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.



Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Traditional Verses Non-Traditional Financing - What Are the Differences?











Information on alternative financing and traditional finance in Canada . An overview of bank loans and cash flow finance solutions for Canadian firms in the small and medium enterprise area



Business owners at either start up or sometime in the business existence need financing. Many a joke has been offered regarding financing offers when you don't need it, however if you need financing to survive that becomes a different story. Business owners must be able to assess whether they are candidates for traditional or non- traditional financing. Traditional lenders want to grow your business; they are not looking to fix your problems. When business owners have to attract additional equity the problem usually is that they have to give up a healthy piece of the ownership of the firm. So who are these 'Traditional 'lenders? It is essentially a short list:

Banks and Trust Co's

Independent Finance companies


Venture Capitalists /Private Equity Firms

Government


Let's discuss some of the basics of those traditional players. Banks are the most obvious of all traditional lenders - they focus on assets and collateral and personal guarantees of the principals. If a firm cannot meet their lending criteria it's three strikes and you are out scenario. Venture Capital firms look for healthy portions of a firm's equity. They want big gains over a longer period of time. Generally venture capital deals are very significant in dollar size. These funders are very professional and have deep pockets, backed often by large institutions.

We feel strongly that the biggest mistake firms make when contemplating venture capital is either the small size of their transaction, or that funds are being solicited for the wrong reasons. Independent Finance firms are largely collateral based. Rates are typically a bit higher than bank type rates, and specialties include leasing and asset based lending, as well as non bank working capital arrangements, commonly called ' ABL''s. Various government loans and grants are available to business borrowers. They have very good rates and good structures - the main complaint of borrowers is time to consummate a transaction.


Non- Traditional Lenders: This group can be categorized in 4 categories.


Employees
Friends/Family
Private third party lenders
Suppliers

Most business owners do not realize key employees are often an untapped source of capital. They have a vested interest in their employment and careers, and often want to be considered for ownership and in succession scenarios. Management buyouts are a very common and quite successful strategy. Friend and Family is of course a sensitive area - we all know comments made around mixing friends, family and money. Care is required in this area.

Most business owners never consider suppliers as a form of potential capital. This group has a vested interest in making your firm successful - your firm is a customer, and they quite often can see the advantage of some sort of strategic alliance. Even a simple restructuring of your payments to a key supplier can bring valuable capital to your firm. In summary, there are various sources of traditional and non-traditional funds available to business owner. They certainly are not unlimited in choice, and every business has a unique need and situation that requires a special focus and assessment.


Stan Prokop
- founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 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 & Contact Details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


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 '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.















Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3645694

How To Stop Worrying & Love Independent Movie & TV Production – Spoiler Alert It’s The Film & Television Tax Credits Via Govt Refund !













Film Tax Credits Aren’t Romantic
But They Will Help Finance & Finish Your Independent Film & TV Productions!





OVERVIEW - Information on film and television tax credits in Canada. Financing your Cavco tax credit and production incentive credits via the government refund program helps to cash flow your project - today




Film and Television tax credits in Canada
, via government refund of your refundable tax credit hardly sounds ' romantic' or ' exciting' when it comes to this huge part of the entertainment industry in the Canadian market . As one recent market observer remarked, these credits helps pay for the tinsel in tinsel town, aka Hollywood north... aka ' Canada '!

How key a role do these production incentives/ Cavco credits play in the financing of movies and TV and animation projects in Canada? Quite a huge role, as you'll see. Let's dig n.

Almost all Canadian provinces offer tax incentives, via refundable tax credits to owners/producers of independent projects. Canada has naturally evolved as a great place to film and produce movies and television. In certain cases even the geography, i.e. where you film in fact garners a larger credit refund.

Independent producers/ owners of projects face a daunting task - however basic. That task? How to pay for the entire project. While large well known studios can fund entire projects the independent must fund via a variety of mechanisms, often which are ' cobbled' together to finance a project.

Those other parts of the financing puzzle? They include but are not limited to:

Pre sales
Territory / Geographical rights
Distribution agreements
Gap Financing/letters of credit/short term loans
Crowd funding/hedge funds

These financing vehicles, along with film and TV tax credits allow producers to have all, or more creative control in their projects given they have no backing from major studios.

The most interesting fact about the tax credit financing part of a film/TV or animation project is that the lender that finances the tax credit is not dependent on the commercial success of the project. And given that these production incentive credits can finance anywhere from 30-50% of an entire project it's easy to see the importance.

Refundable tax credits in Canada are all about Canadian content. Producers, along with their tax credit accountant pick one of two main credit categories, the Production Credit or the Services Credit. These credits cover labor and service costs associated with the project.

