Equipment Leasing In Canada. No Hidden Message Here When It Comes To Asset Financing

Harder Than Capturing A Bogle? Equipment Lease Finance Is Easier Than You Think




OVERVIEW – Information on equipment leasing in Canada. Financing assets isn’t as difficult as the business owner/manager thinks it is . Arm yourself with asset finance knowledge




Equipment leasing in Canada . When it comes to asset financing in Canada does the Canadian business owner/manager view that whole process as being harder than capturing a BOGLE? And what, by the way is a Bogle? Simply speaking it's a Scottish ghost. The great line about Bogles is that they're defined as ' reputed to live for the simple purpose of perplexing mankind ‘. We've met a few people and run into a few issues over the years that qualify in that category!

Asset finance needs exist for both the start up and major corporations. You win with lease finance when you understand and maximize the benefits, and fully understand what you're getting into re documentation, approval, etc.

Numerous strategies exist within leasing companies to make this method of Canadian business financing attractive. The ones most touted are low or no down payment, ability to return or upgrade the asset, deferred payment structures, early buyouts, etc.

The one thing we observe constantly when talking to client about fixed asset needs is that every firms needs, or perhaps a better word, ' focus ' is different.

What are some of those reasons? They might include

Capital and cash flow conservation

Ability to use capital destined for assets for other purposes such as marketing, research and development -
SR&ED

Ability to access alternate non bank sources of credit (aka ' spread the risk')

If there is one ' EVERGREEN' use of equipment financing in Canada it's that almost any asset today can be financed. That includes construction equipment, aircraft, technology, production equipment; everything up to an including the ' kitchen sink '.

If your company is ' credit worthy ' and can meet some traditional financial criteria you can even finance intangibles, a good example might be software, service and maintenance contracts, etc. We mentioned technology financing and there probably isn’t a better of example of using a financing strategy to acquire your tech needs. The reasons -

Technology is expensive, it changes quickly, etc!

Although some business people tend to innately avoid aspects of their business involving taxation, accounting, etc the reality is that if you examine how leasing affects these key business concepts you will find even more benefits for financing assets in this manner. A good example - off balance sheet financing via operating leases. Although recent accounting rules changed off balance sheet recognition a lot there's still major benefits to utilizing this type of asset financing.

Dealing with leasing companies sometimes also brings out the ' BOGLE ‘in many of our clients (prior to talking to us!). That's because they wrestle with issues such as understanding which type of lease company best serves their needs. Issues to address include credit requirements, who finances what type of assets, can start ups be financed (yes they can), and, top of mind on every clients mind - ' what is my rate and monthly payment '!

Successful equipment leasing and financing happens in Canada when you have the right asset selected, you have a solid lease finance partner, and rates, terms and structures optimally meet your needs. Seek out and speak to a trusted,credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your asset finance requirements.




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = Canadian Equipment Leasing Expertise





CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com



















Stan Prokop

Invoice Discounting In Canada. Can Factoring Invoices Unbreak Your Working Capital Challenges

A Review Of The ‘ Good Bad And The Ugly ‘ Of A/R Finance In Canada


OVERVIEW – .Information on invoice discouting in Canada . Factoring invoices is the new kid in town when it comes to a working capital and cash flow solution






Invoice discounting in Canada. It's one a couple terms Canadian business owners use for the concept of ' factoring invoices ' in Canada. We can safely say that Canadian business owners/managers view this method of financing as somewhat of their own review of ' THE GOOD, THE BAD, and AND THE UGLY '. Let's dig in.

No business owner or manager in Canada, especially in the start up to SME sector business denies that financing a business is a challenge. So when exactly does utilizing A/R finance make sense, and when does it get ' good ' and how you prevent ' bad' and ' ugly '?

When to utilizing invoice discounting is probably the easier one for us to address first, with a viewpoint to allowing you to see quite quickly if you're a solid candidate for this method of financing your firm. Typically you find yourself in one of probably 3 different situations.

