Why The Canada Government Small Business loan Is Your Best Bet For Start Up Financing

Do you want 957 million reasons why the Canada government small business loan is your absolute best bet in Canadian business financing for small and medium size firms? Well, that’s how many dollars the government program we are discussing put into the economy last year (2010).
Small and medium sized firms, including start ups, are the recipients of the financial benefits of this program. It is very important to clarify our reference to ' medium size ‘, since the cap for sales or projected sales is 5 Million dollars in revenue. That is to say the program only lends to firms with revenues under that amount.
Should your firm, or yourself as a new entrepreneur be looking at this financing. Clearly the lending criteria, as well as the overall rates, terms and structure of the government small business loan lend themselves for serious consideration. Rates are comparable to what larger Canadian corporations can achieve - and if you want the real kicker here it is - a personal guarantee by shareholders is required for only 25% of the entire loan value. That in itself is appealing to many entrepreneurs and business owners who do not wish to offer up full personal guarantees.
How much can I/we get? That’s the very firms and very typical question that we are always asked. Well, here is where even more good news kicks in. Up until 2009 the cap on the program was 250,000.00 - This amount was raised to 350,000$ during the most recent economic recession. 350K continues to be the loan maximum - however for borrowers who wish to facilitate a real estate transaction using the program you can actually go to half a million dollars on the program .
Why isn’t everyone or almost everyone taking advantage of the program? We can't offer up all the reasons, but some of the better published ones relate simply to the fact that most eligible recipients are not aware of the program! That’s almost too unbelievable when you consider the very attractive rates structures and terms that we speak of.
Another typical belief is that while the Canada government small business loan is guaranteed by the federal government (the owner of the program is Industry Canada) the program itself is administered by the chartered banks in Canada. Many feel the banks have not done a great job in promoting the program, due in some part to staff training issues, as well as the paperwork admin, and reporting that banks have to undertake when they are asked to create such a loan on your behalf.

Could you use funds for land, equipment, vehicles, software, leasehold improvements? Those very specific items are what 99% of all government small business loans are utilized for.
It is important for borrowers to also investigate what the program can’t be used to finance.
In summary, yours is not to question why - yours is to take advantage of the program .Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian Small Business Financing Advisor to learn how you can immediately take advantage of this great, and often mis-understood small business loan in Canada.

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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 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/canada_government_small_business_loan_financing_2.html

Secrets To Obtaining Best Lease Finance Rates For Equipment Leasing In Canada

Do you think there is a big difference in approval success in equipment leasing finance and lease finance rates among different companies? We sure think there are and we're going to show you how to master the information that will allow your firm to achieve equipment finance success.

Most business owners and financial managers in Canada who acquire equipment realize there are much touted significant benefits to equipment leasing. When business owners approach asset acquisition they do it in the view of trying to determine if they should ' lease' or ' buy’ the asset in question. The decision often focuses on two issue, is it less or more costly to lease, and finally what are the cash flow advantages to utilizing this type of financing.

Achieving the best lease finance rates comes down to a couple key issues - the overall credit quality of your firm, and more importantly, how you present that credit quality to the lessor. Secondly structuring of your transaction, hopefully with your input. Significantly affects your lease rate. For example a larger down payment will of course drive your overall rate down considerably - i.e. you are financing less.

More often than not a simply first and last payment is all that is required as a sort of down payment or security deposit on your transaction. Other key points that will enhance your equipment lease rates is the importance your place on items such as the ability to return the equipment to the lessor at the end of the term.

How does returning the equipment at the end of term to the lessor become a ' secret ' of great lease finance rates? It's simple, your decision to return the equipment at end of term typically allows you to opt for what is known as an operating lease - as such the lessor makes a bet on the ability to sell or remarket or release the equipment to another party. That type of transaction typically drives the overall lease rate down significantly.

Most business owners are incredulous that in some cases you could actually achieve a ' negative ‘lease rate on your transaction! How's that for a great inside tip or secret on equipment lease financing !In the transaction we just detailed it is possible that all your payment don’t even add up to the original purchase price of the equipment or asset - due, as we said , to the lessors belief they will get the equipment back . And you should be very happy to let them take that bet and risk, because that becomes the lessor’s problem, not yours, you simply benefit from the great lease finance rates on your transaction.

Another more obvious benefit of equipment lease financing is that it’s available to all firms, including start ups and firms that might be financially challenged; therefore lease finance rates you achieve are often considerably better than other forms of finance, such as bank term loans, etc.

In many equipment finance transactions the ability of the owner to provide a strong personal guarantee can often enhance the overall pricing of your transaction in your favor, although we acknowledge of course that most business owners would prefer to avoid, not offer up such guarantees.

