The Benefits Of Invoice Finance For Your Business

Invoice Financing For Growth

Get ahead of your customers with Invoice financing. Borrow against the amount due on invoices you’ve issued to your customers.

Invoice financing, also known as accounts receivable financing, is a way for businesses to borrow money based on the value of their outstanding invoices.

Here’s how it works: a business will borrow money from a lender, using their outstanding invoices as collateral.

The lender will then advance a portion of the total value of the invoices to the business, typically between 70-90%.

Once the invoices are paid by the business’s customers, the business will then repay the loan to the lender, plus any interest or fees.

In this article we will do a deep dive on invoice financing and how it can compliment your business growth.

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What Is Invoice finance?

Invoice finance is a type of financial service that provides businesses with immediate access to funds by using unpaid invoices as collateral.

Invoice finance can help businesses to solve cash flow problems and bridge the gap between when a customer pays an invoice and when the business needs to pay its suppliers.

Invoice finance is available in two forms: invoice discounting and invoice factoring.

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Invoice Financing From the Lender’s Perspective

From the lender’s perspective, invoice financing can be a way to provide financing to businesses that may not qualify for traditional loans.

Since the outstanding invoices serve as collateral for the loan, the lender is able to take on less risk and can potentially offer more flexible terms. Invoice financing can also be a way for lenders to earn interest income on the money they advance to businesses.

How Invoice Financing is Structured

Invoice financing is typically structured as a short-term loan, with the loan being repaid once the invoices are paid by the business’s customers.

The lender will advance a certain percentage of the total value of the outstanding invoices, usually between 70-90%, and the business will pay an interest rate on the amount that is advanced.

The lender may also charge fees for providing the financing, such as a one-time origination fee or a monthly servicing fee.

Invoice Financing Vs. Invoice Factoring

Invoice financing and invoice factoring are similar in that they both involve borrowing money based on the value of outstanding invoices. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Invoice financing is a type of loan, where the business borrows money from the lender and uses its outstanding invoices as collateral. The business is responsible for repaying the loan, plus any interest or fees, once the invoices are paid by its customers.

Invoice factoring, on the other hand, is a type of financial transaction where the business sells its outstanding invoices to the lender at a discount. The lender then collects payment on the invoices from the business’s customers. In this case, the lender assumes the risk of non-payment and takes on the responsibility for collecting payment on the invoices.

One key difference between invoice financing and invoice factoring is that invoice financing is typically a more flexible option, since the business retains control over the invoices and the collections process. In contrast, with invoice factoring, the lender takes on this responsibility. This can be helpful for businesses that want to maintain good relationships with their customers.

What Are The Benefits Of Invoice Financing?

Invoice financing can provide a number of benefits to businesses. Some of the key benefits of invoice financing include:

Quick access to cash: Invoice financing allows businesses to access the cash tied up in their outstanding invoices quickly and easily, without having to wait for their customers to pay. This can be especially helpful for businesses that need to cover short-term expenses or take advantage of new business opportunities.

Improved cash flow: Invoice financing can help businesses manage their cash flow more effectively by providing a steady source of funding. This can be particularly helpful for businesses that have a lot of outstanding invoices but need cash immediately.

Flexible repayment terms: Invoice financing is typically structured as a short-term loan, with the loan being repaid once the invoices are paid by the business’s customers. This can provide businesses with flexibility in terms of how they manage their cash flow and repay the loan.

Alternative financing option: Invoice financing can be a useful option for businesses that may not qualify for traditional loans. Since the outstanding invoices serve as collateral for the loan, lenders can take on less risk and may be able to offer more flexible terms.

Increased lending options: Invoice financing can also provide businesses with access to a wider range of lending options. Many businesses that may not be able to secure a traditional loan may still be able to qualify for invoice financing.

How Much Does Invoice Financing Cost?

The cost of invoice financing can vary depending on a number of factors, including the lender, the amount of the loan, and the creditworthiness of the business. In general, invoice financing is typically more expensive than traditional loans, since the lender is taking on more risk by lending money based on the value of outstanding invoices.

Typically, the lender will advance a certain percentage of the total value of the outstanding invoices, usually between 70-90%, and the business will pay an interest rate on the amount that is advanced. The interest rate can range from around 6-30% per year, depending on the lender and the specific terms of the loan.

In addition to interest, the lender may also charge fees for providing the financing. These fees can include a one-time origination fee, which is charged when the loan is first issued, and a monthly servicing fee, which is charged to cover the cost of administering the loan.

It’s important for businesses to carefully consider the cost of invoice financing before taking out a loan. They should make sure to compare offers from multiple lenders and carefully read the terms and conditions of the loan to understand all the fees and costs involved.

Types of Receivables Financing

There are several different types of receivables financing, which are ways for businesses to borrow money based on the value of their outstanding accounts receivable. Some common types of receivables financing include:

Invoice Financing

Also known as accounts receivable financing, invoice financing allows businesses to borrow money based on the value of their outstanding invoices. The lender will advance a portion of the total value of the invoices to the business, and the business will repay the loan once the invoices are paid by its customers.

