Factoring Company Guide
The First Step: The Client Application
To start with, you'll need to fill out a basic form about your business that we'll provide. It asks for easy stuff like your business name, where you're located, what you do, and some information about who your customers are.
You might also have to share documents like an accounts receivable aging report or your current customers' credit limits. The important thing to remember is that we're trying to work out how likely your customers are to pay their bills, not just based on their history with you, but on their wider financial situation.
In this initial phase, you'll also have to sort out some key financial details with us. You'll need to think about how many invoices you want to factor each month (which tells us how much readily available cash you need), what the advance rate and discount rate will be, and how quickly we'll get the advance to you.
Usually, the specifics of these details will change depending on how financially stable your customers are, how many sales you plan to factor each month, the type of business you're in, how long you've been in business, and what kind of risk your customers pose. For example, having a lot of high-risk clients will mean you pay more in factoring fees than if you mostly deal with slow-paying government agencies.
In our business, the more invoices you factor (in terms of dollar value), the better your rates. That's why it's all about volume.
We'll use the information you provide in your client profile to decide whether factoring is the right solution for your business. This involves balancing the potential risks against the benefits based on the information you've given us.
Once you get the green light, you can expect to discuss terms and conditions. These negotiations take various aspects of the deal into account. As a result, if you're looking to factor $10,000, you're not going to get as good a deal as a company factoring $500,000.
During the negotiation stage, you'll start to understand what it really costs to factor your accounts receivable. Once you've come to an agreement with us, we get the funding process underway. We do some research into your customers' credit and any liens against your company, and we also verify the authenticity of your invoice before we buy your receivables and give you the money.
Factoring Company Benefits
Unleash the Power of Factoring:
- Transform your focus from cash flow concerns to scaling your business.
- Banish the stress of loan repayments. Experience the freedom of quick cash within days.
- Retain absolute control of your business destiny.
- Say goodbye to the financial drain of chasing down payments.
- Master your cash flow by strategically selecting invoices to factor.
- Outpace clients who lag in payments and protect your financial health.
- Accelerate your production and sales with consistent cash flow.
- Utilize expert services for hassle-free payment collections and credit assessments.
- Never worry about meeting payroll again.
- Ensure you're always prepared for payroll taxes.
- Unlock discounts on bulk purchases to reduce costs.
- Enhance your purchasing leverage for early payment and bulk order discounts.
- Improve your credit rating by consistently covering your bills.
- Secure the cash needed for ambitious business expansion.
- Invest confidently in marketing your business.
- Witness a transformation in your financial statements.
- Gain insightful, comprehensive reports on your receivables for smarter decision-making.
Is Factoring For You
How Factoring Can Help Small Businesses Thrive
Factoring is like a financial boost that can help small businesses succeed in simple terms. Here's how it works:
Quick Access to Cash: Small businesses sometimes struggle to get the money they need for their everyday expenses or to grow. Factoring gives them a way to get cash quickly by selling their unpaid customer invoices to a company that specializes in this. It's like getting an instant payment for the work they've done or the products they've sold.
Better Money Management: Managing money is important for any business, and factoring can make it easier for small businesses. Instead of waiting for customers to pay, factoring provides a steady stream of money that keeps the business running smoothly. It's like having a reliable source of funds to pay bills, buy supplies, and invest in new opportunities.
Building a Good Reputation: Factoring can also help small businesses build a good reputation with suppliers and lenders. When they can pay their bills on time, it shows that they're trustworthy and responsible. This can lead to better deals with suppliers and open up more options for loans or other types of financial help in the future.
Growing the Business: With the extra cash from factoring, small businesses have the freedom to expand and grow. They can use the money to hire more employees, buy new equipment, or reach more customers through advertising. It's like having the resources to take their business to the next level and seize exciting opportunities.
Simplifying Finances: Keeping track of customer invoices and collecting payments can be a hassle for small businesses. Factoring companies take care of these tasks, so small businesses can focus on what they do best. It's like having a helpful partner who handles all the paperwork and makes sure the money comes in smoothly.
Lowering Financial Risks: Factoring companies also help small businesses reduce the risks associated with customers who don't pay on time or don't pay at all. They check the creditworthiness of customers and take responsibility for collecting payments. This gives small businesses peace of mind and protects them from losing money.
Flexibility for Success: Factoring is flexible and can adapt to the changing needs of small businesses. As their sales grow and they generate more invoices, they can access more funding through factoring. It's like having a financial solution that grows with them, providing the support they need to thrive.
In simple terms, factoring gives small businesses quick access to cash, helps them manage their money better, builds a good reputation, supports growth, simplifies finances, lowers financial risks, and offers flexibility for success. With factoring, small businesses can overcome financial challenges and create a path to long-term prosperity.
Factoring History
Factoring History
Discover the strategic power of factoring, a critical but often overlooked component in the financial toolkit of successful American businesses. Ideal for business owners and entrepreneurs, factoring offers a unique solution to financial challenges.
