WELCOME !

Thanks for dropping in for some hopefully great business info and on occasion some hopefully not too sarcastic comments on the state of Business Financing in Canada and what we are doing about it !

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.



Thursday, March 17, 2011

ABL Loans Are The Newest Trend in Canadian Asset Finance – Why Lenders Offer This Revolver For Asset Finance


Let's get right to the point. Are you not surprised that many Canadian business owners and financial managers are unaware of the importance that ABL loans via abl lenders play in the asset finance arena in Canada. Are you not even surprised that this type of loan financing (actually it’s not a loan - more on that later), called a ' revolver ' competes with Canadian chartered banking facilities on a day to day basis, and wins!?

Part of the confusion , misconceptions and mis information around this type of financing actually comes from the name and terms around the ABL revolver, which can ,and do mean different things to different people .

In the pure sense and most relevant meaning of the term in Canadian asset finance the ABL facility provides a comprehensive asset financing or monetizing of current ( and in some cases ) fixed assets which allow a company to significantly enhance their working capital facilities . This type of facility competes head on with Canadian charted bank facilities.

The asset finance lenders in Canada have recently gained significant traction. We feel the primary reason is simply that their facilities offered enhanced borrowing with a focus on assets, unlike comparable chartered bank facilities which come with a stringent requirement of clean balance sheets, profitability, ability to maintain ratios and covenants, and in many cases requiring outside collateral.

The 2008 and 2009 global recession enhanced the viability and visibility around ABL loans. Banks all over North America pulled back on commercial lines of credit and revolver finance - leaving thousands of companies with reduced, restricted, and in some cases no borrowing or operating facilities.

Most Canadian business owners and financial managers are simply not aware of who the ABL asset finance lender is. Typically they are smaller boutique firms, often subsidiaries of major U.S. corporations and banks .Their teams are small, highly focused on one thing ( monetizing assets for cash flow and working capital !) and offer facilities anywhere from 250k to hundreds of millions of dollars .

Many Canadian companies are also not aware that several of the Canadian charted banks have created asset finance lenders within their bank, and the ultimate irony is that when a loan is called by a chartered bank a competing division within the bank can often rescue the company. We'll let you mull that one over!

As we noted facilities are available for any amount over 250k but the pure play ABL revolver typically comes in at 3 to 5 Million dollars as an entry point. Rates are often competitive to Canadian banks, and small firms can pay a significant premium in financing charges , the offset being able to access working capital to facilitate growth and profits,

In summary, every business owner or financial manager concerned with operating finance should investigate and consider an ABL solution. Normal banking criteria does not apply and you have the ability to grow, restructure, and in some cases easily acquire a competitor using this finance strategy. You consider your firm unique and different, so investigate a new and unique type of business financing. Confused? Hopefully not. Interested? Speak to a Canadian business financing advisor on ABL loans today.

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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/abl_loans_lenders_revolver_asset_finance.html

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Guess What Your Business Needs Today ? Examine Working Capital and Small Business Finance Loan / Loans Options


Just picture your firm having access to all the working capital you need. Seem impossible? Not really... if you have a solid understanding of your options and your firms capability of qualifying or executing on those options.

Whether you're the largest corporation in Canada or a small new start up (and everything in between) your business needs working capital. In Canada small business financing loans and financing arraignments for working capital are limited to a handful of possibilities - but being aware of what they are and qualifying for them could be the solution to your constant focus on cash flow via some sort of working capital loan.

It is probably easier than you think to ensure you are addressing the cash flow challenge correctly - where it gets somewhat ' thorny ' is matching a solution to the problem or locating an expert that can provide you with the business financing assistance you need .

Two key elements of your first step working capital assessment are your gross margins and your turnover. That’s the big problem we have with text book / academic solutions to working capital - they point you to the text book calculation - give you a formula which essentially has you subtracting current liabilities form current assets, and voila ! the inference is you have working capital . However, our clients have never paid a supplier or completed a company payroll with a ratio!