Invoice Factoring

Invoice factoring is a financial transaction where the business sells its outstanding invoices to the lender at a discount. The lender then collects payment on the invoices from the business’s customers. In this case, the lender assumes the risk of non-payment and takes on the responsibility for collecting payment on the invoices.

Purchase Order Financing

Purchase order financing is a type of financing that helps businesses fulfill large orders by providing funding to cover the cost of purchasing the goods or materials needed to fulfill the order. The lender advances funds to the business based on the value of the purchase order, and the business repays the loan once the goods are delivered and paid for by the customer.

Asset-based lending: Asset-based lending is a type of financing where the lender provides a loan to the business based on the value of its assets, such as inventory, accounts receivable, and equipment. The business can use the loan to cover operating expenses or invest in new opportunities. The loan is typically secured by the business’s assets, and the business is responsible for repaying the loan plus interest.

Advantages and disadvantages of invoice financing

Some of the advantages of invoice financing include:

  • Quick access to capital: Invoice financing allows businesses to access the funds they need quickly, without having to wait for their customers to pay their invoices.
  • Flexibility: Invoice financing provides businesses with a flexible source of financing that can be used to meet a wide range of short-term financial needs.
  • Easy to qualify for: Invoice financing is often easier to qualify for than other types of loans, as the loan is secured by the outstanding invoices.
  • Preserves existing credit lines: Invoice financing allows businesses to access the funds they need without affecting their existing credit lines.

Some of the disadvantages of invoice financing include:

  • Potential cost: Invoice financing can be expensive, as lenders may charge fees and interest on the loan.
  • Loss of control: When businesses use invoice financing, they may have to give up some control over their accounts receivable to the lender.
  • Potential impact on customer relationships: Invoice financing may require businesses to disclose their financial situation to their customers, which could potentially damage their relationships.
  • Limited to outstanding invoices: Invoice financing is only available for businesses with outstanding invoices, so it may not be an option for businesses that do not have any unpaid invoices.

How Do I Qualify for Invoice Financing?

As a business qualifying for invoice financing, you must be able to show accounts receivable from high quality customers that have a previous history of paying you on time. Having a high credit score will also help you in accessing invoice financing.

While businesses with a low credit score may find that the interest rates on invoice financing is higher you can still get access.

Is Invoice Financing A Good Idea?

Invoice financing can be a good idea for businesses that need to access capital quickly and easily. With invoice financing, businesses can use their outstanding invoices as collateral to obtain a loan.

This can be a quick and convenient way for businesses to access the funds they need to meet their short-term financial obligations. However, it is important for businesses to carefully consider the terms of the loan and the potential costs before deciding if invoice financing is right for them.

What is sales invoice financing?

Sales invoice financing, also known as factoring, is a type of financing in which businesses sell their outstanding invoices to a lender at a discount. The lender provides the business with an upfront payment for the invoices, and then collects payment from the customers when the invoices are due.

This allows businesses to access the funds they need quickly and easily, without having to wait for their customers to pay their invoices. Sales invoice financing is often used by businesses that need to access capital quickly and easily, and that may have difficulty obtaining traditional financing.

What is invoice discounting?

Invoice discounting is a form of invoice finance in which the business retains control of the invoices and the customer relationship.

The business borrows money against the value of the invoices and pays a fee for the service.

The lender will collect the payment when the invoice is paid and the business will receive the remaining balance, minus the fee.

What is invoice factoring?

Invoice factoring is a form of invoice finance in which the lender takes over the customer relationship and collects the payment on behalf of the business.

The lender pays an advance on the invoice and the business will receive the remaining balance, minus the fee. Invoice finance can provide businesses with fast access to funds, allowing them to pay suppliers on time and take advantage of discounts.

It can also help businesses to improve their cash flow and reduce their need for external financing.

How to get approved for invoice finance?

To get approved for invoice finance, businesses will need to demonstrate that they have a consistent customer base and a good credit history.

They will also need to provide evidence of their ability to generate invoices and collect payments.

Discover the most common invoice finance questions

How do I apply for Invoice Financing?

Applying for Invoice Financing is an easy online process. Simply click the sign-up button to start your application.

What documentation or proof do I need?

Provide relevant document types invoices, credit notes, bank transactions, payments, profit & loss statement and balance sheet.

Do I need a credit file check to get invoice finance?

All customers can start an application stress free knowing that a credit file check is not called until absolutely necessary.

How long does it take to get approved?

While it is different for every business and every industry most of our customers are approved within 24 hours.

Once I am approved for invoice finance how long does it take to get the funding?

Assuming you provide the required information upfront you can have the funds in your account within 24 hours.

How much funding can I get with invoice financing?

The amount of funding that a business can get with invoice financing will vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of the outstanding invoices, the creditworthiness of the business, and the lender’s policies. In general, businesses can typically borrow up to 80-90% of the value of their outstanding invoices, though some lenders may offer higher or lower loan-to-value ratios. It’s important for businesses to carefully consider the terms of the loan and the potential costs before deciding on a lender.