Factoring Company Guide
First Step: Filling Out the Application
Alright, let's get down to business. You want in on the factoring game? It starts with a simple application. Just the basics about your business – nothing too fancy, just enough to get the ball rolling.
But, you’ll need to dig up some financial dirt, like your accounts receivable aging report. We're looking to get the full scoop on how your customers handle their bills. It’s not just about your history with them; it's about their entire financial story.
Here's where you spell out your financial dreams. How many invoices are you thinking of factoring? What's your ideal advance rate? The terms all hinge on how risky your customers are and what kind of industry you’re playing in.
And here’s a pro tip: the more you factor, the better your rates. It's that simple.
We'll take your application and do some serious number-crunching to see if factoring is the right fit for you. Once you're approved, it's time to huddle up and hash out the specifics. Think big – the larger the amount, the better the deal.
During the negotiation, we'll break down every cost, so you know exactly what you're getting into. After that, we hit the ground running – checking out your customers, ensuring everything's on the up-and-up, and getting you that cash advance fast.
Factoring Company Benefits
Factoring Benefits: Get Ahead in the Game
- Forget about cash flow nightmares – focus on expanding your business.
- Ditch the stress of monthly loan payments. Get cash in a flash – 2 to 4 days!
- Stay in charge of your business destiny.
- Slash or completely eliminate those annoying payment collection costs.
- Call the shots on your cash flow by picking which invoices to sell.
- Stay one step ahead of clients who drag their feet on payments.
- Power up your production and sales with a constant cash stream.
- Take advantage of expert services for payment collection and credit checks.
- Make sure your payroll is always on point.
- Keep enough cash on hand for payroll taxes, no sweat.
- Enjoy the perks of bulk buying with ample cash reserves.
- Bolster your bargaining power for even better deals.
- Enhance your credit score with consistent, on-time payments.
- Have the cash ready for expanding your business ventures.
- Pump up your marketing with a healthy cash flow.
- Give your financial statements a healthy glow.
- Gain valuable insights from detailed accounts receivable reports.
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: Fueling Business Growth and Success
Welcome to the world of factoring, where businesses find the fuel they need to grow and succeed. Whether you're a business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or seeking financial solutions for your employer, factoring can be a game-changer in helping you achieve your goals.
Interestingly, factoring often goes unnoticed and remains unfamiliar to many in the business world, yet it serves as the backbone for numerous successful enterprises. Year after year, it unlocks billions of dollars, enabling thousands of businesses to flourish and make their mark.
But what exactly is factoring? It's a powerful financial tool that involves purchasing accounts receivable (invoices) from businesses 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 struggling businesses that rely on prompt payments.
Factoring has a rich history that spans thousands of years. Its roots can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where innovative thinkers recognized the value of unlocking funds tied up in unpaid invoices. Over time, this financial practice evolved and adapted to meet the changing needs of businesses.
Today, factoring provides a lifeline to businesses across various industries. By leveraging factoring, companies can gain immediate access to the cash they need to cover operational expenses, invest in growth initiatives, and seize new opportunities.
In the past, factoring was crucial to industries like textiles and garments, where cash flow was vital for success. However, its benefits are not limited to specific sectors. As the business landscape evolved, so did factoring. It expanded its reach to encompass a wide range of businesses, helping them overcome financial hurdles and thrive.
Factors, the key players in factoring, come in different forms. Some operate within large financial institutions, while others are independent entities focused solely on providing factoring services. This diversity ensures that businesses of all sizes and types can find a factor that aligns with their unique needs and objectives.
Today's factors go beyond simply advancing funds against invoices. They provide valuable insights into customer creditworthiness, manage collections, and mitigate risks associated with unpaid invoices. This comprehensive approach allows businesses to focus on their core operations while leaving the financial intricacies to the experts.
As a business owner or professional, it's essential to explore the potential of factoring. It offers a viable alternative to traditional bank financing and empowers businesses to fuel their growth and success. With factoring, you can unlock the capital tied up in your accounts receivable, strengthen your cash flow, and embrace new opportunities that drive your business forward.
Join the ranks of businesses that have harnessed the power of factoring and discover how it can be a catalyst for your success.
Credit Risk
Quick Cash Flow Solution: Unlocking Success with Expert Credit Risk Assessment
No Additional Cost for Access to Comprehensive Credit Expertise
Accurately evaluating credit risk is a vital aspect of our factoring business. Few clients possess the same level of objectivity as we do in performing this function.
At no extra cost, we serve as your dedicated credit department, supporting both new and existing customers. This provides you with a significant advantage compared to handling credit evaluations internally.
Imagine a scenario where a salesperson pursues a new account with potential for substantial purchases. In their eagerness to secure the business, they might overlook warning signs related to credit difficulties and bypass your internal credit checks. While this approach may lead to a sale, it does not guarantee payment, and without payment, there is no true success.