To properly assess your working capital needs focus on understanding your turnover - how much inventory do you carry, what are the days outstanding in inventory, and as importantly, or more importantly, are your receivables turning over . Have you realized that for many firms 80% or so of the total of all the business assets you have are tied up in A/R, inventory, and, on the other size of the balance sheet let’s not forget payables.

So can you have financial success based on your new found knowledge and analysis of your cash flow and asset turnover. We think you can.

Canadian business financing solutions to small business finance loans really revolve around a couple viable solutions. Typically, in our experience Canadian chartered banks cant satisfy your business working capital needs - if only for the reason that they rarely finance inventory and require significant merit in your overall financials, profitability, external collateral, personal credit worthiness, etc .

So, where do you go from there? The other solutions are very viable and can take you to a potential 100% turn around in cash flow - they include working capital financing as a bundled line of credit on a/r and inventory via an independent finance company .

For firms that are larger we believe the ultimate tool is an asset based line o f credit that provides high leverage margining on all you business assets. Other more esoteric solutions, but still very viable although somewhat misunderstood are securitization, and purchase order financing of new contracts and orders. (Your suppliers are paid directly for the orders you have in hand - what could be better than that?)

Finally, coming up the road at lightening speed is factoring and invoice discounting. We mention them lastly but they are probably the most popular method, gaining traction everyday. Our favorite is confidential invoice financing, allowing you to control your financing .

So there you have it. You have identified new ways to determine the need; we have outlined 4 or 5 solutions that will take the guess work out of working capital. These loan and financing options are available with a bit of research , and , if you choose , speak to a Canadian business financing advisor who can provide you with timely and valuable assistance in your cash flow needs .

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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/working_capital_small_business_finance_loan_loans.html




Tuesday, March 15, 2011

SR ED Tax Credits Are Under Attack! Financing SR ED claims Is Business As Usual – How SRED Finance Works

Whew! It's getting ugly out there! Canada’s sr&Ed Tax credits are under attack in a number of different manners. We'll review some of those criticisms and prove to you that financing sr Ed claims is totally... business as usual... if, and its a big if, you know what you are doing.

A recent Canadian national headline story screamed ' flawed r&d scheme cost taxpayers billions '. First of all, it’s not a scheme... it’s a program. (I am secretly hoping my old age pension is not a scheme) We're talking of course about the Canadian Scientific Research and Experimental Development Program - aka ‘SR ED ', 'SR &ED '.

The program has gained significant traction over the years, and not hard to understand why, when the essence of the program is that Canadian privately controlled firms are the recipients of billions of dollars of funding every year, in the form on a non repayable, real money cheque for a large percentage of their research and development. Thousands of firms all across Canada apply every year.

At its essence the program is clearly ' apple pie ' and ' motherhood ' - simply Canadian firms investing hard earned dollars in research of products and processes to further their competitive positions here in Canada, and of course globally, where it counts .

So whats the problem. It's hardly late breaking news to us, but the core issues around the current ' sr ed claims crisis seems to focus on who is preparing them , the dollars that are sometimes wasted or abused in that process, and the governments inability to validate every claim to the level they would perhaps like to .

Who would not agree as a taxpayer or a reasonable person that we would all prefer our tax dollars to be going to programs and things that work. That brings us around to our other core subject area - the financing of sr&Ed tax credits.

Firms in Canada have the option of either waiting for their cheque, which can takes months to a year, of monetizing their claim immediately for cash flow and working capital. In many cases this is the largest one time amount of funds that many new and emerging companies receive.

So why isn’t their a concern over sr Ed financing? That’s because it’s a common sense process based on the quality and size of your claim. A typical financing involves a straight forward business application, with copies of your technical claim and tax filing showing the sr&Ed tax credit has been filed. We spoke of the sred consultants that have proliferated the industry - the reality is that your claim is finance based on its having been prepared by a credible consultant with an industry reputation and experience. Even CRA, formerly Revenue Canada noted that ' the vast majority of claims are compliant '.

