Traditional business financing, in which lenders primarily assess a business’s cash flow, works well for many companies. But while cash-flow lending depends on the strength and stability of a company’s cash flow, some businesses may be eligible for additional borrowing based on the assets they own. For them, an alternative known as asset-based lending, or ABL, may be preferable.
With ABL, a broad range of your company’s assets— ranging from accounts receivable to real estate and even brand names and intellectual property—can serve as collateral, unlocking needed capital. If your business has substantial assets, ABL may provide access to significant financing with a covenant-light structure, while also offering a level of flexibility in making future decisions that may not be possible with other types of loans. Special arrangements such as FILO tranches (for "first in, last out") could increase the amount you’re able to borrow.
Whether ABL is the right choice for your company depends on a close examination of your needs, the kind of business you have, your current situation and your plans for the future.