EnglishFrenchGermanSpainItalianDutchRussianPortugueseJapaneseKoreanArabicChinese Simplified
Showing posts with label business loans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business loans. Show all posts

7/15/11

Canadian Franchisee Funding & Business Loans – In Over Your Head In Lenders & Finance ?



All of us in business are sometimes ' out of our element ' when we are required to create a ' win ' in an environment we sometimes don’t fully understand. So we forgive all clients who seem overwhelmed in the area of franchise finance lenders, funding for their new life as a franchisee, and getting business loans that... oh yes... hopefully make sense!

What we want to do now then is make what you perceived as a journey into a ' short trip “! By the time we have met you quite often you have made the decision to purchase a franchise in an industry either intrigues you, or, hopefully more so, one that you are sure you can be successful in.

Franchising today, in terms of total sales, is a mega portion of the economy - the numbers are staggering. Industries such as automotive, home improvements, business and consumer services, food, specialty and entertainment all have great franchise opportunities.

So whats harder, picking a franchise or trying to figure out who are the franchise finance lenders in Canada and whats the best method of franchisee funding? We'll let you be the judge of that.

Start up or acquisition financing of a franchise in Canada does not have to be as formidable as it might seem. You need a plan, some expert help (much of which is free) and you should have a roadmap to succeed. We'll boil down guaranteed success to 3 very simple issues.

The 3 issues that you should focus on or rationalize vis a vis your franchise finance funding are as follows : a reasonable personal credit record and net worth ( in relation to the size of your franchise investment ) , a basic but clear presentation or proposal ( aka ' business plan' ' executive summary') .. and finally, knowledge of who you are going to present it to for guaranteed success . Simple enough?

Your proposal or plan reflects how you present your business - the essence of the document is info on yourself, your franchisor, and your financial plan re sales / profits / cash flow, and info your industry sector. That's not at all complicated, and with some able assistance that type of document can be prepared in days.

Let’s remember we're talking about business loans, not a personal loan when it comes to franchise finance. Typical financings we see come in at the 350 - 500k range - naturally many franchisees select smaller businesses, some larger .

So, who are the franchise lenders in Canada? That seems a mystery to many clients for some good reasons. One of which the largest franchise financing program in Canada was probably never mean to be just that. We're talking about the governments BIL/CSBF program. Thousands of successful Canadian entrepreneurs use the programs for rates, terms and structures that you could only think ' the big boys' get in terms of attractive finance.

Alternatively one large specialty franchise lender in Canada has a significant presence. In many cases they are aligned on a program basis with your franchisor who might be participating in some manner on the financing.

Don’t forget also that many franchise business loans revolve around the purchase of a franchise business from an existing franchisee. In many cases that becomes a true business loan with a focus on what assets are being purchase, is the business profitable, what are the cash flows and future potential of that business.

Franchise finance funding can also be compliment ed by a working capital term loan, or working with a specialized equipment finance firm to acquire assets outside the main franchise loan . Additionally innovative merchant advance funding arrangements can help you with working capital and cash flow.

Bottom line. It's of course that you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed or not in control of a key element of your franchise decision, the financing. You have alternatives, assistance in the form of an experienced Canadian business financing advisor you may wish to consult with... providing you with the knowledge you can be successful in approved funding and business loans for your new venture.





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 .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

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

6/26/11

Sound Acquisition Financing Ideas – Commercial Business Loans For Purchase & Merger


Your company has made the decision to either merge or acquire another business. What are some of the key issues in successfully completing acquisition financing and business loans for commercial entities in Canada?

A good place to start is simply to ensure you’ve got the right reasons or goals around a merger or acquisition. In some cases you wish to diversify your company, more often than not though it’s simply a case of growing, both sales and profits of course.

Is the term ‘opportunistic a negative one? We certainly don’t think so when it comes to legitimate business dealings, so in many cases you simply have come across a firm or competitor that in your opinion is undervalued. Bottom line, it’s a bargain and you're focused on exploiting either undervalued assets or companies that are not performing well in certain market conditions.

Don't forget also that acquisition financing is all about some even more common sense scenarios as identified above. Its often a classic opportunity to lower your operating costs as overheads in the dual firm can be cut and other efficiencies can be extracted from the combined mix .

