Like it or not we will probably see allot more pre packed administrations in the new year. Word from the insolvency practitioners is that the inland revenue and customs and excise are taking a tougher approach on PAYE and VAT arrears. With the traditionally quiet Christmas period and allot of businesses already struggling , I think we will potentially see a few more casualties as businesses cecome even more strapped for cash.
A prepacked administration is basically a deal whereby the business goes into administration and the following day a new company is set up to purchase the assets of the administrator. In the process the business potentially dumps a load of debt and should be more viable moving forward. Providing factoring or invoice discounting in such a process is a very specialist area and it is advisable to chat to a good broker as to which finance comapny weill provide the best funding.
I believe it can be argued justifiably for and against a phoenix company. On one hand why should any financial institution support a business which has gone bust and potentially has caused financial pain and grief to its creditors. On the other hand a phoenix business is potentially a leaner and meaner organisation , has a much better chance of trading profitably and will have saved a few jobs in the process.
Invoice financing in a prepacked administration is quite a specialist area and there are only a handful of financial organisations which can truly finance a prepack. The idea is that an invoice discounting company will take out the existing finance company prior to the pre pack. In ding so it ensures that an administrator is on the side of the directors. The new finance company will collect the debt from the old co and will in theory seamlessly finance the new co as well. A bank for example will appoint their own administarator and as a rule of thumb they wont provide a factoring or invoice discounting facility for the new co.
