Our blog highlights Canadian Business Financing solutions via receivable finance , equipment finance, working capital financing, asset based lending, business acquisition financing,franchise finance, and tax credit monetization via SRED and Film Tax Credits. Our goal is to educate and assist Canadian businesses with their financing needs. You Are Looking For Canadian Business Financing! Welcome to 7 Park Avenue Financial Call Now ! - Direct Line - 416 319 5769
WELCOME !
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.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
ABL : Business Credit Lines Everyone Should Be Talking About : Here’s Commercial Line Of Credit 101
Choose Wisely, Not Randomly when it comes to Business Credit Lines
OVERVIEW – There are different solutions to a need for a commercial line of credit . ABL ( asset based lending ) business credit lines offer a solid alternative to traditional borrowing needs .
Business credit lines or more specifically, the lack thereof! ... Can be a major business and growth challenge for Canadian companies.
Top experts tell us a commercial line of credit is in fact a necessity for any business that sells on credit and has investments in one or either of receivables and inventory. ABL facilities compete with Canadian chartered bank facilities to try and satisfy the thirst for business credit. Let's dig in.
It should go without saying that commercial credit facilities differ significantly from consumer borrowing. There the emphasis is on personal credit, payment history, credit reports and scores.
The business of commercial borrowing revolves typically around your own firm's lending practices to your accounts, as well as the peculiarities of your own business model/business cycle.
Credit lines for business really come down to two key areas - how you are managing your assets, as well as what type of commercial borrowing best suits your asset base.
Canadian chartered bank credit line rates are currently at historical lows - so the ability to qualify and borrow against those rates is a win for any business. Businesses that seek out ' ABL ' (asset based lending ') fall into two basic categories:
1. For a multitude of reasons they don't qualify for bank facilities
2. They qualify for bank credit - but not for the amounts they need!
Businesses can also be considered for ABL lines if they are what the industry calls ' story credits '. Conditions for story credits typically include:
Explosive growth that doesnt allow for ' traditional ' financing
Erratic profit and loss history
Turn around
Management buyout
Businesses that have had their bank loan called - they are in the so called ' Special Loans' category at the bank
Numerous types of ' ASSET BASED LENDING ' players exist in Canada - they range from divisions and subsidiaries of our banks, U.S. owned commercial finance firms, Canadian finance companies focused solely on ABL lending, and... Sorry for making things more complicated... subsets of asset based loans that focus on niches.
Those ' subsets "? They include A/R financing , inventory finance solutions, Purchase Order Financing , SR&ED tax credit financing , and combinations of all the above !
So how do the Canadian business owner and financial manager choose ' wisely ' NOT ' randomly ' when seeking business credit lines?
First, get comfortable with how asset based lines of credit work. Typically they bundle your A/R, Inventory and Equipment values into one basic borrowing facility and you borrow as you need from there. By the way borrowing margins are more generous with ABL - receivables are margined typically at 90%, inventory anywhere from 30-70%.
Also, ensure you deal with a firm you are comfortable with from a management and reputation perspective. Some ABL lenders are divisions of asset liquidation firms - and in the past there have been examples of a focus on asset liquidation as opposed to client servicing via lending! Ensure also you're not paying monthly for borrowing facilities you are not using.
Firms that consider bank ABL facilities sometimes have found those facilities not dissimilar from traditional bank credit. And while rates are (almost) always higher for ABL lines of credit that must be balanced against your ultimate access to capital - don't just focus on cost. The good news - ABL rates have tended to come down.
If you want to better understand what thousands of business owners have been talking about, i.e. ABL... seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you in choosing ' wisely '.
Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = CANADIAN BUSINESS CREDIT LINE EXPERTISE
Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ? CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '
Stan Prokop
Monday, July 14, 2014
Federal Government Small Business Loan : Solving Business Problem Tailspin Via SBL Canada Loans
The ( Sometimes Inconvenient ) Truth About Government Small Business Loans In Canada
OVERVIEW – Information on the federal government small business loan program in Canada . Do SBL loans work ? Are You Eligible ? Everything You Wanted To Know .. But were afraid to ask
SBL Loans , aka the ' Federal Government Small Business Loan' program in Canada can sometimes is the financing lifeline for the Canadian business owner - Start ups included by the way. Oh and that includes potential franchisees in Canada's franchise industry also. Let's dig in.
It is no secret that many business owners and entrepreneurs are pointed to Industry Canada's ' CSBF’ program when they are looking for business funding. Although Canada's version of this popular U.S. program ( They call it ' SBA;) is somewhat limited in nature ( it finances only 3 asset categories - more about those later ) its not hard to see the appeal of this method of financing a business , growing a business, and yes, even buying a business .