When you're financing claims the dollars count. The program itself allows for approximately 35% of your total R&D expenses as a total claim, as validated by yourself or your consultant. When you finance your claim you receive approximately 70% of your total claim as a bridge loan that balance held back as a buffer, and remitted back to yourself less financing costs.

Is there a bottom line? We sure think there is. Take advantage of a legitimate and great government program (not scheme!). Prepare your claim with the aid of a reputable expert consultant with credentials and expertise. If you wish to finance your claim seek the services of a trusted, credible and experience Canadian business financing advisor who will efficiently guide you through the financing process - straight to cash flow in the bank!

--

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

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

SR ED Tax Credits Are Under Attack! Financing SR ED claims Is Business As Usual – How SRED Finance Works


We're going to turn that one thing you need to know about equipment lending for your machinery finance and other lease and loan needs into a multitude of good news benefits !

Let's share and explore some tricks of the trade to make your equipment financing loan or lease strategy more profitable than you ever thought it could be, with options we are pretty sure you have never even heard of that have the potential to turn your lease financing of your assets into a profit center under the right circumstances.

Today we are focusing on the type of decision you make at the start of your machinery finance lease decision. We refer to machinery but of course we're referral to all tangible assets you choose to finance.

When Canadian business owners and financial managers comment the equipment lending process for their financing needs they often, unfortunately do a poor job of determining how they will handle the end of the lease option. This option can make or break the overall cost and profitability around your lease finance decision.

Let's use one practical example and demonstrate our point. Let's say you are following our advice and make a conscious decision that the asset will last you 5 years. (We are sure not talking about computing technology of course! - No 5 year terms recommended on technology!) What you need to do now is ensure that any analysis you make around the cost of ownership to the same term as you have picked for your lease. Mismatching those costs and benefits is highly inappropriate.

So, back to the core of our subject, which is the one thing you need to know - and that is that you have numerous profit and cut your loss type strategies at the end of your lease. Some of this is determined by what you sign up front, further enforcing our point that you need to view the whole equipment lending cycle in your mind at the start of your transaction.

Ok, let’s make some money, or cut our losses. How do we do that ? First of all , if you know for sure that you have a good handle on the assets useful life based on your experience enter into an operating lease , not a capital lease to own, thereby giving yourself the flexibility to return the equipment to the lessor at the end of term . Let the lessor take the risk on the asset and its disposition.

That same operating lease strategy has a dual benefit, if you are at the end of the term, and you think the asset is performing well and generating revenues and profits then agree to purchase the equipment from the lessor at the end of term. Dont forget that you and the lessor need to agree on what its true fair market value is.

Want to renew the lease at the end of our 5 year term - with a view towards still owning the asset. Then negotiate forcefully with the lessor for a reduction in your monthly lease payment. Can you do this? You sure can, because the lessor has already extracted all their profit on the original deal, having assumed you would terminate the transaction.

Here a true secret profit strategy. If you feel there is significant useful life in the asset consider purchasing it from the lessor at its fair market value and then sell or rent it to another firm who might need it. You just turned a former equipment lease liability into a profit center!

One final strategy is to purchase the equipment based on your knowledge of its value, use it for a specified period, and then trade it in for a new upgraded asset - thereby lowering your lease cost on the newer asset!

So, whets our bottom line. It’s simple. You need to be informed about the lease life cycle, understand what the equipment lending cycle is all about when it comes to your options and flexibility. Whether it’s a machinery finance loan, computing technology, or an aircraft, the ability to see your end of term options at the start of your equipment lending decision will make or save you thousands of dollars. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing and leasing advisor to reduce your costs and improve your profits by sound lease finance knowledge.
--

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

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

The One Thing You Need To Know About Canadian Machinery Finance Equipment Lending To Make Your Lease Or Loan Work !


We're going to turn that one thing you need to know about equipment lending for your machinery finance and other lease and loan needs into a multitude of good news benefits !