What are the types of acquisitions? We can summarize those into three areas, and in some cases the type of acquisition you make will impact directly the type of financing and commercial business loans that you achieve.

Back to our three merger scenarios - they are as follows: friendly, hostile, and leveraged or management buyout. Many smaller companies are of course happy and content to be taken over; they fully realize the potential synergies. However in certain cases it gets somewhat ' ugly ' in that the management or owners of the firm you intend to buy or acquire simply are opposed to the idea.

Leveraged and management buyouts tend to be asset driven. The downside of a leveraged or management buyout is that if done improperly a large amount of debt can leverage your new firm negatively. There are numerous creative ways to finance acquisition financing in Canada.

Financing methods include asset based lending, subordinate or mezzanine debt (i.e. unsecured loans based on historical and future cash flows) as well as a private equity component.

Valuation is an important aspect in the area of acquisition financing. Your valuation will have a direct impact on the business loans you enter into to complete the purchase. In evaluating a final valuation or purchase price you will want to look at things like general financial operating activities - i.e. the financials. But don’t forget also that other factors such as new assets that might be required, working capital needs, etc also will drive that final valuation number.

In summary, when contemplating acquisition financing look at issues such as the proper mix of debt and equity, cash flow analysis, , and various areas of operational risk and reward . If you want financial alternatives in financing your acquisition consider talking to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will assist you in this exciting area of Canadian business finance.



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 .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


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

5/22/11

Wanted ! Canadian Companies Looking For The Government Loan For Small Business – ‘ SBL Loans ‘



They are offering. Why isn’t your company taking?! We're talking about the best deal in town for Canadian small and medium sized businesses - the government loan for small business - in our affectionate terms - ' The SBL ‘! (Small Business Loan).

Do you equate business loans and the word ' success ‘in the same sentence when you think of your chances of business financing success? Most clients we meet don't! They recount countless challenges in meeting their financing needs from what we term as traditional financing sources.

So, time to give up. Never, we say. One of the most viable options you can explore are SBL business loans for your company. They are offered (perhaps the better word is sponsored) by the federal government and the rates, terms and structures of this small business loan beats anything out there, and we'll show you why.

A word of caution though - you need to invest a little bit of time in understanding two key elements of the program - first , what it offers, and secondly, how you get to the goal line .. Quickly! (Many clients we meet are frustrated by their timelines in achieving this financing - you don’t have to be in their shoes if you follow our advice)

So, what is the program and what does it finance? That seems like a good start. The SBL government loan - small business is sponsored by the federal Industry Canada department. The program has been in place for many years, and last year almost hit 1 Billion dollars in financing for your competitors. (We want to put you on that same boat!) . The programs official name is the BIL program, and it is a term loan, typically five or seven years in duration, at rates of 3% over prime.

While many larger corporations are required to provide full personal guarantees of owners for their business financings the SBL loan does not, requiring only that the business owner guarantee only 25% of the loan amount - how about that!.

Misunderstanding. That’s what we run into a lot when we explain to clients what the loan can be used for. Unfortunately it is not a cash flow, but a loan that can be used for 3 separate categories of assets, equpment, leaseholds, and real estate also. Our own experience is that it is rarely used for real estate, but it’s nice to know that that facility is available to your firm.

Timelines. Time is money - who hasn’t heard that one? You can easily facilitate your SBL utilizing the motto of the Boy Scouts of Canada - ' BE PREPARED!'

When you are ready to commit to the loan ensure you have a crisp business plan ready, one that addresses the needs of your business and has a financial model in place showing repayment of the loan. Your own respectable personal credit rating is key also, and the loan typically requires a credit bureau score of 650 to gain approval .

While we speak in terms of a government loan the reality is that the feds charge our chartered banks with the actual administration of the loan - so in actuality the loan is available on almost ever street corner in Canada - where there is a chartered bank branch of course !

Want to learn more, and, even more importantly, fast track success. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on government loan for small business - Get the SBL working for you... today!




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 .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

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

12/23/10

Why Asset backed business loans And Asset Lending Make Your Business Financeable For Growth

When was the last time you really found business loans solutions that made total sense for your firm. We're thinking that you will say ' right about now!" after you finish hearing what we’re going to tell you about asset lending and asset back lines of credit in Canada.