The simple reason? Great rates, structures, and terms - simple as that. Business owners/entrepreneurs can be forgiven for thinking they have to deal with ' government ' for this loan program. That's not the case, as that typically might conjure up visions of red tape, bureaucracy, etc.
Instead the government simply provides loan guarantees to our Canadian chartered banks, which effectively run and administer the program under govt guidelines. They in effect promise to repay the large majority of the loan in event of a default - not every client we speak to understand that sometimes.
We spoke of the different asset categories of SBL loans that can be financed. Those 3 categories include:
Equipment (new of used)
Leasehold improvements
Real Estate - (Note: we believe very few real estate deals are accomplished via the SBL loan but it’s certainly available)
The somewhat ' inconvenient ' truth about Govt small business loans in Canada is they can not be used for working capital and cash flow needs. That's a common misconception. So essentially its term debt vs. asset monetization strategies. Businesses of all credit quality can still access other cash flow needs via A/R financing, inventory finance, PO financing, etc.
So the $64,000 question? Do you qualify for an SBL loan?! Eligibility boils down to some very basic issues:
You must be legally allowed to borrow in Canada - for example Cdn citizen or landed immigrant status
You must have reasonable good credit and a reasonable net worth - By the way no personal assets are collateralized under the loan - the only guarantee you provide is a' partial loan guarantee personally ' and a 'promise to pay ' via your business
Typical business packages we prepare for clients of the program include owner bio, business plan, cash flow forecast, and financing breakdown for the loan.
Are there disadvantages to the program? Most clients we speak to are concerned about timelines for approval - the truth is that a properly prepared and presented package can easily be approved in a few business days. You should be able to properly position that your net worth at least covers the portion of the loan that isn’t guaranteed to the bank from the government
In many cases that we have seen clients have tried to align themselves with bankers that don’t fully understand or like the program. Nix those quickly and choose instead to work with a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success that can assist you with federal govt loan program financing that works for your venture.
Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = CANADIAN SMALL BUSINESS LOAN EXPERTISE
Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?
CONTACT:7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '
Stan Prokop
Film Finance Companies : Are You In The Loop On Financing Films Via Tax Credits & Other Strategies
A ( Pretty Well ) Complete Guide To Film Financing In Canada For Independent Films
OVERVIEW – Information on financing films in Canada . Tax Credits and other loan strategies via film finance companies will help ensure success in your Media strategy
Financing films in Canada can only be described as ... challenging! For some producers and owners it surely must seem like a life long journey in efforts to finance projects. A search will even reveal that numerous films and documentaries exist about the actual financing of a movie! Let's dig in.
Film finance companies in Canada exist but are surely not in abundance. So whether it’s the tax credits that assist to finance projects or the other elements of a full financing package its critical to get some basics under your belt.
The good news in Canada is simply that there are numerous incentives, primarily under a tax credit regime that that assist you in completing a full financing. The tax credit itself is always a key part of the ' puzzle “.
In any aspect of business outside expertise and experience always helps, and that’s an understatement when it comes to film. You want to be able to know how to access various programs, how they work, and to ensure you qualify for maximum financing.
The actual tax credit itself is typically a combination of a federal and provincial amount. To us the phrase ‘Don’t try this by yourself at home ' comes to mind when it comes to tax credits. While it is possible to file your own application and claim your best bet is always to get the assistance of a film tax credit account ant - like many areas of accounting expertise these folks ' maximize ' your claim and ensure you are qualifying for maximum allowable claims . By the way, it's not unusual for these credits alone to help finance up to 1/2 of your entire project, if not more sometimes.
It all starts with an application for a tax credit ‘certificate’. The formal name of the main credit is the ' Film Production Services Tax Credit ‘. It is combined with the provincial part of the claim which is simply driven by the province you choose to produce your project in. Many projects these days are ' Transmedia ' driven and involve digitization, special effects, etc. A separate credit is available for that part of any project.
Not everyone is aware that many ' Canadian ' projects in film, TV and media are in fact only ' partly ' Canadian - they are often ' co -productions ' which is simply an arrangement that Canadian tax authorities have with many countries to assist in the same type of financing . Again specific rules apply. In truth an actual ' point ' system exists and is a key part of the tax credit claim... i.e. maximizing points!
As an example one of the most recent co production approval agreements involves India... so of course ' Hollywood North ' can also be called ' Bollywood North'!
