A Canadian Business Financing Epiphany ! ABL Asset Based lending Is The Quiet Revolution In A Business Line Of Credit Facility

Canadian asset based lending - Business Lines of Credit


Information on asset based lending and financing in Canada . Why an ABL facility is one of Canadian businesses best form of business lien of credit finance .




And that's when it hits you. We're talking about a Canadian business financing ' epiphany' - that being the term used for a ' sudden, intuitive perception or insight '. And what exactly is that ' insight'. It's simply that an ABL facility, which is the asset based lending term for business line of credit is different, and in many ways a lot better than traditional term loans or Canadian chartered bank facilities.

So, that’s a fairly dramatic statement, so let’s set out to provide some facts and valuable information on these business revolving credit facilities.

Canadian businesses use ABL financing to leverage their assets, typically receivables, inventory and equipment into liquidity for working capital and cash flow. The most common question we get around this type of business financing is ' Why is an ABL facility different than a bank line of credit? Fair question, right?

The answer is simply as follows - it’s your asset values that determine the amount of business credit line you are eligible for. Banks view business lines of credit in Canada in an entirely different manner. It’s just a different way of looking at things. Asset based lending looks at the assets themselves as the ' prime ' collateral. In the cases of banks they look at whats important to their criteria, which are typically historical cash flow, profitability, a balance sheet that has reasonable debt, outside collateral, etc.

It's this difference then that is what becomes almost shocking to a degree on Canadian borrowing for business. Just imagine, no ratios, covenants, reliance on personal guarantees, just a focus on the assets themselves. And the more verifiable assets you have the more you can borrow.

Therefore the key advantage to this type of borrowing and financing is that the ABL facility accelerates that cash flow and allows your company to access all its working capital needs as you grow. Naturally it goes without saying that your company now has an alternative to taking on additional debt or having to dilute some or a large part of your equity ownership. Remember, almost always equity is much more expensive than debt in the long run.

Is every one eligible for an asset based lending abl facility? The general answer is yes. Junior type asset based lending and financing facilities for inventory and A/R can start as low as 250k and quite frankly there is really no upper limit for facility size. Unbeknownst to many some of the largest corporations in Canada utilize this type of financing, having forsaken bank lines of credit in the traditional sense.

Eligibility always is a key question from clients. Whats required? is really their question. First of all you have to have proper financials and be able to maintain solid reporting records on key assets such as receivables, inventory, etc. We don’t necessarily consider it a downside, but it is safe to say there is a bit more monthly reporting in an ABL facility , if only for the reason that its all about the assets, not the ratios and covenants you might be used to now .

The advance rates (how much you can borrow!) are significant in asset based lending. A/R is typically margined at 90%, and inventory (yes, inventory!) is anywhere from 30-70% depending on the type of product you produce/sell.

So, that’s the epiphany! Just that sudden insight that threes a quiet revolution going on in business financing that you might want to check out. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on the merits of ABL financing.


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/abl_facility_asset_based_lending_financing.html

If Things Are So Bad Why Is a Canadian ABL Facility Business Line Of Credit So Good ? How Asset based Lenders Work

The Worse Your Financing Challenges The More An Asset Based Line Of Credit Should Appeal To Your Company

Information on why and ABL facility from Canadian asset based lenders and why this type of business line of credit is extraordinary in terms of delivering more financing to Canadian business .



Does it every get easy? It's probably just us but doesn’t it seem like there’s never a time when there isn’t some major economic turmoil these days that simply add to the constant challenge of being able to be successful in business financing for your firm.

That’s why an ABL facility... a business line of credit from asset based lenders is very much a total breath of fresh air. With the Canadian economy see sawing back and forth between good news and bad news the likelihood of your company getting the business credit it needs is never 100%.So is there a way to improve those odds? We think there is, and it’s an asset based line of credit, the technical term being ABL.

