•HOME    •SITEMAP    •CONTACT US    •TERMS  
     

FAQs

  • Under what rules and/or regulations do the ABFA Members operate?

All ABFA members must sign up to a Code of Business Practice, which you can view by clicking here.

  • I find all of the terms confusing. Where can I get a simple explanation of all of the products that this industry can offer?

The Industry Product Overview document will provide you with basic product definitions and provide a visual representation of the products that this industry can offer. To view this please click here.

  • What is the difference between Factoring and Invoice Discounting?

Both services, Factoring and Invoice Discounting, normally provide finance against debtor balances outstanding. Factoring provides the additional advantage of a full sales ledger and collections service under which the Factor takes on the responsibility for your sales ledger. Under an Invoice Discounting service, by contrast, you continue to administer the sales ledger and the service is usually undisclosed to customers.

  • What is the difference between Recourse and Non Recourse Factoring?

Recourse Factoring excludes bad debt protection. The risk remains with you and if the customer fails to pay, the Factor will seek repayment of the amount financed against that debt. If bad debt protection is included, the service is called Non Recourse Factoring. This means that if a credit-approved customer fails to pay an undisputed debt, the Factor will credit you with the amount of the debt.

  • How easy is it to end the relationship with a Factor or Invoice Discounter?

Termination will be subject to the terms of the contract, which should be read carefully before signing. Some contracts stipulate three months notice, exercisable at any time or on a contract anniversary, while some are annual. Termination is always subject to full repayment of funds provided by the Factor or Invoice Discounter, and you must ensure that the required finance is available when needed. ABFA members agree to follow a set of procedures when a client is moving from one member to another in order to make the process as simple as possible for both the client and their customers.

  • What are "Approved Debts"?

These are debts which a Factor or Invoice Discounter is willing to finance. In a Non Recourse contract this can mean that they are within customers’ credit limits. In a recourse contract it means that they are within the financing limits applied generally or on specific customer accounts. Disputed debts are normally unapproved, as are recourse debts that are considered stale, usually meaning more than 90 days old.

  • Will any ABFA Member fund anything other than Business to Business invoices?

No, because of the nature of Factoring and Invoice Discounting, businesses must be trading on a business-to-business basis in order to qualify for this type of funding.

  • How much can a Factoring or Invoice Discounting company advance?

The amount that an invoice financier will advance your business will be entirely dependent on the stotal value of invoices outstanding. As a guide, Invoice Financiers will advance around 80% of approved debts.

  • Is the industry regulated?

No the industry is not regulated and the Asset Based Finance Association is not a regulatory body.

  • Have you another question?

If you have another question please feel free to contact the Asset Based Finance Association direct.

Top