In summary, it’s important to understand how lessors price your transaction, meaning what factors are important to them to create a satisfactory return. Being armed with the ability to properly present your firms overall credit quality, as well as focusing on benefits that are important to your firm that affect lease finance rates is what successful equipment leasing finance is all about.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor to guarantee you will receive the best rates, terms and structures, potentially saving you thousands of dollars on any acquisition via asset finance.


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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 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

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

Surviving The Franchise Business Loan Process - Doing it Right In Franchise Finance Funding in Canada

We wouldn’t say that it’s a life and death situation, but clearly surviving the entire franchise business loan process with a final result of successful franchise funding of your new business is clearly a victory on your part.

Let’s examine how you find franchise finance funding in Canada and the most efficient methods to complete the process when it comes to time, resources, and utilizing proper expertise.

Although there is somewhat of a negative spin on business funding and business financing in general the reality is that as a whole the franchise industry is viewed as a positive ' vertical market ' by the lenders that participate in this area . Many new entrepreneurs will be surprised to hear that one government financing vehicle is actually the most utilized by new franchisees.

We also sometimes forget to reference the fact that when it comes to a franchise funding that whole process can also involve your purchase of an existing franchise where the current owner is motivated to sell. Certain processes, procedures and recommendations on buying an existing franchise are somewhat different than your traditional new ' turn key ' approach to a brand new franchise.

So let’s get back to our ' survival ' theme. What elements of preparation are critical to that? Many franchisees we talk to complain or tell horror stories of the time it took them to finance their business. Our observation on that is simply that if you are not fully prepared up front to present a package to the right party, containing all the critical elements... well you know what comes next... there is just simply a tremendous amount of back and forth and potential frustration on your part . And don’t forget you also run the risk of alienating your lender and being perceived as ill prepared to own and run an entrepreneurial business.

So what you do need to have in that packaged that allows you to survive the entire financing process?
The key elements are a concise business plan as a good start! We also caution franchisees that the plan should focus on repayment of the loan and franchise funding itself - with less emphasis on all the marketing and ' pr ‘type material that is in many plans we see.

Key elements of that plan are your background and experience. If you are purchasing a business and looking for a franchise business loan in an industry in which you have no experience be aware that that will be come a discussion point with the lender. In reality any business person that has solid overall management experience and skills, coupled with some financial acumen should be in a position to ‘up sell ' their skills as a new franchisee and entrepreneur.

We speak of the ' lenders ' in franchise finance funding in Canada. If you don’t know who they are we can virtually guarantee you frustration and a potential decline of your proposal.

The largest franchise lender in Canada... are you ready for this... is the government of Canada by virtue of their support of a special program called the BIL/CSBF loan program . The majority of franchise business funding is done through this program. By the way it has great rates, terms and structures that are often perfect matched to your needs.

In summary, we can clearly say that a franchise business loan is not 'rocket science ' ; identify a suitable BIL/CSBF loan partner , prepare a clear package that’s focused on your and repayment of the financing, and consider seeking the services of an expert in Canadian business financing in the franchise area . You'll find you have survived the process and come out on the other end approved and ready to commence your role as a new Canadian business owner in the franchise industry.

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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 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

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

Turbo Charge Your Banking Via A Business Line Of Credit ABL Revolver !

Small, medium or large? We're not talking about a coffee cup size... we're referring to the fact that no matter what your size of business your access to a business line of credit is the lifeblood of your company . That's why an ABL revolver (ABL = asset based line of credit) is potentially the solution to turbo charge your working capital and cash flow. Let's examine how.


Clients seem to always wrestle with the fact that they don't really understand the differences between this type of business financing and banking as opposed to a ‘regular’ operating facility with the bank. The differences could not be more dramatic. While a bank facility (by the way, we are all for them also, when they work! ) focuses significantly on your balance sheet ratios and over all profitability , etc the ABL revolver solution hones in on one issue only - your assets and their overall quality and size . It is on that quality and size that the ABL business line of credit is structured.

Borrowing power is what business lines of credit are of course about. When you utilize the ABL approach you in effect leverage all the power of the assets, which certainly isn’t like what we like to call ' traditional bank borrowing '.

So, why would a business such as yours want to unlock that borrowing power? The reality is there are some very recurring needs for firms which choose this type of business financing. First of all they either can’t get or can’t get enough working capital borrowing power against their inventory, receivables and equipment. Secondly, all sorts of other problems, challenges, and yes opportunities can e overcome with an asset based line of credit.

Many examples exist of firms who have doubled and in some cases tripled their business financing access via this type of finance. The answer is simple - it’s based on asset size, not ratios and covenants and external collateral.

Those include firms which have large seasonality issues, companies who which to merge with or acquire a competitor on an asset financing basis, and, most commonly, firms that view themselves in turnaround or restructuring mode when it comes to where they are at in their life cycle - i.e. coming out of a challenging economic time or negative business event (operating losses, etc).

