Canadian business owners and financial managers who seek finance by banks or other sources generally experience growth in sales and profits. That’s the good news, which of course is offset by the fact that this type of success requires additional working capital.
Liquidity has become the name of the game and ‘money is king’ even today never seems like an old-fashioned cliche? . A recent study by the Conference Board of Canada shows that the main concern of business owners is working capital cash flow. (Also referred to as ‘regulatory and competition issues’)
So you have assets … but can those assets generate cash flow by banks or other alternative sources.
For working capital needs, this is all about ‘current assets’ which includes receivables and inventory. When you invest in these two assets to generate sales, your working capital needs increase, and your ability to manage and hand over those assets plays a key role in the provision of working capital by banks, and non-bank institutions.
You don’t need to be afraid to get into traditional or alternative working capital solutions if you have managed your current assets correctly – you only make money for liquidity, and that is rarely a bad thing.
So, Canadian chartered banks are the solution for your needs. Maybe, maybe, maybe our answer, which means that if your company is able to meet the bank’s criteria for a revolving credit line, your needs can usually be met. What is even more concerning for our clients is their ability to not be able to produce enough financing for a sister from receivables, aka inventory.
That then led us into an alternative to bank financing, which is a fast-growing area of asset-based financing, specifically asset-based credit lines. This facility is more expensive, but gives you a total margin of the market value of your receivables, inventory, and, guess what, we will throw equipment and real estate if you want to provide a temporary margin. And remember, your balance sheet doesn’t take on debt when you enter a bank or alternative asset-based credit line, you only get money from your finances for cash flow.
The reality is that alternative financing methods are increasingly popular – yes they are more expensive, but if your company generates sufficient margins and returns on capital, your ability to utilize almost unlimited working capital can prove to be a very positive experience.
The reality of working capital financing by banks or alternative methods is always the same – you need to determine the turnover of your assets, there will always be times when you need a bulge in your inventory and A / R to fund your growth.
Liquidity, that’s the problem. Talk to a trusted, experienced, and credible Canadian business financing advisor to make sure your traditional and alternative business financing options are available first, clear, and second!
