ACCOMPLISHED UNDER

THE
GUIDANCE OF
Dr. FATEH BAHADUR SINGH SIR

Dr. F. B. SINGH

DIPANVITA YADAV

PROFESSOR

ROLL NO. 18

COMMERCE FACULTY

MFM- 4th SEMESTER

BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY

COMMERCE FACULTY

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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Ms. DipanvitaYadav, the student of Master of
Financial Management- 4th Semester; Roll No. 18,has successfully
completed her dissertation report on the topic Factoringunder my
supervision and guidance for the session 2013-2015.
During this period, she has been found sincere and dedicated
towards her work. I wish her for prosperous success and bright future.

Dr.F.B.Singh
Professor
Faculty of Commerce
Banaras Hindu University

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the preparation of this dissertation report, I have received encouragement and support from
my mentor Dr.F.B.Singh, Professor, Faculty of Commerce, Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi. I would like to express my gratitude towards him for providing his valuable support
and guidance.
Secondly, I would like to give thanks to those honourable personalities who have included
this dissertation work as a part of our course so that we can able to find out some new area to
enhance our knowledge. While working on this report, I am very much appraised by my
mentor to research on my topic Factoring. Due to him, I found the worth of my topic that
its a very new and different topic of research.
Thirdly, I would like to thank my facultys Dean Dr.A.R.Tripathi for providing us this
wonderful course and due tothe support of him and the support of Faculty of Commerce, I
am able to present my views and experience in the form of dissertation.
Fourthly, I would like to thank the authors of some books which have helped me in the
completion of my project report.
Last but not the least, I would like to thank my parents for praising and supporting me at
every stage of my life to do something better and different.
I would like to thank again the mentor by saying,Thank you sir for being the mentor of
my dissertation.....

DipanvitaYadav

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CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................... 05
2. HISTORY OF FACTORING........................................................................... 06
3. CONCEPT AND MEANING OF FACTORING................................................. 07
4. PROCESS OF FACTORING........................................................................... 08
5. PARTICIPANTS OF FACTORING................................................................. 10
6. FUNCTIONS OF FACTORING........................................................................ 12
7. TYPES OF FACTORING............................................................................... 14
8. COST AND BENEFITS OF FACTORING........................................................ 16
9. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FACTORING........................... 18
10. SBI GLOBAL FACTORS LTD........................................................................ 19
11. Factoring in india and role of reserve bank............................... 21
12. Growth of factoring industry in India............................................ 27
13. Conclusion................................................................................................. 29

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INTRODUCTION
Many financial institutions which are providing factoring services to large corporate entities,
decided to focus on small and medium enterprises due to their large contribution to the
economy as factoring help small businesses to achieve faster growth by efficient management
of their working capital.
Financing receivables with the help of factoring can help a company having liquidity without
creating a net liability on its financial condition. Although in the western countries, factoring
industry handles billions of dollars business every year, but business houses in India are still
unsure about using it as a financial tool. At the instance of RBI, a committee headed by
ShriC.S.Kalyanasundaram went into the aspects of factoring services in India. In 1991, SBI
established its subsidiary- SBI Factors Ltd.with an authorised capital of Rs. 25 Crores to
undertake factoring services.
Regular flow of working capital is needed for the smooth functioning of any enterprises.
Purchases of goods and services often delay their payments, resulting in working capital.
However, expediting the collection of accounts receivables could alleviate the difficulties of
the suppliers of goods and services. Therefore, factoring is a financial service designed to
help the companies to arrange the payment of their receivables in a better manner. Factoring
is extensively used in developed countries.
Factoring grew specifically out of the need for working capital in some industries. Most of
the new firms fail due to poor cash flow management. Cash flow needs are not restricted to
start up operations only. Many established and even prosperous businesses occasionally face
a cash crunch. One solution that is rapidly growing in popularity is Factoring. Factoring
provides the means for businesses to convert receivables to cash before they are due without
retaining liability for their payment. In its inception, factors acted as commission merchants
handling goods on consignment. During the latter years of 19th century and the early years of
the present century, factors began to stop acting as sales agent for their clients. The general
factors thus gradually evolved into modern factor. The growth of factoring, the entry of
variety of financial institutions into this field, and the widespread uses of such financing in
many different lines of business are all recent phenomena, developing since the beginning of
the present century.

