The Difference Between Recourse and Non-Recourse Factoring (2024)

There are multiple benefits to factoring your invoices,most important being thatfactoring helps you increase your cash flow for things like payroll, operating expenses, taking on new business and more. Additionally, a factoring company will provide back-office support by managing your collections on any invoices you've submitted for factoring.But what happens if a customer's client (called a debtor)does not pay one of thoseinvoices? The outcome of thissituationwill depend on the type of factoring agreement you have with the factoring company.

Two Types of Factoring

There are two main types of factoring - recourse and non-recourse.Recourse factoring is the most common and means that your company must buy back any invoices that the factoring company is unable to collect payment on. You are ultimately responsible for any non-payment.

Non-recourse factoring meansthe factoring company assumes mostof the risk of non-payment by your customers. Non-recourse does not necessarily protect your company from all risk, though. There are usually stipulations associated with non-recourse factoring, andthe situations in which you are not responsible for customer non-payment are very specific.

For example, many factoring companies offer non-recourse that only applies if a debtor declares bankruptcy. And they will limit non-recourse agreements to debtors that have a good credit rating, meaning the debtorsbad credits ratings (who are at the highest risk of non-payment) aren't even eligible for non-recourse. Because non-recourseagreements typically have a higher factoring rate (sometimes by a full percentage), it's important to determine whether the higher rate is really worth the cost.

Understanding Terms

Whether your company plans to pursue recourse or non-recourse factoring, it is important to sit down with a reputable factoring company to discuss their terms. It may be to your advantage to find a factor that offers both recourse and non-recourse factoring. A factoring company with a strong credit team can also help you avoid working with customers that have poor payment histories.

Regardless of the type of account, a good factor will always make a diligent effort to collect on your invoices. Collection calls from the factor to a debtor should start 40 days after the invoice was sent and continue for several weeks. After 90 days, the factor may “recourse” the invoice back to you. The factor should, however, provide options for helping you cover the cost. The factor may withhold a portion of future cash advances or deduct cash from your reserve account. Working out an unpaid invoice should not cause your company financial hardship, as it isn't in the best interest for you or your factor.

The best option is for your company to have customers with good credit and solid payment histories. This enables you to pay lower fees for recourse factoring without worrying about the risk.

Still have questions about recourse versus non-recourse factoring? Reach out to RTS Financial today!

The Difference Between Recourse and Non-Recourse Factoring (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between Recourse and Non-Recourse Factoring? ›

Non-recourse factoring is similar to recourse factoring, but with a key difference — the factoring company assumes the risk of non-payment by the client. If the client defaults on the invoice, the business is not required to buy it back.

What is the difference between non-recourse and recourse factoring? ›

Recourse factoring is the most common and means that your company must buy back any invoices that the factoring company is unable to collect payment on. You are ultimately responsible for any non-payment. Non-recourse factoring means the factoring company assumes most of the risk of non-payment by your customers.

What is the difference between with recourse and without recourse? ›

There are two types of debts: recourse and nonrecourse. A recourse debt holds the borrower personally liable. All other debt is considered nonrecourse. In general, recourse debt (loans) allows lenders to collect what is owed for the debt even after they've taken collateral (home, credit cards).

What is the difference between recourse and non-recourse invoice discounting? ›

If your customers fail to pay, the invoice discounting provider can ask you to repay the advance, plus interest and fees. Recourse invoice discounting is usually cheaper and easier to access than non-recourse invoice discounting, but it also exposes you to more risk.

What is the difference between non-recourse and limited recourse financing? ›

The lender of a non-recourse loan is only entitled to repayment from specific assets and cash flows. Limited recourse debt gives the lender a limited amount of recourse to the borrowers other assets. Non-recourse lending is common in project finance.

What is the advantage of non-recourse factoring? ›

The main advantage of non-recourse plans is that the factoring company absorbs the loss of advance, if your customer does not pay due to a credit reason. Factoring companies use different rules to define what is a qualifying 'credit reason'.

What is an example of recourse factoring? ›

An example of Recourse Factoring

Let us assume that company A sells ₹1000 worth of goods to Company B, which will pay company A back after three months. Now, company A sends a copy of an invoice to company C, a factoring company, which transfers ₹800 to company A on the same day.

What is the difference between selling with recourse or without recourse? ›

"Without recourse" means without liability. All sales agreements entered into by a buyer and seller contain rights and responsibilities for both parties. A sale without recourse means the buyer accepts all risks associated with the purchase. This often occurs when items are sold "as is" without any guarantees.