If you're wondering what drives tax credit eligibility in Canada for film the key areas of focus are production ownership, production costs, geographical location, etc.
FINANCING TAX CREDITS : Your applicable tax credits can easily be financed to ensure maximum cash flow . Loans are typically for 70% of the value of your claim and provide solid cash flow for your existing or next project .
While we have focused mainly on tax credits for the obvious reason, film finance companies also assist with the other parts of the project financing puzzle - they include areas such as pre sale financing, gap financing, and minimum guarantee financing.
If you're looking to get ‘ in the loop ‘ for a better ' fast track' on financing films, TV and digital projects seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experience Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with part or all of your project needs.
Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = CANADIAN FILM TAX CREDIT FINANCING EXPERTISE
Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?
CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience
Stan Prokop
Friday, July 11, 2014
Funding Businesses In Canada : Little Known Business Financing Loans And Cash Flow Strategies
Can You Properly Recognize Business Financing Needs ? Don’t Make These Mistakes
OVERVIEW – Information on business financing loans and alternatives in Canada . Funding businesses requires knowledge of the type of finance solutions that meet your company’s specific challenges and needs
Funding businesses in Canada often comes down to recognizing what type of business financing loans make sense for your firm. In fact not properly being able to ascertain what type of finance is needed, makes sense, or that your company is qualified for is what it's really all about. Let's dig in.
Part of the confusion around picking the right type of financing revolves around understanding the sometimes subtle ( and sometimes not so subtle !) differences between ' working capital ' , ' cash flow', 'profits' and ' asset turnover '.
We all should be familiar with the idea that profit isn’t cash and many a great company has stumble and fallen around missing that difference. There a classic example of that in the U.S. that is used in text book studies - it revolved around the dept store W.T. Grant. It was a public company, seemed to be doing well (key word = ' seemed ‘) and went under to the surprise of all, including shareholders! The reason - things in paper looked great, assets were huge. The problem - assets weren't turning and there was no real cash. After the company went under the accounting industry went on to invent the ' cash flow ' statement which is not a part of every financial statement.
The reasons that cash and profit don’t equate often come down to the asset turnover we have talked about. As your firm builds up inventory and then sells products on credit terms a huge gap develops between paper profits and cash in the bank.
Companies finance working capital, which then becomes cash via short term credit facilities. In Canada these facilities should be financed via:
Bank credit lines
Commercial A/R financing facilities
Inventory financing arrangements
PO Financing
Tax Credit Financing
Non Bank ABL Asset based credit lines
The ability to turn receivables and inventory into cash is the ultimate measure of success of a business.
The business owner/ financial manager should also be watching cash availability and assets needed to run and grow the business. Here asset financing strategies are key - they include:
Equipment Financing
Bridge Loans
Term Loans
Sale Leaseback strategies
The key point owners/managers need to recognize in acquiring capital assets is that these assets will typically be used over several years, so it doesn’t not make sense to deplete cash and credit lines today for benefits that will be received over time.
Always remember to ensure that working capital and cash flow needs cover your ability to pay down debt and purchase or finance new assets needed in the business.
If you're focused on properly recognizing the right type of business financing loans and asset monetization strategies for your company seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in business funding that matches your needs.
Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = CANADIAN BUSINESS FUNDING EXPERTISE
Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?
CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue FinancialSouth Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '
Stan Prokop
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Account Receivable Loans : From Big Bounce To Big Bang In Factoring Lending And A/R Financing In Canada
What If We Just Got Rid Of The Most Annoying Part Of A/R Financing In Canada?
OVERVIEW – Information on account receivable loans in Canada. Confidential receivable financing is one method of factoring lending in Canada that allows business owners to meet the challenge of cash flow
Account Receivable loans in Canada are, rightfully so, positioned as providing a ' big bounce ' to business cash flow challenges. But what if we could turn that ' bounce' into a ' big bang ' - Here's our theory - no pun intended, so let's dig in.
There is no bigger constraint to a business than feeling the cash flow and working capital squeeze. While the business owner and financial manager often hears otherwise , access to capital and credit in the SME Commercial sector still feels like quite a challenge.
That then forces owners and management to look at new ways to address the Canadian financing challenge, and one of them is known as ' factoring lending '. It's one of those solutions that fills the gap, allowing companies to allow cash flow to move ' lock step ' with sales.
