When truck companies require immediate cash, they generally have two options: truck factoring or traditional bank loans. According to Simplex Freight Factoring, factoring and traditional bank loans are two different financing options, but factoring is generally the best option for truck companies in the long run. Here are some key differences between these two financing options.
The Approval Process
When you apply for factoring, truck factoring companies will focus on your customer’s creditworthiness, making it easier to qualify. On the other hand, bank loans require a more extensive application process, including detailed financial statements, credit checks, and collateral evaluation. Overall, factoring is the quicker and more easily approved way of obtaining financing for trucking companies.
Cash Flow vs. Debt
When you work with a factoring company, your accounts receivable is converted into cash, and once you submit your invoices, you will receive payment in advance, which allows you to access funds without taking on any additional debt.
With bank loans, you receive a lump sum of money you must repay over time, which can result in a debt obligation.
Collateral and Personal Guarantees
Factoring is a form of secured financing with the accounts receivable serving as collateral. Factoring companies do not require additional collateral or even personal guarantees. In contrast, bank loans always require collateral, such as property or, with trucking companies, perhaps even equipment. Banks will also want personal guarantees from business owners.
Credit Considerations
Factoring companies mostly evaluate the creditworthiness of your customers rather than your credit history. In their eyes, the credit risk is mostly associated with your customer’s ability to pay their invoices rather than anything else. When it comes to traditional bank loans, your credit history is the point of focus when assessing your loan application, business financials, and several other factors. This makes it difficult and means more time waiting for trucking firms to secure financing.
Flexibility and Costs
The amount of funding available is more flexible with factoring than with traditional bank loans. The ability to increase or decrease funding if your business needs fluctuate is also more flexible with factoring since the financing you receive is correlated with your invoices. You can always factor in new invoices as you generate them with the factoring company, as factoring is considered a form of revolving financing.
Bank loans provide a fixed loan amount with set repayment terms. Yet, factoring fees are usually higher than interest rates on bank loans. The factoring fee is usually a percentage of the invoices’ total value, which covers the cost of the factoring service. On the other hand, bank loans involve interest changes based on the loan amount you borrow and the agreed-upon interest.
In many instances, factoring is the best financing solution for trucking firms needing immediate cash flow. Before deciding on a final financing solution, consider your financial situation, business needs, and preferences. If you have customers with longer payment terms, choose factoring. If you want a larger capital sum and a longer repayment period, go with bank loans.
