Archive for June, 2009

Lucent Technologies: evaluate the asset, debt, and equity structure?

Monday, June 29th, 2009
Asset Based Lending
Brooklyn2005 asked:


Executive Summary We design and deliver the systems, software and services that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, we use our strengths in mobility, optical, access, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for our customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Our customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. We have three segments organized around the products and services we sell. The reportable segments are Integrated Network Solutions (“INS”), Mobility Solutions (“Mobility”) and Lucent Worldwide Services (“Services”). INS provides a broad range of software and wireline equipment related to voice networking (primarily consisting of switching products, which we sometimes refer to as convergence solutions, and voice messaging products), data and network management (primarily consisting of access and related data networking equipment and operating support software) and optical networking. Mobility provides software and wireless equipment to support radio access and core networks. Services provides deployment, maintenance, professional and managed services in support of both our product offerings as well as multi-vendor networks. Beginning in fiscal 2001, the global telecommunications market deteriorated, resulting from a decrease in the competitive local exchange carrier market and a significant reduction in capital spending by established service providers.This trend intensified during fiscal 2002 and continued into fiscal 2003. Reasons for the market deterioration included general economic slowdown, network overcapacity, customer bankruptcies, network build-out delays and limited availability of capital. We believe that the market for telecommunications equipment has stabilized and is starting to grow in certain areas. The growing demands of enterprises and consumers for additional services tailored to their needs is creating the need for a new convergence of networks, technologies and applications. Required 1. Using the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Lucent Technologies for September 30, 2004 and 2003, prepare a common-size balance sheet. 2. Evaluate the asset, debt, and equity structure of Lucent Technologies, as well as trends and changes found on the common-size balance sheet. 3. What concerns would investors and creditors have based on only this information? 4. What additional financial and nonfinancial information would investors and creditors need to make investing and lending decisions for Lucent Technologies? LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in Millions, Except per Share Amounts) September 30, September 30, 2004 2003 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,379 $ 3,821 Marketable securities 858 686 Receivables 1,359 1,511 Inventories 822 632 Other current assets 1,813 1,213 Total current assets 8,231 7,863 Marketable securities 636 — Property, plant, and equipment, net 1,376 1,593 Prepaid pension costs 5,358 4,659 Goodwill and other acquired intangibles, net 434 188 Other assets 928 1,608 Total assets $ 16,963 $ 15,911 Liabilities Accounts payable $ 872 $ 1,072 Payroll and benefit-related liabilities 1,232 1,080 Debt maturing within one year 1 389 Other current liabilities 2,361 2,393 Total current liabilities 4,466 4,934 Postretirement and postemployment benefit liabilities 4,881 4,669 Pension liabilities 1,874 2,494 Long-term debt 4,837 4,439 Liability to subsidiary trust issuing preferred securities 1,152 1,152 Other liabilities 1,132 1,594 Total liabilities 18,342 19,282 Commitments and contingencies 8.00% redeemable convertible preferred stock — 868 Shareowners’ Deficit Preferred stock—par value $1.00 per share; authorized shares: 250; issued and outstanding: none — — Common stock—par value $.01 per share;Authorized shares: 10,000; 4,396 issued and 4,395 outstanding shares as of September 30, 2004,and 4,170 issued and 4,169 outstanding shares as of September 30, 2003 44 42 Additional paid-in capital 23,005 22,252 Accumulated deficit (20,793) (22,795) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,635) (3,738) Total shareowners’ deficit (1,379) (4,239) Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and shareowners’ deficit $ 16,963 $ 15911

Small businesses seeking information on how Hudson Commercial Capital can help during this financial crisis can call 1.212.564-0031 or can visit

Commercial Litigation Financing

Sunday, June 28th, 2009
commercial funding
Lawsuit Funding asked:


Commercial litigation funding has become popular within the legal finance industry. There are two variations of commercial litigation funding. The first is funding for the plainitiff & second is funding for the attorney. When a lawsuit funding company provides commercial litigation financing for a plaintiff they are providing funding as a pre settlement. In laymen terms this means before a case has reached a verdict.

