Before binding an ABL revolver, which AR lines are ineligible and which get carved back at term sheet?
Last updated: August 27, 2026
What is availability in an ABL revolver?
Availability is the amount a plant or facility CFO can draw against the revolver's borrowing base. The borrowing base certificate multiplies eligible AR and inventory by advance rates, then subtracts reserves. The credit agreement's Eligible Receivable definition excludes certain AR categories entirely or reduces their advance rate through carve-backs.
Common AR categories excluded or carved back at term sheet
| AR category | Typical treatment at term sheet | Why lenders carve it back |
|---|---|---|
| Progress billings | Often excluded | Collection depends on project completion. ABL Advisor states most working capital providers do not lend to construction due to progress billings. |
| Retention / retainage | Excluded or heavily discounted | Withheld until project completion and may be subject to lien or bonding claims. |
| Bonded contractor AR | Often excluded unless additional collateral | Surety may assert priority lien if contractor fails to complete bonded work. Bank of America Business Capital notes lenders may not feel comfortable lending against AR with bonding requirements. |
| Government AR | Varies; may require Assignment of Claims | Federal contracts require Assignment of Claims Act compliance per 31 U.S.C. § 3727 and notice to designated officials, surety, and disbursing officials. |
| Foreign AR | Excluded unless LC or credit insurance | Collection enforcement across jurisdictions is complex; lenders often require letter of credit or credit insurance to advance. |
| Cross-aged invoices | Carve-back or concentration limit | Significantly overdue accounts (e.g., >90 days) signal collection risk. Lenders exclude late payments to limit financing availability. |
| Concentration (single customer) | Percentage cap or reserve | If one customer represents too large a share of AR, credit agreement may cap how much of that debtor's invoices count toward the base. |
| Contra / affiliate AR | Typically excluded | Intercompany or offset AR may not represent true arm's-length receivables; lenders exclude them from Eligible Receivable definition. |
| Unbilled / cost-in-excess | Often excluded or discounted | Revenue recognized under percentage-of-completion accounting but not yet invoiced; collection timing is uncertain. |
Sources: OCC Comptroller's Handbook: Asset-Based Lending, Bank of America Business Capital, ABL Advisor, 31 U.S.C. § 3727
Key topics
- Progress billings in borrowing base before bind — why lenders exclude construction AR
- Unbilled cost-in-excess vs billings-in-excess at term sheet — percentage-of-completion AR treatment
- Retention bonded contractor AR carve-back — retainage and surety lien risk
- Government AR and Assignment of Claims before revolver binds — federal contract eligibility
- Foreign AR LC or credit insurance — cross-border AR eligibility
- Contra affiliate AR at term sheet — intercompany exclusions
- Cross-aged concentration as term-sheet carve — overdue invoice limits
- Field exam vs monthly borrowing-base reporting — collateral verification methods
- Dilution reserve vs ineligible — reserve calculation vs exclusion
- Construction AR vs manufacturing AR at bind — industry collateral differences
- Revolver unused-line fee vs availability plant thought it had — commitment fee structures
- Billings-in-excess liability vs unbilled asset — POC accounting balance sheet items
- AR aging buckets in Eligible Receivable definition
- Concentration reserve single-debtor cap — customer diversification requirements
- Cost-plus contract AR vs fixed-price at term sheet — contract type eligibility
- Letters of credit sublimit vs revolver advance — LC availability within ABL facility
- Work-in-process schedule borrowing-base certificate — WIP reporting for construction
- Lien search UCC filing AR priority — perfection and priority at closing
- Borrowing base certificate monthly compliance — ongoing reporting obligations
- Cash dominion lockbox vs availability trigger — springing cash sweep mechanisms
Frequently asked questions
Before binding an ABL revolver, which AR lines are ineligible and which get carved back at term sheet?
The credit agreement's Eligible Receivable definition determines which AR lines advance against the borrowing base and which are carved out. Each lender calculates ineligible categories and advance rates differently at term sheet. Categories commonly excluded or carved back include progress billings, retention, bonded contractor AR, government AR requiring Assignment of Claims Act compliance, foreign AR without credit insurance or LC support, cross-aged invoices, and concentrated customers above threshold percentages.
What is the difference between ineligible AR and a borrowing base carve-back?
Ineligible AR is excluded entirely from the borrowing base certificate. A carve-back reduces availability through reserves or reduced advance rates but the AR category may still contribute to the base at a lower percentage. The credit agreement's Eligible Receivable definition specifies which treatment applies to each AR category.
Why do construction AR categories often get carved out in ABL facilities?
Progress billings, retention, and bonded contractor receivables present collection risk if a project is not completed or if a surety asserts priority lien rights. Bank of America Business Capital notes that in the case of a construction company, lenders may not feel comfortable lending against accounts receivable that could be difficult to collect due to progress billings, retention or the presence of bonding requirements. ABL Advisor similarly states that most working capital providers do not lend to the construction industry because of the nature of accounts receivable activity, specifically progress billings.