Blog
what-is-purchase-order-financing
November 17, 2023
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7
min read
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Written by: 
Nikolaus Hilgenfeldt
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Category:
Finance

Purchase Order Financing - What It Is and How to Get It

Did you get a massive order but not the cash to fill it? Then, you should consider purchase order financing – the ultimate solution for your business.

It helps you tackle big orders without draining your bank account, and you only pay when your customer settles the bill.

No more sweating over inventory gaps or waiting on payments – it's the stress-free way to turn opportunities into profits.

Ready to level up your business game?

Let’s begin!

What is Purchase Order Financing?

At its core, purchase order financing (PO financing)  is a mechanism that allows businesses to secure funds to pay suppliers for goods required to fulfill outstanding customer orders.

This form of financing is particularly beneficial for small businesses dealing with an influx of orders that exceed their current financial capacities and prefer an alternative to traditional small-business loans.

PO Financing Process 

The purchase order financing process involves multiple parties working collaboratively:

1. Your Company (the borrower): The entity seeking financing to fulfill a purchase order.

2. Purchase Order Financing Company: The financing provider verifies the purchase order and disburses funds to the supplier.

3. Supplier: The third party responsible for supplying or manufacturing the goods for resale or distribution.

4. Customer: The end customer seeking to purchase the goods.

purchase-order-finance

The sequential steps in the process are as follows:

1. Receiving a Purchase Order:

Imagine your business receives a substantial order from a customer. However, you realize your existing inventory or available funds are insufficient to fulfill this order.

2. Cost Determination:

To determine the financial requirements, you communicate with your supplier to ascertain the costs of producing and delivering the goods specified in the purchase order.

3. Application for Purchase Order Financing:

Once you decide to pursue purchase order financing, select a suitable financing company, submit an application, and await approval. The application typically includes the purchase order and the supplier's cost estimate.

4. Approval and Payment to Supplier:

Upon approval, the purchase order financing company pays your supplier, covering the costs required to manufacture and deliver the goods.

5. Goods Delivery to the Customer:

The supplier ships the goods directly to the customer, completing the fulfillment process.

6. Invoicing the Customer:

After the customer receives the goods, you issue an invoice and send a copy to the purchase order financing company.

7. Customer Payment to Financing Company:

The customer makes payment directly to the financing company, covering the full invoice amount.

8. Deduction of Fees and Fund Transfer:

Following customer payment, the purchase order financing company deducts its fees and transfers the remaining funds to your business.

Who Can Use Purchase Order Financing?

Any business that receives customer orders through purchase orders can employ purchase order financing. This need typically arises in business-to-business models like wholesale companies or distributors.

Example

Scenario: A Growing E-Commerce Business

Imagine you run a small e-commerce business experiencing rapid growth. You receive a substantial order for a popular product, but your current cash flow is tied up in existing inventory, and you lack the funds to produce the required units.

  • Purchase Order Receipt: Your business receives a significant order for 10,000 units of a popular item.
  • Cost Determination: You consult with your supplier, who provides an estimate of $100,000 to manufacture and deliver the requested units.
  • Application for Financing: Recognizing the need for additional funds, you apply for purchase order financing with a reputable provider, submitting the purchase order and the supplier's cost estimate.
  • Approval and Payment: The financing company approves your application and disburses $100,000 directly to your supplier to commence production.
  • Goods Delivery: The supplier produces and delivers the 10,000 units directly to your customer.
  • Invoicing: You issue an invoice to the customer for the delivered units, with a copy sent to the purchase order financing company.
  • Customer Payment: The customer, satisfied with the delivered goods, makes payment directly to the financing company.
  • Fee Deduction and Fund Transfer: The financing company deducts its fees, say 3% per month and transfers the remaining balance to your business account.

How to Get Purchase Order Financing:

Numerous companies offer purchase order financing, and their application and approval processes certainly differ. But here is what the most common process looks like:

1. Assess Your Funding Needs:

Before applying, assess your funding needs. Understand the costs of fulfilling the purchase order, including production, shipping, and additional expenses.

2. Identify a Reliable Purchase Order Financing Company:

Research and identify reputable purchase order financing companies. Consider factors such as their track record, customer reviews, and transparency in their fee structure.