Looking for understatements .?We always are. Here's one... ‘Business financing has never been more difficult to achieve than in the last couple years ‘! Now that’s an understatement. It seems to be all about problems and never about solutions.

What if there was a type of business financing in Canada that made all firms eligible yet at the same time gave you access to unlimited amount of credit , and only had one requirement . Too good to be true? Not necessarily. And what is that requirement our clients always ask, and the answer is ' assets ‘.

Canadian asset lending via a non bank asset backed line of credit makes business loans sense today more than it ever has before.

Let’s get to the core of the solution, and then you'' see how that solution can fix your current financing challenges. This type of business operating loan is a revolving line of credit that is secured by inventory, accounts receivable, and other balance sheet asset accounts as may be applicable. (Typically those might be equipment and real estate in some cases)

Is there a size that seems to make the most sense when you contemplate such a financing. We have found through experience that clients that require at least a 250k/mo operating working capital requirement are the best candidates for this type of financing. There is virtually no upper limit on asset based line of credit financing in Canada!

We always come back to the word ' assets' in discussing the availability of this type of financing. On a day to day basis you monitor your receivables, inventory, etc and simply draw down against them. As you can see the facility fluctuates every day simply because each day your firm bills new customers, collects receivables from past sales, and purchases inventory and converts that product into a sale and resulting receivable. That whole process is known as your operating cycle.

Asset backed lending in Canada is a secured form of lending that grows as you grow. That’s the main difference from a chartered bank line of credit, which typically has fixed limits and imposes all sorts of other conditions re rations, covenants, collateral, and personal guarantees on the business owners and managers. That’s now that asset lending via bank line of credit is about in Canada.

The key qualification difference here is that a large amount of the approval process for this type of facility revolves around verifying your assets such as the quality of your receivables, inventory turns, , and your ability to ' scorecard' your business via proper financial reporting every month around receivables and inventory .

Does our solution make sense? We think it does if you are in one of several categories, including not being able to access bank credit, not being able to access enough bank credit, and if your firm is in a growth mode and has assets that can be financing for working capital needs .

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can guide you through the asset backed line of credit strategy for your firms survival, growth, and profit.
-


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 6 years - has completed in excess of 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

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

5/30/08

Need a business loan? Consider these alternative options

Looking for a business loan but can’t find one? Or worse, has your loan request been rejected? One of the toughest jobs for business owners is trying to secure business financing. Unfortunately, getting a business loan isn’t always easy. Although most banks want to lend money, they have strict underwriting criteria that they must follow. This commonly includes asking for your company’s financial history and looking for assets. However – not all small businesses have long track records or tangible assets. Does this mean that you can get business financing? No – it just means that business loans may not be the best alternative for your company.

Does your company give its clients 30 to 45 days to pay invoices? Most companies that offer payment terms usually run into cash flow problems. This is because few businesses have the required cash cushion to wait 45 days to get paid. That forces owners to either juggle vendor payments – or worse – turn away opportunities. There is a solution for this problem. It’s called invoice factoring.

Suppose that instead of waiting 45 days to get paid, you were able to get 80% immediately and the remaining 20% in after 45 days. Would that work better for you? Of course it would. And you can achieve this by factoring your invoices. The biggest advantage of factoring is that you get an immediate advance on your invoices. This gives you funds you need to pay suppliers and employees. It also enables you to take advantage of new sales opportunities without having to worry about juggling vendor payments.

An accounts receivable factoring transaction works as follows. Once you deliver your product (or service) you invoice your client. At that point you also finance the invoice through the factoring company. The factoring company advances you 80% immediately. You get the remaining 20%, less a small factoring fee, once your client pays the invoice in full.

One advantage of working with factoring companies is that they look at businesses in a different way than banks do. They consider your invoices from solid paying clients to be your biggest asset. And as such, they are willing to advance money against them. Of course, factoring companies also look at other criteria. But the main criteria are to have good invoices.

Factoring can be used in many industries and has a number of sub-specialties. Freight bill factoring is a form of factoring that is common in the transportation industry. Construction factoring and medical factoring are used in the construction and medical industries respectively. Factoring financing is a flexible solution that can be used across many industries and can help position your company for growth.

About Commercial Capital LLC

Looking for business loans? We are a leading business financing company and can provide business loan alternatives. For information, please call (877) 300 3258.