The first solid qualifier is simply that you have typically found your firm is unable to access traditional chartered bank financing in Canada. In some cases you do have access to bank capital, but... it's not enough. That's very simply because our banks focus heavily on a small handful of criteria that all must be in place - they include profits in your firm, cash flow coverage, strong personal credit of the owners of the business, etc.

We can absolutely say that thousands of firms that could never qualify for bank credit in Canada access daily millions of dollars in commercial financing via factoring. The quick explanation for this seeming conundrum is simply that factoring, a subset of asset based lending, focuses on your assets, not necessarily your performance. Hopefully you're constantly striving to improve financial performance. Otherwise your business is probably a hobby as opposed to a business!

Growing is the other component of what drives the success of A/R finance in Canada. Banks typically prefer regular steady growth. The business owner and entrepreneur would love to generate 10% growth per annum neatly in the future. But business life doesnt work that way. Large opportunities emerge that the owner / manager wishes to seize. It's at that time that invoice financing comes to the rescue.

Our third category. It's simply allowing your company to be more diverse. That might include taking on larger deals and contracts, selling into the U.S. or other foreign markets, launching new product lines, etc.

All of the above scenarios lend themselves to a Factoring/invoice discounting solution.

So, if that’s the ' GOOD ‘, what then is the bad and ugly?! We can boil that down into a few very helpful tips. First of all, consider a confidential accounts receivable financing solution that doesn't involves your suppliers or clients when it comes to how your firm is financed. Traditional factoring (we call it ‘old school ' ) can only be viewed as cumbersome when it comes to the paper trail that is required and notification to clients, etc. Also, make sure to get a handle on pricing as not all parties make understanding that simple. And it is simple if you are dealing with the right firm or advisor.

So, if your working capital financing is ' broken ' consider ' unbreaking' it with a solid invoice discounting and factoring solution. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with surmounting the business finance challenge.




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/invoice-discounting-factoring-invoices.html




CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
























Stan Prokop

Canadian Banks . Is The Diagnosis In On The Myth Of Infallibility

The Sky Is Falling On Canadian Banks? Say It Ain’t So !


OVERVIEW – .Information on Canadian banks and recent reports on the health of our banking system in Canada




Canadian banks . Wow! Make That A Double Wow. There it was. Staring At Us. It was a July 11 /2013 article in Canada's most prestigious daily business paper questioning the health of the Canadian banking system. We couldn't believe it either. Could our banks in Canada actually not be infallible? Let's dig in! , including our stunning conclusion.

Long term stability, safety, and being generally risk averse are what the Canadian business owner / manager associate our Canadian banks with. As the world trudged through the 2008 Global financial meltdown it seemed fairly clear to all that the Canadian banking system was last man standing when it came to the bank pillars of capital, liquidity , etc.

So what in the heck was our aforementioned article really saying. Simply that global banking analysis has changed and the way banks are measured has also. The gist of all that analysis was pretty simple - under a newer method of looking at bank financials all assets are treated equally, whether they're higher risk or government secured.

In reality it's the same way we look at our client’s financials when we're contemplating completing a financing for them - looking at leverage as a key example of financial health. And it turns out that that simpler method of looking at financials has us looking... well... not so good.

It's all up for debate of course, as our article suggested that since the largest asset for the banks is usually home mortgages that simply means more safety and government support

In the U.S., unlike Canada, banks fail all the time... if not once a day certainly on occasion. The complexity of the U.S. banking system (there are different types of banks) makes it difficult to analyze and figure out what's really going on.

So how would one in fact analyze a bank if it came down to it? A lot of factors come into play. Some of the basic areas would include:

Financial accounting presentation

Types of assets they finance

Quality of the assets they hold and finance

Types of assets that are no longer ' performing ' - i.e. defaulted loans, mortgages, etc

Weird stuff - derivatives /hedging etc (Don’t even ask us, as even we don't get it!)

Overall country risk

Management

International holdings re assets/risk

Have you ever looked at the financials of a large corporation? They are exceptionally complex more often than not .Take that complexity and multiply it by ten in our opinion!

