Factoring Company Guide
Phase One: The Client Application
The process begins with you filling out a client profile that we provide. This profile asks for basic details such as your company's name, address, what your business is about, and some information about your customers.
You may also have to give us documents like an accounts receivable aging report, your customers' credit limits, among other things. We, the factor, aim to understand how reliable your customers are when it comes to credit, beyond just their past dealings with you. We are seeking a wider view of their overall credit status.
At this starting phase, you will discuss the financial details with the factor. You'll talk about how many invoices you'll want to factor each month (in other words, how much cash you need on hand), what the advance rate and the discount rate will be, and how quickly the advance will be issued to you.
Usually, the responses to these questions will be based on your customers' financial stability and the predicted monthly sales volume to be factored. Things like the industry you're in, how long your business has been operating, and the overall riskiness of your customers can influence the outcome. For example, if you have many high-risk clients, it will cost more in factoring fees than if you have a small list of slow-paying government entities.
In the factoring world, volume is key. The more invoices you factor (the total dollar amount), the better your rates will be.
We'll use the client profile you've filled out to see if factoring is a good match for your business. We'll be assessing the potential risks and rewards based on the data you've provided.
Once we approve your profile, you'll get to negotiate the terms and conditions. The negotiation will take into account several aspects of the deal. For example, if you're factoring $10,000, you shouldn't expect as good a deal as a company that's factoring $500,000.
During the negotiation phase, you'll get a clear understanding of the costs to factor your accounts receivable. Once you've reached an agreement with us, the factor, we get the ball rolling on the funding process. We'll check your customers' credit, see if there are any liens against your company, and verify your invoice before we buy your receivables and give you the advance.
Factoring Company Benefits
Factoring Benefits: Transform Your Business's Financial Health
- Redirect your energy towards growing your business, free from cash flow distractions.
- Avoid the constraints of loan repayments with immediate cash availability.
- Keep full control over your business decisions and direction.
- Substantially lower the expenses incurred in payment collections.
- Take charge of your cash flow by selling selected invoices.
- Gain an upper hand over clients with delayed payment habits.
- Capitalize on a stable cash flow to boost production and sales.
- Access expert services for efficient payment collections and credit checks.
- Ensure your payroll is always funded and on time.
- Maintain adequate funds for payroll tax obligations.
- Enjoy purchasing advantages by buying materials in bulk.
- Improve your negotiating position for early payments or large orders.
- Consistently pay your bills on time to enhance your credit score.
- Invest in expanding and diversifying your business.
- Allocate adequate resources for effective marketing campaigns.
- Notice a significant improvement in your financial documentation.
- Benefit from detailed, actionable reports on your accounts receivable.
Is Factoring For You
The Importance of Factoring
"A sale isn't truly complete until the money is in your bank." Are you unwittingly becoming a part-time banker for your customers? It's time to take stock.
Review your accounts receivable. How many are overdue by 30 days or more? This isn't just a number; it's a reflection of how you're inadvertently extending credit, interest-free. This likely wasn't your plan when you started your business.
Imagine if your customers sought a bank loan for the same amount. They would expect, and accept, a significant interest rate. Yet, here you are, not reaping any interest, and more crucially, missing out on reinvesting that capital in your business.
Your clients, in essence, are enjoying an interest-free loan at your expense. What could you achieve with that capital if it were available for immediate use? It's time to reassess the real cost of your generosity.
Factoring History
Factoring History
Introducing factoring: a foundational financial tool for American businesses. Whether you are a seasoned business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, understanding factoring is essential for your financial toolkit.
Despite its critical role in business finance, factoring is often overlooked in educational curricula. Yet, it is instrumental in releasing billions of dollars, enabling businesses to thrive.
Factoring involves purchasing accounts receivable at a discount. This practice, vital in a business landscape where credit terms are common, has deep roots in history, dating back to Hammurabi's Mesopotamia.
Factoring has been a key financial strategy throughout history, from the ancient Romans to American colonists. It offered a quicker, more practical financial solution than traditional banking, especially evident in colonial times.
Today, factoring is a crucial financial tool, available in various forms, from large financial institutions to private ventures. It's particularly valuable in times of high interest rates and stringent banking regulations, helping businesses sell billions in receivables for growth and stability.
Credit Risk
Quick Continuous Cash: Expert Credit Risk Assessment Without Burning a Hole in Your Pocket!
Hey there! Evaluating credit risk is our bread and butter, and honestly, we're darn good at it. Bet you can't do it as well as we can, and guess what? We don't charge extra for it!
We're like your in-house credit department, but without the overhead costs. We handle the nitty-gritty of credit assessments for your new and existing customers, giving you an edge you won't find elsewhere.
Picture this: Your sales guy is chasing a big fish, so focused on closing the deal that he misses the red flags. You land the sale, but what if you don't get paid? With us, you don't have to worry about that. We've got your back in spotting those risky customers.
And hey, if you're eyeing a customer with iffy credit, you still call the shots. But remember, we might just have to say, "We told you so!"
Even if we pass on buying certain invoices, you're still in the driver's seat. You make the credit decisions, but with our input, they're smarter, sharper, and way more informed.
We do the heavy lifting in researching new clients and keep a close eye on your existing ones. Most businesses drop the ball here, but not us. We're always on alert, so you don't get blindsided by a bad credit situation.
On top of that, we dish out detailed reports on your entire accounts receivable. Imagine having all that intel at your fingertips. It's like having superpowers in financial management!
With 70+ years in this game, we're the pros you want on your team. Let's turn our expertise into your financial victory.
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!