This type of funding can be advanced to both an individual or company. For instance if a company is in a copyright infringement case they may secure funding to help pay for fees directly or indirectly related to the legal battle. Some companies will secure funding to help pay for business expenses such as salaries & insurance benefits. Surely each company may secure funding for different reasons however the way you secure funding is consistantly the same.

No different than a company an individual who is in a dispute may also be eligible to secure commerical litigation financing. When an individual secures financing for a commercial dispute they too can use the money however they deem fit. Using the same scenario an individual may have put up tens of thousands of dollars copyrighting a product only to find out a company or another individual is producing the product without consent. The company may or may not have profit from the item regardless they are still committed copyright infringement which can adversely effect the plaintiffs ability to profit from his product.

Attorney’s can also apply for lawsuit loans for commercial litigation cases. When an attorney secures financing they oftentimes need the money to help pay for costs directly associated with the case. For instance if an attorney is fighting a copyright infringment case against a large manufacture chances are the company has hired a team of defense attorney to handle the case. Oftentimes these companies have deep pockets and willing to spend as much money litigating the case as necessary. For smaller law firms this could mean the difference of winning full compensation or going broke trying to litigate a multi-million dollar case.

Regardless of the scenario when someone decides to secure commercial litigation financing they will do so through a lawsuit funding company. Lawsuit funding is much different than a bank. A bank would never loan money against a pending lawsuit nor would they loan money on a contingency fee basis. For most pre settlement cases the loan comes as non recourse meaning you only pay back the lender if you win the case.

At LawLeaf we understand that each case is different however the process of securing lawsuit funding is the same. When we receive an application for commercial litigation financing we will process each application the same. When a plaintiff or attorney applies for lawsuit funding through LawLeaf they can expect a fast approval process with a competitive bid. While not all cases qualify, we do our best in getting each client the funding they need. For additional information on LawLeaf please visit our website today.



Lawsuit Funding Options for You

Saturday, June 27th, 2009
commercial funding
Lawsuit Funding asked:


Lawsuit funding has become increasingly popular amongst plaintiffs looking to extend their personal injury cases in hopes for larger settlements. Due to the downturn in the economy and recent job loss lawsuit funding is now becoming a more viable option. The plaintiffs that tend to use lawsuit funding as an option are those people who are strapped for cash and need help paying bills and out of pocket expenses prior to a legal case reaching a settlement.

Over the last few years, lawsuit funding has become a phenomena within the legal community. While many attorneys use lawsuit funding as a way to litigate class action lawsuits & large personal injury cases, many are advising their clients to investigate this option to help keep their case alive.  Due to the deep pockets of insurance companies and corporations, litigation can extend out for years before a verdict is reached. These companies have tenacious defense teams with deep pockets willing to hold up a verdict at all costs. Most companies will intentionally hold up a case in hopes for a lesser settlement. It is always recommended that a client never prematurely accept an offer without fully understanding the financial consequences at hand. An experienced personal injury attorney will advise his client to seek ongoing medical treatment prior to accepting a less offer.

When a company provides funding for a legal case the money does not come as a loan. Lawsuit funding is a financial arrangement between the lender or investment company and the plaintiff. A loan is defined as money that is borrowed by a person or company which will be paid back within a certain time period. Lawsuit funding is non recourse meaning money advanced to the plaintiff is contingent upon the outcome of the case. The lender cannot recover payments made if the client’s case is lost, and the client gets to keep the full amount of the advancement.

When a person decides to hire legal representation  to help fight for their legal battle they oftentimes have an arrangement to pay the attorney a contingent fee. This fee is typically a percentage of the winnings from the case. If the plaintiff wins the case, the personal injury attorney will be the first person to receive compensation. If a person decides to secure lawsuit funding as an option the lender would be the next in line to receive payment. The remainder of the monies left over would be paid directly to the plaintiff.

If the amount of money won by the plaintiff is less than what was borrowed, the finance company will receive the remaining amount of money, only after the attorney is paid their fee. The remainder balance is not paid back to the lender.

There four different lawsuit funding types include:



Pre settlement funding

Structured settlement funding

Commercial litigation financing

Law Firm loans



While alternative methods are preferred by some lawsuit funding is becoming a viable option within the legal industry.

