Factoring Company Guide
The First Stage: Client Application
Start by filling out a basic profile form we give you. This form asks for details like your company's name, address, what kind of business you run, and information about your customers.
You may also have to provide additional documents, such as an accounts receivable aging report or your customers' credit limits. This is because we, as the factoring company, want to understand the overall credit situation of your customers, beyond their history with your business.
In this initial stage, you'll also set up some fundamental financial terms with us. You need to decide how many invoices you want to factor each month (which indicates how much cash you need handy), what the advance rate and the discount rate will be, and how quickly we'll provide the advance to you.
Typically, the answers to these questions will depend on things like how financially stable your customers are, the expected monthly sales volume to be factored, the type of industry you're in, how long you've been in business, and the perceived riskiness of your customers. For example, factoring invoices for many high-risk clients will attract higher fees than a few invoices from slow-paying government agencies.
In the factoring world, volume matters a lot. The more (in terms of dollar amount) you factor, the better rates you'll get.
We'll use the profile you've completed to decide if your business is a good fit for factoring. We'll be weighing up the risks against the rewards, based on the details you've provided.
Once we approve your application, you can expect to negotiate the terms and conditions. This negotiation considers various aspects of the deal. For instance, a company factoring $10,000 can't expect as good a deal as another factoring $500,000.
During these negotiations, you'll get a clear idea of the cost to factor your accounts receivable. After reaching an agreement, the funding process starts. We'll do a background check on your customers' credit and any liens on your company. We'll also confirm that your invoice is valid before purchasing your receivables and giving you an advance.
Factoring Company Benefits
Perks of Factoring:
- Say goodbye to cash flow worries and say hello to more time managing your business.
- No need to stress about monthly loan payments. Get your cash in as quick as two to four days.
- Enjoy the power of having full control over your business.
- Reduce or even eliminate costs tied to chasing down payments.
- Decide how many invoices to sell and when, giving you more control over your cash flow.
- Overcome the challenge of clients who are slow to pay.
- Boost your production and increase your sales.
- Get access to professional collection and credit checking services.
- Make sure your payroll is always met on time.
- Easily pay your payroll taxes.
- Have the ability to give cash discounts for your materials.
- Get more purchasing power, allowing you to take advantage of bulk purchase or early payment discounts.
- Improve your credit score by consistently having the cash to pay your bills promptly.
- Have cash ready for growing your business.
- Have money to spend on marketing your business.
- Improve your financial status.
- Get comprehensive and detailed reports about your accounts receivable.
Is Factoring For You
The Importance of Factoring
"Until you collect the money, a sale remains incomplete."
Are you unintentionally playing banker for your clients? Take a hard look at your accounts receivable. Count the overdue accounts and realize this: You're offering interest-free loans to your customers. Is this really what you signed up for when you started your business?
Think about it: If these customers borrowed from a bank, they'd pay hefty interest. And here you are, not just missing out on interest, but more critically, you're losing out on using that capital for your own business growth. It's time to ask yourself: What opportunities are you missing while your money is tied up?
It's not just about the interest you're not earning; it's the cost of missed opportunities when your funds are stuck in receivables. Is financing your customers' businesses really your job?
Factoring History
Factoring History
Welcome to the world of factoring. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or seeking new financial tools for your current employer, factoring can help you achieve your financial goals. Surprisingly, factoring serves as the financial backbone for many successful American businesses.
The irony lies in the fact that factoring is rarely taught in business colleges, seldom mentioned in business plans, and remains relatively unknown to the majority of American businesspeople. However, it plays a crucial role in freeing up billions of dollars every year, enabling thousands of businesses to thrive and prosper.
So, what exactly is factoring? It is the process of purchasing commercial accounts receivable (invoices) from a business at a discount. In today's business landscape, offering credit terms to customers has become a common practice in order to secure business. However, these terms can strain the financial health of new or struggling companies, as cash flow is the lifeblood of any business.
Factoring has a rich and ancient tradition, dating back 4,000 years to the days of Hammurabi, the king of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia, often called the "cradle of civilization," contributed numerous advancements including writing, structured business codes, government regulations, and the concept of factoring.
Over time, various civilizations embraced factoring. The Romans, for example, were the first to sell promissory notes at a discount. In the American colonies before the revolution, factoring gained widespread documented use. The colonists relied on merchant bankers in London and Europe who provided funds in advance for shipping cotton, furs, and timber before they reached the continent. This allowed the colonists to continue their operations without waiting for payment from European customers.
It's important to note that these arrangements differed from modern banking relationships. If the colonists had relied on traditional banking services in eighteenth-century England, the process would have been much slower. Banks would have awaited payment from the European buyers before paying the colonists. This impractical process led to the emergence of factors in colonial times, who advanced funds against accounts receivable, enabling clients to continue their operations before receiving payment.