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HISTORY OF FACTORING
Factoring the purchase of organisations book debts by third party has its root in ancient
history.
THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF FACTORING
Prior to the 20th century a factor was a business agent included warehousing and selling of the
commodities consigned to the agent, accounting to the principals for the proceeds and
guaranteeing the credit of purchasers. Sometimes cash advances were also made to the
principals before the actual sale of goods.
According to Wood the first record of such middleman functions was about 5000 years in
ancient Iran where guarantees were issued to sellers of goods as security to assure the
fulfilment of buyers obligations. These agents sold goods in their own name on the behalf of
a principal, issued invoices, extended credit, with and without recourse to the principal and
provided other trade services.
The ancient Sumarians also provided such middleman functions as did the Assyrians who
extended the service to act as commission merchants and finance for trade caravans. The
Babylonians later introduced the concept of notification to pay specific third parties.
Whereas previously merchants borrowed cash and paid promptly for the goods, in ancient
Greece Protagoras promoted the true credit purchase pay by sundown.
During the 16th century factoring became an important means of stimulating international
trade between newly settled colonies and the respective mother countries.

HISTORY OF MODERN FACTORING

Modern factoring took hold in United States of America about 150 years ago flourishing
with the growth in the U.S. economy. The development of the American textile mills lead to
the development of factors for those mills and the growth in the factoring had been largely
tied to the growth in the textiles and apparel industry.
Pure factoring was seen as an appropriate means of servicing the needs of textiles and apparel
industry. This meant that the factor purchased outright the clients accounts receivables
without recourse to the client. In such an agreement the clients customers were notified of
the factoring arrangement, the factor managed account receivable ledger, performed credit
investigation and approval, assumed credit risks, made advances against receivables
purchased and provided advisory services.

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CONCEPT AND MEANING OF FACTORING

CONCEPT OF FACTORING
Factoring is a financial service whereby receivables are purchased by the factor and a
financial option for credit sales is effected on open account terms. Factoring is a package of
services providing integrated receivables management. Factoring is often used synonymously
with accounts receivable financing.
A lot of working capital is tied up in the form of trade debts. Collection of debts, especially
for the small scale and medium scale companies is the biggest problem. The average
collection period has been on increase. Delays in the collection process in turn lead to
liquidity problems and consequently to delay in production and supplies. The peculiar
situation in India is that a number of small units are catering to the requirements of a single
large buyer. This large buyer is always known for his procrastination in paying his small
suppliers. The crux of the problem is not so much the failure to pay altogether as the failure
to pay on time. As a result, the interest cost of financing book debts is quite heavy. The
increase in cost of capital reduces profit and competitiveness of a company particularly the
small ones in the market. Ultimately, the small unit may become even sick. To overcome this
situation, the factoring service has been conceived.
MEANING OF FACTORING
The word Factor has been derived from the Latin word Facere which means to to make or to
do. In other words, it means to get the things done. According to the Webster dictionary Factor
is an agent, as a banking or insurance company, engaged in financing the operations of certain
companies or in financing wholesale or retail trade sales, through the purchase of accounts
receivables. As the dictionary rightly points out, factoring is nothing but financing through purchase
of account receivables.
Thus, factoring is a method of financing whereby a company sells its trade debts at a discount to a
financial institution. In other words, factoring is a continuous arrangement between afinancial
institution (the factor) and a company (the client) which sells goods and services to trade
customers on credit. As per this arrangement, the factor purchases the clients trade debts including
accounts receivables either with or without recourse to the client, and thus exercises, control over the
credit extended to the customers and administers the sales ledger of his client. The client is
immediately paid 80 per cent of the trade debts taken over and when the trade customers repay their
dues, the factor will make the remaining 20 per cent payment. To put it in a laymans language, a
factor is an agent who collects the dues of his client for a certain fee.
Robert W. Johnson states, Factoring is a service involving the purchase by a financial
institution/organisation, called a factor, of receivables owned to manufacturers and distributors by
their customers, with the factor assuming full credit and collection responsibilities.
For every service that is provided by the factor to its client, it charges fees or commission (can ask for
some percentage of their sales turnover as a commission).

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PROCESS OF FACTORING
The main function of the factoring is the realization of credit sales. Once the sales transaction
completed between the firm and the buyer, the factor starts realizing the sale proceeds. The
seller enters into an agreement with a factor whereby the factor provides the facility of debt
collection. Sometimes the sellers bank is also involved in the factoring business. The seller
hands over the duly signed copy of invoice to the factor. Generally 80 per cent of the invoice
value is paid against the realization. The factor collects the service charges and discount
charge (comparable to bank interest rate) from the seller/client. The factor furnishes
periodical statement to both, the seller and the customer. The maximum debt period permitted
under factoring is 150 days inclusive of a maximum grace period of 60 days.

MODUS OPERANDI OF THE FACTORING

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A factor provides finance to his client up to a certain percentage of the unpaid invoices which
represent the sale of goods or services to approved customers. The modus operandi of the
factoring scheme is as follows:
i.

ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

vi.

