Understanding the Basics of Invoice Financing
Invoice financing is a popular financial tool used by businesses to improve cash flow and access working capital. It involves selling outstanding invoices to a third-party financial institution, known as a factor or a lender, at a discount. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of invoice financing, including its types, benefits, drawbacks, qualification criteria, process, and comparison with other financing options. Introduction to Invoice Financing What is Invoice Financing? Invoice financing, also known as accounts receivable financing, is a type of short-term borrowing that allows businesses to improve their cash flow by selling their outstanding invoices to a third-party financial institution. How Does It Work? In a typical invoice financing arrangement, a business sells its invoices to a factor at a discount. The factor then advances a percentage of the invoice value to the business, usually around 70% to 90%. The remaining balance, minus the factor's fee, i...