More often than not its the solution for companies that can't access bank credit and allows them to be on an equal footing with their competitors who for some reason ' seem ' to have all the financing they need ( more often than not they don't - it just seems that way )
It's that gap in the SME sector that is constantly looking for new source of finance. The difference, other than financing cost, between bank and A/R financing is not as big as most people think. When sales are financed by the bank the A/R is taken as collateral and assessed in the overall credit worthiness of your business. Factoring lending is secured differently, as the paperwork around the facility has the receivable being constantly sold to the lender and cash flowed, typically on the same day. In fact, as a surprise to some, A/R financing from a commercial finance firm actually advances more on your receivables than a bank would. Usually 15% more!
While, generally speaking a bank prefers slow steady growth factoring lending typically works optimally when a company is growing sales. In fact when sales are in a decline it's not recommended that the owner /manager consider a commercial a/r financing facility , as things tend to backfire somewhat.
So what about that ' annoying ' part of factoring financing in Canada. What we're referred to is the fact that for traditional factor financing done in this manner your clients receive a notification around the process and payment under this type of facility. Our recommended solution? It's having your facility run on a ' CONFIDENTIAL ' basis allowing you to bill and collect your own receivables without notification to any other party. It's kind of like banking but without the bank.
If you aren't aware of the key benefits of financing sales growth through factoring they include:
Short term bulge cash flow solutions
Increased flexibility
Fast approval - typically a week or two
Reasons business owners don't use this method of financing include the cost, or simply that they weren’t aware that financing of this type was available. Those living in the past (that’s a dangerous thing to do in business by the way) even think there’s some sort of negative connotation to using alternative financing. They are wrong by the way, as some of the largest most successful firms in Canada utilize A/R financing and securitizing receivables of some sort.
So, if you want to accelerate the ' bounce ' in A/R financing into a ' bang ' consider Confidential Receivable finance as one solution to the finance challenge. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you with accounts receivable loans and facilities that make sense.
Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = CANADIAN A/R FINANCING AND FACTORING LENDING EXPERTISE
Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?
CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue FinancialSouth Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '
Stan Prokop
Monday, July 7, 2014
Financing Businesses In Canada : Are Business Finance Worries Causing You To Miss Out ?
You Don’t Need a Flux Capacitor to Achieve Successful Canadian Business Financing
OVERVIEW – Information on business finance solutions and alternatives in Canada. Financing businesses involves the art and skill of searching out applicable debt / equity /traditional/alternative options
Financing businesses in Canada must often make the business owner/financial manager almost feel they need a ' FLUX CAPACITOR' to make the right decisions around business finance. Debt? Equity? Asset Monetization? Those three choices are the ongoing conundrum for the business solutions. Let's dig in.
A flux capacitor? Well, if you remember it’s the instrument used in the movie ' Back to the Future ' - allowing its stars to time travel back and forth into the past and future. That's probably not far off from how owners/managers feel about what solutions to pick for their business financing needs - there are the old traditional solutions, and in recent years numerous alternative financing solutions have become popular.
Putting ' asset monetization' aside temporarily the choice of debt or equity is an important one. Debt alters the balance sheet, and for some reason or other those lenders always wish to be repaid! Choosing the right debt term (or ' amortization') also becomes very important. Payments are fixed and rates are set.
In Canada the SME (small to medium enterprise) sector can in fact take advantage of the Canada Small Business Financing Loan - while it is ' term debt ' it has no prepayment penalty, rates are offered as ' variable ' and outside collateral is not needed. It's as safe a bet as you can pick given the choices.
No business owner wishes to give up ' equity ' when they don't need to - but when debt or asset monetization strategies don't make sense it then boils down to choosing the equity give up - that might be from as far minded a group as friends and family to those lesser than friendly VC's - nice people, its just that they love that ownership control.
Equity investor’s aren't as focused on cash flow and repayment as opposed to growing the overall value of the business. And it therefore goes without saying that outside collateral; personal guarantees and the like play very little into the equity raise.
Naturally the converse of that is the control the owner/manager gives up in the business - and reporting to or working with new owners is your new main ' to do ' task.
In practice the text books and top experts tell us that the right balance between equity and debt is in fact the right solution.
So if it isn’t debt or equity what about then those asset monetization strategies we spoke of? They include:
A/R Financing / Securitization facilities
Inventory Finance
Asset based credit lines
Revolving bank facilities
Purchase Order Financing
Tax credit loans (SR&ED)
Royalty Financing
Unsecured cash flow/mezzanine financing loans
So in fact you don't need that ' FLUX CAPACITATOR ' to gravitate back and forth between traditional or alternative financing solutions. It's a matter of picking the right financing for right now. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success Your business finance worries just might be over.
Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :
Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?
CONTACT:
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '
Stan Prokop
7 Park Avenue Financial IS Canadian Business Financing
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Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
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