With us, such situations are avoided. We make credit decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the new customer's credit situation. We refrain from purchasing invoices from customers with poor credit ratings, minimizing the risk of nonpayment. However, please note that our involvement does not imply a tightening of credit to the extent that it negatively impacts your business beyond your control.
Ultimately, the decision to engage with a new customer of questionable creditworthiness remains yours. (Although, we do reserve the right to say, ""We told you so!"")
While we may not purchase those invoices, you retain the freedom to extend credit terms as you see fit. You remain in control. Regardless of the decisions you make, our participation ensures that you have access to comprehensive, objective, and high-quality information to make informed credit decisions, surpassing your previous practices.
We conduct thorough research on new clients and, equally important, regularly monitor the credit ratings of your existing customers. This stands in stark contrast to the common practice of neglecting routine credit updates on the established customer base. Such oversight can prove to be a costly mistake.
Typically, businesses conduct credit checks only when it's too late, and the problem has already escalated. In contrast, we promptly notify you of any changes in the credit status of your existing customers.
In addition to providing specific customer credit information, we offer comprehensive and detailed reports on your accounts receivables as a whole. Our process includes accounting details, transactional insights, aging reports, and financial management reports. This valuable data empowers you to integrate it into your sales tracking, account history, and in-depth analysis.
With over 70 years of successful experience in managing cash flow and credit, we are excited to leverage our expertise for your benefit. Let us put our knowledge to work for you, helping you achieve your financial goals, unlocking your business's true potential, and paving the way for sustained success.
How To Change Factoring Companies
Changing Your Invoice Factoring Service Provider
Need-to-know info about switching invoice factoring firms.
Are you considering a different invoice factoring firm?
Are you dissatisfied with your current one?
Planning on ditching your current factoring firm?
What should I know before I switch factoring companies?
Here's a guide answering all these queries and more:
Understanding UCC and its role in switching factoring firms:
Usually, factoring companies file a general Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to secure their claim over the invoices they've funded.
The UCC helps factoring companies, banks, and lenders know who's lent money on which assets. As invoices change daily, factoring companies need to file a 'blanket' UCC that secures all your receivables, even if you're only factoring a part of your sales. This 'blanket' UCC acts as a signal to other lenders, showing a Security Agreement exists between you and the factoring company.
Your specific factoring details, like rates and which accounts are factored, are laid out in the Security Agreement, which is not publicly accessible. Essentially, a UCC works like a first mortgage on your business.
The Process of Switching Companies
The lender with the earliest UCC filing gets 'First Position' on the promised collateral. For instance, a factoring firm has first rights to collect payments on your invoices.
To switch factoring firms, the new factoring firm has to pay off the old one. At the same time, the old factoring company's claim is released, and the new company's claim is filed, similar to refinancing a house.
A 'buyout' is when the new factoring firm pays off the old one using funds from your first financing.
The Buyout Agreement details the transition process and is signed by the old factoring firm, new factoring firm, and your company. In this agreement, you agree to the 'buyout figure' provided by the old factoring company.
How is the Buyout Figure Determined:
The buyout figure is usually the total outstanding receivables minus any reserves and then plus any fees owed to the old factoring firm. It's a good idea to ask for a detailed breakdown of your figure to ensure you understand if there are any early termination fees or additional charges.
What does the buyout cost?
If you can provide new invoices to the new factoring company, which they can use to pay off the outstanding invoices at your old firm, then you wouldn't incur additional costs for the switch. However, most companies need to resubmit some of the invoices already factored with the old company to the new one. In this case, the 'overlap' invoices will incur fees from both factoring firms.
How long does a buyout take?
When you're switching factoring firms, plan for the first funding to take two to three more days than the normal setup process. The extra days will be used to verify the invoices and calculate buyout figures for your approval.
What if my situation is more complex?
Although it's not usual, the old and new factoring firms can collaborate via an Intercreditor or Subordination Agreement until the old firm is paid off. Depending on the situation, factoring firms have managed to 'draw a line in the sand,' where the old firm has rights to invoices up to a certain date, and the new firm has rights to all invoices after that date.
Questions you should have asked before signing up with your current factoring firm:
- Can I use multiple factoring firms at once? The universal answer is one, according to the Uniform Commercial Code/UCC.
- If I decide to switch factoring firms, how much notice do I need to give?
- What is the penalty for leaving without giving the required notice and can you provide an example of how the fees are calculated? Beware of 13-month contracts that require a certain monthly factoring volume.
For example, a 13-month contract where you've agreed to factor $100,000 per month at a rate of 3% means you promise to pay them $3,000 per month in factoring fees or $34,000 in total over the next year. If you want to leave after 6 months, they will charge you the fees for the remaining 6 months, which equals $13,000. This can be too expensive for most companies, especially those with low profit margins. You're stuck!