Did we just say ' operating losses ‘? Yes, the reality is that even firms who are experience operating losses and could otherwise not achieve maximum operating cash flow are excellent candidates for ABL financing. We should mention that the type of facility you get, the pricing on that facility, and how the facility works vary within ABL revolver financing depending on your overall transaction size and asset coverage .

We must never forget also that these type of facilities never bring debt to your balance sheet, you view them similarly as an operating line, in that you are just monetizing your assets for working capital and cash flow - the only difference is you've got tremendous flexibility around borrowing power - because you are borrowing against a base of receivables, inventory, unencumbered equipment, and in some cases real estate also.

In summary ABL revolver financing gives you a full service business financing, its cost effective, addresses almost every financing problem you have had related to cash flow, and is available in facilities from 250k to many millions of dollars .

It somewhat of a secret to many that some of Canada's largest corporations choose this type of financing over a traditional bank facility. Speak to a trusted, credible, and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on why ' ABL ' give you that ' turbo charge' boost in cash flow we've talked about.

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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 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

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

Want To Finance Working Capital ? Here’s Your Sources Of Cash Flow Financing

Are you focused on succeeding in financing working capital for your company? If you want to win that battle, and we categorically think business and cash flow financing is in fact a daily battle for most business owners... well you must be aware of the roots of your challenge the and sources and solutions .

As we head into the 2011 business year we're clearly coming out of a time when for many firms such as yours sales were down, margins eroded, and most importantly cash flow financing seemed to dictate where your firm was heading from a success point of view .So how can you assess how profits and growth can be managed from a viewpoint of cash flow financing.
The answer - your scorecard! What do we mean by that ?Simply speaking knowing where your working capital is tied up, and what is the cheapest method of unlocking sources to cash flow financing . And, although it’s a surprise to our clients more often than not, ' cheapest ' doesn’t necessarily mean ‘whats my interest rate '.

Can you point to your working capital? We can. It's tied up out back, in the form of inventory, receivables and equipment you've invested in, via fixed assets.

So business owners can hopefully start to see now that the secret or ‘holy grail’ to that unlocking of cash flow is freeing up cash you've got tied up in those assets. We will point out as a side note that you also have to manage those assets for prompt turnover - that comes with billing promptly, collecting receivables when they are due , and ensuring you have financing mechanisms in place, if you need them , for inventory and equipment .

Many business owners don’t realize that the inventory and equipment can be turned into sources of working capital. Those two assets can be combined as a part of a working capital operating facility , which for larger transactions is known as an asset based line of credit .

The hallmark of being able to finance working capital, more often than not, is managing your receivables. We can categorically say that although the majority of clients have 30 day terms to customer’s typical collection periods actually seem to be 60 and, yes, even 90 days.

How can you monetize that critical asset? In a perfect world (by the way its not) you access receivable financing via your bank. That comes with obligations though, including your need to maintain clean financials, show a profit, and meet ratios and covenants. So it’s agreed. What's plan B!

Plan B can also bring you closer to finance working capital solutions. Plan B could involves the following - securitizing your receivables if you are a mediums size or larger firm . Smaller firms and start ups and monetize A/R via selling their receivables, taking them off the balance sheet, and receiving cash flow today that can be re invested in the business. Terms for this type of financing are invoice discounting, factoring, confidential invoice discounting, etc. If your firm has decent gross margins, good clients, and can you're able to increase sales and profits by having additional cash on hand these solutions are for you.

The long term solution for cash flow could be more equity in your business, or borrowing via term loans for cash flow. Those as viable, possible, but consider your short term options first - giving up equity or taking on debt are not fabulous working capital strategies.

In summary, to keep you business running you must asses your cash flow needs and priorities .We have named 5 or 6 immediate and available solutions to consider. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on cracking those sources of cash flow financing.

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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 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

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

How Can My Canadian Company Sell Or Remarket Equipment That Was on an Equipment Lease and is Not Required

Lease financing continues to be one of the major methods of equipment acquisition in the Canadian business environment. Business owners and financial managers of Canadian firms often with to replace older equipment with newer technology, and that can be of course anything from shop floor equipment to computers.

So what does the business owner do with equipment that he currently owns that was on a lease that has come to end of term? That equipment needs to be disposed of in an efficient and economic matter.

As a business owner you want to dispose of the equipment in a method that gives you the highest price while at the same time minimizing your expenses around that entire process. Back at the leasing company this entire process has an industry term, generally known as 'remarketing '.

