Factoring Company Guide
First Step: Filling Out the Client Application
Start off by completing a basic client profile form that we'll provide. It'll ask for simple details like your company's name, location, what your business is about, and some info on your clients.
You might also need to provide documents like an accounts receivable aging report, or info on your clients' credit limits. Don't forget, we (the factor) are trying to gauge how creditworthy your clients are, beyond their payment history with your business. We're looking for a wider view of their overall credit health.
In this first step, we'll also discuss basic financial details. For instance, how many invoices do you want to factor each month (meaning, how much cash do you need quickly)? What will be the advance rate and the discount rate? And, how soon can we provide the advance?
Often, the answers to these questions depend on your clients' financial health and the expected monthly sales to be factored. Other factors can affect this too, like your industry, how long you've been in business, and your clients' risk profile. For example, if you have a lot of high-risk clients, you'll likely pay more in factoring fees than if your clients are slow-paying government bodies.
Remember, in the factoring business, volume matters. The more invoices you factor (the higher your volume), the better your rates will be.
We'll use the client profile you give us to determine if your business is a good candidate for factoring. Essentially, we're evaluating the risks against the rewards based on the information you've provided.
Once we give the green light, be ready to negotiate terms and conditions. This process takes into consideration various elements of the deal. For instance, if you're factoring $10,000, you won't get as good a deal as a company factoring $500,000.
During this negotiation, you'll gain a good understanding of what it costs to factor your accounts receivable. Once you've reached an agreement with us, the funding process gets underway. We conduct due diligence by looking into your clients' credit and any liens against your company. We also verify the authenticity of your invoice before purchasing your receivables and giving you the cash advance.
Factoring Company Benefits
Perks of Using Factoring:
- Focus more on running your business instead of stressing over cash flow.
- No need to worry about regular repayments like a traditional loan. Cash can be in your hands within 2-4 days.
- You remain the boss of your business, with no external interference.
- Save on expenses related to chasing clients for payment.
- Enjoy greater control over your cash flow by choosing which invoices to sell and when.
- Manage late-paying clients more efficiently.
- Boost your business production and sales.
- Get professional services for debt collection and credit checks.
- Easily meet your payroll obligations.
- Effortlessly cover your payroll taxes.
- Get cash discounts on bulk purchases of your materials.
- Enjoy more purchasing power, enabling you to get early payment or volume discounts.
- Improve your credit score with consistent cash on hand for timely bill payments.
- Always have enough cash for expanding your business.
- Have adequate funds for your marketing strategies.
- Enhance your financial reports.
- Receive detailed reports about your accounts receivable status.
Is Factoring For You
The Benefits of Factoring
Have you ever considered the advantages of factoring?
Factoring can provide numerous benefits for your business. Let's explore them:
Improved Cash Flow: Factoring allows you to access immediate cash by selling your accounts receivable to a factoring company. Instead of waiting for your customers to pay, you can receive a significant portion of the invoice value upfront. This infusion of funds can help you meet your financial obligations, pay your suppliers on time, and seize new business opportunities.
Elimination of Bad Debt: When you factor your receivables, the responsibility for collecting payment shifts to the factoring company. They assume the risk of non-payment, reducing your exposure to bad debts. This protects your business from the financial consequences of customers who fail to pay or become insolvent.
Focus on Core Operations: By outsourcing the accounts receivable management to a factoring company, you can free up valuable time and resources. Instead of chasing late payments, you can concentrate on core business activities, such as sales, production, and growth strategies.
Credit Risk Assessment: Factoring companies often conduct credit checks on your customers before purchasing your invoices. This assessment provides valuable insights into the creditworthiness of your clients, helping you make informed decisions about extending credit and minimizing potential risks.
Professional Collections: Factoring companies have expertise in collections and can employ professional strategies to ensure timely payment from your customers. Their dedicated teams will handle the collection process, allowing you to maintain a positive business relationship with your clients.
Flexible Financing: Factoring provides a flexible financing solution that grows with your business. As your sales increase, so does the amount of funding available to you. This scalability allows you to access the working capital you need to support your expanding operations.
Quick and Easy Process: Factoring is typically a streamlined and efficient process. Unlike traditional bank loans, factoring does not require extensive paperwork, collateral, or a lengthy approval process. The focus is primarily on the creditworthiness of your customers, making it a quicker and more accessible financing option.
Consider factoring as a strategic tool to optimize your cash flow, reduce risk, and focus on the growth and success of your business.
Factoring History
Factoring History
Discover factoring, a vital financial strategy for success in American business. Essential for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, factoring is a key to managing financial challenges effectively.
Although rarely covered in business courses, factoring is crucial in unlocking billions of dollars for business operations, playing a significant role in their success and growth.
What is factoring? It is the purchase of accounts receivable at a discount, a vital practice for businesses that offer credit terms. Its origins date back to ancient Mesopotamia, making it a long-standing financial practice.
Factoring has been a preferred financial strategy throughout history, offering a more practical solution than traditional banking. From the Romans to American colonists, it has been integral to business finance.
In the current business landscape, factoring remains an indispensable tool. It adapts to various industries, especially useful when traditional banking is restrictive, enabling businesses to liquidate billions in receivables for their growth and stability.
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 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!
