Factoring Company Guide
First Step: Filling Out the Application
You start by completing a basic application we give you. This application asks for simple details like your company's name and address, what your business does, and information about your customers.
You might also have to give us documents like an accounts receivable aging report or information about your customers' credit limits. Keep in mind that the factoring company will try to figure out how likely your customers are to pay their bills, regardless of their past history with your business. We want a bigger picture of their overall financial situation.
In this first step, you'll also discuss the financial setup with the factoring company. This includes things like how many invoices you want to factor every month (or how much money you need to have on hand), what the advance rate and discount rate will be, and how fast the factoring company will give you the advance.
Usually, the answers to these questions change based on how financially strong your customers are and how much you expect to sell and factor every month. There might be differences based on what industry you're in, how long you've been in business, and how risky your customers are. For example, if you have many high-risk customers, you'll likely pay more in factoring fees than if you only have a few government customers who pay slowly.
In the factoring world, the amount of money you're factoring is really important. The more invoices you factor (or the more money you're dealing with), the better your rates will be.
The factoring company will use the application you give them to decide if factoring is a good fit for your business. They'll do this by weighing the risks and rewards based on the information you gave them.
Once you're approved, you can expect to start negotiating the specifics of the deal. These negotiations take many parts of the deal into account. For example, if you want to factor $10,000, you won't get as good a deal as a company that wants to factor $500,000.
During these negotiations, you'll get a clear idea of how much it costs to factor your accounts receivable. After you and the factoring company agree on the terms, they'll start the funding process. They do this by checking your customers' credit, looking for any issues with your company, and making sure your invoice is legitimate before they buy your receivables and give you the cash advance.
Factoring Company Benefits
Factoring Benefits: Your Strategic Advantage
- Redirect your energies from cash flow management to business growth.
- Eliminate the worry of loan repayments with fast, accessible cash.
- Maintain full autonomy over your business operations.
- Cut down or eliminate the cost of chasing payments.
- Gain precise control of your cash flow with targeted invoice selling.
- Stay ahead of slow-paying clients, securing your financial future.
- Boost your production and sales with a steady cash influx.
- Capitalize on professional services for efficient payment collection and credit checks.
- Ensure consistent, timely payroll management.
- Always be ready for payroll tax commitments.
- Access bulk purchase discounts, enhancing your bottom line.
- Strengthen your purchasing power and unlock more savings.
- Enhance your credit score through timely bill payments.
- Amass the capital needed for expansive business growth.
- Allocate more funds towards effective marketing.
- Witness an improvement in your financial statements' quality.
- Receive detailed, actionable insights on your accounts receivable.
Is Factoring For You
The Importance of Factoring
"Only when the money’s in your pocket is a sale complete." Ever feel like you’re doubling as a banker for your customers? It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee.
Take a peek at your accounts receivable. Those invoices overdue for over 30 days? That's you, extending credit without interest. Bet you didn’t plan on being a lender when you started your business.
Picture this: If those same customers went to a bank, they'd be paying interest. But to you? They get a free pass. And what do you get? Missed opportunities to grow your business. Think about the real cost of that.
Here’s the deal: You’re not in the business to finance your customers’ operations. Let’s stop the cycle and take control of your cash flow. It's time to play it smart.
Factoring History
Factoring: Unlocking Financial Opportunities for Businesses
Welcome to the world of factoring, where businesses discover a gateway to financial opportunities. Whether you're a business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or seeking innovative financing solutions, factoring can be a game-changer in helping you seize growth and success.
Surprisingly, factoring often operates under the radar and remains unfamiliar to many in the business realm. Yet, it serves as a secret weapon for countless thriving enterprises, unlocking vast financial potential year after year.
So, what exactly is factoring? It's a dynamic financial tool that involves selling your accounts receivable (invoices) at a discounted rate. In today's competitive landscape, offering credit terms to customers is a common practice to attract and retain business. However, this can create cash flow challenges, especially for small or emerging businesses that rely on consistent cash flow.
Factoring has a fascinating history that spans centuries. It traces back to ancient civilizations, where innovative minds recognized the value of turning unpaid invoices into immediate funds. Over time, this practice evolved and adapted to meet the changing needs of businesses.
In the modern context, factoring acts as a catalyst for business growth and expansion. By leveraging factoring, businesses can gain quick access to much-needed funds. This infusion of cash enables them to cover operational costs, invest in new initiatives, manage inventory, and seize growth opportunities.
Factoring is not limited to specific industries. Its versatility allows businesses across various sectors, such as manufacturing, services, and wholesale, to leverage its benefits. Whether you're a supplier, a contractor, or a service provider, factoring can provide the financial boost you need to propel your business forward.
Factors, the key players in the factoring process, come in different forms. They can be specialized financial institutions or independent firms dedicated to providing factoring services. These experts understand the unique financial challenges businesses face and tailor their solutions accordingly.
