Cash & Liquidity ManagementCash ManagementPracticeThe Benefits of Reverse Factoring

The Benefits of Reverse Factoring

Factoring of trade receivables has gained increased popularity during the past few decades, with the emphasis growing more recently. Key drivers of this growth are:

  • The gradual transition from the bank-guaranteed commercial credit to open account practices.
  • The EU-accession plan involving new market entrants from central and eastern Europe (CEE), following the demise of the Soviet circle of influence.
  • Chinese firm’s familiarisation with non-bank trade finance tools, such as factoring and receivables financing, at the expense of traditional bank guarantees.
  • The banking system’s new conceptual trend of placing factoring under the umbrella of a more traceable – hence safer – supply chain financing principle.
  • The reluctance, in general, of financial institutions to extend short-term credit on an uncollateralised basis.

As part of the factoring spectrum of services, reverse factoring enjoyed a positive reception on behalf of the corporate community because of a number of specific benefits it provides, and also for the fact that it accommodates the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of particular industry sectors.

Reverse factoring by definition involves a strong buyer and many smaller, or dependent, suppliers in need of a financing platform that will match the liquidity gap created during a specific credit period. The factor provides financing against trade receivables based on the creditworthiness of the buyer and its commitment to provide accurate and irrevocable information, with regards to its payables, to each and every supplier participating in the programme.

Suppliers’ Benefits

The benefits for the supplier are more than obvious: access to a credit line that converts invoices into fresh money without pledging other tangible collaterals and access to preferential rates negotiated by the buyers themselves, not to mention other side privileges, such as the possibility for insurance against default of the buyer without extra costs, as well as room for further ancillary business with the parent banking group of the factor.

However, the key element of success for reverse factoring is that a supplier, with weak or even problematic financials, gains access to credit from a financial institution for as long as it sells products or services to a big company. A record of undisputed sales is most likely the only prerequisite for accessing such a programme.

This is the reason behind the increasing demand for reverse factoring schemes from countries in a transitory period, where the private sectors are young, often undercapitalised and dependent on sizeable multinational or foreign buyers in search of local and cheaper supplies. The food retail industry is a typical example of the situation in question.

Although reverse factoring is popular in some countries, it is obvious that its success is related to the challenges of regulatory, legal and tax nature that may hinder a factoring institution from entering into the business. The tax deductibility of interest on factoring arrangements, VAT treatment, bankruptcy law complications and cross-border capital controls may be some of the most important problems that have to be resolved once and for all.

Many issues are related to the treatment of factoring. In countries where factoring is recognised as a commercial transaction that involves a sale, a purchase and a financial service obeying to a specified Financial Act, many of the above questions are transparently and efficiently addressed.

Buyers’ Benefits

When it comes to the buyers, the advantages of reverse factoring are also very significant. Some of the most important include:

  • Cost reduction through increased liquidity.
  • Days payable outstanding (DPO) improvement.

A positive image to suppliers, as the buyer achieves preferential rates for the benefit of its suppliers by leveraging on its bargaining power.

It is further obvious that any buyer would be happy to be in the position to make life easier for its suppliers without committing its own resources but those of a financial intermediary. In periods of costly liquidity, reverse factoring is translated to efficient cash management for the buyer.

Banks’ Benefits

But what benefit does the factoring company gain, apart from the obvious benefits of interest income and fee generation? The most important benefit from a reverse factoring scheme is the bulk approach of new clients with potential, not only for further factoring business with a wider spectrum of debtors, but also for cross-fertilisation with other departments of the banking group.

Reverse factoring may be used as a valuable hook product for capturing the buyer’s main transaction account, since all its payments to suppliers will be effected through this account.

However, reverse factoring is not effortless but requires significant investment in IT infrastructure and standardisation procedures. Also, in cases of full-automated processes, the lack of legislation on electronic security may be proved a severe impediment to the development of the product.

Conclusion

Reverse factoring in all its aspects, ranging from a single-step funding scheme to an elaborated mechanism, is a valuable tool that promotes SME financing in a uniquely efficient manner for all parties involved.

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