Over the last few years, lawsuit funding has become a phenomena within the legal community. While many attorneys use lawsuit funding as a way to litigate class action lawsuits & large personal injury cases, many are advising their clients to investigate this option to help keep their case alive.  Due to the deep pockets of insurance companies and corporations, litigation can extend out for years before a verdict is reached. These companies have tenacious defense teams with deep pockets willing to hold up a verdict at all costs. Most companies will intentionally hold up a case in hopes for a lesser settlement. It is always recommended that a client never prematurely accept an offer without fully understanding the financial consequences at hand. An experienced personal injury attorney will advise his client to seek ongoing medical treatment prior to accepting a less offer.

When a company provides funding for a legal case the money does not come as a loan. Lawsuit funding is a financial arrangement between the lender or investment company and the plaintiff. A loan is defined as money that is borrowed by a person or company which will be paid back within a certain time period. Lawsuit funding is non recourse meaning money advanced to the plaintiff is contingent upon the outcome of the case. The lender cannot recover payments made if the client’s case is lost, and the client gets to keep the full amount of the advancement.

When a person decides to hire legal representation  to help fight for their legal battle they oftentimes have an arrangement to pay the attorney a contingent fee. This fee is typically a percentage of the winnings from the case. If the plaintiff wins the case, the personal injury attorney will be the first person to receive compensation. If a person decides to secure lawsuit funding as an option the lender would be the next in line to receive payment. The remainder of the monies left over would be paid directly to the plaintiff.

If the amount of money won by the plaintiff is less than what was borrowed, the finance company will receive the remaining amount of money, only after the attorney is paid their fee. The remainder balance is not paid back to the lender.

There four different lawsuit funding types include:



Pre settlement funding

Structured settlement funding

Commercial litigation financing

Law Firm loans



While alternative methods are preferred by some a settlement loan is becoming a viable option within the legal industry.



Small businesses seeking information on how Hudson Commercial Capital can help during this financial crisis can call 1.212.564-0031 or can visit

Credit Card Services and Business Loans for the Small Business

Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Business Loans
Business Local Listings asked:


To achieve financial independence, experts encourage even currently employed individuals to consider entrepreneurship. Setting up your own business, no matter how small, is touted as one of the best ways toward building the foundation for wealth. Those who are concerned about having a safety net need not take the plunge recklessly. One can start setting up a small business even while employed.  

Of crucial use to small businesses are credit card services and small business loans. The entrepreneur needs to know how to avail of these tools and how to effectively wield them for maximum business growth.

Credit Card Services

A small business would do well to get reputable credit card services in order to prosper in the current business climate. Availing of credit card services will enable it to accept both credit card and debit card payments. This is true either for brick-and-mortar businesses or internet based online businesses. After all, most consumers nowadays routinely use credit cards or debit cards for payment purposes. It only makes good business sense to be well-equipped for the needs of credit card users and debit card users as well as for the needs of customers who pay in cash.

Merchant services provide credit card services covering a wide range of solutions for the processing of credit cards and debit cards as payment options. These credit card services include traditional terminal equipment at point of sale, where credit cards or debit cards are swiped. It also includes software and high speed IP solutions for both traditional commerce and e-commerce. Credit card and debit card payments can, therefore, be accepted in person or through the internet, by phone or by fax.     

Small Business Loans

Any business – whether a small start-up business, a medium-scaled one or a big business company – will be needing an infusion of additional capital sooner or later. Additional capital is always needed for expansion, additional inventory, additional manpower, new systems, new equipment or a new physical layout.

Capital is not always easy to come by, though. The original investors’ personal coffers may have been emptied by the earlier outlays. Prospective investors may not be keen on shelling out funds in times of crisis. Businesses, therefore, have no choice but to seek business loans.

Getting business loans is a difficult process. Even small business loans are not readily approved. Be prepared to present a lot of documentation and paperwork. For small business loans, the proprietor’s personal credit history is taken into account and related references need to be submitted. Of course, the company’s financial statements are just as important in proving the feasibility of the business and its capacity to repay its business loans. Having a detailed business plan will show your business strategies and projections, demonstrating your business acumen.