Let's share and explore some tricks of the trade to make your equipment financing loan or lease strategy more profitable than you ever thought it could be, with options we are pretty sure you have never even heard of that have the potential to turn your lease financing of your assets into a profit center under the right circumstances.

Today we are focusing on the type of decision you make at the start of your machinery finance lease decision. We refer to machinery but of course we're referral to all tangible assets you choose to finance.

When Canadian business owners and financial managers commence the equipment lending process for their financing needs they often, unfortunately do a poor job of determining how they will handle the end of the lease option. This option can make or break the overall cost and profitability around your lease finance decision.

Let's use one practical example and demonstrate our point. Let's say you are following our advice and make a conscious decision that the asset will last you 5 years. (We are sure not talking about computing technology of course! - No 5 year terms recommended on technology!)

What you need to do now is ensure that any analysis you make around the cost of ownership to the same term as you have picked for your lease. Mismatching those costs and benefits is highly inappropriate.

So, back to the core of our subject, which is the one thing you need to know - and that is that you have numerous profit and cut your loss type strategies at the end of your lease. Some of this is determined by what you sign up front, further enforcing our point that you need to view the whole equipment lending cycle in your mind at the start of your transaction.

Ok, let’s make some money, or cut our losses. How do we do that ? First of all , if you know for sure that you have a good handle on the assets useful life based on your experience enter into an operating lease , not a capital lease to own, thereby giving yourself the flexibility to return the equipment to the lessor at the end of term . Let the lessor take the risk on the asset and its disposition.

That same operating lease strategy has a dual benefit, if you are at the end of the term, and you think the asset is performing well and generating revenues and profits then agree to purchase the equipment from the lessor at the end of term. Don't forget that you and the lessor need to agree on what its true fair market value is.

Want to renew the lease at the end of our 5 year term - with a view towards still owning the asset. Then negotiate forcefully with the lessor for a reduction in your monthly lease payment. Can you do this? You sure can, because the lessor has already extracted all their profit on the original deal, having assumed you would terminate the transaction.

Here a true secret profit strategy. If you feel there is significant useful life in the asset consider purchasing it from the lessor at its fair market value and then sell or rent it to another firm who might need it. You just turned a former equipment lease liability into a profit center!

One final strategy is to purchase the equipment based on your knowledge of its value, use it for a specified period, and then trade it in for a new upgraded asset - thereby lowering your lease cost on the newer asset!

So, whets our bottom line. It’s simple. You need to be informed about the lease life cycle, understand what the equipment lending cycle is all about when it comes to your options and flexibility. Whether it’s a machinery finance loan, computing technology, or an aircraft, the ability to see your end of term options at the start of your equipment lending decision will make or save you thousands of dollars.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing and leasing advisor to reduce your costs and improve your profits by sound lease finance knowledge.

-
Stan Prokop is founder 7 Park Avenue Financial ;

see http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating financing for Canadian companies,specializing: working capital, cash flow, and asset based financing , the 6 year old firm has completed in excess of 45 Million $ of financing for companies . For info / free consultation on Canadian business financing / contact details see:

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

Monday, March 14, 2011

Not Getting All The Lease Equipment Financing For Business You Need ? Financing Loans Made Simple !


Rumour has it you aren't getting your share... of the amount of equipment business financing enjoyed by your competitors and others. Let’s demonstrate how finance loans can be addressed in a timeline that makes sense for your firm, with the rates, structures and terms that your competitors already enjoy.

We don't think we have met any business owner recently who doesn’t feel that the traditional route or bank borrowing no longer makes sense for their asset acquisition needs. We don’t have to explain the benefits of dealing with a specialist in any industry, so the firms that offer lease financing in Canada is where you will find financing products that work for you.

We also don’t need to mention of course that if your firm is a start up, smaller in size, or perhaps going through some challenges... well... guess what - you are still a 100% candidate for lease and financing loans .