Also, think back to recent year debacles of such firms as ENRON, NORTEL - The smartest guys on Wall street even if they could figure out the numbers were hoodwinked by accounting tomfoolery, etc

So our stunning conclusion on Canadian banks ' falling behind' as our article stated? Is the sky falling? Let's say simply that we're optimistic and hoping for the best - because this is Canada eh!



Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/canadian-banks.html


CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com







THE ORIGINAL GLOBE AND MAIL ARTICLE WAS BY TIM KILADZE AND APPEARED JULY 11/2013

ARTICLE TITLED ' BANKS FALLING BEHIND UNDER NEW RATIOS '















Stan Prokop

Bank Business Loan Needs. Approval Is Not A Myth And Non Bank Financing Loans And Alternatives Exist

Business OPM And Your Company



OVERVIEW – Information on getting a bank business loan in Canada. Other types of financing loans and asset monetization are also available as alternatives



Bank business loan needs in Canada. Whether it's operating capital or financing loans that are ' term' in nature the ability to access 'OPM' (other people’s money!) remains a constant challenge for the Canadian business owner and financial manager.

You don't necessarily need a business plan when it comes to sourcing Canadian financing, but you do require what we could simply call a clean loan package when it comes to accessing chartered bank capital. (Business plans relate more to start up financing or equity investments)

We spend a lot of time with clients on the subject of choosing the right bank. Invariably we think they have got it wrong. They're focusing on a logo as opposed to choosing the best business banker that suits their needs.

Truth be told the Canadian owner/manager has an easier job than our U.S. counterparts searching for the right business finance solutions. Why is that? Simply because our system has it narrowed down to a handful of chartered banks and occasionally a Credit Union or Non Schedule A bank. In the U.S. the myriad of banks within their system make it challenging - they have to rationalize ' money center banks ', 'Savings and Loans ' , 'Regional Banks ' , Community Banks,' etc !

There's a tremendous difference in Canada between retain banking and commercial banking. It's important to focus on the services of commercial bankers, as the lines can easily blur in the SME sector around how business financing is collateralized. We constantly stress to clients that it's important to separate their personal and business finances when it comes to operating and growth capital.

We meet many owners who tell us they have a business line of credit. They're quite surprised when we demonstrate to them that the ' business financing ' that they have in place is essentially lending based on their personal assets and personal credit history.

There are some key factors in choosing bank business loans and financing. While convenience re: geographical location is important it should never be at the expense of losing a strong commercial banking relationship you have in place. You'd be surprised how far we would recommend driving to get the right banker! So bottom line, focus on the relationship, not the fees!

Revolving lines of credit are key to any growing firm’s success. They help balance out the investment you make in A/R, receivables, equipment, etc. One of the truest maxims in business banking is that banks only lend generously when your firm needs the funds the least. So here the concept of putting revolving credit facilities in place when you might not necessarily need them is critical!

The 4 C’s of credit remain a true constant in lending. They are especially true in the SME sector, and they are character, capacity, credit, and collateral.

Bank business loans typically come in two categories:

Debt
Revolving Credit Lines

Bank credit lines, when you qualify, are low cost and cheaper than pretty well all types of financing. In Canada business owners in the SME sector access capital via a combination of means. They include:

Personal finances
Business credit cards
Vehicle loans
Equipment leases

Other alternatives exist for Corporate Canada when bank financing is either not enough of can't be accessed. That includes:

Non bank asset based credit lines
Equipment leases and loans
Receivable financing
Tax credit financing (SR&ED R&D Finance)
Government SBL loans

We highly recommend working with 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 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Bank Loan Expertise



CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com














Stan Prokop

Business Line Of Credit Needs? Check Out Non Bank ABL Private Lenders. Number 2 And Trying Harder

Maximum Thrust Minimum Drag For Your Business Financing Needs !