It is somewhat ironic that the asset based lender actually tends to do better in more difficult times - that’s easy to understand because the unique facility it offers has a much higher chance of approval for firms such as yours. And, as always, it’s about the assets, not the ratios. Coupled with the fact that the industry in Canada, relatively speaking is still quite new and somewhat fragmented , well , bottom line, its just seems to get more traction everyday.

Stats in other countries , and we think they are reflective of Canada also , show that 80-90 % of the firms that utilize asset based lending for their business line of credit are in fact small to medium sized corporations . It is sometimes overlooked that some of the biggest corporations in Canada also use this type of financing, abandoning the traditional Canadian chartered bank line of credit.


When we meet with clients to discuss their needs for an ABL facility it's often necessary to spend a bit of time explaining some of the mis information that exists with this type of facility. That is partly because this type of lending has some subsets, they include receivable financing, and in some cases purchase order financing.

The key benefit of an ABL business line of credit always comes back to one word - ' margining '. Typically this type of revolving facility margins 90% of receivables and anywhere from 30-75% of inventory, depending on the type of inventory your firm carries/requires.

Additionally, the key difference in the facility is the fact that your business access to working capital and cash flow grows with your needs, pretty well automatically! Now that’s the type of borrowing facility that every business owner dreams about!

So, when the bank is not the solution, (those hoops keep getting more difficult to jump all the time!) and your company is either reluctant or unable to raise additional equity speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on the benefits and requirements for an ABL business line of credit.






Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/abl_facility_asset_based_lenders_line_of_credit.html

Looking For Asset Financing ? Does Your Firm Have What It Takes For A ABL Facility With An Asset Based Lender

You're on the hunt, and the prey is business financing under an asset financing scenario you have heard so much about. Let’s examine what an ABL facility is, who is the asset based lender that offers this financing, and, oh yes, do you qualify?

To say that business credit financing is top of mind these days with Canadian business owners and financial managers is clearly an understatement. With the economic clouds clearing on the horizon after the 2008-2009 business credit meltdown business owners are looking for growth financing.

And the reality is that the type of operating facilities that you are looking for are getting tougher to secure from Canada's major chartered banks. We are of course referring in general to firms that have some sort of challenge, because medium sized and large Canadian firms with great balance sheets, profits, and solid cash flows can access great credit terms from the banks.

Unfortunately that isn’t the client profile we're talking to everyday - as owners we meet have challenges such as inability to secure the operating cash they need, the requirement to acquire additional assets, or even a full acquisition of a competitor. And that economic turbulence we mentioned earlier usually means that many firms are coming out of a turnaround type environment and are slowly getting their financials back in order. Therefore the ability to secure an ABL facility (abl = asset based lending) for inventory and receivables becomes the goal in asset financing.

So what is the real difference in asset financing under and abl facility compared to a bank line of credit, commonly called a ' revolver ' in business finance. The best way we explain it to clients is that the bank focus is on cash flow, the asset based lender focuses on assets. Big difference!

So, does your firm qualify for abl financing? In general, as we stated, any firm with assets of receivables, inventory, equipment and real estate qualifies. Where the challenge comes in is deterring the overall quality of those assets as well as the size of the facility. An ABL facility is generally available for any firm with over 250k in a combination of receivables, inventory, and equipment. In certain cases even tax credit receivables can be financed.

Where you as a business owner have to focus is the choice of a partner in this type of financing. If your facility requirements are in the millions of dollars and you have high quality business assets (i.e. collectible receivables, inventory that turns) you can access significantly more credit than under a normal bank facility - at rates commensurate with bank financing.

Small firms pay a premium for this type of facility, but when you consider you can access almost all the business credit you need under such a line of credit, coupled with the ability to grow profits and revenues and take on additional orders... well , we'll let you decide if that’s worth a premium .

If you want to comfortably walk the business financing minefield in ABL and feel you aren't 100% conversant with the players, requirements, and pricing then consider seeking a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor in this area .

P.S. If you found your access to business credit has just doubled, don’t say we didn’t tell you!

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Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/abl_facility_asset_based_lender_asset_financing.html