5/29/08

Options and Alternatives to Finance a Small Company


Small business owners are usually confronted with a number of challenges. One of them is getting business financing. Although most entrepreneurs start their businesses with their own funds, or those of friends and family, soon they reach a point where they need additional funding to grow the business.

One solution is to look for additional financing among your friends. This is a risky strategy since there is a risk of losing the friendship if you run into business problems. Another solution is to try to go to the bank for a business loan. However, to qualify for a bank loan, your company usually needs to show three years of profitable operations and appropriate collateral assets. Generally, this puts business loans out of the reach of most small business owners.

Two alternatives that are often overlooked by businesses are factoring and purchase order financing. Both offer great flexibility and are much easier to obtain than conventional business financing.

Invoice Factoring

Do have clients that pay their invoices in 30 to 60 days? If you need funds quickly in order to meet company expenses you should consider invoice factoring. With this type of financing, a factoring company can give your business an invoice advance, secured by your soon to be paid receivables. Although terms vary, most factoring companies advance about 80% of your outstanding invoices. The remaining 20%, less the financing fee, is advanced once the invoice is actually paid. One of the advantages of an accounts receivable factoring facility is that you can use it regularly to reduce the length of time it takes you to get paid on your invoices. Also, factoring financing is tied to your sales and increases as your company grows.

Purchase Order Financing

One common challenge for resellers (and wholesalers) is winning a purchase order that exceeds their financial capabilities. Purchase order financing can be used in these situations to bridge the financing gap, enabling the company to complete the order and book the sale. Basically, purchase order funding covers your supplier expenses. The transaction is settled once your customer receives the goods and pays for them. Purchase order factoring is only available to companies that resell goods, or companies that use third party manufacturing. Unfortunately, it most po finance companies cannot service direct manufacturers.

Conclusions

Factoring and purchase order financing have gained substantial traction as a financing solution for small and medium sized companies. They both have the advantage of being easy to obtain and setup. They can be an ideal solution for companies looking for pre-delivery and post-delivery financing of their commercial sales.

About Commercial Capital LLC

Looking for business financing? We can provide business loan alternatives for companies seeking business loans. For information, call (877) 300 3258.

12/19/07

Looking For a Biz Loan? Have Your Considered A Factoring Loan?

Are you looking for a business loan? Obtaining business financing in the current economic climate can be a challenge. Most lending institutions have strict lending requirements and only lend to companies that can show a sustained profitability and verified financial records. Because of this, most small or new businesses can’t qualify and are left looking for a solution elsewhere.

However, there is a solution that is available to companies that sell goods to other businesses or to the government. Although it is not suitable for every business, it can work very well if your biggest challenge is that you can’t wait 30 to 60 days to get paid for your invoices. If this is the case, then factoring invoices may be the right solution for you.

The value proposition of factoring is very simple. You get an advance payment for your invoices, which gives you the necessary funds to pay employees and suppliers. The factoring company, in turn, waits to get paid by your customer. The whole transaction is settled once your customer pays their invoice. Factoring gives you the necessary funding to meet day to day expenses such as payroll and suppliers, putting your company on a more stable financial ground.

Factoring companies have different financing criteria than most lending institutions. They provide funding based on the financial strength of your customers. This makes it an ideal product for small or growing companies whose biggest asset is a roster of strong clients. Also, invoice factoring can be obtained fairly quickly. Most transactions can be completed in a matter of days.

Another benefit of accounts receivable factoring is that financing is tied to your company’s sales growth. Your financing facility grows in tandem with your sales. This makes it an ideal solution for companies that are experiencing fast paced growth.

The cost of the service varies, based on the complexity of the transaction, then length and the financing requirements. Likewise, it also varies based on industry. Monthly factoring rates range between 1.5% and 3.5% based on these parameters.
Although receivables factoring does not work with all companies, it’s ideal for companies that need immediate funds to pay employees or vendors, and who have clients that pay in 30 to 60 days.

About Commercial Capital LLC

Are you looking for a business loan? Factoring is a form of business financing that is a great alternative to conventional business loans. For information, call Marco Terry at (877) 300 3258.

Get information on publications by Marco Terry. You can also check out articles by Marco Terry here you can check out page 2, page 3 and page 4.