OVERVIEW –Information on the business line of credit in Canada . Which choice makes sense for your company, a bank facility or the ABL solution from commercial non bank private lenders

Business line of credit needs in Canada . Two basic alternatives emerge when your company requires revolving credit lines. One is of course the traditional commercial chartered bank solution. And number 2 and trying harder..? That's when a non bank commercial ABL facility just might make more sense, or is more readily available. Let's dig in.

The aeronautical term ' maximum thrust / minimum drag ' made sense to us when it comes to the financing needs of your business. You're looking for maximum financing that won't hold you back - It's our version we guess of rocket propulsion when it comes to growth financing.

Most Canadian business owners and financial managers we talk to associated Canadian business financing with our Chartered banks in Canada. Included in this category also are U.S. banks which have charters to operate in Canada also.

But what about that # 2 and trying harder solution. It's the ABL (asset based line of credit) offered by private lenders. And in the context we're talking about ' non bank ' simply refers to commercial finance companies that are not regulated under our banking rules. We suppose that means they can do what they want.

How does the business owner/manager decide which of these two solutions works for their company? Both solutions typically finance receivables and inventory. However ABL distinguishes itself by also adding your unencumbered fixed assets into the mix. Simply speaking that gives you more borrowing power.

Many companies use business credit lines to facilitate acquisitions or mergers. They are simply capitalizing on the assets of their company and the other business combined, monetizing these for additional cash flow and working capital. While the bank solution in this strategy might typically involve some level of term debt the ABL solutions is more suited to simply maximize borrowing power for the combined new firm.

Cost is often a key factor in deciding which credit facility makes more sense for your firm. If your firm can meet the fairly stringent requirements of our banks when it comes to borrowing (profitable, clean balance sheets, strong cash flow coverage, solid debt to equity) the actual cost of credit these days couldn’t be lower. ABL solutions cost more, but as we said they are more easily accessed from an approval point of view

Why does ABL cost more then? Basically that’s because non bank private lenders offering ABL solutions have a higher cost of funds. They typically also take more risk and have less stringent credit approval criteria. We would venture to say that they higher overall expenses in running their business.

So what are in effect the approval criteria for non bank commercial private lenders when it comes to asset based finance? It's pretty basic stuff - you must have the ability to produce regular and proper financial statements, you'll need to report more often on assets such as inventory and A/R levels, and those fixed assets that are now part of your daily credit line needs will almost always need to be appraised at least once.

Does size count? We're talking about facility size of course, and ABL solutions range from 250k into the tens of millions of dollars. It goes with saying (but we'll say it anyway!) that most commercial bank facilities typically start in the 500k range with no upper limit.

So which financing solution works for your firm . Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your credit needs . Minimum drag, maximum propulsion!






Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Business Line Of Credit Expertise



CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com



















Stan Prokop

Secured Lending In Canada . What You Need To Know About Business Loan Collateralization

Principles of Secured Lending In Canada

OVERVIEW – Information on secured lending in Canada . What’s behind collateralizing your business loan



There are various types of secured lending in the Canadian business environment. Let's examine some of those secured loans and discuss some of their characteristics.

When most business owners or financial managers think of secured lending they are thinking in terms of their operating loans or operating lines of credit, sometimes called ' revolvers' in finance language.

These loans are used to financing working capital, primarily receivables and inventory. In taking and registering this security the bank or some similar financial institution will take an assignment of these 'liquid assets' of the company. On occasion customers will hear the term ' demand loan ' and we are in effect talking about the same thing.

How does the bank or other institution secure the loan? They register what is known as a General Security Agreement, commonly called a 'GSA 'against the business. In determining their security and overall all 'credit limit' with the customer they usually agree to advance against 75% of all good receivables, and some component of inventory. We can, as a general rule, say that banks don't really like inventory - simply because they aren't set up to liquidate on it when they have to.

If everything goes well that is as much as the business owner really needs to know. The loan is secured, the bank registers a public security against the company, and the company has access to working capital.

