How to Secure Borrowing Base Facilities:
A Friendly Guide for Small Businesses

Borrowing base facilities offer businesses a flexible way to get loans. These credit lines use a company's assets as collateral. The amount a business can borrow changes based on the value of its assets.

To secure a borrowing base facility, companies must provide detailed asset reports and allow regular audits. This helps lenders feel safe about the loan. It also lets businesses use their inventory and accounts receivable to get more funding.

Asset-based lending like this works well for companies with lots of assets but uneven cash flow. It's common in industries like retail and manufacturing. By using their assets smartly, businesses can get the money they need to grow and succeed.

Understanding Borrowing Base Facilities

Borrowing base facilities offer businesses flexible financing options backed by specific assets. These loans allow companies to borrow funds based on the value of their eligible collateral, providing a reliable source of working capital.

Components of a Borrowing Base

A borrowing base typically includes accounts receivable, inventory, and sometimes equipment. Accounts receivable are often the main part, as they're easy to value and turn into cash. Inventory can be included too, but it's usually valued less than receivables. Equipment may be added for some businesses, like manufacturers.

Determining the Collateral Value

Lenders use different methods to value collateral. For accounts receivable, they might look at the company's collection history and customer credit ratings. Inventory value depends on how easy it is to sell and how quickly it loses value over time.

Borrowers often need to provide regular reports on their assets. These reports help lenders adjust the borrowing base as needed. Some lenders use field audits to verify collateral in person, ensuring the borrower's reports are accurate.

Developing a Borrowing Base Framework

A good borrowing base framework starts with clear rules about eligible collateral. It should outline what assets count, how they're valued, and what advance rates apply. The framework also needs to cover reporting requirements and updates to the borrowing base.

Both the lender and borrower should agree on these rules upfront to avoid surprises later. Flexibility can be built in for seasonal variations or changes in collateral types as the business evolves.