Project
financing is a process of financing large capital-intensive projects having
a long gestation period. The lenders providing such finance are dependent
on the assets created for the project as a means of security, and the cash flow
is produced by the project as a source of fund for refunding their dues.
Basically,
project finance is fundamentally financing on the project security itself, with
no recourse or limited against the project sponsors or other parties that are
involved in the implementation and development of the project. Due to such
features of project finance, the finances required by the borrowers are
constantly accepted by the lender on the basis of strong-in house examination
of the cost and feasibility of ventures in addition to credit standing of
project promoters.
Note: In
project finance, the mortgage is repaid from the earned cash flow of the
subjected projected instead of from the creditworthiness of the project
sponsors or from the general assets. This mortgage is secured by the assets of
the project, comprising of revenue-producing contracts. The other point is that
the lenders are specified a lien on project assets and can assume the control
of subject if the project company has some difficulties in complying with the
terms of the loan.
For
What Types of Projects for Finance Can Be Used?
Project
finance largely covers industrial projects, construction ventures or other
infrastructure projects. Capital intensive business diversification and
expansion in addition to the replacement of equipment is also covered under the
project finance.
An
understanding of the conceivable money streams into a specific project and the
conceivable expenses streams out of the same is vital to the finance structure.
Such understanding would be based on an examination of the legal framework
leading the project, complete project documentation including approvals of the
government with regard to implementation and financing of the project and the
finance documents.
The
Importance
A
detailed description regarding the importance of project finance is described
as below:
- Non-Recourse
The
usual project financing constitutes of a loan to allow the sponsor to construct
a project where the loan is entirely ‘non-recourse’ to the sponsor, which
implies that the sponsor is not responsible for making payments on the project
loan, in case revenues produced by the project is not sufficient to cover the
principal and interest payments on loan. For minimizing the risks that are
related with a non-recourse loan, the lender will need indirect credit support
typically in the form of warranties, guarantees and other covenants from the
sponsor, its associates and third parties involved in the project.
- Maximum Leverage
In
project financing, typically the sponsor seeks to finance the development cost
and construction of a project on a high leverage basis. Normally, such costs
are financed by using 80% to 100% debt. High leverage in non-recourse project
financing enables the sponsors to finance the project deprived of its equity
investment in the project. In such situations, reductions are done in the cost
of capital by substituting low-cost, tax deductible interest for high-cost,
taxable returns on equity.
- Off-Balance Treatment
Reliant
on the structure of Project Finance, the sponsor of the project
might not be required for reporting any debt in the project on its balance
sheet since such debt is non-recourse to the sponsor. Off-balance sheet
treatment might possess the practical benefit to aid the sponsor complying with
restrictions and covenants regarding borrowing funds contained in other credit
agreements to which the sponsor is a party.
- Maximize Tax Benefit
Structuring
project finance is essential for maximizing the tax benefits and to guarantee
that all the possible tax benefits are utilized by the sponsor or transferred,
to the permissible extent to another party through a partnership, lease or
other project development vehicle.
The
Limitations
Financing
of a project is a very complicated procedure. It takes a period of time to
structure document and negotiate project financing instead of traditional
financing. Also, the fees and associated expenses related with project
financing are very high. As the risk interpreted by the lenders is more in
non-recourse project finance than traditional finance, the cost of capital is
also greater than traditional finance. For more information of Property
Development Finance, Mezzanine Finance and Preferred Equity visit here :
https://www.challiscapital.com.au/