Merchant Cash Advance - Invoice Factoring
Medical Factoring - Equipment Leasing - Equipment Sale-Leasebacks
Contract and Purchase Order Funding - Commercial Real Estate Sale Leasebacks
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Find The Best Small Business Loan
By Brad Gibala
A small business loan is the first step as you will require funds to grow your business. Small business loans are available for all kinds of people that have good credit scores or bad credit scores. The most important task to obtaining a loan is preparing a business plan. When applying for loan you will want to have an accurate and current balance sheet which will act well when contacting the lenders. The business plan needs to show the lender that providing you with a loan is a low-risk proposition. So the key is preparation. In other words, the loan is not being granted on the status of your business, but being granted on your personal financial status. If you do not have assets, an unsecured business loan would be right for you.
Getting a loan might be difficult during the first two years. During this time most businesses face challenges involved with not only opening their doors, but hiring, training, meeting the demands of customers, clients, suppliers, and vendors. Businesses with a history demonstrating success in paying their bills on time will have the easiest time obtaining a financing because they've proven their ability to meet financial obligations. Business loans for start-ups are one way to keep things afloat but they are by no means that only answer to cash flow problems.
The three steps to finding a small business loan are working with the right bank, making a clean application, and negotiating the best interest rate. We review the three below.
Find the right bank
Business startup capital may be available from a variety of sources, such as banks, private investors, venture capital firms, and finance companies. Banks and other lending institutions cite risk factors as the main reason for turning down loan requests from startup businesses. Banks are more apt to offer loans to qualified customers with whom they already have an account in good standing. Banks are not keen on making very small loans, because fixed overhead costs don't make them profitable. Banks want to see that you have a well thought out plan for how you are currently or how you intend to make the business profitable and repay the loan on time. Banks, credit unions, and other lending institutions have stated that if they think you are placing them at a potential financial risk they will decline your application for the loan all together. Banks believe that this will make them more consistent lenders, rather than being forced to reign in credit as the economy takes a dive. Large banks and lenders have more rigid rules for smaller businesses and the processes that they employ are more complicated for small business loans.
Applying for the small business loan
Before you apply for financing it is worth checking if you are eligible for a grant. The government has business grants available for certain kinds of smaller businesses. When applying, You will need to share all of your personal and business financial information. It is beneficial to apply with a financial institution that already has information on file and is familiar with your profile and spending habits. If the process to apply for a small business loan is not effective and you have been turned down by many lenders, a last resort will be to contact the Small Business Administration for help.
Find the best rates
Interest rates vary depending upon the credit history of the business owner. Interest rates may be fixed or variable. Variable or fixed rates is something you need to decide upon. Typically you will get lower rates on variable loans, but you usually have a shorter time period of having a fixed rate. With all of the credit tightening going on, smaller companies are affected more than large firms. Because these loans are unsecured without collateral, the interest rates are typically higher than a secured loan. Still try to negotiate rates and payment plans with each credit entity. Also, the interest on a business loan is tax deductible.
When looking for financing be sure to find the right type of financial institution. Your local bank is usually the best place to start because you probably have information with them already. But, maybe your lender could even be a family member. Keep your options open. When applying for a loan make sure you include your business plan so the bank understands how you plan to receive income and pay back their loan. Small business loans are riskier to lend to because the bank is betting on a plan. Don't feel angry that you might be paying 1%-5% more than normal secured loans, be happy that you are getting a loan.
Brad helps individuals with their small businesses [http://www.smallbusinessstartupidea.com/]. Get more info at SmallBusinessStartupIdea.com [http://www.smallbusinessstartupidea.com/].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Gibala
http://EzineArticles.com/?Find-The-Best-Small-Business-Loan&id=917246
The Many Types of Small Business Loans
By Adriana Copaceanu
When you're ready to start your own small business, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is how to fund the business start up. After all, starting a business usually involves buying supplies, getting licensed, possibly renting office, retail or warehouse space, and so on. If you're starting a small business which will involve selling products, then you also need funding to buy your initial sales stock too. And that's where small business loans tend to be a huge help.
Getting a small business loan can make the difference in your businesses success or failure. Some experts estimate that at least 90% of brand new small businesses fail because they lack capital - a.k.a. funding. When you don't have enough money to buy products which you will sell, or you can't afford to buy supplies to make your products, you will not be able to even get your business off the ground, let alone make it successful.
Now, there are many types of small business loans out there in the world. Unfortunately sometimes you have to search high and low to find ones that will meet your personal needs. Not everyone has collateral they can put up to secure a loan, and not everyone has impeccable credit ratings either. So sometimes you have to look for creative options with small business loans.
Government small business loans are a popular option for many start ups, because they can be easy for some people to get. If for instance, you've served in the military or you're in a minority group, you may find it fairly easy to get a government small business loan. Check with your local Small Business Association (SBA) to find out what kinds of government small business loans you might be eligible for.