Unfortunately, even with all the requirements completed, applications for business loans – including small business loans – are, more often than not, disapproved.

Solutions

Some merchant services provide a comprehensive solution for the needs of small businesses in relation to credit card services and small business loans. The set up is elegantly simple. A small business need only avail of the company’s credit card services to be eligible for merchant cash advances. These cash advances are actually small business loans, except that there is no need to go through the complicated application process for business loans. Repayment is made very easy and worry-free, too. A certain small percentage is built into the credit card processing rates to take care of the advances. This way, repayment is actually done automatically in a very affordable manner and according to income flow.

Small business owners would, indeed, be wise to look into these timely business solutions.



how does a business loan affect your credit and ability to buy a home later?

Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Business Loan
liz r asked:


My Fiance wants me to take out a business loan of $30,000 to start up his new business. I am afraid that this will later affect my ability to purchase my first home, or I will be held completely liable to pay it back and later affect my credit. Should I take out this loan and if I do how will it affect me in the long run? Or what is the best way to go about it without it affecting me too much? Please help!

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Unsecured Business Loans – solid financial foundation

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
Business Loans
Richard asked:


Unsecured Business Loans are monetary loans that are not secured against the borrower’s assets. These kind of loans have higher interest rate and do not offer collateral terms against the business loan. These loans fulfill the financial needs of small business owners easily and quickly. They are flexible and easily available without any need of collateral security. The rate of interest depends upon the degree of risk involved in the whole activity. Unsecured business loans are much cheaper and contain less risk terms to the borrowers. Unsecured business loans can be used to commence a new business as well as to expand an existing one. Prospective business plan helps to win the confidence of the lender. Unsecured business loans are meant for individuals, who need funds to their business without facing any of their assets on risk. It is one of the best options for self employed people working for  other enterprises. You can extend your business domain at any point of time. Unsecured business loans are configured in such a way, that if any business who has no regular source of income, can avail this kind of loans. These loans put a close view on all the requirements of the business. It is quite true that all kinds of unsecured loans are becoming more preferred choice to everyone, as these offer hassle free finance at affordable rates. With these loans a business owner can easily arrange the financial needs to fulfill all the external requirements of the business.

Some of the major benefits of unsecured business loans are:-

1.  These loans do not require any kinds of collateral or security.

2.  One may use these loans for personal, educational or even holiday purposes.

3.  The payment period is up to a maximum of 60 months.

4.  Simple and flexible process: This process provides you easiest way to expand your business successfully and helps to make your business more flexible.

5.  It offers more security and reliable alternative to traditional businesses.

6.  It provides fast track to successful business.

7.  Fast Approvals : the approval process is very fast and efficient. It provides more flexibility to your decision making.

8.  Easy application process: the paper work is very less.

9.  You are free to utilize the funds received for any purpose.

10. It helps to gaining experiencing rapid growth easily

11. Risk: Risk term find out the probability of occurring any event and loses included. Risk defined as qualitatively as well as quantitatively. It is an issue which leads to negative results. In case of unsecured business loans the chances of Risk are very rare.

If your business is facing any major or minor problems in smooth running just because of finance, than unsecured business loans are the best option for you. These loans are available for each industry type, it means business owners from every level of corporate world can apply for them. Well established business owners can also prefer business loan to meet the ever-increasing requirements of their business organizations.



What kinds of large business loans are out there?

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
Business Loans
puffer fish asked:


I am doing a fictional report for one of my business classes, and was wondering how a group of investors would go about acquiring loans for $100 million or more? This investment would be to buy land, a large business, hotel, etc…

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Invoice Factoring Can Save Your Business

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
Invoice Purchasing
Troy Degarnham asked:


Invoice factoring is the basic practice of selling invoices to financial factoring companies for the purpose of receiving money right away. Smaller companies often fall into the financial trap of not having available resources and therefore sell their invoices to financial agencies in order to gain working capital. This practice does not require the business to swallow more debt and in fact operates in an opposite manner. Small businesses that don’t utilize the financial tool of accounts receivable factoring acquire more debt by waiting for the accounts receivables to be paid.