How does the Secured Lender realize on the security? Again, we are talking about the worst case scenario when a bank has determined it needs to 'call the loan ', terminology most business owners know too well but hope they never have to live through. The bank is in effect, at that time, attempting to crystallize on its loan.

In securing the loan we spoke of the bank or other lending institution taking an assignment of the assets. Now that the loan has been called an actual assignment is enforced - customers are notified by the bank and monies are collected by the bank to reduce the loan outstanding. The bank now finds itself in a position of having to deal with the inventory they did not want to deal with, and we typically find that the inventory is directed to be sold by an auctioneer or salvage firm, who acts as a temporary agent for the bank.

When loans are enforced in such a manner the results are usually disastrous for the customer and have a major impact on the company's ability to go forward.

Lenders securities agreements in Canada are all registered under Canada's Person Property Security Act, and are in effect public knowledge for those that wish to investigate secured dealings. This process is very similar to the UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE (UCC) that exists in the U.S., and in fact the security legislation in Canada was very closely model to the U.S. way of secured lending notification.

There are other forms of secured lending Vis Vis equipment, debentures, and security is generally handled in the same manner re: registration, etc.

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




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/secured-lending-business-loan.html


CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com












Stan Prokop

Business Financing Loan Checklist . Here’s Some Reasons Your Cash Flow Is Upside Down

Understanding The System When It Comes To Canadian Business Finance


OVERVIEW – Information on business financing loan data points for cash flow success




Business Financing Loan challenges? When business owners and financial managers contemplate additional borrowing for cash flow for their firm they must think it terms of whether the business does, or will have, enough cash flow to make the debt repayments. We can further assure business owners that the bank or lending institution is thinking the same way!

When businesses enter into bank loans or other institutional loans the payments are, 99% of the time fixed and specified. The business owner and financial manager must ensure those payments can be made. If the company has over relied on debt it is viewed as highly leverage by the lender.

So how can a business owner determine if the company has the cash flow to support the debt? More importantly how does the lender do that calculation?

The calculation that banks and other term lenders focus on is called 'Times Interest Earned '. The business owner (and the banker) can calculate that formula very simply.
The Times Interest formula is calculated as follows:

Net profit before taxes, plus interest expense / divided by interest expense


The calculation becomes an absolute number. If the number is in fact '1 'that means that the company has in act made just enough to pay the exact interest expense for the year. We would point out that this calculation is always usually done on an annual basis.
So is '1' the magic number? The answer is no, and the answer should be intuitive to the business owner. That is because a times interest of 1 means there is absolutely no cushion for anything going wrong, and all business owners no about Murphy's Law!


So if earning decline or if the company takes on additional debt our ' times interest earned ' number become unsatisfactory - that is to say that we have determined there is not sufficient cash flow to service the debt.


We have determined '1' is not a great number then, well what is? The answer, as in many facets of business, is of course 'that depends '. Many industries differ and there is not really any specific number that is viewed as the Holy Grail by lenders. What we have found though that higher is better than lower. When the number is hovering around 1 both the business owner and the lender, should and will, respectively, have some concern.


We point out also that income, as a key component in our calculation varies between companies in final calculation re tax rate and other accounting adjustments. Some lenders and business owners also add deprecation to the profit because it is not a real cash expense.
Another quick calculation business people can perform is to calculate the cash flow number as a per cent age of debt. This calculation is often done by lenders to ensure long term debt is not being misused. If a company has a high percentage of total debt to cash flow it should be a strong indicator to the company owners that growth will be constrained, as all cash is going to debt, not growth. Therefore new equipment, inventory, receivables, etc will suffer in terms of growth.


In summary, business owners, by doing actual current calculations, as well as projections, can easily calculate their 'times interest earned' and cash flow as % of debt. This will allow the business to position loan repayments positively with their lenders, at the same time providing them with insights into how the bank or other lender will view payment capability.


Don’t let your business financing needs turn out to be upside down. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a track record of success.





Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/business-financing-loan-cash-flow.html



CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

















Stan Prokop