Cash flow is a business's biggest need, and when it fails to flow, there is a simple and time proven method to liquidate receivables into ready cash. invoice factoring is a cash flow tool that can be used by a variety of businesses because of the ancillary services it provides and the internal resources it can free up.

If you pose a question to most Americans regarding the status of our economy, you'll get a variety of answers. Despite the recent announcement that we are in the middle of a struggling economy economists are telling the American public that there is light at the end of the tunnel and the Federal Reserve is trying desperately to keep the economy moving foward. However, start posing the question to most businesses and they'll tell you that business is down.

When the economy shows signs of a sluggish trend, one of the first things to slow down is a business's cash flow. Businesses that are not prepared to creatively raise additional working capital may be in for a rough ride when their receivables begin to trickle in.

As we all know, most banks have been stockpiling their loan loss reserves over the last several years, and with good reason. It would appear that they are going to be dipping into those reserves to help get them out of loans that they really had no business writing in the first place.

Credit at most commercial banks is being tightened almost to point of extinction, which leaves many struggling businesses with few available alternatives for improving their financial standing.

Cash flow is a business's biggest need, and when it fails to flow, there is a simple and time proven method to liquidate receivables into ready cash.

Invoice factoring, a financing tool now more commonly referred to as Factoring, has been in use for hundreds of years.

Invoice factoring is a cash flow tool that can be used by a variety of businesses, not just small struggling operations. Many businesses factor simply because of the ancillary services it provides and the internal resources it can free up.

Let's look at a quick example:

A business generates an invoice to another creditworthy business. That invoice is then submitted to the accounts receivable factoring company and the business receives an immediate advance on the gross amount of the invoice anywhere from 70 to 90 percent. The accounts receivable factoring company now waits to collect payment on that invoice. Once the accounts receivable factoring company collects, they take out the earned discount fee plus the initial advance and remit the remaining portion to the business. Obviously, one can see immediate benefits from this service. Some of these benefits include prompt payment to suppliers, meeting payroll and payroll tax obligations and taking advantage of other business opportunities.

Why would a business need invoice factoring? If you're providing products or services to other businesses more often than not, you're financing their purchases. Typical terms range anywhere from 10 to 60 days. However, we all know that most businesses fail to pay within the generous terms extended.

What basic qualifications does a business need to have in order to be a candidate for an invoice factoring company?

They must be selling to other creditworthy businesses.
The product or service must have been delivered and accepted.
The factor must be able to obtain a priority collateral position on the receivables.
The customer may not have any rights to return or offset payment on the product or service.

What differentiates invoice factoring from receivables financing?

In reality there are few differences. There are four several key separations between the two forms of financing.

One. With receivables financing, a lender is actually lending (not purchasing) against receivables which are reported to them on what's called a borrowing base certificate. With factoring, the factor is actually purchasing receivables (not lending) submitted to them. A factoring client will actually deliver original or copies of invoices to the factor to be purchased.

Two. The lender will not monitor the progress of the receivables. An invoice factoring company has an interest in the progress (collection) those receivables.

Three. Limited or no credit assistance. The lender is making a loan against receivables. Ultimately the lender will look to other collateral to make them whole in the event of a loss. An invoice factoring company makes a credit evaluation on every invoice purchased. Because of this, the likelihood of collecting a valid receivable is very high.

Four. Both the lender and the invoice factoring company will have dominion over the receivables, which means the proceeds of the invoices will go to a lockbox which is controlled by the lender or factor. However, an invoice factoring company typically has greater protection under Article (9) of the Uniform Commercial Code. Because the invoice factoring company will inform the clients' customer of the Notice of Assignment of the Receivable, this typically gives a factor a greater degree of protection should a default occur.

A nice feature of factoring is that most factors provide other ancillary services which go far beyond the borrowing base a receivables financing line provides a business.

Let's look at some of these powerful ancillary services.

Credit evaluation and monitoring. An accounts receivable factoring company weighs heavily the creditworthiness of a business's customers. This fact allows most factors to inform their clients of potential credit issues and this can certainly help a business avoid losses. As you well know, credit is everything. A factor may also provide credit insurance and provide financing on a non-recourse basis on select customers. Almost all factors subscribe to outside credit reporting agencies such as Dunn & Bradstreet, Experian as well as industry specific credit reporting agencies.

Receivables Management. Most invoice factoring companies take a pro-active approach to monitoring the receivables they purchased. They often times will discover potential problems with products or services before they become a collection or bad debt issue.

Typically an invoice factoring client will also be assigned a dedicated account executive that will act on their behalf and appear as a transparent arm of their receivables department.

Reporting. Most factors will provide their clients with detailed management reports on a weekly basis. Often times, these reports are more sophisticated and up-to-date than ones that are generated internally by a business.

Unlimited Sales Financing. With invoice factoring, the amount of funding that is available to a business is only limited to the amount of credit they extend to other creditworthy businesses.

Collateral. Most factors only require the receivables themselves as collateral. This leaves other collateral free and clear for other borrowing needs.

Speed. Most factors can establish a financing relationship in days, not weeks.

As banks continue to tighten their credit policies, businesses will find it increasingly difficult to obtain the credit they once enjoyed. Invoice factoring is becoming an increasingly popular and sometimes the only choice for businesses.

Invoice factoring has evolved greatly over the past decade and can be very competitive with conventional financing. Most accounts receivable factoring companies even participate with other lenders in workout situations or to provide the needed financing to assist a business over a hurdle.

It should be made clear that invoice factoring companies are not in competition with conventional lenders. There are certainly some businesses that invoice factoring is not an ideal solution while other industries are dependent on factors for their day to day livelihood.

For businesses that can't afford to play banker to the likes of IBM, Microsoft or other companies who may also be struggling with their cash position, factoring is a sensible solution.

The next time you have a client who is having difficulty meeting their obligations, perhaps invoice factoring should be given some consideration.

Feel free to contact us anytime for a free no-risk consultation toll-free at (877) 836-4661 or email us if you have any questions.