Business Glossary

document listing goods or commodities (e.g., gold) stored in a warehouse that shows retention of title to the goods. Warehouse receipts may be negotiable or non-negotiable. Negotiable receipts allow transfer without endorsement and may act as a security for a loan. Non-negotiable receipts must be endorsed upon transfer. Warehouse receipts, regulated by the Uniform Warehouse Receipts Act, allow the sale of goods without having to physically deliver them.

outright sale of a firm's accounts receivable to another party (the factor) without recourse, which means the factor must bear the risk of collection. Some banks and commercial finance companies factor (buy) accounts receivable. The purchase is made at a discount from the account's value. Customers either remit directly to the factor (notification basis) or indirectly through the seller (non-notification basis).