Business invoice factoring offers a straightforward solution to payment delays: turning unpaid invoices into immediate working capital so you don’t have to wait.
The U.S. invoice factoring market recently reached $171.98 billion, reflecting its growing role in helping businesses maintain cash flow.
However, factoring isn’t just for struggling businesses. Companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, use invoice factoring services to unlock cash from outstanding invoices and maintain smooth operations.
Concerned about client relationships? Most customers recognize factoring as a standard financial practice. Beyond funding, many factoring companies also handle invoicing and collections, giving you more time to focus on your operations.
Read on to learn how to access cash in as little as 24 to 72 hours and stay ahead with smart invoice factoring solutions.
How Invoice Factoring Works
Get the Funds You Need, When You Need Them
Here's how it works:
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Submit Invoice
Send a copy of the invoice to the factoring company after billing the client. The factor reviews the submission and begins processing the request.
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Invoice Verification and Credit Checks
The factoring company verifies the invoice and evaluates the client’s credit history. Verifying payment reliability helps minimize the risk of non-payment.
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Advance Payment and Reserve
You will receive an upfront advance, typically covering 70%-96% of the invoice value. The remaining balance is held in reserve until the client completes payment.
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Final Payout
The factoring company releases the remaining balance once the client pays the invoice in full. The final payment is issued after deducting the factoring fee and any applicable charges.
Costs and Fees
Understanding the Price of Business Funding
Whether you need immediate liquidity or long-term capital, various funding options are available. Factoring is often weighed against traditional bank loans, lines of credit, asset-based lending, and revenue-based financing, each with its own cost structure and risk factors.
Before we explore factoring in detail, let’s look at this side-by-side comparison of its costs versus other financing methods.
How Factoring Fees Are Structured
When discussing costs and fees, it’s also worth noting that factoring agreements vary in how fees are applied. Two common pricing structures are a monthly fee model and a weekly fee model.
Here’s a look at how these structures impact the total factoring expense.
Example 1 Monthly Fee Model
Consider this: you factor a $100,000 invoice with an 85% advance rate, receiving $85,000 upfront while $15,000 is held in reserve.
The factor charges a 3% monthly fee ($3,000) and a one-time $200 due diligence fee. Fees are charged at the start of each month, so if the invoice is paid after five weeks, you still owe $6,000 in fees, making shorter-term financing more expensive.
Example 2 Weekly Fee Model
Now, imagine factoring the same $100,000 invoice with an 85% advance rate. However, instead of a fixed monthly charge, you pay 0.75% per week ($750).
The reserve stays at $15,000. Fees accumulate weekly, so if the invoice is paid in five weeks, the total cost is $3,750, which is lower than the monthly model. However, if payment takes longer, costs can add up over time.
Hidden Fees and How to Avoid Them
As you compare invoice factoring proposals, it’s essential to look beyond the discount rate. Many factoring agreements include these hidden costs that may seem small but can significantly impact your profits over time.
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Monthly Minimums or Other Minimum Factoring Requirements
Some factoring companies require you to factor a minimum amount of monthly invoices. Falling short of this threshold can result in penalty fees.
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Add-on or Administrative Fees
Extra charges like processing fees, credit checks, and wire transfer fees can quickly accumulate, increasing the total cost of factoring.
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Long-Term Contracts
Some factoring agreements include long-term commitments, and early termination may incur costly penalties.
Practical Tips to Avoid Hidden Fees
To prevent unnecessary costs and get the most value from factoring, consider these strategies:
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Clarify All Fees Upfront
Request a detailed breakdown of all potential fees, including administrative charges, credit check charges, and any penalties for early termination.
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Choose a Reputable Invoice Factoring Service
Work with a factoring company with transparent pricing, positive reviews, and a track record of fair business practices.
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Monitor Invoice Processing and Payment Application
Even after signing an agreement, it’s best to stay vigilant about how the factoring company processes invoices and applies payments to avoid unnecessary costs due to delays or mismanagement.
