One of the tends we see in business is that buyers are finding third party finance hard to achieve as the banks are unwilling lenders currently. Vendors are stepoping up to meet this gap providing vendor finance.

If you are looking at vedor finance, what should you consider?

Our legal partners LegalVision offer this advice….

Vendor finance happens when the person selling a business also funds part of the purchase price. The buyer pays an initial amount upon settlement and then meets the balance (including interest) over an agreed period of time with regular repayments. Using vendor finance in the sale of a business can present various risks. It can also present opportunities for buyers and sellers. This article will explain:

when you should use vendor finance;
risks for the vendor;
terms of the agreement;
type of security;
other requirements; and
directors’ guarantees.

When Should You Use Vendor Finance?

Vendor finance may be appropriate when, for example, the purchaser is having problems getting a bank to finance the purchase of the business. While these arrangements are not always the most desirable option for the selling party, sometimes this type of funding allows the vendor to get the price it is looking for.

Risks Related to the Vendor

If the purchaser defaults on its repayments, there is an obvious financial risk to the seller providing vendor finance. There are a number of effective methods for minimising the risk. This includes making sure that the:

loan agreement is properly drafted by an experienced commercial lawyer;
‘repayment’ clause and ‘interest rate’ provision are appropriate for the loan;
loan is secured by the business’ assets; and
vendor does not provide too much finance, as this may reduce the buyer commitment to the business based on its investment.

Terms of Vendor Finance Loan Agreement

In a vendor finance arrangement, the parties’ lawyers will usually incorporate the following terms into any loan agreement:

how much is being borrowed;
what the interest rate will be (typically between 7%-12% annually);
the repayment time schedule (e.g. every month, etc.);
the term of the loan agreement (typically 1-2 years);
form of the loan (e.g. interest-based only, etc.);
how financial reports will be provided; and
securities and how they will be provided.

The parties usually incorporate these terms into a contract of sale, or otherwise draft them into a separate loan agreement.

Type of Security the Vendor Should Require

The vendor should make sure that it is adequately protected in the event that the buyer is unable to meet the repayment schedule deadlines and defaults. Security may include things like a:

mortgage covering particular business assets (chattel mortgage);
charge over the assets of the buyer’s company (general security agreement); or
mortgage over property owned by the buyer.

It is also a good idea to have the buyer (and its directors) provide personal guarantees so that you are not relying solely on the buyer.

Make sure that any potential security has enough equity in case it needs to be used by the vendor.

Other Requirements of a Buyer

A vendor might also require the buyer to do any of the following:

enter into a deed of priority, which would give the seller priority against third party lenders. This means the vendor is “first in line” in terms of debt repayment;
have a certified accountant draft a statement of assets and liabilities so that the securities attached to the vendor finance loan agreement can be verified;
limit their ability to share the business’ profits until the seller has received full repayment under the repayment schedule of the agreement; and
grant power of attorney to the vendor in the event of a default. This will allow the vendor to regain control over any licences for the business, which the buyer will need to lawfully operate the business.

Under any company charge (when one party has an interest in another party’s assets), a fundamental right of secured creditors is the ability to appoint a receiver.

A receiver usually runs a company to try and maximise its assets, but will collect/sell the charged assets to service the debt owed to the seller. This might mean selling off particular assets or the entire business. Either way, the receiver’s primary duty is owed to the secured creditors or the company.

Directors’ Guarantees for Vendor Finance

Obtaining directors’ guarantees allows the vendor to pursue the directors personally if there has been a default.

The seller can only rely on a director’s personal guarantee when they have assets to service the debt.

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Understanding vendor financing