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KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to Alliance Funding Group’s First Equipment ABS

Kroll Bond Rating Agency assigned preliminary ratings to five classes of notes issued by Alliance Funding Group ABS I, (AFG 2023-1), an equipment ABS transaction. AFG 2023-1 represents the first equipment ABS transaction to be sponsored by Alliance Funding Group.

AFG 2023-1 is backed by a pool of equipment loans and leases (equipment contracts). The statistical discounted pool balance (statistical pool) totals $115.2 million and represents the projected cash flows of the equipment contracts discounted at a rate of 8.50%. As of the initial cutoff date, the discounted contract value will be at least $123.4 million and the initial pool characteristics are expected to be substantially similar to the statistical pool. The total collateral may increase by up to $31.3 million (27.20% of the statistical pool) through the addition of equipment contracts during the three-month prefunding period.

The statistical pool includes 1,421 contracts, with an average contract balance of $81,092. Obligor concentrations are low with 1,228 total obligors and the largest obligor representing less than 0.50%. The statistical pool is diversified geographically with the largest state, California, representing approximately 15% and all other states at less than 10% each. The pool is concentrated somewhat in the transportation industry, at approximately 19%. The pool benefits from a weighted average FICO of 747 and weighted average obligor time in business of 17 years.

AFG 2023-1 will issue five classes of notes, including a short-term tranche. Credit enhancement is comprised of overcollateralization, a cash reserve, subordination benefiting senior classes and excess spread. The overcollateralization is subject to a target equal to 15.00% of the current pool balance and a floor equal to 0.50% of the initial pool balance, accounting for any prefunding that occurs. The reserve account is funded at 1.00% of the initial pool balance and is non-amortizing.

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How To Finance Equipment For Your Business Needs

We’ve all heard the phrase you have to spend money to make money…  

But really, it’s only true if you spend that money wisely. Investing money into something that doesn’t improve the outcome of your business won’t get you anywhere. 

We know that having the right equipment to power your business is important. The proper equipment can increase your productivity, lower your costs, or give you access to new markets – all things that positively affect the bottom line.

Would you partner with an IT firm with old computers and network servers? Or how about a frequent coffee shop without an espresso machine? Or hire a construction company without the machinery required to build reliable houses? Absolutely not.

Businesses require the right equipment, machinery, hardware, and/or software in order to operate, grow, and succeed. And the ugly truth is, not everyone has the funds to cover these expenses. There are a few different options out there to get to the money-making stage.

We’ve summarized various ways to fund business equipment needs, each with pros and cons. 

Your pocket – Using cash payment to buy the equipment

Pros : Using your cash reserves to purchase equipment and machinery makes the transaction simple and fast as there’s no lease or loan to enter into, and the new purchase is owned outright.

Cons : Since cash is a finite resource compared to credit, it is almost never a good idea to purchase large business items with cash. Companies that only use cash limit their access to major resources when they are needed.

A bank/credit loanBorrowing money to purchase a piece of equipment and paying it back over time.

Pros : For companies with a strong financial standing, it is easy to secure credit for a large purchase. Using credit creates more flexibility, allows expansion of purchasing power to readily respond to opportunities for growth and to proactively improve machinery and equipment.

Cons : Applying for a line of credit can take a while. It requires detailed documentation such as audited financial statements and involves numerous fees and a substantial down payment.

An equipment financing company (leasing) Signing an agreement that allows you to use specific equipment for a period of time.

Pros : Leasing provides a fixed rate upfront and equal payments month-to-month, which makes budgeting and cash flow management easier. Leasing companies partner with you and understand your needs. They specialize in working with industrial equipment, so they understand your business and the equipment in your space. It is a smooth process where a credit decision can be made in under 48 hours. You are able to upgrade when needed. Plus, you can eliminate maintenance costs with leased equipment. Bonus: There are also significant tax deductions available!

Cons : Are there any? We haven’t found them. Leasing just makes sense.

 

Once you’ve decided to move forward with leasing your equipment…now what? Choosing a lease structure! There are a variety to consider: 

  • Operating Lease – This is the traditional lease agreement that typically provides the lowest payment and is a good option for overcoming any current capital restraints.
  • Capital Lease – a lease classified by the lessee as a purchase, with a title transfer to the lessee at the end of the term. 
  • First Amendment Lease – The first amendment lease allows you to purchase the equipment at one or more predetermined points during the lease. 
  • Tax Lease – A lease in which the lessor, is the party that is considered the owner of the leased equipment for tax purposes. The lessor assumes both the benefits and costs of ownership including depreciation, while the lessee (you) can still write off the lease payment as an expense.
  • Synthetic Lease – A synthetic lease is structured so that it is treated as a capital lease (similar to a loan) for tax purposes and an operating lease (traditional lease) for accounting purposes. 

How do you know which option is best for you? It depends on your business and specific situation. Before you shop for an equipment lease, think about your monthly budget, how long you’ll need the equipment for, how you’ll use it, and when you’ll need to upgrade it. 

Several other lease structures are available through AFG – we offer seamless flexibility to our clients, knowing every situation is different and unique.

Shopping for an equipment financing and leasing company can be overwhelming. Take a step back and consider these factors when selecting the company that is right for your business.

  • Experience – How long has the company been in business? Who are their satisfied customers? 
  • Convenience – How simple is the application process? How soon do you have access to the funds? Do they provide a personal account manager to help you in this process or do you have to reach out to customer care?
  • Specialization – Which industries does the company specialize in? 
  • Reputation – Customer references and overall experience

Businesses can work with a provider that’s intimately familiar with their industry and cooperatively select terms and conditions that meet the unique needs of the business.

