Maintaining a steady cash flow is a consistent goal for businesses belonging to almost all industries. One of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is by leveraging the convenience of invoice factoring. It is a type of post-export finance wherein a business assigns its invoices to a third-party finance provider. The provider will clear the invoices immediately, and then collect the amount from the business’ clients.
It is an excellent tool designed to enable businesses to keep their operations running smoothly, as well as help them stay prepared to face any unforeseen financial crisis that may present itself owing to fluctuations in the market.
To truly reap the benefits of invoice factoring, businesses should have clarity on which type would best serve their requirements, two of the primary ones being recourse factoring and non-recourse factoring. In this blog, we will explore the differences between recourse vs. non-recourse factoring to help business owners determine which one would be a more fitting solution for specific instances.
Key Differences Between Recourse vs Non-recourse Factoring
The primary difference between the two types of factoring is related to who is held accountable in case of non-payment. With recourse factoring, if an invoice is unpaid, then the business itself will have to bear the costs by buying the invoices back from the factor. With non-recourse factoring, it is the factoring company that is responsible to clear the unpaid amounts.
However, in some cases, the exact terms and conditions with regard to invoice clearance can differ from contract to contract. To better understand the differences between the two kinds of invoice factoring, let’s take a closer look at what purpose each type serves.
What Is Recourse Factoring?
Recourse factoring is one of the most sought-after invoice factoring solutions among businesses. Here, the factoring company is responsible for collecting the re-payments from clients. However, in worst-case scenarios where clients fail to make payments, the business is ultimately held responsible for the amount. The factoring company takes a step back after making all possible efforts and is no longer held responsible. The business has to buy the invoices back from the factoring company, and then make direct demands to clients for invoice clearance.
In this case, the business is more at risk in terms of losses related to non-payment. Certain advantages of recourse factoring make it a common choice. It is considered to be a more economical factoring solution. The second main advantage is that the approval is quicker given that the credit checks are not as stringent as compared to non-recourse factoring.
Recourse Factoring Example
Recourse factoring can be an ideal solution when the seller is comfortable taking on the responsibility of collecting payment from the buyer if they fail to pay. This allows the seller to maintain control over the collection process. It is also an effective solution when the buyer’s credit history is not as solid. The seller can still receive immediate funds from the factor despite a potential risk for non-payment from the buyer.
What Is Non-recourse Factoring?
Unlike recourse factoring, a non-recourse factoring agreement requires the factoring company to collect payment from the customers, as well as pay for the losses in case of non-payment. The amount can differ according to the terms stated in the agreements. In certain cases, businesses may still have to assume the debt if the customer fails to pay.
As non-recourse factoring is riskier for the factoring company, businesses are required to go through stringent credit checks and provide documents that vouch for their customers’ ability to make payments. They have to provide strong credit histories that vouch for timely payments. Non-recourse factoring can bring a host of benefits to businesses. One of the most significant advantages is that it helps businesses keep financial risks at bay, ensuring an optimized cash flow.
Non-recourse Factoring Example
This type of factoring is a good alternative for growing or asset-light businesses that have weaker financials but work with creditworthy customers. Non-recourse factoring can help free businesses from the risks of non-payment and provide them with a sense of security. However, these solutions come with slightly higher fees.
Here are some more nuanced differences between the two types of factoring:
| Recourse Factoring | Non-recourse Factoring |
| It is a common type of factoring among businesses. | It is a less common alternative. |
| The company is responsible for the amount if the client fails to pay. | The factoring company is liable to absorb the costs if the client fails to clear the invoices. |
| Businesses get more flexibility on the advance rate. | Here, the advance rate is generally lower. |
| The fees to leverage recourse factoring is lower. | The fees for non-recourse factoring solutions are slightly higher. |
| Businesses can benefit from flexible credit requirements. | The credit requirements are known to be more strict. |
Studying the key differences can help businesses best analyze their options when it comes to invoice factoring solutions. Given that both recourse and non-recourse factoring come with certain advantages and disadvantages, the ideal choice between the two ultimately depends on the nature of the business and the specific needs at the moment. Here, businesses working with reliable customers that have strong credit histories have an upper hand as both types work well in their favor, with little to no drawbacks.
Tradewind Finance – Excellent Non-recourse Financing Solutions in Bangladesh
Aspire to take your chemical business to newer heights? Here is your opportunity to accelerate business growth with Tradewind Finance. We are one of the leading international trade finance companies with over 180 employees working from more than 20 offices located in 12 countries. Our highly trained staff offers world-class customer service and truly understands global trade.
We specialize in cross-border transactions globally for sales made on open accounts, letters of credit, and documentary collections payment terms. Using purchase order funding, inventory lending, letters of credit, and structured guarantees, our financing helps align the needs of both buyers and sellers. Our solutions are offered in multiple currencies, eliminating the risks of currency exchange.
We solve short-term cash flow issues by purchasing your company’s accounts receivable in exchange for an advance representing the bulk of the total invoice value. Then, we collect the full amount from your client upon invoice maturity. Once the invoice is paid in full, we send you the remaining balance. In addition to factoring your export accounts receivable, we can also finance your full supply chain.
