Factoring has a long and rich tradition, dating back 4,000years. Almost every civilization that valued commerce has practiced some formof factoring, including the Romans who were the first to sell actual promissorynotes at a discount. The first widespread, documented use of factoring occurredin the American colonies before the revolution.

With the advent of the industrial revolution, factoringbecame more focused on the issue of credit, although the basic premise remainedsame. By assisting clients in determining the creditworthiness of theircustomer and setting credit limits, factors could actually guarantee paymentsfor approved customers. Prior to the 1930s, factoring in this country occurredprimarily in the textile and garment industries, as the industries were directdescendants of the colonial economy that used factoring so specifically.

As time is passing by, and we are moving into the modern eraof instant communication and a shrinking world, factoring plays an importantrole in the todays business. The increasing interest rates that marked the1980's and 1990 are led to an increase in the number of new companies turningto the factoring business. Factoring is a way to raise quick capital in amanner that was called "off the balance sheet" financing. Sinceaccounts receivables are an asset account, factoring is a way to raise quickcash without adding the liability of loan.

Introduction

Factoring is one of the oldest forms of business financing.It can be regarded as a cash management tool for many companies like garmentindustry where long receivables are a part of business cycle. Factoring is aservice that covers the financing and collection of account receivables indomestic and international trade.

It is an ongoing arrangement between the exporter andfactor. The exporter sells invoiced receivables at a discount to the factor toraise finance for working capital requirement. It bridges the gap betweenraising an invoice and getting that invoice paid. By obtaining payment of theinvoices immediately from the factor, usually up to 80 per cent of their valuethe companys cash flow is improved. The factor charges service fees that varywith interest rates in force in the money market. The factor operates by buyingthe invoiced debts from the selling company. These are purchased, usually withcredit control, collection and sales accounting work. Thus the management ofthe company may concentrate on production and sales and need not concern itselfwith non-profitable control and sales accounting matters.

Factoring differs from a bank loan in three main ways.First, factoring differs from traditional bank loans because the creditdecision is strictly based on receivables rather than other factors like howlong the company has been in business, working capital and personal creditscore. Secondly, factoring is not a loan; it is the purchase of financialasset. Finally, a bank loan involves two parties whereas factoring involvesthree-buyer, exporter and factor.

There is some misconception regarding factoring like peoplebelieve factors are a lender of last resort but that is not true becauseexporters seeking out factoring are often in the beginning stages of growth. Atfirst glance, factoring appears to be expensive but does a lot more; in essence,factoring replaces the accounts receivables and credit department.

Advantages

• Factoring helps to turn the receivables instantly into cash
• It provides credit protection for the receivables
• It helps the business to meet increasing sales demand and expand
• Factoring helps in saving time as the invoice financing company collects the money itself

Disadvantages

• The basic disadvantage of factoring is that it may lead to ruined relations with the customers especially if factor engages in aggressive or unprofessional practices when collecting accounts
• Cost is another disadvantage, cost involved in factoring agreement may be more than the cost of other methods of financing available in the business

How does it work?

The above graph represents the model of factoring and the way it is being done.

1. First, importer places an order with the exporter
2. Secondly, exporter gives the details of the transaction to the factor
3. Thirdly, exporter dispatches the goods to the importer and sends an invoice well to pay the amount on due date to the factor
4. Exporter submits the copy of invoice to the factor
5. Factor pays the amount to exporter
6. Customer pays the amount to the factor on due date
7. Factor pays the balance to client

Obstacles

According to World Bank, various taxes, legal and regulatory obstructions will block factoring services. "Factoring generally requires good historical credit information on all buyers; if unavailable, the factor takes on a large credit risk." It also points out that fraud represents another big problem in this industry (e.g. bogus receivables and non-existent customers).

Mr. Laxman N. Sankade, Managing Director, Canbank Factors Ltd, said: "For factoring to develop, it is imperative that an enabling legal environment be created and the Factoring Bill be passed in Parliament. It is also seen that a lot of weak companies would actually be able to tide over their liquidity problems if the receivables are acceptable to the factoring companies and which could be factored."

According to Mr. Basab Majumdar, Head-Factoring and Receivables Finance, India, HSBC, "Assignment of debt is still a cumbersome process and involves stamp duty which again is a State level subject and there is no uniformity in the rates of stamp duty across States. Moreover, every time a debt has to be assigned to the factor and stamp duty paid on the transaction, which has the potential of making the proposition expensive for the client. Most of the developed countries have implemented clear laws related to assignment/transfer of debt, bankruptcy, debt recovery, etc. Additionally in India, access to information on companies, their repayment performance with the banking system, etc is thinly available, which results in lack of information to decide on credit."

In 2008, the total world volume for factoring increased by 2 per cent, compared to almost 15 per cent in 2007. We can see that Europe has shown an upward trend till 2007, and then a downward trend. If we see the trend of Asia, it is stagnant in initial years i.e. till 2006 and then has shown a little upward trend till 2007. After 2007, a notable increase is seen and thus factoring volume crossed 200 billion. Africa and Australia showed a similar and a stagnant trend. The factoring volume of America is very similar to Asia, but after 2007, Americas factoring volume is seen stagnant only The overall results illustrate that exporters and importers, around the world, are becoming more and more familiar with the advantages to be derived from a factoring arrangement: working capital, credit risk protection and collection service for the exporter.

From the above diagram, it is seen that till 2007, UK has shown an upward trend, but after 2007, factoring volume decreased significantly. USA has shown a stagnant growth in factoring volumes. India has shown a notable increase in factoring volumes since 2005. In 2007 factoring volumes were Euro 5.20 billion in comparison to Euro 1.99 billion in 2005. So we can say that factoring is moving upward in India, and soon factoring will spread its wings across the length and breadth of the country.

It is quite implied now that factoring is a very easy and fast method. Still, its implementation is not so good. There are certain hiccups that have come up in the way of releasing the full potential of factoring in India. One of the main reasons for it is the legal framework of India. Generally factoring companies need legal protection as all advances are uncollateralized, protection for the same is not provided.

Still there is only one direction in which factoring can go in India: upwards. As the awareness level about the benefits of factoring increases, factoring will spread its wings across the length and breadth of the country.

Source: Hindu business line, Factor Chain International