There should be a factoring arrangement (invoice purchasing arrangement) between

the client (which sells goods and services to trade customers on credit) and the factor,
which is the financing organization.
Whenever the client sells goods to trade customers on credit, he prepares invoices in
the usual way.
The goods are sent to the buyers without raising a bill of exchange but accompanied
by an invoice.
The debt due by the purchaser to the client is assigned to the factor by advising the
trade customers, to pay the amount due to the client, to the factor.
The client hands over the invoices to the factor under cover of a schedule of offer
along with the copy of invoices and receipted delivery challans or copies of R/R or
L/R.
The factor makes an immediate payment up to 80% of the assigned invoices and the
balance 20% will be paid on realisation of the debt.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF FACTORING

The existence of an agreement the factor and the client are central to the function of
factoring. The main terms and conditions generally included in a factoring agreement are the
following:
i.

Assignment of debt in the favour of factor,

ii.

Selling limit for the client,

iii.

Conditions within which the factor will have recourse to the client in case of nonpayment by the trade customer,

iv.

Circumstances under which the factor will have recourse in case of non-payment,

v.

Details regarding the payment to the factor for his services, say for instance, as a
certain percentage on turnover,

vi.

Interest to be allowed to the factor on the account where credit has been sanctioned to
the supplier, and

vii.

Limit of any overdraft facility and the rate of interest to be charged by the factor.

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PARTICIPANTS OF FACTORING

THE BUYER/THE CUSTOMER

A buyer buys the material in accordance with the negotiated terms from the business entity.
He receives the delivery of goods with the invoice and an instruction to settle the amount to
the factor. If he is not able to settle the amount, he has to get an extension of time from the
factor. However, in the case of default, legal action is taken by the factor.

THE COMPANY/THE SELLER

The seller enters into MoU with the buyer. He chooses the customer invoices he wants to
factor. He sells the goods to the buyer as per the MoU. After the delivery of goods, he sends
copies of invoice, delivery challan, MoU and the instruction to make payment to the factor.
The seller receives advance payment from the factor for selling the receivables from the
buyer. Normally, this ranges from 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the invoice amount. The
remaining amount is settled as per the agreement.

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THE FACTOR/THE PURCHASER OF INVOICES OF THE SELLER

A client sends the business name, address and amount he wants to factor for a particular
business client. Credit is verified and limits are established for the business client. There is no
charge for credit validation. The seller and the factor enter into an agreement of availing the
factoring service. The factor after reviewing the invoice and other documents makes payment
to the seller. The factor receives payment from the buyer on the due dates and gives the
remaining amount due to the seller after deducting his service charges.

THE ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS

Certain documents are essential for availing the factoring service. These are:

The invoice, bills or other documents by the seller with a mention of factoring service.

A written statement by the seller to ensure that the bills are free from any
encumbrances, charges, lien, pledge, hypothecation, etc.

Deed of assignment to enable the factor to recover the money from the seller, if there
is any default.

A letter of confirmation stating that all the conditions of the sell-buy contract between
the buyer and the seller have been complied with and the transaction is complete,
should be issued by the seller.

A letter of waiver in favour of the factor is needed, if the banks have any charge over
the assets sold. The seller should arrange for the letter of waiver.

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FUNCTIONS OF FACTORING
As stated earlier the term factoring simply refers to the process of selling the trade debts of
a company to a financial institution working as a factor. But, in practice, it is more than that.
Factoring involves following functions:

1. PURCHASE AND COLLECTION OF DEBTS

Factoring envisages the sale of trade debts to the factor by the company, i.e. the client. It is
where factoring differs from discounting. Under discounting, the financier simply discounts
the debts backed by the account receivables of the client. He does so as an agent of the client.
But, under factoring, the factor purchases entire trade debts and thus, he becomes the holder
for value and not an agent; once the debts are purchased by the factor, collection of debts
becomes his duty automatically.

2. SALES LEDGER MANAGEMENT

Sales ledger management is a very important function of the factoring. Once the factoring
relationship is established, it becomes the factors responsibility to take care of all the
functions relating to the maintenance of sales ledger. The factor has to credit the customers
account whenever payment is received, send monthly statements to the customers and to
maintain the liaison with the client and the customer to resolve all the disputes. He has to
inform the client about the balances in the account, the overdue period, the financial standing
of the customers, etc. Thus, the factor takes up the work of monthly sales analysis, overdue
invoice analysis and credit analysis.

3. CREDIT INVESTIGATION AND UNDERTAKING OF CREDIT RISK

The factor has to monitor the financial position of the customer carefully, since he assumes
the risk of default in payment by customers due to their financial inability to pay. This
assumption of credit risk is one of the most important functions which the factor accepts.
Hence, before accepting the risk, he must be fully aware of the financial viability of the
customer, his past financial performance record, his future ability, his honesty, and integrity
in the business world, etc. For this purpose, the factor also undertakes the credit investigation
work.

