Factoring Company Guide
The First Step: The Client Application
First, you fill out a basic profile for your company that we provide. This profile will ask for simple things like your company's name, address, what your business does, and some info about your customers.
You might also need to give us things like an accounts receivable aging report or the credit limits of your existing customers. Keep in mind that we're trying to figure out how creditworthy your customers are, beyond their credit history with your business. We're interested in their overall financial health.
At this stage, you'll also discuss basic financial details with us. For example, you'll decide how many invoices you want to factor each month (which helps us know how much cash you need to have on hand), what the advance rate and discount rate will be, and how fast we'll get the advance to you.
Most of the time, the answers to these questions will depend on how financially solid your customers are, how many sales you expect to factor each month, the industry you're in, how long you've been running, and how risky your customers might be. So, if you have lots of risky clients, you'll end up paying more in factoring fees than if you just have a few government agencies that are slow to pay.
In the factoring industry, the more you factor (in terms of dollar amount), the better your rates will be. That's why volume is crucial.
We'll look at the client profile you filled out to decide if factoring is a good fit for your business. Essentially, we're weighing the risks against the potential benefits, using the info you gave us.
Once we say yes, you can expect to start negotiating the terms and conditions. This negotiation will consider different aspects of the deal. So, if you want to factor $10,000, you can't expect to get as good a deal as a company that wants to factor $500,000.
During these negotiations, you'll get a good understanding of what it costs to factor your accounts receivable. After you agree on terms with us, we start the funding process. We'll check out your customers' credit and any liens against your company. We also need to make sure your invoice is legit before we buy your receivables and give you cash.
Factoring Company Benefits
Advantages of Factoring: Smart Financial Solutions for Your Business
- Relieve yourself from cash flow worries and concentrate on growing your business.
- Eliminate the burden of loan repayments with quick access to cash.
- Keep full control over your business operations and direction.
- Reduce or even eliminate the expenses of collecting payments.
- Gain greater control over your cash flow by strategically choosing invoices to sell.
- Outpace clients who delay payments and protect your financial stability.
- Enhance your production and sales with consistent cash flow.
- Access professional services for hassle-free payment collection and credit checks.
- Guarantee timely payroll management.
- Always have adequate funds to cover payroll taxes.
- Avail discounts for bulk purchases, reducing operational costs.
- Strengthen your negotiation power for early payment or bulk buying discounts.
- Bolster your credit rating with timely bill payments.
- Acquire the capital needed for expanding your business.
- Invest in effective marketing with a robust cash flow.
- Notice an improvement in your financial statements.
- Benefit from comprehensive reports for a clear view of your accounts receivable.
Is Factoring For You
Understanding the Significance of Factoring
"Until you collect the money, a sale remains incomplete."
Do you often find yourself acting as a part-time banker for your customers?
Take a moment to assess your accounts receivable aging schedule and calculate the number of accounts that are overdue by more than 30 days. Congratulations, you are effectively extending credit to those customers. By not receiving timely payment for your products or services, you're essentially providing interest-free financing to your customers. This might not align with your original business intentions, does it?
Let's think about this:
If your customers were to approach a bank for the same amount of money, they would unquestionably expect to pay a significant amount of interest for the privilege.
Moreover:
Not only are you missing out on earning any interest on that money, but more importantly, you're also losing the opportunity to utilize that capital while waiting for your customers to settle their debts. What is the cost of not having this money readily available? Essentially, your customers are effectively asking you to finance their business by granting them extended payment terms, which often exceed 30 days.
However, have you reflected on the expenses incurred due to "missed opportunities" when your funds are tied up in accounts receivable? It's essential to consider the impact this has on your business and explore the potential benefits that factoring can offer.
Factoring History
Factoring History
Attention Business Owners and Entrepreneurs! Want in on a secret? It’s called factoring, and it's the financial powerhouse behind many successful businesses in America.
Here’s the shocking truth: while factoring is a goldmine, it’s rarely mentioned in business classes or in the mainstream. But in the real world, it’s freeing up billions of dollars, turning businesses into success stories.
What exactly is factoring? It’s purchasing invoices for less than they're worth – a smart move for businesses extending credit. This isn’t some modern trick; it's been around since Hammurabi’s time in ancient Mesopotamia.
Throughout history, from the Romans to American colonists, factoring was the lifesaver in tough financial times. It was the smarter, faster alternative to the slow-moving banks. And guess what? It’s still making a huge impact today.
In the current financial landscape, factoring is a big deal. From large corporations to private enterprises, it's the ace up the sleeve when banks let you down. Every year, it’s factoring that enables thousands of businesses to skyrocket by selling billions in receivables. This isn’t just finance; it’s a game-changer.
Credit Risk
Quick Cash Flow Solutions: Unlock Expert Credit Risk Assessment at No Additional Cost!
Precisely assessing credit risk is a fundamental aspect of our factoring business. Few, if any, clients can perform this task as objectively as we do.
With no extra charges, we serve as your dedicated credit department for both new and existing customers. This grants you a significant advantage over managing these functions internally.
Imagine a scenario where a salesperson is pursuing a new account with the potential for substantial purchases. In their zeal to secure the business, they may overlook warning signs related to credit difficulties. They might even bypass your internal credit checks to expedite the process. While this could lead to a successful sale, it doesn't guarantee payment, and without payment, there is no sale.
Rest assured, this won't happen with us. We make credit decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the new customer's credit situation. We avoid purchasing invoices from customers with poor credit ratings, minimizing the risk of nonpayment. However, please understand that our involvement does not impose stringent credit restrictions that would negatively impact your business beyond your control.
The ultimate decision to do business with a new customer of questionable creditworthiness still lies with you. (Nevertheless, we reserve the right to say, ""I told you so!"")
Although we may not purchase those invoices, you still have the freedom to extend credit terms as you see fit. You retain control. Regardless of the decisions you make, our participation ensures that you have access to more comprehensive, objective, and high-quality information for informed credit decisions compared to your previous practices.
We conduct thorough research on new clients and, equally importantly, regularly monitor the credit ratings of your existing customers. This sets us apart from many businesses that rarely perform routine credit updates on their established customer base. Neglecting this crucial step can be a grave mistake.
Typically, businesses only conduct a credit check when it's too late, and the problem has already escalated. On the contrary, we promptly inform you of any changes in the credit status of your existing customers.
In addition to providing specific customer credit information, you'll also benefit from 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 experience in cash flow and credit management, we are eager to leverage our expertise for your benefit. Let us apply our knowledge to help you achieve your financial goals and unlock the full potential of your business.
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?
