Purchase Order Finance summary:

Availability of funds. You get the funds necessary to execute the order and thereby honor your commitment. Your cash flow improves dramatically.

Various facilities. Many finance companies provide a receivables funding facility, which is linked to the purchase order finance facility. Funds are usually provided by making direct payments to your supplier, or by issuing a letter of credit, or by providing a supplier guarantee.

Direct payments to suppliers. Your suppliers are paid directly by the finance company. Typically up to 80% of the confirmed purchase cost can be paid. The remaining 20% minus the fees of the finance company are paid when your customer pays your invoice.

Issuing a Letter of Credit. Based on the provisions and governed by the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce, finance companies or Banks back the commitment of payment to the supplier by issuing a Letter of Credit.

Supplier Guarantee. Leading financial companies provide a commitment of payment to suppliers. This supplier guarantee is grounded in the availability of funds generated from the accounts receivables facility.

Single or Multiple transactions can be made. Once you deliver the goods, which are accepted by your customer, and proof thereof has been obtained, then typically up to 85% of the amount of the invoice can be advanced to you immediately. This funding can facilitate the execution of other transactions. Thus multiple transactions can be made with confidence.

Local reach. The buyer or the supplier may be located anywhere in the United States of America. For local purchase order finance, some finance companies give up to 80% of the amount of the PO order.

Global reach. Leading finance companies have a global reach and they can also fund overseas purchase orders. For overseas PO financing, usually a Letter of Credit is opened. The PO finance is generally obtained from the funds that are generated from the financing of the accounts receivables.

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What is purchase order financing?

Purchase order financing is a specialized method of providing structured working capital and loans that are secured by accounts receivables, inventory, machinery, equipment and/or real estate. This type of funding is excellent for startup companies, refinancing existing loans, financing growth, mergers and acquisitions, management buy-outs and management buy-ins.

Purchase order financing is based upon bona fide purchase orders from reputable, creditworthy companies, or government entities. Verification of the validity of the purchase orders is required. The financing is not based on your company’s financial strength. It is based on the creditworthiness of your customers, the strength of the commercial finance company funding the transaction, and in most cases a letter of credit.

What is a letter of credit?

A letter of credit is a letter from a bank guaranteeing that a buyer’s payment to a seller will be received on time and for the correct amount. If the buyer is unable to make payment for the purchase, the bank is required to cover the full amount of the purchase. In a purchase order financing transaction, the bank relies on the creditworthiness of the commercial finance company in order to issue the letter of credit. The letter of credit “backs up” the purchase order financing to the supplier, or manufacturer.

Is purchase order financing appropriate for your sales program?

The perfect paradigm is a distributor buying products from a supplier and shipping directly to the purchaser. Importers of finished goods, exporters of finished goods, out-source manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors can effectively use purchase order financing to grow their businesses.

Is purchase order financing appropriate for growing your sales orders?

Purchase order financing requires you to have management expertise- a proven track record in your particular business. You must have bona fine purchase orders from reputable firms that can be verified. And you must have a repayment plan; often this is from a commercial finance company in the form of accounts receivable or asset-based financing.

You should have a gross margin of at least 25% to benefit from purchase order financing. Sellers of services or commodities with low margins, such as lumber or grain, will not qualify.

The bottom line decision for purchase order financing:

It can take two or more years to develop a profitable business. Banks generally base their lending limits on a business’ performance for the past two or three years. Purchase order financing, combined with letters of credit and/or accounts receivable or asset-based financing can give you sufficient funds to cover your operating costs, financing costs and still realize significant profits. If you qualify for purchase order financing, you can grow your business by taking advantage of large purchase orders and eventually qualify for bank financing.

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