Fast small business loans are usually gotten through more expensive means. If you needed just $1000 or so to get your small business started though, and you feel you really need to have it as fast as possible, then you might try some of the online payday lending sources. Many of these fast lenders will not even run a credit check either. They'll simply require that you have a bank checking account.
Women and Minority small business loans are often available through private organizations and groups. To find these you'll need to search your local library or the Internet, because they're not often publicized widely. You might also find small business and minority loans by talking to an SBA counselor, or talking to a college or other school counselor as well.
Bad credit small business loans are one of the hardest to get, and they're also the most expensive over time. Bad credit small business loans can still be gotten however. There are hard money lenders which specialize in lending to higher credit risk customers, and there are payday loans available that usually involve no credit checks. You might also want to try some of the private lending groups that can be found online too.
For more information on small business loans, including some excellent resources and recommendations, please visit http://www.gbexchange.net
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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Many-Types-of-Small-Business-Loans&id=1598754
Merchant Cash Advance - Quick and Easy Small-Business Loans For Small Businesses
By Derrick MacNorman
Merchant cash advances, sometimes called business cash advances, are an extraordinarily useful alternative to the conventional small-business loans that do not cause quite so much hassle. While it seems somewhat arcane and complex, the merchant business cash advance is very simple and quite easy to accomplish for those in need. If your business accepts credit card payments from consumers and enjoys a specific amount of revenue every month on a regular basis, it is very likely that your business will qualify for this type of cash advance. The loan is based on future projected credit card sales, meaning that your revenue is the collateral against the small-business loan. Naturally, the merchant funding businesses are dedicated to making the process itself somewhat simple and it is easy to apply online in many cases.
The requirements for merchant business cash advance options are extraordinarily simple and very easy to qualify for. The company needs to have been processing credit card payments for at least two months in most cases. Naturally, merchant funding companies will want to require a minimum monthly credit card revenue amount, usually not a large amount, but directly tied to the amount that you intend to borrow. Of course, you will obviously want to consider the options available to you before choosing a specific type of merchant loan, regardless of what is available on the market. If you are seriously considering a business cash advance, it is important that you read the fine print and make sure you understand everything on the application so that you are not overlooking any hidden fees or charges. Upfront fees, closing costs and other types of fine-print can cost you a fortune if you don't happen to catch them the first time around. You should never be required to pay fees or extra costs on a business cash advance loan.
Collateral is never required in the case of a merchant cash advance. When you apply for a business cash advance loan, you will never have to provide any form of hard collateral in order to get your loan. Concerning financial statements, most merchant funding providers will only require a few months to ensure that you are making a certain amount of sales on credit cards. Since the credit card revenue is what the merchant cash advance provider is gambling against, it is important that you have some type of credit card service and that it be maintaining a significant amount of product sales for two to three months.
The merchant cash advance loans come in several different types. Fixed payments and what they refer to as fixed terms are two of the types of standards that can be brought to bear. Since many cash advance payments are taken out of the credit card sales in the future, there should be no talk of fixed payment schedules or any type of deadlines. For those funding providers asking for either fixed terms or fixed payments, it is wise to look elsewhere and simply ignore these types of lenders. It is simply not required of you to provide fixed payments or fixed terms, considering that the merchant service loan is supposed to come out of credit card payments. Most small businesses can gain $25000-$250000 per location.
Quite often, some merchant business cash advance providers will refuse to offer cash advance loans to a business that has been operating for less than two to three years. With so many different types of lenders in the world, it is easy to find a business cash advance loan at reasonable rates and there is no reason to capitulate to the lenders that are so difficult to comply with. There are plenty of merchant cash advance lenders that will provide you with what you need and only require you to be in business for 60 days and collect around $3000 worth of credit card sales per month to qualify.
A merchant cash advance [http://merchantcashadvances.com/index.php] is a great option for a person who owns a private businesses and is looking into the possibility of expanding. Professional business cash advance companies [http://merchantcashadvances.com/advantages.html] can help you to get organized and let your business grow.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derrick_MacNorman
http://EzineArticles.com/?Merchant-Cash-Advance---Quick-and-Easy-Small-Business-Loans-For-Small-Businesses&id=1962616
Ten Equipment Leasing Tips - Save a Bundle on Your Next Lease
By George Parker
According to the Equipment Leasing Association ("ELA"), U.S. businesses lease every thing from laptop computers to commercial airplanes, racking up more than $ 200 billion in equipment leased each year. Although four out of five U.S. companies use leasing to acquire equipment, many don't know the ins and outs of leasing well enough to negotiate a good deal. By focusing on a few key aspects of the lease transaction, you can save a bundle on your next lease and eliminate potential aggravation.
