Practical business guides

What Belongs in a Canadian Business Financing Package?

Amati Capital Partners · October 23, 2026

A useful financing package connects the amount requested to a clear use of funds and a credible repayment plan. It explains the business, reconciles historical results with forecasts and shows how liquidity behaves if the plan falls behind.

Make the request specific

State the amount, purpose, proposed timing and funding sources. Separate acquisition consideration, capital expenditure, working capital, fees and contingency. Explain the owner's contribution and which parts of the request need a term facility, revolving credit or another structure. A lender should be able to follow each dollar from source to use.

Provide reliable historical information

Prepare financial statements, current interim accounts, aged receivables and payables, existing debt and security details. Explain material changes in margins, customer concentration, receivable collection and inventory. Where adjustments are proposed, show the evidence rather than presenting an unexplained normalized number.

Build a forecast from operating assumptions

Connect revenue to contracts, volumes, pricing and capacity. Model costs, capital expenditure, tax payments, debt service and collection timing. Monthly cash-flow visibility is especially useful where seasonality, construction schedules or growth create uneven funding needs. Label assumptions and reconcile the forecast's starting point to current information.

Show the downside and the response

Test slower collections, lower margins, delayed revenue and higher costs. Explain the resulting liquidity need and the actions management could take. A useful downside case shows both the problem and a realistic response; it does not simply reduce every line by the same percentage.

Compare terms beyond the interest rate

Review amortization, maturity, covenants, security, guarantees, reporting requirements, fees and prepayment conditions. Model the proposed facilities together with existing commitments. Confirm document interpretation with appropriate advisers. A lower rate may not compensate for a structure that leaves insufficient liquidity.

Coordinate the lender conversation

Create one consistent package with clear document ownership and a list of open questions. Requirements differ by lender, business and transaction. Amati can help organize the financing case, challenge assumptions and prepare management for discussions with capital providers; approval and terms remain the provider's decision.