Trade Credit

One of the largest sources of short-tem financing, trade credit occurs whenever you purchase from a supplier but do not need to pay for the merchandise for 30 days (or whatever the terms are). Trade credit can be expensive if you are foregoing discounts, but a new firm may not have much of a choice.

Factoring

Factoring is also a popular source of financing for growing firms. When you generate a receivable you may sell it to a factor who will then collect the receivable for you. Typically, you will get between 75%-90% upfront for the receivable and the remainder when the factor collects, less a fee.

Asset Based Lending

Asset based lenders will lend to businesses that lack sufficient cash flow to support unsecured financing, but have sufficient assets that can serve as collateral. Typically, the assets are accounts receivable and inventory, but can be equipment or other similar assets. The lender relies on the assets to repay the loan, not the cash flow of the firm. Fast growing firms who cannot get sufficient financing from a financial institution will be a typical client of an asset based lender.

Mezzanine Financing

Mezzanine financing is subordinated debt, a type of hybrid between senior debt and equity. As Mezzanine financing is typically high risk, it can be expensive. A typical target company generally has been in business for a number of years and has an established revenue base and positive cash flow stream. Often, a company may have reached its maximum level of financing from a lending institution and will obtain mezzanine financing to bridge the gap and finance their growth. The Mezzanine financer will subordinate its debt to the main lender.

Banks

By the time a firm can approach a bank they usually have been in business for a couple of years, have developed solid revenue, are earning profits and have a reasonable balance sheet. The bank will provide daily operational financing as well as long-term financing. Generally the cheapest form of financing, it can also be the hardest to get.

Jeff Schein is a CGA and offers advisory services in the areas of business planning, business modeling, strategic planning, business analysis and financial management for new ventures and growing small businesses. Visit www.companyworkshop.com or mailto:jeff@companyworkshop.com.