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4. PROVISION OF FINANCE

After the finalization of an agreement and sale of goods by the client, the factor provides 80
per cent of the credit sales as prepayment to the client. Hence, the client can go ahead with
his business plans or production schedule without any interruption. This payment is generally
made without any recourse to the client. That is, in the event of non- payment, the factor has
to bear the loss of payment.

5. RENDERING CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Apart from the above, the factor also provides the management services to the client. He
informs the client about:

Additional business opportunities available,

The changing business and financial profiles of the customers of the client,

Customers view about the products of the client,

The likelihood of coming recession,

Makes systematic analysis to monitor and manage the credit recovery,

Provides information about business trends of the clients products, marketing

strategies, and competition and helps the client to assess the credit worthiness of the
customer,

Provides the facility for opening letters of credit by the client,

Audits the procedures for invoicing, delivery and dealings with sales return.

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TYPES OF FACTORING
The factoring services differ from each other depending on the agreement entered into and
the services provided. The basic service of the factor, i.e. collection of receivables and sales
ledger administration is common in all factoring services. The types of factoring are
discussed as below:
1) NON- RECOURSE FACTORING
The factor purchases accounts receivable without recourse to the client, and bears the entire
burden of collection and risk of bad debts losses. This feature is especially attractive to a
company which cannot afford extraordinary bad- debt losses.
Along with buying clients accounts receivable without recourse, factors offer a number of
other services. Primarily, among these is the lending of money against inventory. This
method of secured borrowing is often used by customers to finance temporary needs for
working funds. When the client sells inventory, it turns over the resultant receivables to the
factor and liquidates the loan.
2) RECOURSE FACTORING
The factor purchases the account receivables with recourse to the client. A client may have
made an independent decision to supply merchandise in excess of the limit the factor is
responsible for. The factor will work the receivable until a specific date (usually a set of
number of days) then turn the receivable, which could not be collected, back to the client for
resolution. There can be many creative arrangements that can be made on the basic rules for
selling with recourse.
3) NOTIFICATION FACTORING
This means that the factoring arrangement is disclosed to customers. They are advised of the
sale of the receivables and are asked to pay the factor direct. While it is a normal practice that
notification is provided in non- recourse factoring it may also occur when the factoring is
with recourse. Notification is usually required when the factors consider the client to be of
higher risk, or when for one reason or another, the probability of non- collection is greater if
the arrangement is hidden.
4) NON- NOTIFICATION FACTORING
The customer is unaware of the factoring arrangement. Payment is usually either forwarded
to the seller, as would normally be the case, or addressed to the seller but sent to the postal
address the control of the factor. Clients acceptable under this arrangement must be of lower
risk class and the accounts receivable would be of a better quality than under notification
factoring. Also, under this arrangement, the client usually remains responsible of the
collection of debts.

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5) MATURITY FACTORING
The factor pays the client on the date the invoices, or the batch of invoices, becomes due for
payment (matures). This form of factoring is suitable without a liquidity improvement need
but one that desires the non- financial services of the factor. These non- financial services
may include:

Credit risk assessment,

The establishment of credit amount and terms in respect to the risk class of the
customer,
Collection of the receivable, and
The bearing of the default risk.

6) INTERNATIONAL FACTORING
All of the services associated with the factoring, that is, credit assessment, credit
management, and collections, risk guarantees, and financing are also available to exporters
through an export factoring facility. The basic difference between it and domestic factoring is
that international factoring requires both an Export Factor and Import Factor. The Export
factor is located in the home country of the exporter, is responsible for all contacts with the
exporter, providing credit approval information, advancing funds, managing exporters
international sales ledger, remitting any funds to the exporter etc. In fact, the Export factor is
almost in a similar position to the factor in a domestic factoring situation.
Import factors, on the other hand, are responsible for credit checking, collecting funds from
the importers, and remitting funds to the Export factors, and through them their clients,
information about the market conditions in their home markets.
7) AGENCY FACTORING
The word agency has no meaning as far as factoring is considered. Under this type, the factor
and the client share the work between themselves as follows:

The client has to look after the sales ledger administration and collection work, and
The factor has to provide finance and assume the credit risk.

8) SUPPLIES GUARANTEEING FACTORING

This type of factoring is suitable for business establishments which sells goods through
middlemen. Generally, goods are sold through wholesalers, retailers or through middleman.
In such cases, the factor guarantees the supplier of goods against invoices raised by supplier
upon another supplier. The bills are assigned in favour of factor who guarantees payment of
those bills. This enables the seller to earn profits without much financial involvement.

