheet. Naturally there has to be some factoring of what they are really worth but that new number can be financed by your asset based lender, allowing you potentially to complete a transaction .

In essence what you have done here is used a finance strategy to finance the collateral in the company.

There are of course many reasons you might wish to acquire a competitor - they include revenue growth, economies of scale, market domination, etc. In many cases you might be aware of a motivated seller, perhaps a firm who is in financial difficulty or who wishes to execute some sort of exit strategy for the owners.

In most cases an asset based lender will have to consider paying out the current lender, which well might be a Canadian chartered bank. Other issues that need to be addressed are the potential profitability of the new firm going forward. Issues that can also help you move the transaction forward are your ability to normalize earnings and assess need for further assets. Also a vendor take back is a great strategy at this time.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you to by or acquire a competitor via an asset based lender acquisition strategy.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL

CANADIAN ASSET BASED LENDING AND ACQUISITION 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/asset_based_lender_buy_competitor_acquisition.html