Asset-based lending

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Asset-based lending is usually done when the normal routes of raising funds is not possible, such as the capital markets (selling bonds to investors) and normal unsecured or mortgage secured bank. This is often because the company has exhausted other capital raising options or needs more immediate capital for project financing needs (such as inventory purchases, mergers, acquisitions and debt purchasing). Asset based loans are also usually accompanied by lower interest rates, as in the event of a default the lender can recoup their investment by seizing and liquidating the assets tied to the loan.[2]

Many financial services companies now use asset-based lending package of structured and leveraged financial services. Many banks, both national investment banks (e.g. J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, et al.) and regional banks, offer these services to corporate clients.

Asset-based lenders are known for taking out tombstone ads in much the same way as investment banks.[3]

An example of asset-based loan usage was when the global securitization market shrank to an all-time low during the aftermath of the collapse of the investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc in 2008. Within Europe in 2008, over 710 billion euros worth of bonds were issued, backed by largely by asset-based loans, such as home and auto loans.[4]

Asset-based lending, once considered a last-resort finance option, has become a popular choice for companies that don't have the credit ratings, track record or patience to pursue more traditional capital sources.

Features of asset-based loans[edit]

Asset-based loans[edit]

An asset based business line of credit is usually designed for the same purpose as a normal business line of credit - to allow the company to bridge itself between the timing of cashflows of payments it receives and expenses. The primary timing issue involves what are known as accounts receivables - the delay between selling something to a customer and receiving payment for it.[5]

A non-asset-based line of credit will have a credit limit set on account opening by the accounts receivables size, to ensure that it is used for the correct purpose. An asset-based line of credit however, will generally have a revolving credit limit that fluctuates based on the actual accounts receivables balances that the company has on an ongoing basis.[6] This requires the lender to monitor and audit the company to evaluate the accounts receivables size, but also allows for larger limit lines of credits, and can allow companies to borrow that normally would not be able to. Generally, terms stipulating seizure of collateral in the event of default allow the lender to profitably collect the money owed to the company should the company default on its obligations to the lender.[2]

Factoring receivables[edit]

Factoring of receivables, is a subset of asset-based lending (which uses inventory or other assets as collateral). The lender mitigates its risk by controlling who the company does business with to make sure that the company's customers can actually pay.[7]

Lines of credits may require that the company deposit all of its funds into a "blocked" account. The lender then approves any withdrawals from that account by the company and controls when the company pays down the line of credit balance.

Pledging receivables[edit]

Still another subset of a collateralized loan is a pledging of receivables and an assignment of receivables as collateral for the debt. In these instances, receivables are transferred to the lender when they are pledged as collateral. When the receivables are pledged as collateral, or assigned with the condition that the lender has recourse in the event the receivables are uncollectible, the receivables continue to be reported as the borrower's asset on the borrower's balance sheet and only a footnote is required to indicate these receivables are used as collateral for debt. The debt is reported as a liability on the borrower's balance sheet and as an asset (specifically, a receivable) on the lender’s balance sheet.

In some situations, the lender can actually repledge or sell the collateral the borrower used to secure the loan from the lender. In this instance, the borrower continues to recognize the receivables as an asset on the borrower's balance sheet, and the lender only records the liability associated with the obligation to return the asset.[7]


Current pricing of an Asset Based Loan ("ABL") ranges from 6-8% according to SMB Adviser. ABL has incrementally higher pricing than C&I but provides more leverage and availability to the borrower.[8]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ "Glossary: Asset based loan definition". Retrieved 13 August 2014. 
  2. ^ a b Caouette, John; Altman, Edward; Narauanan, Paul; Nimmo, Robert. Managing Credit Risk: The Great Challenge for the Global Financial Markets (2nd edtition ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 117–126. Retrieved 29 July 2014. 
  3. ^ Geisst, Charles R. (2006). Encyclopedia of American business history. Facts On File. p. 380. ISBN 9781438109879. Retrieved 18 February 2014. 
  4. ^ Smith, Mike. "EU to Stimulate Business by Boosting Asset-Backed Debt Market". Retrieved 24 July 2014. 
  5. ^ "The Ins and Outs of Asset-Based Loans". Retrieved 29 July 2014. 
  6. ^ "What Is an Asset Based Loan?". Commercial Capital LLC. Retrieved 12 August 2014. 
  7. ^ a b "Pledging vs. Factoring of Accounts Receivable". Murry State University. Retrieved 29 July 2014. 
  8. ^ SMBA ABL Lending Rates

External links[edit]