Sierra Marketing Inc

Asset-Based Lending

Asset-based lending uses eligible business assets to support a revolving or term financing facility. Accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and sometimes commercial real estate can form part of the borrowing base.

Sierra Capital Advisory helps businesses evaluate whether an asset-based structure provides better capacity or flexibility than financing based primarily on historical cash flow.

When Asset-Based Lending May Fit

  • Rapid growth is creating working-capital pressure
  • The company maintains substantial receivables or inventory
  • Cash flow is seasonal or temporarily inconsistent
  • A refinancing requires a collateral-supported structure
  • An acquisition or turnaround includes valuable operating assets

Common Borrowing-Base Assets

Accounts Receivable

Eligible commercial receivables may be advanced at a percentage determined by customer quality, aging, concentration and dilution.

Inventory

Finished goods, raw materials or other eligible inventory may contribute to availability after appraisal and lender exclusions.

Equipment

Machinery, vehicles and other business equipment may support a term component based on appraised liquidation or orderly-sale value.

Asset-Based Lending Versus Cash-Flow Lending

Cash-flow lenders focus primarily on earnings and repayment capacity. Asset-based lenders monitor collateral availability and may require regular reporting, field examinations, appraisals and controlled collections. Businesses should evaluate both financing capacity and administrative requirements.

Documents Commonly Requested

  • Accounts-receivable and accounts-payable aging
  • Inventory reports
  • Equipment lists and appraisals
  • Financial statements and bank statements
  • Debt schedule and lien information
  • Customer concentration and dilution history

Explore accounts-receivable financing, equipment financing, private credit and all financing programs.

Request an Asset-Based Financing Review

Understanding the Borrowing Base

An asset-based facility typically calculates availability from eligible collateral after advance rates, reserves and exclusions. Receivables that are too old, concentrated, disputed or owed by ineligible customers may be excluded. Inventory eligibility can depend on location, condition, turnover, category and appraisal value. Availability therefore changes with the business.

Operational Requirements to Consider

  • Periodic borrowing-base certificates and collateral reporting
  • Field examinations, appraisals and audit access
  • Controlled collection accounts or cash dominion
  • Minimum availability, covenant or reporting requirements
  • Fees associated with monitoring, examinations and unused capacity

Asset-Based Lending Questions

How is ABL different from factoring?

Factoring often focuses on purchasing or financing individual receivables. An ABL facility may combine receivables, inventory, equipment and other collateral within a monitored revolving or term structure.

Can an ABL facility grow with sales?

Potentially. Availability may increase as eligible receivables or inventory grow, subject to facility limits, concentration caps, reserves and ongoing lender approval.

Businesses with recurring operating needs should also compare a business line of credit and invoice factoring.