Beyond providing immediate cash flow, factors offer additional value. They assist in credit checks, manage collections, and assume the risks associated with unpaid invoices. This comprehensive approach allows businesses to focus on their core operations while leaving the financial intricacies to the experts.
With factoring, businesses can break free from the constraints of traditional financing options. It offers a flexible alternative that adapts to your specific needs. Say goodbye to lengthy loan applications and rigid repayment terms. Factoring puts you in control, allowing you to unlock the capital tied up in your accounts receivable and utilize it to drive your business forward.
Join the ranks of businesses that have harnessed the power of factoring and experience the transformation it brings. Embrace the financial opportunities it presents, strengthen your cash flow, and unlock the full potential of your business. Factoring is your key to unlocking a world of financial possibilities.
Credit Risk
Quick Continuous Cash: No-Extra-Cost Expert Credit Risk Assessment
Mastering credit risk assessment is essential in factoring, and we offer unparalleled expertise in this field without any added fees. We function as your comprehensive credit department, providing insights for new and existing customers.
Consider the potential risk when sales targets overshadow credit assessments. This could lead to sales that fail to materialize into payments. With our service, such risks are effectively mitigated.
Our objective credit assessments guide your transactions, but the ultimate decision remains yours. We equip you with detailed, factual credit information for more strategic business decisions.
Unlike many businesses, we regularly monitor the credit ratings of your existing customers, maintaining constant vigilance to prevent financial issues.
In addition, we provide detailed financial reports on your accounts receivable, giving you a comprehensive view of your financial standing and aiding strategic planning.
With over 70 years in cash flow and credit management, our goal is to bolster your financial position. Let our expertise be a driving force in achieving your financial objectives.
How To Change Factoring Companies
Changing Invoice Financing Providers
Want to switch your invoice financing provider? Not satisfied with your current one? Planning to bid goodbye to your present provider? Not sure what to know before making the switch? Here's a simple guide with all the answers.
Understanding UCC and its role in changing providers
Typically, an invoice financing company (also called a factor) will file a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). This is like staking a claim on the invoices they've funded. This helps to keep track of who's got a claim on what assets, especially because invoices change every day - some are paid, some are collected, and some new ones are created.
So, the factor files a 'blanket' UCC covering all your invoices, even though you might not be getting funding for all your sales. It's just not practical to file a new UCC for every single invoice. The UCC is like a warning sign for other lenders that there's a deal between your business and the factor.
The specifics of your agreement with the factor, like rates and which accounts are factored, are outlined in a private Security Agreement. A UCC is kind of like having a first mortgage on your business.
The process of changing factors
The factor with the oldest UCC is said to be in the 'First Position' on the collateral. This means they have the first right to collect payments on your invoices and any related items.
If you want to change factors, the old one must be paid off by the new one. This is similar to refinancing your house. The old factor's claim is released and the new one's claim is filed.
The process where the new factor pays off the old one using money from your first funding is called a 'buyout'. The Buyout Agreement, which outlines the transition process, is signed by the old factor, new factor, and your company. In this agreement, you approve the 'buyout figure' provided by the old factor.
How is the Buyout Figure Calculated:
The buyout figure is usually calculated by subtracting any reserves from the Gross Receivables Outstanding and adding in fees due to the old factor. It's good to ask for a breakdown of this figure so you can understand if there are any early termination fees or other charges added to your usual factoring fees.
Once the old factor is paid off, you only have to deal with the new factor. If you're changing from an 80% advance rate to a 90% advance rate, you might have enough money to pay off the old factor without needing more invoices.
How much does the buyout cost?
If you can give the new factor new invoices to pay off the old ones, there's no additional cost for the switch. As payments come in on the old invoices, those payments are forwarded to the new factor who then sends them to you.
However, if you need to resubmit some invoices already factored with the old factor to the new one, those invoices will incur fees from both factors. As a result, your factoring fees for the first month after the change could be higher than normal. If the new factor's rate is lower, you can calculate how long it will take to recover this cost and make a cost-benefit analysis.
How long does a buyout take?
When changing factors, expect the first funding to take a couple of days more than the usual setup process. This extra time is needed for invoice verification and for calculating the buyout figures.
What if my situation is not that easy?
In some cases, the old factor and the new one can work together via an Intercreditor or Subordination Agreement until the old factor is paid off. The old factor has rights to invoices up to a certain date and the new one has rights to all invoices after that date.
Questions you might have wished you asked before signing up with your current factor:
- How many factors can I use at one time? (The universal answer is one, according to the UCC.)
- If I want to change factors, how much notice do I need to give?
- What is the penalty if I leave without giving the required notice?
- Do you use a bank lock box to post my customer payments? If so, how long does it take for a customer's payment to post to my account from the date the bank receives it?
- How long do you hold my original invoices before sending them to my customers?
- How many different people will I work with at your company?
- Do I need to pay for postage for you to mail my invoices?
- Do you charge me every time I have a new customer to check or set up?
- Do you start holding reserves once a customer hits 60 days even though I have 90 day recourse?