You’ve built your business, grown your markets, hired your team. You’re profitable (or at least getting there) and you believe your bank line or asset-based facility is just another tool you don’t have to worry about… until you do.

Let’s be honest: most business owners and CFOs don’t wake up one morning thinking, “Today I’ll scramble to renew my credit facility and salvage my working capital.” But that’s exactly what happens when your lender’s renewal comes due and you’re not ready.

The problem with access to capital

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Having a live credit facility doesn’t guarantee future funding. Lenders ask hard questions that often catch business owners by surprise:

• Can you show a consistent DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) and FCCR (Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio)?

• Are you tracking and managing your accounts receivable, inventory, payables in the way lenders want?

• Can you provide audited or certified financials, a clean debt schedule, UCC‐filings review, and covenant compliance documentation?

• Have you built a narrative your lender can underwrite confidently?

When you’re sloppy, you’re vulnerable. Many lenders look at renewal candidates and see risk first. If your financials aren’t aligned, even a relationship that’s “good” today may not translate into capital tomorrow.

The average time to get it done

Industry benchmarks show middle‐market firms are under pressure to prove readiness and discipline. According to recent surveys, many CFOs are saying preparedness is becoming a top priority. (CFO)

Yet, for many businesses the process of being fully lender-ready takes 6 to 10 weeks or more. If you wait until the final 90 days before renewal, your odds start to slip.

The hidden cost of waiting

Waiting too long doesn’t just heighten the risk of denial—it also limits your negotiation power. When you’re under the gun — 30 days before expiration, facing potential “evergreen” extensions, tougher pricing, or worse — you're no longer the one asking for terms. The bank is. In that scenario:

• Pricing gets worse

• Structure gets tougher

• Collateral gets stricter

• You lose flexibility

How Green Zone changes the readiness equation

At Green Zone Capital Advisors we take a different approach. We believe access to capital is a strategic asset, not just a checkbox you file when your line comes up for renewal. Our process:

• We start early — not when renewal is imminent, but months ahead — so you’re not scrambling.

• We evaluate your internal readiness: coverage ratios, debt schedule, collateral structure, legal filings, reporting discipline.

• We align you with the right lender who understands your business model and is comfortable with your structure.

• We optimize your loan structure and cost — not just lowest rate but sustainable rate, with terms you can live with.

• Because we prepare you ahead of time, we typically shorten the readiness timeline by ~50% (so instead of 8 weeks, you’re closer to 4).

• That means when renewal comes, you’re not surprised, you’re proactive.

Ready to see how your numbers look through a lender's eyes?

Why this matters now

We live in an environment where financial discipline and transparency are non-negotiable. According to the latest research, mid-market CFOs are now entrenched in “readiness, retention and realism” mode heading into 2026. (CFO) That means lenders expect you to play it straight. No surprises. No blind spots.

If you’re sitting on a facility that renews within the next 12 months and you haven’t asked yourself the readiness question, you’re already behind.

The readiness checklist your lender cares about

Here’s a quick list of what a lender will want (and what you should have ready):

• Audited or reviewed financial statements and clean balance sheets

• Up‐to‐date debt schedule and contingent liability disclosures

• Evidence of DSCR/FCCR meeting or trending toward coverage

• Detailed collateral / borrowing base statement (especially if ABL)

• Clean UCC search and lien structure review

• Quality internal reporting: AR ageing, inventory turns, payables metrics

• Facility covenant history and forecast / scenario work

• A credible business narrative about how capital will be used and how you’ll service it

If one or more of those items is weak, you'll lose negotiating leverage; or worse, lose access entirely.

Why Business Owners Must Shift Their Mindset

Too many business owners treat their line of credit like insurance. They hope it will be there if they need it. But in practice, it’s not insurance — it’s a relationship with regular renewal and active demonstration of creditworthiness. You wouldn’t under‐insure your business. Don’t under-prepare your capital facility.

When facilities are reviewed, borrowers often discover their “good position” isn’t good enough anymore. Price goes up. Terms shorten. Collateral tightens. The loss of flexibility often costs more than the rate difference.

Don't wait for renewal panic. See what smart capital planning looks like now.

How to Take Control Now

• Start early (more than 90 days ahead). Preparation time shrinks your margin for error.

• Run the checklist above and identify gaps now.

• Engage expertise that speaks lender language and understands structures beyond your bank.

• Align structure to need — not every facility needs a 5-year term or highest leverage.

• Create a narrative that supports the numbers. Lenders will back stories that show clarity, control and cash-flow justification.

Green Zone Insight

Your next renewal shouldn’t be a gamble. It should be a planned event where you walk into the lender’s office with confidence, documentation in order, structure aligned, and terms you negotiated rather than accepted.

At Green Zone Capital Advisors we believe your access to capital should be as reliable as your business operations. We help you shorten the timeline, tighten the story, and lock in the structure that puts you in control — not scrambling.

Ready to take that next step?