Surprisingly, despite its crucial role in the business world, factoring is seldom discussed in academic settings or business strategies. Yet, it is a key player in freeing up billions of dollars, empowering businesses to succeed.
Factoring is the art of buying accounts receivable at a discount, a vital practice for companies offering credit in the modern market. Its history is as rich as civilization itself, with roots in ancient Mesopotamia and significant roles in different cultures, including the Roman Empire and the American colonial era.
In contrast to the slow processes of traditional banking, factoring emerged as a practical financial solution, evolving through the Industrial Revolution to focus on credit issues. Today, factoring has grown beyond its initial industry confines, offering a flexible financial solution to a wide range of sectors.
Now, factoring stands as a prominent financial strategy, particularly vital in eras of high interest rates and tight banking regulations. Annually, it enables thousands of businesses to enhance their profitability and growth by selling billions in receivables.
Credit Risk
Quick Continuous Cash: Access No-Cost Expert Credit Risk Assessment – Your Path to a Healthier Cash Flow!
Credit risk evaluation is a critical element of factoring, and our exceptional skill in this field is yours without extra charges. We act as an extension of your team, providing deeper insights for both new and existing customers – a valuable edge over in-house capabilities.
Envision a situation where the zeal for new business overshadows the importance of credit health. This can lead to sales without secure payments. We're here to prevent such scenarios, ensuring your sales translate into reliable revenue.
While we offer in-depth credit assessments, you retain control over your transactions. Our involvement empowers you to make informed, strategic decisions in your business dealings.
Unlike most businesses, we continuously monitor your customer's credit status, providing vital updates and detailed financial reports. This ongoing vigilance is your defense against unexpected credit issues.
Leverage our 70 years of expertise in cash flow and credit management. We're more than a service provider; we're your partner in achieving financial robustness.
How To Change Factoring Companies
Changing Your Invoice Factoring Service Provider
Need-to-know info about switching invoice factoring firms.
Are you considering a different invoice factoring firm?
Are you dissatisfied with your current one?
Planning on ditching your current factoring firm?
What should I know before I switch factoring companies?
Here's a guide answering all these queries and more:
Understanding UCC and its role in switching factoring firms:
Usually, factoring companies file a general Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to secure their claim over the invoices they've funded.
The UCC helps factoring companies, banks, and lenders know who's lent money on which assets. As invoices change daily, factoring companies need to file a 'blanket' UCC that secures all your receivables, even if you're only factoring a part of your sales. This 'blanket' UCC acts as a signal to other lenders, showing a Security Agreement exists between you and the factoring company.
Your specific factoring details, like rates and which accounts are factored, are laid out in the Security Agreement, which is not publicly accessible. Essentially, a UCC works like a first mortgage on your business.
The Process of Switching Companies
The lender with the earliest UCC filing gets 'First Position' on the promised collateral. For instance, a factoring firm has first rights to collect payments on your invoices.
To switch factoring firms, the new factoring firm has to pay off the old one. At the same time, the old factoring company's claim is released, and the new company's claim is filed, similar to refinancing a house.
A 'buyout' is when the new factoring firm pays off the old one using funds from your first financing.
The Buyout Agreement details the transition process and is signed by the old factoring firm, new factoring firm, and your company. In this agreement, you agree to the 'buyout figure' provided by the old factoring company.
How is the Buyout Figure Determined:
The buyout figure is usually the total outstanding receivables minus any reserves and then plus any fees owed to the old factoring firm. It's a good idea to ask for a detailed breakdown of your figure to ensure you understand if there are any early termination fees or additional charges.
What does the buyout cost?
If you can provide new invoices to the new factoring company, which they can use to pay off the outstanding invoices at your old firm, then you wouldn't incur additional costs for the switch. However, most companies need to resubmit some of the invoices already factored with the old company to the new one. In this case, the 'overlap' invoices will incur fees from both factoring firms.
How long does a buyout take?
When you're switching factoring firms, plan for the first funding to take two to three more days than the normal setup process. The extra days will be used to verify the invoices and calculate buyout figures for your approval.
What if my situation is more complex?
Although it's not usual, the old and new factoring firms can collaborate via an Intercreditor or Subordination Agreement until the old firm is paid off. Depending on the situation, factoring firms have managed to 'draw a line in the sand,' where the old firm has rights to invoices up to a certain date, and the new firm has rights to all invoices after that date.
Questions you should have asked before signing up with your current factoring firm:
- Can I use multiple factoring firms at once? The universal answer is one, according to the Uniform Commercial Code/UCC.
- If I decide to switch factoring firms, how much notice do I need to give?
- What is the penalty for leaving without giving the required notice and can you provide an example of how the fees are calculated? Beware of 13-month contracts that require a certain monthly factoring volume.
For example, a 13-month contract where you've agreed to factor $100,000 per month at a rate of 3% means you promise to pay them $3,000 per month in factoring fees or $34,000 in total over the next year. If you want to leave after 6 months, they will charge you the fees for the remaining 6 months, which equals $13,000. This can be too expensive for most companies, especially those with low profit margins. You're stuck!