1. Choose the Right Leasing Partner
The starting point for saving money on your lease is to select the right leasing company. The biggest savings in this area come from saving time and dodging substandard lease transactions. The wrong lessor choice can result in a slow approval, inability of the lessor to deliver, hidden fees, a poorly designed lease transaction or worse. Give this aspect of obtaining a lease your highest priority. To save a bundle on your next lease, you must do your homework in pre-qualifying bidding leasing companies. Look for lessors with: 1) experience and knowledge; 2) good reputations; 3) the ability to perform; 4) helpful business contacts; and 6) a relationship approach. Ask for and get lessor financial information, background information on the key managers, a listing of recently completed leases, and contacts at key funding sources for each leasing company being considered. Review this information and follow up with all contacts provided.
2. Choose the Right Lease
You can rake in big savings by obtaining the right lease for the equipment you are acquiring. When planning your lease financing, determine the top three or four attributes your lease should have. During this process, carefully evaluate the importance of: lease pricing, lease flexibility, balance sheet considerations, equipment obsolescence, the anticipated period of equipment usage, and your firm's credit status. The wrong lease choice can be costly.
Lease pricing is market driven, so get at least three lease bids. Carefully evaluate bids by doing a comparative analysis of discounted cash flows incorporating all anticipated costs and fees. Make sure your lease has favorable end-of-lease options, a reasonable end-of-lease notice period, the ability to relocate equipment by notifying the lessor, the right to terminate the lease early without an onerous charge, and the right to assign the lease to another user under agreed upon conditions. Look for an arrangement that will cover equipment needs for at least the next six to twelve months.
Big savings can be realized by knowing when to select a lease with a bargain purchase option versus a fair market value option. If you know you will be keeping the equipment beyond the initial lease term, a bargain purchase option is usually the most cost-effective alternative. If the equipment is prone to obsolescence or if it is unlikely you will retain the equipment at the end of the lease, consider a lease with fair market value, end-of-lease options.
Know your firm's credit standing. If your firm has been in business for a number of years, is profitable, has a good track record and has a strong balance sheet, it deserves great lease pricing and terms. If your firm has a spotty credit record or weak balance sheet, the challenge is to get the best deal possible. Identify and offer credit enhancements that will make your transaction more attractive. Allow plenty of time to get through the credit review and due diligence process.
3. Ask for Fair Market Value 'Caps'
If you decide that a fair market value lease is the way to go, you can realize big savings by limiting that value. Fair market value rental and purchase options at the end of the lease allow the lessee to either continue leasing the equipment or to buy the equipment at the then fair market value. These values are generally quoted by the lessor at lease end based on aftermarket data, but most leases allow the lessee to obtain an appraisal from a qualified equipment appraiser. To realize significant savings and to eliminate unpleasant surprises, request fair market value options that are "capped" (have upper limits). Beware, however. Lessors may insist on fair market value 'floors' (lower limits) when they agree to 'caps'. The availability of a fair market value cap will depend on the size of the transaction (may not be available on small transactions), competition among lessors, and the credit status of your firm.
4. Keep the End-of-lease Notice and Renewal Periods Short
To avoid hefty unintended lease charges, seek notice and automatic renewal periods that are short. The primary purpose of the end-of-lease notice period is to allow the leasing company sufficient time to redeploy the equipment if you elect to return the equipment. The secondary purpose is to notify the lessor of your plan to either continue leasing the equipment or to purchase it. The notice period generally ranges from one to six months, with three months being typical. If you violate the notice period, the lease kicks into an often unfavorable automatic renewal period, usually one to six months. If the lessor is unwilling to negotiate this provision, you can save money by making sure the notice requirement is fulfilled within the allowed time.
5. Slash Interim Rent
You can slash lease costs significantly by limiting interim rent. Interim rent is the rent you pay for daily use of equipment between the equipment acceptance and lease start dates. The rationale for interim rent is that you have use of the equipment and the lessor is obligated to pay the equipment vendor during this period. While the rationale is not unreasonable, interim rent can balloon lease pricing by arbitrarily extending the term of the lease (albeit by only days). The best approach is to schedule equipment delivery and acceptance toward the end of the month. Most lease terms officially start the first day of the month following equipment acceptance. Another strategy is to negotiate a truncated period at the end of the lease such that the interim period and truncated period total one month of the quoted lease term. A last strategy is to request a limit on interim rent (perhaps ten or fifteen days) regardless of equipment acceptance.
6. Manage Equipment Returns
Save a bundle on your lease by managing the equipment's return. Although you may not anticipate returning the equipment to the leasing company at lease end, it can be costly if you do. When equipment is returned, most lessors care about and will hold your firm accountable for the equipment's condition. Equipment should be properly maintained and returned in good condition. Make sure that you understand the return provision of the lease and that you have good internal controls to adhere to these requirements. If the lease contains an 'all or none' return provision, one strategy is to subdivide the lease into several smaller lease schedules on the front end. Place equipment you are most likely to keep on the same schedules. Try to negotiate the right to return up to 20% of the equipment (based on original value) at the end of the lease, as long as you agree to renew the lease or purchase the balance of the equipment. Track and save all equipment accessories and documentation.