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COST AND BENEFITS OF FACTORING

ABOUT COST

The cost structures of factoring companies vary across geographies. However, the usual
heads of costs include an interest charge for the funded amount and service fees on
transactions. Additional add-on services availed of like credit protection and collection etc.
could be charged separately depending on the package structured with the client company.
While factoring arrangements may end up being priced slightly higher for the incremental
risks involved, it would be fair to assume that the variation (compared to traditional sources)
would be fairly small.
Factor usually charge for their services in two ways:

Administration fees and finance charges. Service fee typically range from 1% to 3%
of annual turnover.

For the finance made available, factors levy a separate charge, similar to that of a
bank overdraft.

A number of conditions determine the costs of factoring service such as:

I.

The nature of the business, including considerations such as seasonal aspects, stability
of the products, whether the customer is a manufacturer or wholesaler.

II.

Annual sales volume of clients firm. As volume increases, the percentage charged
usually decline.

III.

Average size of order processed. Large orders are no more time consuming to process
than small orders and produce more revenue for the factor. Therefore, the factors
commission rate declines as the size of the individual order rises.

IV.

Creditworthiness of the clients customers. If the risk is relatively small, the factors
commission may be lower.

V.

Clients selling terms. If credit period is very lengthy, the factor must wait to collect
its receivables, this requires a higher fee.

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BENEFITS OF FACTORING
Factoring offers a number of benefits to the clients. Some of the important benefits are:
1. Elimination of bad debt a non-recourse factor will assume the risk of bad debt, thus
eliminating this expense from your income statement.
2. Professional collections - Not only will a good factor collect receivables in a professional
manner, but he will eliminate overhead associated with the collection process.
3. Unlimited capital Factoring is the only source of financing that grows with your sales. As
sales increase, more cash becomes available for you to use, which allows you to constantly
meet demand.
4. Take advantage of volume and early payment discounts With improved cash flow, you
will be in a position to take advantage of these discounts which directly affect the bottom
line.
5. No debt incurred Factoring is NOT a loan and therefore, you are not incurring any debt.
This keeps your balance sheet looking good, thereby making it easier to obtain other types
of financing or to sell the company.

6. Factoring is easy and fast The application required to establish a factoring relationship is
much simpler than other types of financing. No tax returns, financial statements, business
plans, or projections are needed.

7. No personal guarantees The company principals do not have to personally guarantee the
repayment of the funding. They usually have to guarantee against fraud or disputes, but not
against customers inability to pay.

8. Invoices are paid faster Factors generally report payment experiences to Dun & Bradstreet
or other credit agencies. A debtor who is aware of this will not want his credit impaired.
9. Credit screening A factor will provide you with credit information on new customers, thus
allowing you to make better credit decisions. Factoring may not be for everyone, but those
who are in the role of banker for their customers should at least take the time to weigh the
benefits of factoring to provide continued growth and stability.

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ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF

FACTORING
There are numerous advantages to factoring, but also some potential drawbacks, as with any
type of funding.
ADVANTAGES
Factoring provides a large and quick boost to cash flow. This may be very valuable for
businesses that are short of working capital.

there are many factoring companies, so prices are usually competitive

it can be a cost-effective way of outsourcing your sales ledger while freeing up your
time to manage the business
it assists smoother cash flow and financial planning
some customers may respect factors and pay more quickly
factors may give you useful information about the credit standing of your customers
and they can help you to negotiate better terms with your suppliers
factors can prove an excellent strategic - as well as financial - resource when planning
business growth
you will be protected from bad debts if you choose non-recourse factoring
cash is released as soon as orders are invoiced and is available for capital investment
and funding of your next orders
factors will credit check your customers and can help your business trade with better
quality customers and improved debtor spread

DISADVANTAGES
Queries and disputes may have to be referred on and may have a negative impact on your
available funding. For this reason, factoring works best when a business is efficient and there
are few disputes and queries.

The cost will mean a reduction in your profit margin on each order or service
fulfillment.
It may reduce the scope for other borrowing - book debts will not be available as
security.
Factors will restrict funding against poor quality debtors or poor debtor spread, so you
will need to manage these funding fluctuations.
To end an arrangement with a factor you will have to pay off any money they have
advanced you on invoices if the customer has not paid them yet. This may require
some business planning.
Some customers may prefer to deal directly with you.
How the factor deals with your customers will affect what your customers think of
you. Make sure you use a reputable company that will not damage your reputation.

