BILLS OF EXCHANGE
Bills of Exchange are a source of finance in particular in the export trade. A Bill of Exchange is an unconditional order in writing addressed by one person to another requiring the person to whom it is addressed to pay to him as his order a specific sum of money. The commonest types of bills of exchange used in financing are accommodation bills of exchange. For a bill to be a legal document; it must be
a) Drawn by the drawer.
b) Bear a stamp duty
c) Acceptable by the drawee
e) Mature in time.
It is used to raise finance through:
i) Discounting it.
ii) Negotiating
iii) Giving it out as security.
Advantages of Using a Bill as a Source of Finance
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They are a faster means of raising finance (if drawer is credible).
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Is highly negotiable/liquid investment
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Does not require security
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Does not affect the gearing level of the company
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It is unconditional and can be invested flexibly
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It is useful as a source of finance to finance working capital
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It is used without diluting capital.
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