7. Match Lease Term with Projected Equipment Use
The term of the lease should match the expected use of the equipment as closely as possible to save money. If the term is too short, cash outlays for the equipment might exceed the expected equipment benefits over the term. If the lease term is too long, you might lose the flexibility of upgrading to newer more desirable equipment. Notwithstanding your preferences, the term allowed by the leasing company may depend on their perception of credit risk and the expected economic life of the equipment. Any mismatch between your preference and lessor's can be managed by obtaining favorable end-of-lease options.
8. Identify and Understand All Potential Fees
Leasing proposals vary in the types and amounts of fees and penalty charges. Common fees and charges include: commitment fees; non-use fees or facility fees; per schedule documentation charges; attorney fees; UCC financing statements; penalty charges for late rental payments; and early lease termination charges. These are only a few of the possible fees and charges. You can save a bundle by carefully going through each lease proposal and lease agreement to identify and compare likely charges. If fees or charges are significant and likely, they should be incorporated into your pricing analysis. Where possible, especially where one proposal contains fees/charges excluded from the other proposals, try to negotiate these fees/charges.
9. Offer Credit Enhancement to Reduce Lease Rates
In some cases, you can trim lease pricing substantially by offering credit enhancements to improve your firm's credit profile. Enhancements can include: shortening the lease term, cash or other assets as additional collateral, personal or corporate guarantees, advance rentals payments, and security deposits. Since most credit enhancements involve giving up something of value, do a cost/benefit analysis to determine whether the net benefit is in your favor. If your firm has assets that are not working for it why not put them to work in the leasing arrangement. The value of credit enhancements can differ from lessor to lessor, so identify and discuss possible enhancements upfront. Try to assess whether your firm's credit will improve significantly by credit enhancements and get lessors' pricing with and without the credit enhancements.
10. Request Several End-of-lease Options
If the lease contains a nominal purchase option, there is little need for additional end-of-lease flexibility. Otherwise, flexible end-of-lease options can save you a bundle by preventing you from incurring extra expense. One of the most cost-effective options is the ability to return the equipment at the end of the lease. If you no longer need the equipment, why incur additional charges? Additionally you should have the ability to purchase the equipment at a fair or reduced price and the right to continue leasing the equipment at a fair or reduced rent. As discussed, use of caps in fair market value purchase or rental options can greatly reduce potential costs at lease end.
Conclusion
Saving a bundle on your next lease is a cinch if you know where to look. By focusing on a few key areas, you can wring huge savings out of your lease. Remember to set your priorities in evaluating lease proposals and to choose the right leasing partner. Also, while front-end lease pricing is usually a high priority, evaluate each lease carefully to sniff out hidden fees and expenses. Don't be bashful about negotiating points in the lease that have the potential to save you a bundle.
George Parker is a Director and Executive Vice President of Leasing Technologies International, Inc. (�LTI�), responsible for LTI�s marketing and financing efforts. A co-founder of LTI, Mr. Parker has been involved in secured lending and equipment financing for over twenty years. Mr. Parker is an industry leader, frequent panelist and author of several articles pertaining to equipment financing.
Headquartered in Wilton, CT, LTI is a leasing firm specializing nationally in direct equipment financing and vendor leasing programs for emerging growth and later-stage, venture capital backed companies. More information about LTI is available at: http://www.ltileasing.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Parker
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ten-Equipment-Leasing-Tips---Save-a-Bundle-on-Your-Next-Lease&id=6185
Why You Should Consider Sale Leaseback Financing
By Shawn Denton
Sale leaseback financing has been used by businesses around the world for a number of years. This type of financial solution provides businesses with a host of advantages, while enabling them to have the equipment they need to conduct business and operate on a daily basis.
There are nine top benefits for choosing this financial solution or businesses of all sizes from manufacturing companies to construction companies and for the smaller company to the large corporation.
Sale leaseback financing enables you to improve your working capital. If you have been awarded a project and given a deadline to complete, you will have a lot of expenses to take into consideration. Wages, operational costs and materials are just some of the expenses you can expect, which means that any expensive equipment you have lying around is costing you money. Selling the equipment and then renting it back to use on the project is a great way to instantly improve your cash flow.
Another reason you should consider this solution is that you can manage your budget accordingly. You will sell your equipment to a company and then rent it back at an agreed fixed price per month. This enables you to easily put your operational budget in place and make the payments in a timely manner without a heavy impact on your bank account.
The great news for business owners is that when you purchase a piece of machinery you automatically pay tax, but when you rent equipment, the payments are one hundred percent tax deductible. This can help you lower your annual tax payments considerably.
When you consider sale leaseback financing, you are in complete control of your assets. They become easy to manage in terms of maintenance and repairs. You don't have the burden of owning machinery which is sitting in storage collecting dust, but rather using machinery you need without the big overheads.
There is nothing to say how you must use the money you receive for your equipment. Once a sale leaseback financing agreement is reached, you are given a lump sum for the machinery, a lump sum of cash to use as and when needed. You can leave it in the bank and let it build or you can use it to pay project expenses.
