Factoring, Invoice Discounting and Bill Discounting are all ways of raising money quickly. But they aren't the same thing. In this article we'll explain how invoice discounting differs from factoring and bill discounting, as well as how these three options are used together by businesses that want to get access to working capital faster than traditional banks can offer.
2. Introduction
Factoring, Invoice Discounting and Bill
Discounting are all ways of raising money quickly.
But they aren't the same thing. In this article we'll
explain how invoice discounting differs from
factoring and bill discounting, as well as how these
three options are used together by businesses that
want to get access to working capital faster than
traditional banks can offer.
3. They Are Used Simultaneously
Factoring and invoice discounting are often used
together, depending on the needs of the business.
Factoring is used to help businesses get paid faster,
while invoice discounting provides them with working
capital. Bill discounting is a form of accounts
receivable financing that allows companies to take
advantage of their outstanding invoices in order to
secure short-term financing.
4. What is Factoring Finance?
Factoring finance is a form of financing that allows businesses
to get immediate access to cash. Factoring is also referred to as
‘invoice discounting,’ and it can be used by businesses that are
paid in advance (i.e., those with a steady flow of customers), or
those who sell on credit but don't have time to wait for
payments.
Factoring is a way for businesses to access cash for their
invoices. A factoring company buys the right to collect your
receivables and then pays you immediately, minus a small
percentage.
5. What Is Invoice Discounting?
Invoice discounting is a form of financing that allows businesses to get
cash for their invoices. Invoice discounting is also known as invoice
factoring, invoice funding, and bill discounting.
While it can look similar to factoring or bank loans in some ways,
there are key differences between these types of financing:
Invoice discounting is a non-recourse loan. This means that you
don't have to make any repayments if the business does not pay you
back on time (or at all).
Invoice funding requires little paperwork and allows you to keep
getting paid by your customers while waiting for your loan
repayment.
6. What is Bill Discounting?
Bill discounting is when a company receives money up front for its
receivables, usually via a loan or line of credit. The lender will value the
receivables based on their age and probability of collection, then provide
financing that covers this value.
Because bill discounting can be expensive and risky (because you’re relying
on someone else to collect your money), it’s often used by companies with
good credit histories and strong cash flows who want quick access to cash.
Bill discounting is only available to companies that have a good credit
history, cash flow and need access to capital quickly. The lender will discount
your receivables based on their age and probability of collection, then provide
financing that covers this value.
7. The above terms aren't all the same.
Invoice discounting and bill discounting are not the same as factoring, despite all
three being used to finance business. Bill discounting, where a bank buys your
invoices at a discounted rate, is less expensive than invoice discounting. The latter
involves the lender buying your invoices at an even greater percentage off than what
they are worth.
Factoring, meanwhile, means that you sell your receivables to a third-party - usually
someone else in business like you - who then pays you back once they have
collected them from your customer. This can be useful if it gives you access to
finance without having to borrow money yourself or pay any upfront fees or interest
payments on new debt.
The main difference between these types of financing is their cost: invoice
discounting tends to be more expensive than bill discounting (although still cheaper
than factoring)
8. Conclusion
Factoring and invoice discounting are two different forms of
financing. The main difference is that factoring takes place
before a company sells its products or services, while
invoice discounting occurs after they've already been
delivered. Bill discounting allows businesses to borrow
against their accounts receivable, which means they don't
need to wait until they have cash flow problems before they
can get the money they need.