3. Submit Your Application:

Once you've selected a financing company, submit a comprehensive application. Include details such as the purchase order, the supplier's cost estimate, and any other information the financing provider requires.

4. Wait for Evaluation and Approval:

The financing company evaluates your application, considering factors like your business's qualifications, supplier reputation, and customer creditworthiness.

The financing amount is determined if approved, often covering a percentage of the supplier's costs.

5. Supplier Payment Process:

Upon approval, the financing company directly pays your supplier, initiating the production and delivery of the goods.

6. Customer Payment Process:

Once the customer receives the goods, they make payment directly to the financing company, covering the invoiced amount.

7. Fee Deduction and Fund Transfer:

After customer payment, the financing company deducts its fees and transfers the remaining balance to your business account.

Pro Tip

An artificial intelligence system analyzes your product data, considering price history, competition, and visibility, to determine the financing volume and interest rate.

It's crucial to note that these determined amounts specifically reflect the financing volume and should not be mistaken for the total repayment obligation. 

The financing volume is independent of the purchase price and may vary.

myos-example-of-financing-process

We prioritize the following criteria:

  • Your company must have a registered office in Germany, Austria, Cyprus, or the United Kingdom (UK), and it should not be a shell or shelf company.
  • Your company should have a minimum of 6 months in business.
  • Your company must have a track record of selling goods for at least 50 days.

Rest assured, we aim to review your financing request within 24 to 72 hours. If urgency is a concern, simply inform us, and we can expedite the process with our turbo gear.

Myos Purchase Order Financing Example 

Let's consider a real-world example to provide insights into the steps involved:

❗ Problem: You're running an eCommerce business selling high-demand gadgets, and with the holiday season just around the corner, you're gearing up to place a substantial order worth over €100,000 with your manufacturer.

However, the cash flow hurdle kicks in – from paying the manufacturer to production and finally to the products arriving in your inventory. It's a five-month waiting game where your invested money isn't working for you.

purchase-finance-how-it-works-myos

💡 Solution: You initiate the bulk order with your supplier, and Myos takes care of the down payment and/or balance payment. The order is smoothly delivered to your warehouse service provider.

As a bonus, you receive a complimentary quantity of gadgets, allowing you to kickstart sales immediately.

Need more stock? No problem – you can repay a portion of the financing amount, and the additional gadgets are released to sell.

Thanks to Myos, your business has overcome the cash flow bottleneck and set the stage for remarkable growth, ensuring you're fully prepared for the upcoming peak season.

Cost Analysis of Purchase Order Financing

Understanding Fees

While purchase order financing offers a lifeline for businesses facing cash flow challenges, it's essential to comprehend the associated costs. 

Purchase order financing fees typically range from 1% to 6% per month, calculated on a per-30-day basis. However, these seemingly reasonable fees can escalate, especially if the customer delays invoice payment.

Calculating the True Cost

It's crucial to calculate these fees into an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) to gauge the true cost of financing. For instance, if a financing company charges 3% per month and it takes the customer 60 days to pay the invoice, the effective APR would be 6%, significantly higher than the monthly rate.

Example

To illustrate the impact of fees on the overall cost, look at the following example of the fictional store.

  • ABC Electronics secures a large order worth $200,000 from a retailer. 
  • The purchase order financing company charges a fee of 2% per 30 days.
  • If the retailer takes 30 days to pay, the fee is $4,000 (2% of $200,000).
  • However, if the payment is delayed to 60 days, the fees double to $8,000 (4% of $200,000).

This example emphasizes the importance of prompt customer payments to minimize the impact of escalating fees.

Pro Tip

Pay only for what you use, without any minimum commitment or fixed fees.

Myos offers a flexible payment structure where you won't be burdened by a predetermined sum, allowing you to avoid penalties for early repayment. 

The monthly fee is based on the outstanding capital, and your product scoring determines the percentage fee. Repaying the funding ahead of schedule results in lower overall costs.

You can also use the convenient cost calculator to estimate your overall cost and fees.

myos-calculation

Pros and Cons of Purchase Order Financing:

Pros

Handling Large Orders: Purchase order financing allows businesses to take on orders they couldn't otherwise fulfill, making it ideal for seasonal businesses or those experiencing rapid growth.