These types of agreements ensure that you receive the best price for your equipment. You are paying the company every month for your machinery that you have sold to them, this enables them to offer you a decent price, much more than you would expect from a piece of used equipment.
Sale leaseback financing also offers the added advantage of the payments not having any negative impact on your credit line. If the project takes longer than anticipated or is more expensive than originally planned and you need to get cash from the bank, your lease will have no bearing, enabling you to get the financing you need.
You may think that your business doesn't quality for sale leaseback financing, but you'll be surprised to know that a wide range of equipment qualifies. It's advisable to find a company that provides this service and give them a call to discuss your requirements. Some companies only specialize in certain industries, where others work across the board, this enables you to tell them what you have and why you need cash and they can see if they are able to offer you a sale leaseback financing deal.
The final reason you may want to consider sale leaseback financing is that decisions are usually made within a very short period of time and you can have the cash in your bank within days.
Commercial Capital Plus is a leading commercial finances company based in the United States. This Californian based company offers customers an extensive range of financial products throughout the country. They work with any size business offering everything from equipment leasing to real estate loans and more. Commercial Capital Plus have built up a stellar reputation with years of experience behind them. They provide all their customers with the highest level of customer service and top quality financial packages, helping them grow their businesses and achieve their goals. To find out more about Commercial Capital Plus, visit their website at http://www.commercialcapitalplus.com.
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http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Should-Consider-Sale-Leaseback-Financing&id=8599089
Converting Outstanding Bills Into Quick Cash through Invoice Factoring
By David Springer
Cash flow shortages can happen to almost any business, but invoice factoring can provide a quick, easy solution. Invoice factoring involves the selling of your account receivables or invoices to secure immediate working capital.
Invoice factoring lets you unlock cash that's tied up in your unpaid invoices. Obtaining cash this way can be an easy, effective tool to solve small or medium size businesses financial challenges. Invoice factoring might be right for your business if you lack adequate working capital to maintain your operations or expand to the next level. Perhaps you've considered other options like bank loans, lines of credit or credit cards. But if your company doesn't have enough financial stability or business credit, invoice factoring could be the perfect alternative to bank financing.
Here's why: Approval for invoice factoring doesn't hinge on your company's credit history. Instead, it depends on the creditworthiness of your customers. Companies that purchase invoices will evaluate your customers based on their stability and payment track record. The invoice factoring company's main concern is determining how likely your customers will pay and how quickly.
Apart from your customers meeting qualifications, your invoices must also pass certain criteria. There can't be any existing primary liens on your invoices, meaning no other company should have a claim on the payments once they arrive. This ensures that the company purchasing your invoices has a clear right to collect the funds in your place.
Just about any company that generates commercial invoices can take advantage of invoice factoring. But is invoice factoring right for your business? It could be if your business is struggling to make ends meet because of long billing cycles, you're wasting time collecting down payments from slow paying clients, you're unable to take advantage of business opportunities due to lack of funds, or your business isn't financially strong enough to obtain traditional bank financing.
Advantages of Invoice Factoring Besides providing fast access to capital, invoice factoring offers a number of other important advantages. It gives you unlimited access to funds without adding liability to your balance sheet. Because invoice factoring isn't a loan, there's no debt or monthly payments involved. Plus, invoice factoring is a flexible arrangement because it doesn't require any long-term contracts.
Additionally, invoice factoring makes it easier for you to offer credit terms to customers. This can help you increase your sales without negatively impacting your cash flow. Invoice factoring also can help you take advantage of the early payment discounts many vendors offer on bills within ten days. Ultimately, invoice factoring can help build business credit. The cash flow you create from invoice factoring can make it possible to pay your vendors on time and establish a stronger credit rating. And this can assist you with securing credit from other vendors and financial institutions.
Another significant benefit of invoice factoring is the professional debt collection service provided by the factoring company. The factoring company is equipped to handle debt collections professionally and efficiently, leaving your staff to focus on core activities such as creating more sales. In addition, this will reduce your costs associated with processing invoices and handling collections costs.
How Invoice Factoring Works Invoice factoring is a transaction in which you sell outstanding invoices for immediate cash, instead of waiting the typical 30 days for the invoices to be paid. You receive an up-front, lump-sum payment for your invoices that's slightly less than face value. The advance payment which can be provided within as little as 24 hours is typically 70 to 90 percent of the total invoice value.
After the purchasing company receives full payment for the invoice, you'll receive the remaining value minus a 'factoring' fee. This fee is based on a number of factors, including your customer's credit worthiness, the average terms, and the invoice number and size. However, generally, the invoice factoring fee is up to five percent of the invoice value.
To give you an idea about how invoice factoring transactions work, here are some of the main steps in the process:
Step 1: You submit an application to an invoice factoring company.