Invoice factoring is typically used as a measure to avoid falling further into debt. Without this effective financial management tool many businesses have to adopt more loans or alternatively, put up more collateral for existing loans. Invoice factoring is available at a minimal fee, which makes it an attractive substitute to assuming more debt. In fact, accounts receivable factoring fees are usually set up by way of discount and these rates differ from individual company to company. The great advantage to this type of liquidation is that there are no interest fees to pay and the result is most often better profit margins.

There are many financial companies that offer invoice factoring services. The individual agencies will set up a company with the right set of accounts receivable factoring parameters. After the professionals from the invoice factoring agency assess the individual situation, they will set up the receivables to be factored and proceed accordingly.

Financial agencies that offer accounts receivable factoring are located worldwide and support every industry under the sun. Even truck drivers can sell their invoices to an invoice factoring financial service to free up capital fast. One of the most attractive aspects to an accounts receivable factoring agency is that they customize the service to each business’s individual requirements.

There are as many different types of invoice factoring agencies, as they are rates for factoring invoices. Some purchase the invoices no matter what the receivable total is and some accounts receivable factoring agencies will only liquidate invoices that accumulate more than $100, 000. Generally the higher the invoice factoring total is, the lower the rates will be to take advantage of this financial escape. In cases where the total is in excess of a hundred thousand, a solid accounts receivable factoring agency will offer rates that can be as low as two per cent!

There are many different types of invoice factoring agencies. For example, some agencies will only serve those businesses in the medical profession while others only serve purchase order factoring. There are some accounts receivable factoring agencies that are specifically designed to cater to small business and offer many great advantages that a larger agency wouldn’t necessarily offer. Despite the type of invoice factoring agency that is required for every individual business need, accounts receivable factoring typically happens within a 24 hour time period.



Small businesses seeking information on how Hudson Commercial Capital can help during this financial crisis can call 1.212.564-0031 or can visit

Can an Invoice Factoring Company Help You?

Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Invoice Purchasing
Marco Terry asked:


Sooner or later, every business will need financing to grow. Most owners will try to qualify for venture capital or angel financing. Others will try to get a business loan or line of credit, since business loans are popular with business owners.

All these business financing tools work well, but they also have a very important trait in common. They are hard to get and out of reach for most owners.

There is an alternative way of financing your business growth. Financing that is easy to qualify for, quick to set up and very cost effective. Not only that, it’s financing that grows with your business. And most of the time, you won’t get it from your local bank. This form of financing is called invoice factoring and you can get it from a factoring company.

Factoring is different than a bank loan and it works well if your biggest problem is that you can’t wait the 30 to 60 days that commercial clients take to pay their invoices. Basically, invoice factoring cuts the payment time to two days.

Factoring is simple. The factoring company buys your invoices (at a small discount) and pays you for them immediately. Then, the factoring company waits to get paid by your client. The net result: you get immediate working capital to pay business expenses and grow. You also eliminate the stress of having to wait to get paid and can count on a predictable cash flow.

As a form of financing, factoring offers two very distinct advantages over bank loans. First, it’s very easy to qualify for. Your main requirement is that you do business with strong commercial clients (or the government). Second, factoring financing grows with your business. As your invoicing grows, so does your financing. This enables you to easily cover the increasing costs of running a business that is growing.

A similar type of financing that is also offered by factoring companies is purchase order financing. Purchase order financing provides you with financing based on your purchase orders from large commercial clients. Purchase order financing is ideal for re-sellers and distributors that are growing quickly.

Whether you need financing because your customers pay you in 60 days or because you have a large purchase order from your biggest client, a factoring company will be able to offer alternatives to traditional financing.



How to contact small business loan department of a bank to sell them online advertisement?

Saturday, June 13th, 2009
Business Loan
happyceo asked:


My online business provides a steady stream of companies looking for business capital and business loans. I want to contact the small business loan department of a bank, such as Bank of America, Capital One, American Express, and sell them membership (if they are a member, they can see hundreds or even thousands of hot prospects every month). How do I find the contact phone and person? I contact customer service of Bank of America but they don’t give the contact information to me. Besides, should I contact their e-commerce marketing department, or the loan department, or both?