Trade Finance has become an increasingly important source of working capital given that banks have restricted supply of cash. But suppliers are becoming more concerned in relation to the possibility of bad debts. An obvious solution is insurance. Important for you is to examine your Credit Profile and ensure it is accurate and fair. You may need to engage with an expert to improve your status so as your suppliers can obtain cover to support the credit they give to you. Your accountant should be able to assist you in this regard. The central focus of business at the moment is cash flow management, a central part of our business is assisting others source and manage this process. Companies are poorly served if their budget consists only of a Profit and Loss budget. A cash flow/funds flow plan is necessary so as you can establish, plan for and communicate your needs. A projected balance sheet is necessary to show your bank how they can secure the provision of these needs. We have developed a comprehensive planning tool that is now the focus of client presentations to AIB, BOI, Ulster and others – and well accepted by them as a basis for a solid relationship. Invoice Discounting is a fantastic product when business is stable and growing. But when turnover is falling it extracts funds from your business. This will become a problem for you if your Debtor and Creditor days are not matched or if you are funding losses, loan repayments or capital expenditure from cash flow. Be very careful to match the use of finance with the source of finance and in particular to match the term of loan repayments with the income that derives from the related investment. If you have a mismatch, you are advised to approach your bank early and correct the issue before it creates a major problem. Your accountant should be able to assist you in this regard. A significant influence in the ability to source working capital is the opinion of credit insurance underwriters.  Insurance Underwriters directly influence the level of Invoice Discounting, Early Pay/Trade Finance facilities and trade credit that you receive. You may never directly engage with an underwriter so it is important that your published information is accurate and current, you should regularly check the credit rating agencies reviews of your business and seek to correct it if it is not fair. Where the sums are large and important to your business, you should seek to meet the underwriters and update them directly on your business. Your accountant should be able to assist you in this regard. Refinancing existing or old hire purchase / lease agreements can be an important source of working capital finance. In the current environment businesses are not investing in new plant or equipment, but are renewing and maintaining old “as good as new”. Certain banks are willing to refinance old equipment (five years or less) at circa 60% of the current value.