Why Your Business Needs Factoring
Let’s Turn Your Outstanding Receivables Into Immediate Growth
If your business relies on creditworthy clients but struggles with slow payments, invoice factoring services give you the working capital to cover expenses, meet payroll, and keep operations running smoothly.
Factoring isn’t a last resort option; it’s a smart way to keep cash flow strong. Instead of waiting weeks or months for payments, you get immediate capital to invest in growth or take on new projects without adding debt.
Best of all, factoring scales with you as your sales grow. The more receivables you have, the more funding you can access, helping you expand without being held back by unpaid invoices.
Don’t let your business slow down just because customers take their time paying. Leverage our invoice factoring service and focus on growth — not waiting.
Industries that Benefit from Factoring
Solving Cash Flow Challenges Across Multiple Sectors
Here’s how invoice factoring solutions help businesses across these industries overcome cash flow challenges and remain financially stable.
Construction & Contractors
Healthcare & Medical
Agriculture and Food Production
Telecom Financing
Staffing, Labor & Payroll
Seafood Factoring
Payroll Funding
Oil & Gas Financing
Manufacturing Financing
Government Contract Financing
Fashion & Apparel Financing
Freight Bill & Trucking Factoring
Technology/IT Financing
Which Model Fits Your Business Needs?
Both recourse and non-recourse factoring provide fast access to funds, but they differ in cost, liability, and approval requirements.
Recourse Factoring
Non-Recourse Factoring
Recourse factoring is the most common type of invoice factoring. In this arrangement, you receive immediate cash for your invoices but remain responsible for any unpaid debts.
Benefits of Recourse Factoring
Some key advantages of recourse factoring include:
- Factoring companies charge less since they take on less risk.
- Businesses qualify more easily because the factor isn’t fully assuming the risk.
- Businesses typically receive a higher percentage of the invoice value upfront.
Common Risks Associated With Recourse Factoring
Despite these benefits, recourse factoring also comes with risks that must be considered:
- If a customer fails to pay, you must repurchase the invoice or replace it with another collectible one.
- Your business remains responsible for customer creditworthiness.
- Multiple defaulted invoices may lead to additional borrowing.
- Handling repurchased invoices and chasing late payments can increase workload and operational costs.
Unlike recourse factoring, non-recourse factoring shifts the burden of collection to the factoring company. If a customer fails to pay, the factor absorbs the loss.
If you work with new or unpredictable clients, operate in industries with long payment cycles, or simply prefer to eliminate credit risk, non-recourse invoice factoring services may be a valuable solution.
Benefits of Non-Recourse Factoring
Some key advantages of non-recourse factoring include:
- The factoring company evaluates customer creditworthiness, reducing financial risk.
- The factoring company takes on the risk of customer non-payment.
- The invoice factoring service also handles collections, allowing you to focus on daily operations rather than chasing late payments.
Common Risks Associated With Non-Recourse Factoring
While non-recourse factoring minimizes financial risk, here are some challenges to consider:
- Factors may impose stringent credit requirements for your customers, limiting eligible invoices.
- Factoring fees may be higher to offset the increased risk.
- Initial cash advances may be smaller than recourse factoring.
Get Started Here
We are here to provide you with the best options for all of your factoring needs.
But before we can do that we need to ask a few simple questions. One of our premier customer service representatives will be in touch soon after we receive your information.
FAQs
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Is invoice factoring a loan?
Invoice factoring is a financing method where you sell your invoices to a factoring company in exchange for immediate cash. Since you’re not borrowing money, there’s no debt to pay.
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What happens if an invoice remains unpaid?
With non-recourse factoring, your business is not responsible if a customer fails to pay. The factoring company absorbs the loss. With recourse factoring, you may need to repurchase or replace the unpaid invoice with another.
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Will my customers think my business is struggling if I factor?
No, invoice factoring is a common financial tool businesses of all sizes use to improve cash flow. Most customers recognize it as a standard practice and won’t see it as a sign of financial trouble.