Step 2: After you're approved for invoice factoring with the company, you can start forwarding your customers' invoices to the company for cash advances. (Your customer will receive a bill from the factoring company, which will be responsible for all payments processing activities related to the invoice.)
Step 3: Assuming everything checks out, you'll be advanced up to 90 percent of the value of the purchased invoices.
Step 4: Your customers most likely submit payments to the company that bought their invoice. This company, in turn, will forward you the remaining, unpaid portion of the invoice excluding the invoice factoring fee, of course.
When choosing an invoice factoring partner, it's important to select the right kind of company to work with you and your customers. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind:
o What type of reputation and track record does the company have? When you turn over your customers, make sure they're in good hands and that the factoring company is capable of providing the funding you need.
o How much is the invoice factoring company charging? Evaluate all the components of the price, including any fees, the interest rate and the portion of your invoice that is held back in 'reserve'.
o What are you going to get for your money? Determine the company's accounting, reporting and other capabilities.
o How will the invoice factoring company treat your clients? The company will have to communicate with your customers after they take over your invoices. You want to be sure the interaction that takes place is positive. If it isn't, it may reflect negatively on your own relationship with these customers.
Invoice factoring is a powerful tool for companies needing to meet short-term cash flow needs.
Sovereign Funding Group is an experienced, reputable company that offers convenient, no-risk services to help you with the selling of your deferred payments and business financing, including invoice factoring [http://www.sovereignfunding.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Springer
http://EzineArticles.com/?Converting-Outstanding-Bills-Into-Quick-Cash-through-Invoice-Factoring&id=147716
How Medical Factoring Works
By RW Goldberg
Whether you happen to be a physician or any other type of healthcare practitioner service provider who accepts insurance as payment for the provision of your services, you will no doubt be all too painfully familiar with the tedious and sedentary pace at which the payment cycle is actually processed. Potentially, the healthcare practitioner could be waiting upwards of 4 months before the transaction is fully finalized and concluded.
In the meantime, you still need to keep sufficient working capital available so that you can cover the cost of wages for the employees, the expense of supplies and sundry items, not to mention rent and electricity. Even with a sizeable cash reserve, this can quickly become depleted to near critical levels by virtue of the unacceptably long periods of time it takes for the payment cycle to properly finalize.
Thankfully, there is a direct solution to your problems: medical factoring. Using this service, you will be able to free up the cash you are rightfully entitled to so that the solvency of your business is maintained at all times, and that you do not have to worry about the logistical nightmare of a mad scramble for cash at the end of the month.
One of the most impressive and evident benefits of relying upon medical factoring is that the entire insurance payment collection cycle is significantly streamlined, thereby ensuring that the downtime is likewise, reduced and oftentimes, by an exponential degree. With medical factoring you can receive your insurance payments in as little as 2 working days.
This method of business finance is much more simplistic and efficient than applying for a bank loan, where the credit rating of the business will be called into question, where there is the need for due diligence checks, and in addition, the potentially crippling impact of compound interest requirements. Another major drawback with applying for a bank loan is that the lender will only be prepared to lend so much at any given time to a particular borrower, and in order to provide them with reassurances that the borrower will not default, they will require larger amounts of collateral.
Eventually, you are going to run out of fixed assets that can be secured as collateral, thereby significantly reducing the viability of this particular financing method.
With that in mind then, how exactly does this the factoring for medical providers operate then?
- The medical office or the member of staff acting on behalf of it will be required to submit the claim in question to the insurance company, concerning patient X.
- A copy of the insurance claim that has been submitted to the insurance company is then sent to the factoring company, who use it for record keeping and the collection of money owed.
- The factoring company, upon the successful receipt of the copy of the insurance claim will then wire a specified value of the balance of the claim to the medical office.
- When the insurance company pays out, the factoring company will take the full balance of the insurance payout, release the outstanding funds owed to the medical office, minus their fees.
RW has been performing SEO and website consulting online since 1997, and specializes in Medical, Legal, Financing, and Business consulting online. For more information regarding Medical Factoring please visit http://www.accountsreceivableloans.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=RW_Goldberg
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Medical-Factoring-Works&id=5653514
Preserve Your Working Capital with Purchase Order Funding
By Linda Bayko
Vendors who provide goods and services to other Businesses or to the Government know they will have unpredictable business cycles. When they are asked to bid on a contract it is usually a situation where they hurry up and bid, and then they sit and wait for the contract to be awarded. Once a contract is awarded, the company can experience rapid growth and will need large amounts of working capital to support that growth.
One option available to improve working capital for vendors who have been awarded large contracts is with Purchase Order Funding. PO Funding provides quick cash flow reserves for manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers and distributors. This type of short-term funding is used to finance the purchase or manufacturing of specific goods that have been presold by the vendor to another Business or to the Government. PO Funding involves issuing letters of credit or by providing funds to pay suppliers. This lets the vendor secure the inventory they need to fulfill customer orders.
PO Funding can be used to:
- Pay for the cost of goods directly to the supplier.