Financing your tax credit, once you’ve applied for and received your credit is a very straightforward process. These are in effect bridge loans with your tax credit being the main collateral . Typical loans are 70% of the combined federal and provincial credits. No payments are made for the duration of the loan and when final government funding occurs you receive the balance of the credit, i.e. the other 30%, less financing costs on the 70% that was financed. A great cash flow strategy for the current project, or your next one.

If you want to limit the worrying that comes with financing independent film and TV projects in Canada seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can help you finance those govt refunds.




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 '




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.









Monday, April 25, 2016

Loan & Finance Options : Coming Out On Top Of Business Financing Needs









How’s That Trial & Error Canadian Business Financing Search Going ? Get Ready To Sync & Doc With The Finance Solutions Your Company Needs




Information on business financing in Canada. Various loan and finance options are available for Canadian companies . The trick? Knowing which ones your company needs and qualifies for





Business financing loan and finance options
in Canada unfortunately leaves many business owners/entrepreneurs and financial mgrs doomed to a ' trial and error ' approach to their funding needs.

How then do you come out on top when it comes to your capital / cash flow needs? Let's dig in.

Business finance as it relates to capital needs is all about understanding current and future performance needs. Key factors that you need to consider assessing for finance needs include:

Sales
Working Capital needs
Asset requirements
Cost of financing


We're told that timing is everything, and to that we'll add knowing (and understanding) your alternatives. Working capital, as an example is a common need for business - it funds your inventory and receivables and staffing as an example.

Larger firms are always considering their ' capital structure ' which is often a more informal project when it comes to businesses in the SME (small to medium enterprise) space. More simply stated the owners and financial mgrs in '
SME COMMERCIAL FINANCE
‘assessments have to consider how much ' debt ' they can obligate their company to. As they quickly discover the ' leverage ' that comes with debt is a two edged sword!

However those ' debt ' and ' cash flow' options are always less expensive than giving up a per cent age of ownership.

What then are the types of financing available to firms for asset and cash flow needs? It's probably a longer list than you might think! They include:

A/R Financing
Inventory Finance
Sale leasebacks
Equipment finance
PO Financing
Bank lines of credit
Non bank lines of credit
Royalty finance
Govt guaranteed Small Business Loans

Unsecured Cash flow loans

Knowing what stage your company is in will often. lead you to the best business financing solution. Typical categories for assessing your need tend to be ' start up ' ' growing' and ' mature mid market '. Don't forget also that for even larger firms there is no ' perfect’ financing and capital structure.

Knowing which alternatives pertain to your needs will help you shape your current and future financial position. Your ability to assess cash needs allows you to get funding in place in advance, as opposed to reacting when it comes to the proper financing sources.

If you're focused on eliminating that ' trial and error' approach to business funding 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 loan and finance options that make sense today .. and in the future.




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 '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.





Friday, April 22, 2016

Does Equipment-Lease Financing Affect My Firms Loan Covenants?




A New Approach To The Asset Finance Challenge For Canadian Business



Information on lease finance in Canada . Equipment loans and leasing strategies play a key role in business financing in Canada . Knowing how this affects your financials and other lending arrangements is key . Here's why







When companies borrow from banks and other asset based lending firms there is, almost always, certain covenants that are put in place to ensure the lenders comfort with the financing. These covenants tend to be financial ratios (we can call them 'number relationships') that would allow a lender to get some sense of early warning that their loan may not be repaid.

The most typical covenants the lenders place on borrowings tend to be:

- Working capital guidelines
- Total debt versus total equity in the company
- Cash flow coverage
- i.e. the company's ability to generate cash to pay the loans


When these covenants are broken discussions ensue with the bank and the company!

Leasing and equipment financing, as a borrowing strategy, 99% of the time we feel, eliminates the additional risk a company takes when borrowing on equipment. That is to say that lease companies, in general, do not insist on those same restrictive covenants that the bank does. We can therefore make a statement that the company has a greater feeling of independence when it enters into a lease financing arrangement.

Why does the lease company not require those restrictive covenants? That is probably for two reasons - the first is the fact that leasing rates are, in general, higher than bank rates, so the lease company reflects their risk in pricing. Many times the lease firm will also ask for a deposit or advance payment to further augment our above point.

And at the core of why the lease company does not insist on restrictive covenants is the fact that most lease firms have very strong asset experience and are generally comfortable with collateral. As we can all imagine, banker can't be expected to have a strong sense of equipment valuation and remarketing - they are of course more 'numbers' oriented - relying on the balance sheet and income statement to predict payment, not the value of the asset.

In summary, leasing as an alternative form of finance allows a firm to acquire equipment without additional concern over lender covenants and ratios more commonly associated with banks.


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 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 & Contact Details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


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 '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.





















Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3543408

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Sale Leaseback Financing In Canada : Saying Yes To The Sale Lease Back Cash Flow Solution














Cash Flow Challenge ? Sale-Leaseback Financing ? Yes, You Read That Right !




Information on the sale leaseback business financing solution in Canada . The Lease Back delivers on your company's temporary cash flow needs via refinancing of existing assets





Many business owners and financial managers are often faced with the consideration of utilizing a sale - leaseback to generate cash. This strategy became much more popular over the last year or so as banking and credit liquidity scenarios deteriorated.

The overall strategy can be viewed as giving some operational flexibility to the business. The bottom line of course is that it brings additional cash into the company at a time when ash is king. The customer is of course, essentially 'tapping into equity 'that the firm has built up in the asset. What is that asset?

Typically assets given up for consideration in sale leasebacks are manufacturing equipment, computers, and even a firm's real estate.

Sale-leasebacks have to make sense to both the lessor and the lessee. We view the largest ' negative ' aspect to such a transaction being the potential perception by the lessor, or other lenders that the firm is making a last ditch ' cash grab '. There has to be, as referenced above, an agreement that the transaction works for both parties.

If we analyze a typical example of a transaction we will hopefully get a better sense of why this strategy can in fact be a common sense financing alternative. Company A has manufacturing assets, shown as fixed assets on the balance sheet. In the sale - leaseback scenario the assets of course remain at the company - they do not move. The company receives cash for the sale of the asset to the lease firm. Quite frankly customers who consider this transaction have explored other traditional options by this time, such as reviewing additional financing with their bank or other senior lenders. Naturally the equipment is used on a daily basis to continue to generate sales, (and hopefully profits) for the firm.

In certain instances the sale-leaseback can in fact enhance the customer's balance sheet. One additional major flexibility is that the new sale-leaseback financing can in fact be used to generate additional flexibility at the end of the lease - i.e. the customer can again regain ownership of the asset if it will have economic value, or might choose to negotiate a return of upgrade with the vendor or lessor.

In summary, does a sale-leaseback of assets make sense? The answer as we have seen is ' yes ' if in fact it is done for the right reasons and makes sense for the customer and the lender.


Stan Prokop
- founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 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 & Contact Details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


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 '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.













Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3556312

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Confidential Receivable Financing : Consider Trusting A/R Factoring After This














Worlds Almost Oldest Profession Explained – Spoiler Alert – It’s Not What You Think


OVERVIEW – Information on the benefits of confidential receivable financing in Canada. AR Factoring is one of the oldest and proven solutions for business capital in Canada . Here’s why A/R Finance works!








AR Factoring might well rank as one of the oldest professions in Canada. (Probably not the oldest profession you thought we were going to talk about!) How though do such solutions as confidential receivable financing remain such tried and true working capital and cash flow solutions? Let's dig in.

The world of business financing must surely seem more complex than ever in today’s hi-tech world, a world of VC capital, private equity, etc. But even though business owners and financial mgrs can utilize technology to identify capital solutions the rubber hits the road when real capital can be accessed through solutions such as factoring. The ability to generate cash at the same time you make a sale is most welcome to most owners/mgr's and entrepreneurs!

We're told that a/r financing, i.e. ' factoring' goes as far back as 1000 years B.C., but our experience is that owners/mgrs still want the same thing as those early A/R financing practitioners - the ability to sell products and services and obtain cash to keep their business operating cycle rolling. It's that liquidity that keeps business rolling.

Most business owners and their financial managers are often reluctant to take on business debt, and solutions such as confidential A/R finance solve that problem nicely.

The thousands of companies that utilize A/R finance today more often than not ' get it ‘. For other clients that we meet and talk to a certain amount of education is required around costs, benefits, and the many tech solutions that are now delivered through the A/R financing process.
The key benefit around ' Confidential non notification ' AR financing is your firms ability to bill and collect its own receivables while at the same time receiving as much cash as you need or want . You're minding your own business.

Cash flow and working capital financing is all about ' current asset financing ‘, namely the finance of your inventories and receivables. Factoring / AR finance are actually ' subsets' of asset based lending, which can also include turning your fixed assets into a part of your business credit line.

What drives owners/mgrs to consider financing receivables and other current assets? It simply the realization that profits and sales almost never equal ' Cash '! , and the inability of your company to bridge that gap will often determine the true success of your firm and its business financing needs.

Working capital and cash flow solutions include:

Confidential Receivable Finance

Inventory financing

SR&ED Tax credit finance bridge

Asset based non bank lines of credit (combining A/R, inventory and fixed assets into one borrowing facility)

Unsecured cash flow loans


If you're focused on separating myth vs. reality around true current asset financing strategies seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success .




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 '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.