During the Industrial Revolution, factoring evolved to focus more on credit issues while preserving its core principle. Factors assisted clients in assessing the creditworthiness of their customers and establishing credit limits, thus guaranteeing payment for approved customers. This practice, known as non-recourse factoring, is common in today's business landscape.
Prior to the 1930s, factoring primarily occurred in the textile and garment industries, as these industries directly inherited the colonial economy's reliance on factoring. After the war years, factors recognized the potential to extend factoring to other industries that relied on invoices, leading to its expansion.
Today, factors come in various forms and sizes. They exist as divisions within large financial institutions, but more frequently as privately owned entrepreneurial endeavors. The rise of private factors surged in the 1960s and 1970s when interest rates soared to unprecedented heights. This trend continued in the 1980s due to increasing interest rates and changes in the banking industry. With banks becoming costly and inflexible due to heavy regulations (recall the Savings and Loan crisis), small business owners sought alternative sources of financing for their expansion and growth. As more banks distanced themselves from small business owners, factoring emerged as a popular option.
Each year, thousands of businesses sell billions of dollars in accounts receivable through factoring. They do so to achieve profitability, fuel growth, and, in some cases, ensure their very survival.
Credit Risk
Unleash Your Business Potential with Quick and Reliable Cash Flow
Expert Credit Risk Assessment Included at No Additional Cost
Accurately assessing credit risk is a critical aspect of our factoring business. Very few clients can perform this function as objectively as we do.
As part of our comprehensive service, we act as your dedicated credit department for both new and existing customers, providing you with a valuable advantage over handling these tasks in-house.
Imagine a scenario where a salesperson is pursuing a new account with significant potential for sales. In their eagerness to secure the business, they might overlook warning signs of credit difficulties and bypass your internal credit checks. While this approach may lead to a quick sale, it doesn't guarantee timely 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 exercise caution by not purchasing invoices from customers with poor credit ratings, minimizing the risk of nonpayment. It's important to note that our involvement does not imply a tightening of credit that would negatively impact your business beyond your control.
Ultimately, the decision to engage with a new customer of questionable creditworthiness remains yours. (However, we reserve the right to say, "We warned you!")
While we may not purchase those invoices, you still have the freedom to extend credit terms as you see fit. You retain full 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 diligently 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, which can lead to costly mistakes.
Most businesses conduct credit checks only when it's too late and the problem has already escalated. In contrast, we promptly inform you of any changes in the credit status of your existing customers, allowing you to take proactive measures.
In addition to providing specific customer credit information, we offer detailed reports on your accounts receivables as a whole. Our comprehensive reports include accounting details, transactional insights, aging reports, and financial management reports. This data empowers you to analyze your sales performance, track account history, and make informed decisions.
With over 70 years of successful experience in managing cash flow and credit, we are eager to leverage our expertise for your benefit. Let us put our knowledge to work for you, helping you achieve your financial goals and unlocking your business's true potential. Experience the benefits of quick and reliable cash flow, supported by expert credit risk assessment at no additional cost.
How To Change Factoring Companies
Changing Your Invoice Finance Provider
Are you contemplating a shift in your invoice finance provider? Whether due to dissatisfaction or seeking better opportunities, this guide is your blueprint for change. We'll navigate you through the complexities of UCCs, the transition process, and the critical questions that will empower you to make a smart choice for your new financial partnership.
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Explained
Understanding UCCs is crucial. They are the financial guardrails used by invoice finance companies to secure their interests, similar to a mortgage or car title. Here’s what they do:
- Monitor asset rights.
- Notify other lenders of existing agreements.
- Assure first rights to your invoices for financiers.
Transitioning Between Providers
Switching finance providers is a strategic move, akin to refinancing a mortgage. The transition involves a buyout agreement, where your new provider resolves the balance with the old one, setting a clear path for your financial growth.
Calculating the Buyout Amount
The buyout amount is a critical figure, encompassing your unpaid invoices, reserves, and any additional fees. Understanding this amount is pivotal, especially if the new agreement presents a more advantageous financial position.
Cost Implications of a Buyout
Transitioning can be a financially neutral decision. By providing new invoices to your new financier, you avoid the pitfall of double fees. However, timing is essential to prevent extra charges from your old provider.
Time Considerations
Expect the switch to extend the usual timeframe due to the intricacies of buyout calculations. Partner with an experienced company to streamline this process.
Complex Scenarios
In some scenarios, rights to your invoices might be temporarily shared between your old and new financiers. This isn’t standard but can occur during the transition phase.
Questions to Ponder Before Committing
- Is it feasible to work with multiple invoice finance companies?
- What are the terms for changing providers, including notice periods and penalties?
- How efficiently does the new provider process payments?
- Who will be your primary contacts at the finance company?
- Are there additional costs, such as postage for mailing invoices?
- What about charges for credit checks or new customer setups?
- When does the provider start holding reserves?