- Free up cash for other critical business expenses.
- Ensure timely deliveries to the customer.
- Grow without increased bank debt.
- Ensure that the business does not have to sell equity positions to raise funds.
- Increase market share with other Businesses or with the Government.
Finished goods are generally easier to finance when they involve drop shipping transactions. Drop shipping is where the goods go directly from the supplier to the purchaser. The vendor never touches the product or takes direct possession of the product.
PO Funding for Non-finished goods
Funding for non-finished goods is a little harder to get, though not impossible. The vendor will take possession of goods either in a raw state or a semi-finished state. They use the components, or partially assembled parts to make a finished product. The finished product is delivered to the customer.
Quality and Inventory control procedures must be in place to assure the funder that their investment is solid. Funders also need to have the assurance that the customer will accept the delivery of the finished product and not dispute the charges. Many funders will require that a public warehouse be used to ensure inventory control of the product being produced.
Once the product has been ordered and delivered through PO Funding, the funding company will in turn "factor" the accounts receivable invoice. This allows the vendor to have a constant flow of working capital to grow their business and increase the number of contracts awarded.
Benefits of PO Funding
- Solves the dilemma of suppliers asking for cash on delivery.
- Frees up cash flow during manufacturing or until the invoices are paid.
- Ensures the business won't wipe out its cash reserves.
- Can be used for a quick response to an immediate sales and delivery need.
- Offers the opportunity to make additional profit through bonuses awarded for quick delivery.
- Enables the vendor to meet deadlines more quickly than competitors.
Many vendors who are waiting to be awarded large contracts spend sleepless nights worrying about having the working capital needed to support a new contract. They know that using a bank credit line can be very expensive. If the contract is not awarded, all the bank fees still have to be paid, including standby fees. Now they have the option of using Purchase Order Funding to avoid those issues.
Linda Bayko is a Certified Cash Flow Consultant (CCFC) and a member of the American Cash Flow Association. She has been doing business finance consulting for over 25 years. Her company, Titeline Funding Solutions, finds solutions to fund B2B and B2G businesses. To subscribe for FREE articles on Growing Working Capital, visit her website: [http://www.titelinefunding.com] and submit a request.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Bayko
http://EzineArticles.com/?Preserve-Your-Working-Capital-with-Purchase-Order-Funding&id=1105031
Commercial Real Estate Loans
By Marcus Peterson
Commercial real estate loans can help you purchase, build or refinance commercial properties owned by you or your company. Such loans are designed to help acquire, construct or simplify payments for residential income properties, such as like apartment buildings, commercial business properties (offices), retail and warehouses and development projects like a condominium and subdivision projects.
There are a number of free commercial mortgage lender databases on the Internet to help you find mortgage lenders and commercial construction lenders who will process your application. These search directories can be very powerful tools, if you know how to use them. As a general rule, you should only use commercial mortgage lender databases that give you direct links to the lenders, not brokers. This way, you cut the paper trail and do business directly with the lender.
Most commercial mortgage lender databases require that you fill out a basic commercial loan application. After you submit your application, the database matches your data with hundreds of commercial mortgage financing programs. The results of the search will depend on your location and the type of commercial real estate loan you are looking.
Your application will be matched with commercial lenders who best meet the information you provided. You can compare rates and choose lenders who you think will work for you. If you use commercial mortgage lender databases to your advantage, you can easily secure loans for virtually any commercial property purpose. A good database gives you intelligent insight into what kind of conventional and government commercial property loan is best for your particular circumstances.
Commercial Real Estate [http://www.WetPluto.com/Commercial-Real-Estate.html] provides detailed information on Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Commercial Real Estate Agents, Commercial Real Estate Brokers and more. Commercial Real Estate is affiliated with National Association Of Realtors [http://www.Realtors-Web.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Peterson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Commercial-Real-Estate-Loans&id=221851
Commercial Mortgages - Bank Requirements For Multi-Family (Apartment Building) Loans
By Vincent Remealto
Many commercial real estate investors contact our firm and want to know in-advance if their deal can qualify for an institutionally funded (bank) commercial mortgage loan. Unlike residential lenders, commercial mortgage lenders do not issue "pre-approvals"; we simply can't tell if a deal will get done until we do some underwriting. We can, however, share with you some basic guidelines that virtually all conventional lenders are considering today.
Loan-to-Value (LTV)
LTV has been dramatically reduced during this "credit squeeze". Just 24 months ago we were seeing LTV ratios above 80% and lenders were allowing large 2nd mortgages. Standards have tightened. In today's credit environment, investors should not expect to see any loan offers above 75% and many are coming in significantly lower. 70% is a normal LTV ratio on new purchases with some lenders willing to go to 75% on refinance loans. Seller carried 2nd mortgages are discouraged and often disallowed altogether. Borrowers and sponsors without large cash investments in a deal will be turned away.