What is the difference between recourse and non-recourse guarantor? ›

Recourse – Higher risk for borrower (or guarantor) as personal assets beyond the collateral are at risk. Non-Recourse – Higher risk for lender as lender is limited to the collateral as its only means of recovery.

What is the difference between recourse and nonrecourse investopedia? ›

A recourse loan allows a lender to pursue additional assets when a borrower defaults on a loan if the debt's balance surpasses the collateral's value. A non-recourse loan permits the lender to seize only the collateral specified in the loan agreement, even if its value does not cover the entire debt.

What is the meaning of non-recourse? ›

Legal Definition

non-recourse. adjective. non-re·​course. ˌnän-ˈrē-ˌkȯrs, -ri-ˈkȯrs. : of, relating to, or being a debt whose satisfaction may be obtained on default only out of the particular collateral given and not out of the debtor's other assets.

When to use without recourse? ›

In financial transactions, the words "without recourse" disclaim any liability to the subsequent holder of a financial instrument. Thus, endorsing a check and adding "without recourse" to the signature means that the endorser takes no responsibility if the check bounces for insufficient funds.

What is the difference between non-recourse factoring and recourse factoring? ›

Non-Recourse Factoring: What's the Difference? With recourse factoring, you're responsible for the debt if your customers don't pay. With non-recourse factoring, the factoring company accepts the loss for nonpayment.

What is the difference between recourse and non-recourse patient financing? ›

The central distinction between recourse and non-recourse financing is that the lender assumes the risk of default in non-recourse loans whereas the financing firm will return non-performing recourse accounts to the healthcare provider, who retains control over how the delinquent patients are handled.

What does non-recourse mean in a contract? ›

Nonrecourse refers to a type of debt where the creditor may only look to the collateral to satisfy the unpaid loan, and not the debtor's personal assets (as with a recourse loan).

What are the benefits of non-recourse financing? ›

The primary benefit of non-recourse loans is that they provide a greater degree of protection for the borrower. Without a personal guarantee, the lender cannot seize the borrower's personal assets if they default on the loan.

What are the disadvantages of non-recourse financing? ›

Non-recourse loans are riskier for lenders, which means they are more difficult to qualify for and carry higher interest rates. Recourse loans are riskier for buyers but they offer lower interest rates.

When can a non-recourse loan become a recourse loan? ›

A non-recourse loan can become a recourse loan in several situations, including: Fraud. The misapplication of funds.

What is the risk of non-recourse factoring? ›

In non-recourse factoring, the factor takes on the bad debt risk. It accepts specified risks around the debtor's failure to pay, but it does not insure against debts that are unpaid because of genuine disputes. Because of this, non-recourse factoring will be more expensive than recourse factoring.

How much does non-recourse factoring cost? ›

Cost of Non-Recourse

There is a small additional charge for the protection that comes with non-recourse. This is called the CPE or "credit protection element" and typically starts from about 0.4% (+ VAT if applicable) of the value of invoices factored.

What is recourse factoring with example? ›

Recourse is a type of Factoring that happens when an entity has to sell the invoices to the client (factor) with the condition that the entity will purchase back any invoices that remain uncollected. It means that the factor (client) is not taking any risk of the uncollected invoices in recourse.

Does a partner get basis for nonrecourse debt? ›

Thus, when a partnership liability is nonrecourse but is owed to a lender (or guarantor) affiliated with a partner, the partner affiliated with the lender (or guarantor) is treated as having 100% of the economic risk of loss and is allocated all of the liability for basis purposes.

What is the best factoring company? ›

With competitive rates and a quick cash advance process, FundThrough is our choice for the best overall factoring company. The company has been in business since 2014 and has helped thousands of small businesses meet their funding needs.

What is qualified nonrecourse financing? ›

(B) Qualified nonrecourse financing For purposes of this paragraph, the term “qualified nonrecourse financing” means any financing— (i) which is borrowed by the taxpayer with respect to the activity of holding real property, (ii) which is borrowed by the taxpayer from a qualified person or represents a loan from any ...

What are the two types of invoice factoring? ›

Recourse and non-recourse factoring arrangements differ in liability to the business looking to factor receivables. Knowing the difference between these two will help shape your overall business as well as cash flow strategies.

Is my loan recourse or nonrecourse? ›

There are 12 states that, by law, only allow nonrecourse loans. These are known as “nonrecourse states,” and they include Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.

What is a non-recourse factoring fee? ›

As you research factoring companies, you may find that non-recourse factoring companies often charge a higher rate because they are taking on more risk. Typically non-recourse factoring rates start at 2% and can go as high as 6%.

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