In order to begin the process you need to look at a couple ' big picture ' scenarios - namely what do you currently believe the equipment is worth, and is there any sort of demand out in the market place for the equipment. If there is some solid sense that the situation can be advantageous in value to your firm ( we wouldn't recommend remarketing 1990 DOS based PC's..!) you need to asses what sort of costs will be involved and who in your firm will be primarily responsible for the divestiture.

So what's one of those 'bottom lines'? It is of course, what is the asset worth, and how do I determine that. Many industry publications for the asset type might provide you with a 'black book 'residual value on the equipment - that is similar to the 'black book 'we hear about at a car dealer's lot. Clearly this sort of number is only a guideline, as a lot of factors now come into play, like technology obsolescence (think computers!) as well as maintenance if in fact maintenance was applicable.

When you are looking at a disposition number that is reasonable you are in fact looking at three different numbers. Let's clarify that comment. You are looking for a number that matches the three industry terms -

FMV

OLV

FLV

Confused?? It's not that bad really. FMV stands for fair market value, and is a broad term which simply says that is it the price that a reasonable buyer will pay with no time constraints and some good market activity. It's quite comparable to selling your house and determining with the realtor what the current market will bear.

OLV is Orderly Liquidation value, and is essentially the auction process that might be held by you, an appraiser, or an auctioneer. The asset is put up for sale, and given current market conditions, is sold at highest bid.

FLV is forced liquidation value, and that is, from your perspective, kind of the ugly number - the asset has to be sold, it has to be sold tomorrow, who will give me what for it immediately, etc!

So the bottom line is we like FMV, we don't like FLV as the current asset owners.

Again, using our house analogy as an example you need to do some research into recent sales, that is of course because it gives you a ' comparable '. Your market research should come from both vendors and manufacturers and resellers of that type of asset.

In summary, disposing of a major off lease asset is a defined process. Care needs to be given to current market conditions and several industry terms revolving around the potential type of sale you will ultimately agree to. Successful completion of this whole process will allow you hopefully to enter into a new Equipment Lease financing transaction for assets to help your firm's growth and profits!

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www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

We finance the little guy - P.S. We finance the big guys also!

Need Equipment Loan and Lease Financing ? Re-program Your Leasing Finance Strategy Today !

Sometimes you just need to re-program things to make them work better - that's what we're also suggesting when you review your lease finance and equipment loan financing strategies for your company.

Let's examine how you can maximize your leasing strategy to attain maximum benefits and minimum hassle! That's clearly a win win strategy.

Focus clearly on eliminating what we can only call the ‘hassles’ of dealing with other types of financing , It's all about ' time' and your ' business bandwidth ' today when you are visiting a new asset acquisition . Without a doubt we can state that leasing equpment is by far the quickest method of obtaining an approval, satisfying both your vendors need as well as your own time constraints.

With only a very basic financial calculator you can quickly review all your lease finance options - the favorite question of almost all clients is: ' What will my monthly payment be?’ It's about time for you to answer that question yourself, and make sure that your cash flow and working capital remain intact on the equipment loan financing you are contemplating. How? Just remember that the only elements to any lease are: term, rate, amount financed, payment, and end of term option. If you know any 4 of those you can always solve for the final item, which in our case is payment. You should assume an interest rate that is consistent with your firms overall credit quality.

Business owners and financial managers should view their lease finance acquisitions in the context of your overall financial strategy. You might need to’ re - program ' your thinking on buying and paying for assets outright . Doesn’t it make more sense to keep your cash and line of credit reserves intact, and match the useful economic life of the asset you are acquiring to a predicable cash outlay?

A quick way to’ re program ' your leasing needs is simply to always use the same business template for each asset you are acquiring . They key aspects of that decision template, if we can call it that are: cash flow budgeting re the monthly lease payment, reviewing the asset in the context of not having to draw on your business operating line of credit, determining how long you will use the equipment for (thereby matching term and payment) and finally, factoring in balance sheet and tax advantages into your asset acquisition decision.

What's the biggest’ re programming' issue with most firms . It’s simply their mild obsession with ' rate ‘. Yes a rate has to be competitive, but view the lease financing rate in the context of the current interest rate environment , the challenge of getting traditional bank financing, and the fact that in the current 2011 environment rates are probably going up and not down . The real reality is that you determine your own rates in your new leasing re programming strategy! That’s because the largest factor in determining rates for equipment financing is the manner in which you properly present your overall credit quality and financial health.

In summary, equipment loan financing, aka ' leasing' has been around for over a hundred years in North America. Take a hard look at why you finance your assets, reprogram your strategies around benefits and ' how to ‘, and acquire your assets with the knowledge you have made the best financial decision for your firm. Need help ? Given a choice we’ll take an expert over a rookie any day ! Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will work on your ' re programming strategy with you!

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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 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.parkavenuefinancial.com/lease_finance_equipment_loan_financing_leasing.html