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SBI GLOBAL FACTORS LTD. IN INDIA

ABOUT SBI GLOBAL FACTORS LTD.:

SBI Global Factors Ltd (SBIGFL), a subsidiary of State Bank of India, is Non Banking
Financial Company regulated by Reserve Bank of India. SBIGFL provides Domestic and
Export Factoring services under one roof. It is headquartered in Mumbai with 11 Branches
across India. SBIGFL aims to be India's premier factoring company.
History

SBIGFL has been created out of merger of two leading Factoring Companies viz. SBI Factors
& Commercial Services Pvt. Ltd & Global Trade Finance Ltd. in the year 2010. Post merger,
Company was renamed as 'SBI Global Factors Ltd.' with effect from 18th March 2010.
SBIGFL-Member of Factors Chain International:

SBIGFL is a Member of Factors Chain International (FCI), an umbrella organisation of

worldwide factoring companies. FCI aims to facilitate international trade through factoring
and related financial services. Currently, the FCI network has 273 Factors in 75 countries,
actively engaged in more than half of the world's cross-border factoring volume.

1. VENDOR FACTORING FACILITY

In todays scenario, many of the manufacturing companies outsource their component
manufacturing /services with a view to maintain cost effectiveness, inventory management,
etc.
Vendor Factoring Facility introduced by SBIGFL helps Vendors from SME/MSME sector.
Features of Vendor Factoring Facility:

Vendor Factoring Facility will be extended by SBIGFL to small players in the market,
supplying to those corporate having strong financials/external credit rating.

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The facility is primarily extended to Vendors with the Buyer (usually an Industry Major)
undertaking to settle the dues on the due date.

The Facility sanctioned to the Vendors will be With Recourse to them. The primary
liability to pay the invoices factored by SBIGFL will be that of the Buyer

2. EXPORT FACTORING
Need for Export Factoring:
International Business poses various risks and challenges like:

Risks arising out of non-payment, political risk, commercial risk, exchange control risks etc.

Difficulty to discover or understand the buyers financial situation.

Difficulty to understand the sovereign risks.

Lower realization in respect of sales against LCs inasmuch as the buyer is likely to deduct the
cost of establishing LCs.

Difficulties due to uniqueness of each geography with respect to currency, banking system,
local trade practices and legal system.

Customer's preference to trade in local currencies.

Resistance by most domestic banks to providing the necessary financing on export

receivables, which arise out of trade on open account terms.

Here, Export Factoring provides an attractive alternative. SBIGFL covers credit risk of the
exporter under Two Factor model of FI. Under this model, there are four parties involved in a
transaction: the exporter (seller), the domestic factoring company (viz. export factor), the
foreign factoring company (viz. import factor) and the customer (buyer).

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Two-way Export Factoring System

1. Exporter Receives Purchase Order

2. Exporter Sends Importer's information for credit approval.
3. Export Factor Checks the importer's credit worthiness through FCI partner
4. Import Factor evaluates the importer and approves a credit limit.
5. Exporter makes shipment to importer
6. Exporter submits invoice details and supporting documents
7. Export Factor makes cash advance up to 90 of factored invoices.
8. Collections are carried out by the Import Factor
9. Import Factor remits funds to Export Factor
10. Export Factor remit 10% remaining balance to Exporter's account less any charges.

3. DOMESTIC FACTORING
Domestic Factoring is a process of factoring of accounts receivables generated out of sales
within India. The Seller assigns to the Factor the accounts receivables arising out of sales to
buyers within the country on open account terms and receives payment there against to the
extent of 80-90% from the Factor, depending upon the credit terms.

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Characteristics of Domestic Factoring Receivables:

The sellers performance obligation should be completed before availing funding.

There should be a continuous sales flow on an ongoing basis with the same buyer or set of
buyer(s).

Suited for credit terms of 30-90 days.

Transactions between two parties should be on open account terms

Credit sales to a buyer to be assigned to SBIGFL on a continuous basis, once the factoring
arrangement is in place.

4. DEALERSHIP FACTORING FACILITY

Dealership Factoring will be extended by SBIGFL to the dealers (buyers) of industry majors
(Seller) within India.
Features of Dealership Factoring Facility:

Dealership factoring facility will be without recourse to the Seller. The facility will, however,
become with recourse to the Seller, in case of any commercial or quality dispute between the
Seller and the Buyer(Dealer ) or if the invoice is not accepted by the Buyer(Dealer).

SBIGFL will consider sanction of Dealership Factoring facility to the dealers, based on
strong recommendations of the Seller (Industry major) by way of a comfort letter, backed by
tripartite agreement.