Many owners and managers searching for equpment financing for their business needs are under the pre conception that certain assets can't be financed. That’s where you ability to quickly focus in on a specialized firm that provides business lease solutions for your acquisition - and that includes computers, office equipment, plant and machinery assets, vehicles, and even intangibles such as software !

We are always intrigued by the reasons business owners offer up for leasing consideration - however when you think about it all those reasons come down to several key points - cash flow and working capital management, tax and accounting issues, matching the use of the asset to its estimated life . While every Canadian business owner likes to feel their needs are unique we are pretty sure that if you walk through those 3 key areas we noted above you will be able to significantly simplify your business equipment financing.

Is there a way to simplify the entire process? There sure is. Simply view what we will call ' the big picture ' around your transaction. Envision it as follows - your application and exchange of financial info with your lessor, discussion or correspondence leading to approval, documentation, and then finally funding and payment... which is often simply the payment made to your supplier , allowing you to receive the asset and put it to work for cash flow and profit generation .

There are hundreds of equipment financing and lease financing firms in Canada. We are quite sure you do want to ' simplify ' your business financing so speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can ensure your business lease is positioned properly, approved, and funded . Now you are getting your share!
--

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_financing_business_financing_loans_lease.html

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Confidential Cash Flow Factoring - Turn Accounts Receivable Into Your Best AR Finance Strategy


We are going to demonstrate how a little known, and in our opinion almost a secret strategy can called confidential cash flow factoring can turn your accounts receivable into a virtual cash flow machine, turning past ar finance obstacles into cash flow solutions!

Search engine analysis will show you that thousands of Canadian businesses search everyday for what they hopefully believe will be valuable information around the most popular method of business financing today. Those businesses, of all types and sizes by the way ( even the largest corporations in Canada ) want to know why cash flow factoring offers unlimited unlocking of cash flow based on your sales and receivables .

Initial explanations and overviews to clients sometimes become bogged down in key issues such as the cost of this method of ar finance, and, equally important, is the unwillingness of some clients to accept how invoice discounting (that’s another name for this type of financing) works.

Canadian business owners and financial managers want to like a good thing, at the same time they want to know how it works and how they avoid any pitfalls. Lets discuss the ' how it works ' portion first and then share with you the method we believe eliminates the major pitfall perceptions viewed by many firms considering this type of financing.

We'll focus on small and mediums sized business - the larger corporations have access to all sorts of financing and external finance strategies - while the small and medium sized businesses in Canada tend to rely on their own cash flow to fund their ongoing growth and working capital. In fact many firms realize they have potential to grow sales and profits, but cant because of that lack of working capital.

Back to the 'how it works ‘! Cash flow factoring of accounts receivable is the ongoing sale, in whole or in part of your sales invoices as you generate them and deliver products and services to your customer. The invoices are purchased at 1- 3% discount from yourself, and you receive cash, 99% of the time the same day, for those sales. So, in effect all your sales now fuel that cash flow machine you have turned your company into.

So far, so good, right? Where complications arise, especially in Canada, is the fact that this type of financing requires your client to be notified of the process, directly, or indirectly, and payments are required to be forwarded to your factoring finance firm. Canadian business, in our eyes, has a reluctance to involve their customers in their internal financing policies, and challenges. As a result, many firms are skeptical of entering into ar finance of this manner.

Is there a solution? We told you there was - it’s a breakthrough called confidential invoice discounting. This type of financing comes at the same cost, allows you to bill and collect your own receivables, and gains all the benefits of that cash flow factoring machine we turned your company into.

Speak to a trusted, credible, and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can put you into a proper ar finance facility, allowing you to reap the benefits of cash flow invoice financing, while at the same time allowing competitors, customers , and vendors to remain exactly where you want them to be, outside your financing strategies and challenges ! Let's let your competitors try and figure our how you're doing so well in both growth and profits.

-




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/cash_flow_factoring_accounts_receivable_ar_finance.html