Supply Chain Finance
Supply chain finance is also known as trade finance, this type of funding makes it easier to move goods around the world and participate in international business.
This type of financing can be used to finance the entire supply chain, from raw materials to finished products. It can also be used to finance specific parts of the supply chain, such as transportation or warehousing.
Supply chain finance can be an important tool for businesses of all sizes, and it can be used to support both domestic and international trade.
So whether you’ve recently set up a small business and want to import your first product, or you’re looking to expand your business’s export trade, it’s important to understand the supply chain and how trade finance can help.
What is supply chain finance?
Supply chain finance (SCF) is a financing arrangement in which lenders provide funding to businesses based on the value of their unpaid invoices.
In many cases, SCF arrangements are used to help businesses manage their working capital needs by providing them with early access to cash. In other cases, SCF arrangements may be used to help businesses manage their supplier risk by providing funding to suppliers that may be facing financial difficulties.
SCF can help businesses improve their cash flow and reduce their costs of borrowing. Supply chain finance arrangements typically involve three parties: the business, the supplier, and the lender.
The business (also known as the “buyer”) enters into an agreement with the lender to provide funding for its unpaid invoices.
The supplier (also known as the “seller”) then approves the financing arrangement and agrees to be paid early. once the invoice is paid, the lender releases the funds to the business.
The terms of SCF arrangements can vary depending on the needs of the business and the supplier.
However, most SCF arrangements involve some form of factoring or invoice discounting. Factoring is a type of financing in which businesses sell their invoices to lenders at a discount.
How does supply chain finance work?
Supply chain finance works when a company supplies goods or services to another company, it is known as a supplier. The company that purchases the goods or services is known as the buyer.
In most cases, the buyer will not pay for the goods or services immediately. Instead, they will agree on terms with the supplier, which stipulate when payment is due.
This period of time between the delivery of goods or services and the agreed-upon payment date is known as the payment term.
Typically, suppliers will offer buyers a discount if they pay within a certain period of time, such as 10 days. This is known as an early payment discount. By taking advantage of this discount, the buyer can reduce their overall costs.
Supply chain finance (SCF) is a type of financing that helps companies take advantage of early payment discounts by paying suppliers early. SCF programs are typically offered by banks or other financial institutions.
Under an SCF program, the financial institution will provide funding to the buyer, which can then be used to pay suppliers early.
In exchange for this service, the financial institution will charge a fee, which is typically a percentage of the amount financed.
While there are some costs associated with SCF programs, they can significantly reduce a company’s overall.
Supply chain finance process
- Buyer purchases goods or services from the supplier
- Supplier issues their invoice to the buyer, with payment due within a certain number of days (e.g., 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days)
- Buyer approves the invoice for payment
- Supplier requests early payment on the invoice
- The lender sends payment to the supplier, with a small fee deducted
- Buyer pays the lender on the invoice due date
When buyers who implement supply chain finance, for accountancy purpose, you will need to make sure supply chain finance is classified as an on-balance sheet arrangement, rather than bank debt.
Benefits of supply chain finance
Supply chain finance is a type of financing that helps businesses to improve their cash flow by providing early payment on invoices. This can be a valuable tool for businesses, as it allows them to free up capital that would otherwise be tied up in accounts receivable.
In addition, supply chain finance can help businesses to manage their relationships with suppliers by giving them more control over when payments are made.
This can lead to improved supplier relations and increased negotiating power when it comes time to renew contracts.
Furthermore, supply chain finance can help businesses to manage risk by providing protection against late payments or defaults. Overall, supply chain finance can be a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes.
- The importance of customer service
- customers, satisfaction, loyalty
- Customer service is the act of providing assistance and support to customers.
It is an important part of any business, as it can help to build customer satisfaction and loyalty. Good customer service can encourage customers to continue doing business with a company, and it can also attract new customers.
In addition, good customer service can help to create a positive image for a company and its products or services.
As a result, customer service is an essential part of any business operation.
Supply chain finance vs reverse factoring
In the world of business, there are a variety of financing options available to companies. Two of the most popular methods are supply chain finance and reverse factoring. So, what’s the difference between the two?
Supply chain finance is a type of financing that allows companies to extend payment terms to their suppliers, while still maintaining a good relationship with them.
This can be beneficial for both parties involved, as it gives the company more time to generate revenue and pay off the outstanding amount, and it also helps the supplier by ensuring that they will receive payment eventually.
Reverse factoring, on the other hand, is a type of financing that allows companies to get paid earlier than usual from their customers.
This can be beneficial for businesses that need quick access to cash, as it provides them with working capital that they can use to grow and expand their operations.
However, it is important to note that this method of financing can often be more expensive than other options, such as supply chain finance.
F.A.Q’s
What is the difference between trade finance and supply chain finance
The difference between trade finance and supply chain finance is that trade finance offers a broader set of solutions. Both trade finance and supply chain finance are designed to finance international and domestic supply chains.
Is supply chain finance a loan?
No, supply chain finance is a type of cash advance. Similar to invoice finance, it's based on the credit rating of companies in the supply chain.
