Canadian business loans and financing options are often very near the top of the business owner/financial manager’s TO DO list when it comes to running and growing the business. It can be also said that it’s often common for the owner/manager in the SME sector to feel ' lost ' when it comes to achieving those finance goals. Has to be the case? Not really... let's dig in.

By now pretty well everyone seems to recognize that the SME (small to medium enterprise) sector in Canada is one of the constant powerhouses of the economy. Everyone seems to have a different definition of what this sector is; some maintain its, for example, companies with under several hundred employees and sales of 20 Million as an example. That's not that SME to us!, but less focus on the solutions available to finance those firms.

The one thing everyone does seem to agree on though is that ' size counts ' in business financing and the small to medium guy has a lot more of a challenge in accessing. More often than not it feels like an obstacle course, as the owner /manager finds it very difficult to obtain long term financing options that will help secure business growth.

On occasion it might help to put yourself in the shoes of the bank or the many commercial lenders that offer financing solutions to Canadian business. Lenders focus on key items such as tangible equity, assets, and in many instances outside collateral,

Canadian chartered banks in Canada are often the ' point person' when business financing discussions come up. While often criticized for providing the financing business needs they do participate positively in a number of ways.

Banks typically provide:

Govt Guaranteed Business Loans
Very Small Loans
Small overdrafts
Mortgages

They are successful because they are on every corner, have very clear rules and borrowing applications, and can be a source of constant contact with the owner/manager.

While bank solutions are low cost and accessible its in fact commercial finance firms that provide a lot of the other financing options that will get your company to the goal line. Commercial finance firms generally arent regulated, take more risk, and are profit motivated. Additionally they provide options simply not available from the banks.

Those options:

Receivable Finance
Inventory Financing
Non bank business credit lines
Asset Leasing/ sale leasebacks
Purchase Order Financing
Franchise Financing

Whether its bank financing or non bank commercial finance options the SME borrower doesn't have to feel lost when it comes to financing options that suit their needs. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your operational and growth goals.

Stan Prokop [http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/stan-prokop]