By Jennifer Dubose

Banking Secrets for Manufacturers: How to Secure the Cash You Need, Ep #12

How do you secure the cash you need to run your manufacturing business? 

In this episode of Buy the Numbers, I sit down with Dan O’Keefe, Senior Vice President at Busey Bank, to explore the crucial steps in securing a line of credit for your business. If you’re a manufacturer looking for financing, this episode is packed with essential advice on how to prepare.

We walk through the specific financial documents you need to have in order when applying for a line of credit, from profit and loss statements to accounts receivable aging reports. Dan explains what banks are looking for and why these documents are key to getting approved.

Beyond just having the right documents, we discuss how to make your business more attractive to banks. Dan shares insights into what banks want to see in your financials, such as strong cash flow, solid inventory management, and the ability to manage receivables.

We also dive into the importance of building a strong relationship with your banker. A solid connection can help smooth the process, ensuring that your banker understands your business and your specific needs for credit.

Whether you’re applying for your first line of credit or expanding an existing one, this episode will give you the tools you need to successfully navigate the application process and secure the capital to grow your business.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

  • (0:00) Learn about Dan O’Keefe, Senior Vice President at Busey Bank
  • (6:21) How to build a strong, positive connection with a bank
  • (7:38) What information does a bank need from you?
  • (11:29) What is a borrowing base? 
  • (12:35) The impact of customer payment terms
  • (17:58) What does it mean to “underwrite” a customer? 
  • (20:06) How a bank calculates the amount of credit available
  • (22:01) The impact of customer concentration on credit lines
  • (25:03) Red flags that banks look out for 
  • (27:44) How banks look at inventory (raw materials, WIP, and finished goods)
  • (32:11) Using a line of credit as a backup for payroll
  • (36:43) How to prepare for a line of credit request 

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