Factoring is derived from a Latin term “facere” which means 'to make or do'. Factoring is an arrangement wherein the trade debts of a company are sold to a financial institution at a discount.
Accounts receivable (A/R) factoring, often referred to as invoice discounting, is a type of short-term debt financing used by some business borrowers. The transaction takes place between a business (the borrower) and a lender (often a factoring company as opposed to a traditional commercial bank).
Factoring agreements involve selling unpaid invoices to a third party at a discount rate. Non-recourse factoring provides protection against unpaid invoices, but factoring fees may be higher than recourse factoring contracts.
A factoring agreement involves three key parties: The business selling its outstanding invoices or accounts receivable. The factor, which is the company providing factoring services. The company's client, responsible for making payments directly to the factor for the invoiced amount.
A factoring relationship involves three parties: (i) a buyer, who is a person or a commercial enterprise to whom the services are supplied on credit, (ii) a seller, who is a commercial enterprise which supplies the services on credit and avails the factoring arrangements, and (iii) a factor, which is a financial ...