With a number of variables involved in securing financing for equipment, AFG is a great place to lease. It makes the process straightforward, clear and convenient. It provides services to a wide range of credit profiles and brings competitive story-based financing to the table. 

“When we need equipment financing, we call Brandon at Alliance Funding. He gets our deals done on time and on budget. What else could you ask for?” – Steve “Barney” Byle, Corporate Controller, Edge metals Recycling, Inc.

AFG can help you find a solution that makes sense for your business.

Start your application today →

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Working Capital Solutions for Supply Chain Finance

With specific challenges post COVID-19, large businesses and SMEs are leveraging AFG’s suite of financing solutions for more than just equipment leasing. For many businesses, the complications associated with a decrease in working capital have been crippling to their bottom lines. Companies are experiencing new challenges that require strategic solutions in order to maintain or increase their solvency.

Having worked closely with over 25,000 clients, AFG has been able to identify the frustrations many customers have faced with supply chain management. By helping customers leverage our working capital solution with supply chain finance, customers have been able to manage and grow their cash more effectively and efficiently.

What is Supply Chain Finance?

Supply chain finance (SCF) encompasses a set of solutions that improves cash flow across the supply chain. It allows businesses to optimize payment terms to their suppliers while providing the option for their large and SME suppliers to get paid early. As a result, disruptions to the supply chain are minimized while the velocity of cash flow across the chain is optimized.

In supply chain finance engagements, buyers send approved invoices from their participating suppliers to a bank (or financing institution), and the bank can make an early payment to the supplier at a discount. Rates and discounts are contingent on the buyer’s credit, but the process of supply chain finance allows buyers to hold on to their cash longer, thus maximizing their working capital. Suppliers get paid faster and take advantage of financing rates they may not have been able to get on their own.

Why Consider Working Capital Solutions for Supply Chain Finance

According to the 2022 Business Leaders Outlook, business owners are more optimistic than ever in spite of the COVID-19 landscape. An increase in capital spending and credit needs reveals that companies are poised for growth and expansion. Clogged supply chains, however, rank second among the top five obstacles reported by business owners. Therefore, supply chains continue to struggle to meet demand, even with bottlenecks improving since 2021.

It doesn’t end there.  According to a Rutgers Study, the disruptions to businesses, from customers, to suppliers, and affiliated service providers, such as banks and logistics providers, have caused chaos. Businesses of all sizes are turning to supply chain financing solutions to stabilize liquidity and their net working capital in order to maintain solvency and ensure continuity of supply through their supply chains.

In order to stay competitive and meet the needs of their customers, small to mid-sized companies have started expanding their strategies to mirror those of their larger, multinational counterparts by diversifying their supply chains and taking a strategic approach to sourcing and stocking goods. This, however, requires available working capital.

How the AFG Working Capital Program Can Help

An infusion of working capital, either via loan or line of credit, can stimulate the movement of cash through your supply chain by offering money saving incentives for faster payments. This also promotes a symbiotic relationship between buyers and sellers through a series of processes that lower costs and improves efficiency for the involved parties, keeping the supply chain agile and competitive in spite of challenges.

The AFG Working Capital Program features flexible transaction amounts and term lengths with no prepayment penalties. In conjunction with our internal credit facilities and syndicate bank partnerships, AFG also has the ability to underwrite various credit profiles and can provide working capital, financing, and leasing to an array of businesses and government agencies. Our streamlined application process and minimal bank statement requirements help you get the financing you need so you can grow your business.

Managing a steady stream of cash flow is the hardest part of growing a business. Contact AFG to learn more about how a working capital solution can accelerate movement across your supply chain.

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5 Reasons Equipment Dealers Offer Leasing

Most companies out there strive for growth. And while growing demand is vital for a business, capturing it takes the right operational capacity. The output of a typical business often comes down to two essential elements: talent and equipment. Every year, equipment manufacturers invest heavily in research & development to bring better, more efficient models to the market. And the end consumers of such equipment require timely upgrades to beat the competition.

AFG powers leasing for 100+ equipment vendors, dealers and OEMs. Why do they choose to offer an integrated leasing experience for their customers? Because equipment leasing enables better business opportunities for both the vendor and the customer.

Why do equipment dealers offer leasing solutions?

  1. Close larger sales
    Including a leasing solution into a deal makes it easier for the customer to come up with funds and budget for payments. That speeds up your pipeline, improves customer experience and allows your customers to start profiting from the newly purchased equipment faster.
  2. Control your pipeline
    Unlike banks, private lenders are more agile in creating solutions, designed specifically for your ideal customer. AFG offers transparent deal tracking, reducing friction for both your sales team and your customers.
  3. Increase your customers’ purchasing power
    A leasing agreement opens up an opportunity for choosing flexible terms and payments. You can close larger sales, while the customer gets to operate top choice equipment.
  4. Offer convenience
    Customers expect a quick and smooth buying process. An integrated equipment leasing solution makes you a one-stop-shop equipment supplier. Credit review takes hours instead of weeks. Sometimes, a one-page application is enough for credit approval.
  5. Improve retention
    Business owners who lease their equipment are more likely to come back for add-ons, trade-ups, and new equipment acquisitions. Paired with a custom-tailored plan, customers will come back to you for more.

AFG has been working with equipment vendors, dealers and original equipment manufacturers of all sizes since 1998. We have tenured leasing agents and a management team with 100+ years of combined experience in the space.

We also work with vendors to supplement their existing leasing partners, helping them close the gaps for a variety of customer profiles.

Are you ready to take your customer experience to the next level? Consider joining AFG Vendor Partner Program.