Forderungsverkäufe

Forderungsverkäufe, also known as Factoring, refers to the sale of outstanding invoices or accounts receivable by a business to a third party, known as a factor. This transaction allows the selling business, the debtor, to receive immediate cash for these invoices instead of waiting for the customer to pay. The factor, in turn, takes on the responsibility of collecting the payment from the customer.

There are several types of Forderungsverkäufe. In a non-recourse factoring arrangement, the factor assumes the risk of non-payment by the customer. If the customer fails to pay, the factor bears the loss. In a recourse factoring arrangement, the risk of non-payment remains with the selling business. If the customer defaults, the selling business is obligated to buy back the invoice from the factor. Another variation is selective factoring, where the business chooses which invoices to sell to the factor.

The primary advantage of Forderungsverkäufe for a business is improved cash flow. This can be crucial for managing operational expenses, taking advantage of early payment discounts, or funding growth. Businesses can also reduce their administrative burden by outsourcing the collection process. However, there are costs associated with factoring, including fees and interest charged by the factor. Businesses must also consider the potential impact on their customer relationships if the factor's collection methods are aggressive.