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FACTORING IN INDIA AND ROLE OF RESERVE

BANK
Factoring service, which is perceived as complimentary to bank finance, enables the
availability of much needed working capital finance for the small and medium scale
industries especially those that have good quality receivables but may not be in a position to
obtain enough bank finance due to lack of collateral or credit profile. By having a continuous
business relationship with the factoring companies, small traders, industries and exporters get
the advantage of improving the cash flow and liquidity of their business as also the facility of
availing ancillary services like sales ledger accounting, collection of receivables, credit
protection etc. Factoring helps them to free their resources and have a one stop arrangement
for various business needs enabling smooth running of their business.
The Kalyanasundaram Study Group set up by the Reserve Bank of India in January 1988 to
examine the feasibility and mechanics of starting factoring organizations in the country paved
the way for provision of domestic factoring services in India. The Banking Regulation Act,
1949 was amended to include factoring as a form of business in which the banks might
engage. Reserve Bank of India issued guidelines permitting the banks to set up separate
subsidiaries or invest in factoring companies jointly with other banks. However, it was
generally felt that absence of Factoring Law was one of the major impediments in the growth
of factoring business of the country including the heavy stamp duty over assignment deed,
ambiguity in the legal rights of Factors in respect of receivables etc.
Government of India enacted the Factoring Act, 2011 to bring in the much needed legal
framework for the factoring business in the country. It has provided definitions for the terms
factoring, factor, receivables and assignment. The Act also specifies that any entity
conducting factoring business would need to be registered with RBI as NBFCs; while
exempting banks, government companies and corporations established under an Act of
Parliament, from the requirement of registration with RBI for conducting factoring business.
The Act, thus, gave clarity to the activity of assignment of receivables and also granted
exemption from stamp duty on documents executed for the purpose of assignment of
receivables in favour of Factors thereby making the business more viable. The Act also
envisages that all transactions of assignment of receivables shall be registered with the
Central Registry established under the SARFAESI Act, 2002 to reduce the possibility of
frauds and for strengthening the due diligence process for the clients.
The Act has given powers to the Reserve Bank to stipulate conditions for principal business
of a Factor as also powers to give directions and collect information from factors. Subsequent
to the passing of the Act, the Reserve Bank has created a separate category of NBFCs viz;
NBFC-Factors and issued directions for their regulation. The prudential norms as applicable
to NBFCs engaged in lending business, has also been extended to the NBFC-Factors. Further,
bank finance to factoring companies and the factoring business conducted by banks are also
regulated by the RBI.
Challenges faced by factoring sector

Though the enactment of the Factoring Regulation Act has potentially removed all the
major impediments that the factoring sector faced in the country, nevertheless, the
sector has few other items on its wish list, the primary among which are introduction

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of credit insurance in the factoring business and extending the scope of SARFAESI
Act to cover NBFCs for speedy enforcement of security interest. As regards credit
insurance, the Finance Minister, in the Union Budget 2013-14, has made an
announcement for setting up a Credit Guarantee Fund with SIDBI for factoring, with
a Rs 5 billion corpus. As far as extension of the provisions of the SARFAESI Act to
NBFC is concerned, the final call rests with the Government of India.

Low penetration of factoring business in the country still remains a challenge which
could be on account of lack of awareness among the users. With the necessary law
now in place, sincere attempts need to be made by the industry through its
associations and other fora for articulating the benefits of factoring as not just an
alternative source of finance but also an avenue for providing a bouquet of financial
services vis--vis traditional finance, to small scale industries. They should be able to
identify the untapped potential clientele, especially in various SME industry sectors,
and create awareness on how the higher cost of factoring vis--vis the traditional
finance is justifiable and cost effective for the businesses in the long run. Factoring
companies should also constantly endeavor to upgrade their expertise on both
technological front as also on the operational level for offering cost effective services
to their

Factoring in India
To you, as a provider of goods or services, this is a process where India Factoring pre-pays
against the credit invoices that you regularly raise on your established clients. In settlement of
this obligation, your clients pay India Factoring on the respective due dates directly.

How it works:

You deliver goods or services to your client and raise an invoice.

On an on-going basis, all such invoices of a pre-agreed buyer, along with supporting
trade documents are assigned to India Factoring.
India Factoring advances you a pre-payment as early as the next business day on receipt
of such documents (subject to being in order).
On settlement of the respective invoice by your buyer to India Factoring, the balance
amount (if any) is credited to your account.

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Benefits :

You benefit from predictable cash flows linked directly to performed sales.

Readily convert credit receivables to cash, as India Factoring will provide pre-payment
immediately.

On submission of complete documentation, funding normally by next business day.

Quick turnaround times ensure incremental cash flow planning and management.

India Factoring can additionally provide credit assessment on customers, new or existing.

Free monthly Account Receivable reporting, sales ledger administration and debtor
follow-up.

