TSL Feature Articles

As we make it to week seven of the coronavirus pandemic, it is hard not to reflect on this incredible period in history. The pandemic and the associated COVID-19 virus are an enigma that is bringing the world economy seemingly to its knees. First the virus was dismissed by the Western world as a mere flu-like illness originating in Asia, then an epidemic that might disrupt the Chinese economy, then an Italian problem, a cruise ship issue, a Washington state complication, and a New York dilemma. Now, it has finally been recognized for the major world concern that it is. The coronavirus has erupted into a global pandemic with over three million cases that will likely have a global and possibly U.S. pandemic-related death toll second only to the Spanish flu of 1918. We already know that this pandemic will have the greatest impact on the global economy since perhaps the bubonic plague of 1342, also known as the Black Death.

On April 30, 2020, the Federal Reserve updated its Main Street Loan Program (“MSLP”) terms based on thousands of comments (including comments from Secured Finance Network) submitted since the program was initially announced on April 9, 2020.  Several important updates were made to the MSLP, though many changes of interest to asset-based lenders were contemplated but not fully developed in this new guidance.[1]  In particular, asset-based lenders will likely need to consider the impact of MSLP terms described below on existing financing structures, such as the pari passu treatment of collateral, which could dilute existing lender security in some cases, the continued reliance on EBITDA and risk ratings as metrics for determining borrower eligibility and the restrictions on assignments by MSLP lenders.

We all want to return to normal, or the new normal, as quickly as possible.  The question businesses and their stakeholders need to ask themselves is what does normal mean and how can the return be funded.

For most companies, their working capital has been depleted during the shutdown as they struggled to pay employees and keep vendors satisfied, while dealing with impacts to sales and accounts receivable.

On April 30, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced that it is expanding eligibility to participate in the Federal Reserve’s Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (the “PPPLF”) to all lenders eligible to originate Paycheck Protection Program loans.[1]  The PPPLF permits eligible PPP lenders to pledge PPP loan notes to the Federal Reserve in exchange for a low interest, non-recourse loan from the Federal Reserve in the amount of the pledged PPP loan note. 

Program Update

When originally announced, the PPPLF was only available to PPP lenders that are depository institutions.  Now, all PPP lenders approved by the SBA, including banks, credit unions, Community Development Financial Institutions, members of the Farm Credit System, small business lending companies licensed by the SBA, and some financial technology firms, are eligible to participate in the PPPLF. 

The data in this Annual Factoring Industry Survey presents results from a period that now seems like a distant memory. Sitting down to write commentary was very challenging. Commenting on the past year seemed moot; and attempting to correlate or speculate on the future of our industry seems a fools’ errand.

One thing to keep in mind is that receivables factoring is a an “all-seasons competitor” in the world of finance.  Factoring is a product that has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, and so I am confident that it, like our economy, will weather the current stormy global conditions stemming from the pandemic. In fact, it is more likely that the industry will grow and thrive during this time of stress and uncertainty. The very design and nature of accounts receivable factoring is ideally suited for providing liquidity to businesses in times of financial, operational stress and uneven cash flow.

New to working from home? Check out a few quick tips from ENGS Commercial Finance to help transition from working in-office to working at home.

The following interview is a transcript from SFNet YoPro Committee member Avi Levine interviewing Rob Meyers, president, CCO & managing member of Republic Business Credit, in April 2020. Rob previously served as chair of SFNet's National Young Professionals Committee and spearheaded the YoPro Annual Leadership Summit, now in its third year. We hope you enjoy getting to know the industry’s young professionals.