Factoring Company Guide
First Step: Filling Out the Client Application
Start off by completing a basic client profile form that we'll provide. It'll ask for simple details like your company's name, location, what your business is about, and some info on your clients.
You might also need to provide documents like an accounts receivable aging report, or info on your clients' credit limits. Don't forget, we (the factor) are trying to gauge how creditworthy your clients are, beyond their payment history with your business. We're looking for a wider view of their overall credit health.
In this first step, we'll also discuss basic financial details. For instance, how many invoices do you want to factor each month (meaning, how much cash do you need quickly)? What will be the advance rate and the discount rate? And, how soon can we provide the advance?
Often, the answers to these questions depend on your clients' financial health and the expected monthly sales to be factored. Other factors can affect this too, like your industry, how long you've been in business, and your clients' risk profile. For example, if you have a lot of high-risk clients, you'll likely pay more in factoring fees than if your clients are slow-paying government bodies.
Remember, in the factoring business, volume matters. The more invoices you factor (the higher your volume), the better your rates will be.
We'll use the client profile you give us to determine if your business is a good candidate for factoring. Essentially, we're evaluating the risks against the rewards based on the information you've provided.
Once we give the green light, be ready to negotiate terms and conditions. This process takes into consideration various elements of the deal. For instance, if you're factoring $10,000, you won't get as good a deal as a company factoring $500,000.
During this negotiation, you'll gain a good understanding of what it costs to factor your accounts receivable. Once you've reached an agreement with us, the funding process gets underway. We conduct due diligence by looking into your clients' credit and any liens against your company. We also verify the authenticity of your invoice before purchasing your receivables and giving you the cash advance.
Factoring Company Benefits
Factoring Advantages: Strengthen Your Business Financially
- Shift your focus from cash flow to proactive business growth.
- Eliminate loan repayment stress with quick, accessible cash.
- Maintain autonomy and control over your business decisions.
- Lower or eliminate costs associated with payment collection efforts.
- Optimize your cash flow management by selecting the right invoices to factor.
- Outmaneuver clients who are slow to pay, securing your financial health.
- Boost your business’s production and sales with a steady cash stream.
- Access expert services for streamlined payment collection and credit assessments.
- Always be ready to meet your payroll commitments.
- Secure funds to cover payroll taxes without concern.
- Unlock the ability to buy materials in bulk at discounted prices.
- Enhance your buying power, leading to more cost-effective business operations.
- Better your credit rating with consistent and timely bill payments.
- Ensure you have the capital for business expansion and new ventures.
- Allocate adequate funding for marketing and promotional activities.
- See marked improvements in your financial reporting.
- Benefit from detailed accounts receivable reports for informed decision-making.
Is Factoring For You
The Importance of Factoring
"Without payment, a sale remains just a promise." Have you become an unintentional financier for your customers? This is an important question for your business's financial health.
A close look at your accounts receivable will reveal the extent to which you're extending credit. This is likely not what you had in mind when you set out to grow your business.
If these customers were to borrow from a bank, they'd be paying interest. In contrast, you're not earning any interest, and critically, you're missing the opportunity to reinvest that capital. This is a hidden cost that needs your attention.
Extended payment terms might seem generous, but they tie up funds that could be used to drive your business forward. It's time to consider a more effective strategy to manage your receivables.
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: Get Expert Credit Risk Assessment at No Extra Cost!
Accurately evaluating credit risk is a crucial aspect of our factoring business. Very few, if any, clients can perform this function as objectively as we can.
At no additional fee, we act as your dedicated credit department for both new and existing customers. This gives you a significant advantage over handling these functions in-house.
Imagine a scenario where a salesperson is pursuing a new account with the potential for substantial purchases. The salesperson may be so focused on winning the business that they overlook warning signs related to credit difficulties. They might even bypass your internal credit checks to expedite the process. While this may secure the sale, it won't guarantee payment, and without payment, there is no sale.
With us, this situation won't occur. We make credit decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the new customer's credit situation. We won't purchase the invoices of customers with poor credit ratings, minimizing the risk of nonpayment. However, please don't view our involvement as a tightening of credit to the extent that it negatively impacts your business beyond your control.
If you have a new customer with questionable creditworthiness, the ultimate decision to do business with them remains yours. (Nevertheless, we reserve the right to say, ""I told you so!"")
While we may not purchase those invoices, you still retain the freedom to extend credit terms as you see fit. You remain in control. Regardless of the decisions you make, thanks to our participation, you can be confident that you'll have access to more comprehensive, objective, and high-quality information for informed credit decisions compared to your past practices.
We thoroughly research new clients and, equally importantly, regularly monitor the credit ratings of your existing customers. This is in stark contrast to most businesses where routine credit updates on the established customer base are rare. Such neglect can be a grave mistake.
Typically, businesses only conduct a credit check when it's too late and the problem has already spiraled out of control. On the other hand, we will promptly inform you if there are any changes in the credit status of your existing customers.
In addition to providing specific customer credit information, you'll also enjoy the benefits of comprehensive, detailed reports on your accounts receivables as a whole. As part of our process, you'll receive accounting details, transactional insights, aging reports, and financial management reports. This data empowers you to incorporate it into your sales tracking, account history, and in-depth analysis.
With over 70 years of successful cash flow and credit management experience, we are eager to leverage our expertise for your benefit. Let us put our knowledge to work for you and help you achieve your financial goals.
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?