No additional debt created on your balance sheet.

Your "credit line" grows as your business expands. Extremely scalable form of leverage.

Possibility of outsourcing your receivables collections process, allowing you to focus on

your core business.

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GROWTH OF THE FACTORING INDUSTRY

IN INDIA
SLOW GROWTH REASONS

The overall worldwide growth in factoring is estimated at 12%. Europe has the largest market
representing 64% of the world volumes with a growth of 18% during the year. America's
growth was 10%, whereas Australia recorded impressive growth of 40%. Asia saw a fall in
volume.
The growth trends mentioned above support the fact that there is enormous scope for
expansion worldwide and India is no exception to this. The potential in India is estimated at
an annual turnover of Rs. 15000 to Rs. 20000 cr. but large portion is untapped because of the
following reasons:

Factoring is a standalone Product: Factoring is similar to Bill Discounting- What

people fail to understand is that though it is similar only in one aspect, i.e., both
provides short term finance against receivables, factoring also provides a package of
other services.

Non-Recourse factoring is almost missing: Recourse factoring only provides

financing but not credit covers, whereas in case of non-recourse factoring, in the event
of default of a customer, the factor will bear the risk of bad debt. However, the
facility, which will attract more clients, is almost missing, in India Customers are still
not aware of factoring Services: Factors have not been successful in creating
awareness about the concept of factoring. The difference between factoring and bills
discounting is still not clearly understood. The customers are still not aware of the
extra benefits and services they can enjoy through factoring; they are not demanding
these services from factoring service providers

.
Bankers do not permit their Customer to Shift their Business to Factors: Every
businessman invariably has dealings with a bank. Hence, his banker does not permit
him to shift his account receivables business to a factor, but promises to meet his
requirements.

Network of branches is poor for factoring.

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FUTURE PLANS OF GROWTH OF FACTORING IN INDIA:

The long held view that India is just a services hub is also changing fast. India's
manufacturing sector is making rapid strides and could really be the base for the next wave of
growth. There is a well-known saying in investment circles that you should invest in an
emerging economy when the first international airport is built and you should exit when the
second airport comes up i.e. exit at the first signal of over-investment. China may soon reach
the second airport stage. In the event.
1. India would make an even bigger potential growth story in the years to come. India is
evolving from a command economy focused on self-sufficiency to becoming a key
link in the global economic chain.

2. India is well positioned by geography, language, and historical association to service

customers in advanced economies. India also has historical trading links with the
Middle East and Africa as well as its own South Asian neighbors.

3. As the manufacturing base of a country expands, the scope for factoring also
increases. At the micro level, factoring is tailor-made for a company on the path of
high-octane growth; just as at the macro level it is suited for a growing economy like
India.

4. There is only one direction in which factoring can go in India: upwards. As the
awareness level about the benefits of factoring increases, factoring will spread its
wings across the length and breadth of the country.

LIMITATIONS

The basic disadvantage of is that it may lead to ruined relations with the customers
especially if factor engages in aggressive or unprofessional practices when collecting
accounts

Cost is another disadvantage; cost involved in factoring agreement may be more than
the cost of other methods of financing available in the business.

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CONCLUSION
Factoring should be used by the firms by keeping in view the financial position of the factor.
At the end it is to be concluded that factoring is now gaining its importance in India slowly
with the increase in customer's access to benefits of factoring. India's future in factoring
business seems to be luring on the facts obtained regarding the fast growth of 174 % in only 4
years .So for factoring to be successful in India government regulation/ policies need to be
modified further so that more and more private players can come forward to start up their
factoring business in India .Customer awareness about benefits of factoring is to be increased
further to fight back the global leaders in factoring business.
Factoring is nothing just financing the seller against his trade debts by the factor who is a
financial institution so that he may not face deficiency of working capital and may further go
for production process or for any other investment plan that is available before him as a
future opportunity.
Today, factoring industry in India is facing severe problems due to the absence of proper laws
and legislations although in February, 1994, RBI has permitted all banks to enter into
factoring business departmentally. Government agencies and PSUs neither promptly make
payments nor they pay interest on delayed payment. Legislation is required to
comprehensively support the establishment and operation of efficient and viable factoring
services in India. This is required to empower factors to recover money from defaulting
companies.
Proper legislation is required to exempt factoring firms from the provisions of money lending
legislations.
An open account, or open- end credit, is credit extended by the selling company under a plan
in which there is no formal documentation of the sales transactions, and the selling company
sends a regular statement to notify its customers of their outstanding credit amounts.
The knowledge about the benefits of the factoring should be made available to every business
entities especially to small scale and medium scale industries so that they can this facility at
the time of requirement of finance or any other type of services comes under the factoring.

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