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)
Banks, insurance companies and Wall Street brokers simply will not write loans against underperforming or vacant buildings anymore. Only stabilized assets need apply for institutional funding now-a-days. A building must be able to demonstrate a history of profitability and low vacancy. To be approved for a bank loan for the purchase or refinance an apartment building, the building must have a net-operating-income (NOI) equal to 125% of the proposed mortgage payment (a DSCR of 1.25). Deals that do not meet this requirement will have to wait until the credit markets improve or seek private funding.
Credit
Borrowers or sponsors with weak credit scores are being summarily rejected by banks. To qualify for a low interest loan with good terms, from an institutional lender, all the principle borrowers need to have a tri-merged credit score of 640 or better. I know this is bad news to many good people with problems on their credit reports, but that's just the way it is right now.
Experience
Banks are not willing to take a chance on first-time apartment investors. All borrowers are now required to demonstrate real experience in rental housing and a track record of success.
Net-Worth & Liquidity
Many banks have instituted a policy of requiring that their borrowers have a net-worth at least equal to the balance of the loan they are seeking. In-other-words, if you want to borrow $1MM from the bank to buy an apartment complex, you need a net-worth of at least $1MM. Further, they will want to see that you have some money in the bank above and beyond the funds you're using for a down-payment. Often they will require borrowers to have a savings account balance equal to 6-9 monthly mortgage payments.
Quality Property in Good Location
To secure financing from a traditional lender the building must be in a city or town that is not particularly depressed economically. Hard hit areas of MI, FL, CA or NV, for instance will be shunned. Also, the structure must be in good repair, lenders will shy away from buildings that have a-lot of deferred maintenance.
Deals that meet these basic requirements will find that there is no lack of liquidity even in this tight credit market; there is plenty of money for apartment loans for the borrowers and buildings that can qualify. Unfortunately, for deals that can not meet these higher lending standards, investors are going to have to seek privately funded, often called hard money loans or take on a well-heeled partner in-order to get funding.
MasterPlan Capital LLC - Commercial Mortgage Loans - Private and Institutionally Funded - Equity Financing - Asset Management - Simple, 1 Page Commercial Mortgage Application Online - Quick Answers - Close in 10 Days - The author, Vincent Remealto, is a commercial real estate valuation and underwriting analyst for MasterPlan Capital.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vincent_Remealto
http://EzineArticles.com/?Commercial-Mortgages---Bank-Requirements-For-Multi-Family-(Apartment-Building)-Loans&id=1907210
Hotel Loans - The Guidelines Are Changing
By Jeff S Rauth
It's March 2008 and I'm currently working on a rate and term refinance, $3.8 million of an owner occupied Wingate Hotel in the Midwest. The owner boasts an 82% occupancy for 07, $2,000,000 of gross income, property was built in 02 for a cost of $5.3 million so we're looking at a loan to value of approximately 63-67% depending on the appraisal works out. No issues on the transaction like bad credit, liens, judgments - nothing. Slam dunk transaction, right? Find the best lender with the best terms, rate and call it a day.
Not so, of the top ten banks in this arena, rather than the enthusiastic expected response of the bank representative snoozing me for the package, I'm getting more of the "we don't want to create any more enemies right now" and the "we just really want to wait and see how the issue on Wall Street shake out before we start reviewing packages and quoting rates." Definitely a disappointing reality check to say the least.
The borrower on this particular transaction was quoted 6.5% on a nonrecourse, 5 year fixed, 10 year term, 25 year amortization loan from a major national hotel lender 3 weeks ago - that lender/deal has been taken off the table. The 7.5% -7.25% that I have been able to find has not been received well as the borrowers expectations where set in the mid 6's%.
In general, on a cash out basis, borrowers can now expect a max 65% if not more like 55% that's currently market. Rate and term refinances now need a good story and borrowers can expect to still get a loan closed at 70% but will get market rates/terms at 60-65%. DCR's that we could get away with at 1.3 now have been changed to a real 1.4.
Historically Hotel Loans come in and out of favor with lenders more so than with any other building type. There has been a tremendous amount of volatility in the market over the years and the banks seem to have already pulled the plug, for the most part.
More startling is that we have talked to many experts in this arena, on a daily basis, and everyone seems to be in a state of shock and confusion. Normally it's the wait 6 months and we should be back to normal. Currently it's more the attitude of "we don't know".
In general, if a hotel owner thinks that they may need to refinance and or purchase a new hotel, it may be wise to get started immediately as it may be a few years before we get back to rates/terms that we are still at today.
Jeff Rauth is President of Commercial Finance Advisors, Inc out of Birmingham, Michigan. He specializes in Commercial Real Estate Loans between $400,000 - $5,000,000. Offers unique loan programs such as Commercial Second Mortgages, Commercial 30 Year Fixed and 90% non SBA financing, Commercial Equity Lines. 248 885-8797 or at Hotel Loans or commercial real estate loans
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_S_Rauth
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hotel-Loans---The-Guidelines-Are-Changing&id=1035380
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