Ease of Qualification: Many purchase order financing companies prioritize customer creditworthiness and supplier reputation, making it more accessible for startups or businesses with credit challenges.

No Fixed Loan Payments: Unlike traditional loans, purchase order financing doesn't require monthly or weekly repayment installments, providing flexibility in managing cash flow.

Cons

❌ Costly: Despite seemingly competitive fees, the APR for purchase order financing can be considerably high, ranging from 20% to over 50%, making it an expensive option.

❌ Customer-Dependent Fees: The fees are contingent on how promptly the customer pays their invoice, making estimating the total cost upfront challenging.

❌ Loss of Control: Purchase order financing involves relinquishing control over critical processes, such as supplier payments and customer collections, potentially impacting established business processes and relationships.

PO Financing Alternatives To Consider

If purchase order financing isn't suitable for your business, explore the following alternatives:

  • Invoice Financing: This asset-based lending allows businesses to borrow against their outstanding accounts receivable. It is ideal for companies with robust revenues that need a short-term loan, such as to cover new inventory expenses.
  • Invoice Factoring: An alternative to PO financing, where a business sells outstanding invoices to a factoring company in exchange for a lump sum of cash. Perfect for businesses with numerous outstanding invoices seeking quick access to cash.
  • Merchant Cash Advance (MCA): MCA provides an advance against future credit and debit card sales. Noteworthy for its speedy approval process, often delivering needed funds within a few days.
  • Line of Credit: A flexible option that may not require collateral, offering proceeds for various purposes, including inventory purchases.
  • Term Loans: These lump sum cash advances, available from local banks and credit unions, serve as an alternative to purchase order financing, providing flexibility for different business needs.

Conclusion

Purchase order financing is a valuable financial solution for businesses, providing upfront funds to fulfill customer orders.

It is especially beneficial for companies with cash flow constraints, allowing them to accept and fulfill large orders without straining their working capital.

The advantages include improved liquidity, capitalization on growth opportunities, and increased business flexibility.

This financing option is particularly advantageous for businesses requiring timely cash injections to capitalize on market opportunities and meet customer demand.

What Can Myos Do For Your Business?

We've tailored our AI-based financing algorithm to cater specifically to e-commerce sellers, focusing on simplicity and security. Here's why choosing Myos can boost your business:

 🛡️ No Guarantees, No Personal Risk

Operate without personal guarantees, allowing you to fully concentrate on growing your business.

💸 Flexible Repayment Without Extra Costs

Repay anytime within 12 months with no additional costs. Adjust to your business needs without penalties.

🌐 No Contact with Suppliers and Customers

Myos doesn't buy or sell goods. We operate discreetly, safeguarding your competitive advantage by avoiding contact with suppliers and customers.

🚀 Quick and Easy Processing

Skip the hassle of economic analyses and lengthy paperwork. Myos focuses on your products, making the online application process quick and straightforward.

📲 Always Available for You

Enjoy the convenience of online and digital project handling with a personal touch. Reach out through chat, call, or email anytime.

📈 Sales Growth & Cost Reduction

Ensure continuous product availability and prevent stockouts. Myos provides the necessary cash flow for growth, between €10.000-2.500.000, enabling you to deliver goods without worries and boosting sales visibility.

Intrigued to learn further?

Sign up today and receive a free, non-binding offer!

FAQ

What Types Of Businesses Benefit From Purchase Order Financing?

Purchase Order Financing benefits businesses involved in the manufacturing, distribution, or resale of tangible goods. It is handy for businesses facing large, unexpected orders that strain their cash flow.

What Are the Key Advantages Of Purchase Order Financing?

  • Cash Flow Support: Helps businesses fulfill large orders without depleting their working capital.
  • Business Growth: Enables businesses to accept larger orders and capitalize on growth opportunities.
  • Flexibility: Provides a flexible financing option without long-term commitments.

Is Purchase Order Financing the Same As a Business Loan?

No, they are different. Purchase Order Financing specifically addresses the funding needed to fulfill customer orders, while a business loan provides general financing for various business needs.

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