Factoring Company Guide
The First Step: The Client Application
First, you fill out a basic profile for your company that we provide. This profile will ask for simple things like your company's name, address, what your business does, and some info about your customers.
You might also need to give us things like an accounts receivable aging report or the credit limits of your existing customers. Keep in mind that we're trying to figure out how creditworthy your customers are, beyond their credit history with your business. We're interested in their overall financial health.
At this stage, you'll also discuss basic financial details with us. For example, you'll decide how many invoices you want to factor each month (which helps us know how much cash you need to have on hand), what the advance rate and discount rate will be, and how fast we'll get the advance to you.
Most of the time, the answers to these questions will depend on how financially solid your customers are, how many sales you expect to factor each month, the industry you're in, how long you've been running, and how risky your customers might be. So, if you have lots of risky clients, you'll end up paying more in factoring fees than if you just have a few government agencies that are slow to pay.
In the factoring industry, the more you factor (in terms of dollar amount), the better your rates will be. That's why volume is crucial.
We'll look at the client profile you filled out to decide if factoring is a good fit for your business. Essentially, we're weighing the risks against the potential benefits, using the info you gave us.
Once we say yes, you can expect to start negotiating the terms and conditions. This negotiation will consider different aspects of the deal. So, if you want to factor $10,000, you can't expect to get as good a deal as a company that wants to factor $500,000.
During these negotiations, you'll get a good understanding of what it costs to factor your accounts receivable. After you agree on terms with us, we start the funding process. We'll check out your customers' credit and any liens against your company. We also need to make sure your invoice is legit before we buy your receivables and give you cash.
Factoring Company Benefits
Advantages of Factoring:
- Eliminate worries about cash flow and concentrate on developing your business.
- No need to stress about making regular loan repayments. Receive money as quickly as two to four days.
- Keep full authority over your business operations.
- Minimize or eliminate costs associated with chasing payments.
- Choose the quantity and timing of invoices to sell for improved cash flow management.
- Deal effectively with clients who delay payments.
- Increase your output and sales figures.
- Benefit from professional credit checking and debt collection services.
- Ensure timely payroll for your staff.
- Afford your payroll taxes comfortably.
- Avail bulk purchase discounts on material procurement.
- Increase your purchasing power, helping you secure early payment or bulk purchase discounts.
- Enhance your credit score by ensuring timely bill payments with adequate cash in hand.
- Always have cash reserves for business expansion.
- Fund your marketing campaigns effectively.
- Boost the quality of your financial records.
- Get comprehensive and detailed accounts receivable reports.
Is Factoring For You
The Significance of Factoring for Small Businesses
"When you don't collect payment, a sale remains unfinished."
Do you often find yourself acting as a part-time banker for your customers?
Take a moment to assess your accounts receivable aging schedule and count the number of accounts that are overdue by more than 30 days. Congratulations, you are effectively extending credit to those customers. By not receiving timely payment for your products or services, you're essentially providing interest-free financing to your customers. This may not align with your original business intentions, does it?
Consider this:
If your customers were to borrow the same amount of money from a bank, they would undoubtedly be expected to pay a significant amount of interest for that privilege.
Moreover:
Not only are you not earning any interest on that money, but more importantly, you're also missing out on the opportunity to utilize that capital while waiting for your customers to settle their debts. What is the cost of not having this money readily available? Essentially, your customers are essentially asking you to fund their business by granting them extended payment terms, often exceeding 30 days.
However, have you considered the expenses incurred due to "missed opportunities" when your funds are tied up in accounts receivable?
Factoring History
Factoring: Empowering Businesses to Thrive
Welcome to the world of factoring, where businesses find the power to thrive and succeed. Whether you're a seasoned business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone seeking innovative financing options, factoring can be the game-changer you've been searching for.
Surprisingly, factoring often remains under the radar and unknown to many in the business landscape. Yet, it holds the key to unlocking success for countless businesses, fueling their growth and providing them with the financial support they need.
But what exactly is factoring? At its core, factoring involves selling your accounts receivable (invoices) at a discount to a specialized financial institution. In today's competitive market, offering credit terms to customers is essential for business success. However, delayed payments can create cash flow challenges, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Factoring has a rich history that dates back centuries. Its roots can be traced to ancient civilizations that recognized the value of turning unpaid invoices into immediate cash flow. Over time, factoring evolved to meet the changing needs of businesses, becoming a vital financial tool in modern times.
Today, factoring serves as a catalyst for business growth and prosperity. By leveraging factoring, businesses gain quick access to funds that would otherwise be tied up in unpaid invoices. This infusion of cash provides the flexibility to cover operational expenses, invest in new opportunities, expand marketing efforts, and strengthen overall financial stability.
Factoring is not limited to specific industries or business sizes. It benefits a wide range of businesses, from manufacturers and distributors to service providers and contractors. Whether you're a startup, a growing company, or an established enterprise, factoring can be tailored to your unique needs, fueling your growth journey.
Working with a factor brings additional advantages. Factors offer valuable expertise in credit analysis, collections, and risk management. They assume the responsibility of collecting payments from customers, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations. This collaborative partnership ensures a smoother cash flow cycle and minimizes the risks associated with late or non-payment.
Embracing factoring means breaking free from the limitations of traditional financing options. It offers a flexible and accessible alternative, empowering businesses to take control of their finances and capitalize on growth opportunities. With factoring, you can transform the way you do business, unlock your full potential, and achieve long-term success.
Join the ranks of businesses that have harnessed the power of factoring and experience the difference it can make. Discover the freedom to thrive, fuel your growth ambitions, and navigate the ever-changing business landscape with confidence. Factoring is the key that unlocks the door to your business's brighter future.
Credit Risk
Quick Continuous Cash: Expert Credit Risk Assessment at Zero Extra Cost
Accurate credit risk assessment is a critical function in our factoring services, and our proficiency in this area is unparalleled. We provide this service at no additional cost, acting as your personal credit department for both new and existing clients.
Imagine a scenario where a salesperson, driven by the goal to make a sale, neglects potential credit risks. This could result in a sale without actual payment. Our expertise ensures you don't face such situations.
Our role is to analyze credit risks thoroughly, but the decision to proceed with a transaction remains yours. We provide comprehensive and objective credit information, empowering you to make informed decisions.
We continuously monitor the credit ratings of your existing customers, a step often overlooked by many businesses. This vigilance is crucial for financial stability.
You also receive detailed reports on your accounts receivable, offering valuable insights for financial management and strategy development.
Leveraging our 70-year legacy in cash flow and credit management, we are committed to enhancing your business's financial well-being. Allow us to contribute to your financial success.
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?