Factor (agent)
Type of agent / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A factor is a type of trader who receives and sells goods on commission, called factorage. A factor is a mercantile fiduciary transacting business that operates in their own name and does not disclose their principal. A factor differs from a commission merchant in that a factor takes possession of goods (or documents of title representing goods, such as a bill of lading) on consignment, but a commission merchant sells goods not in their possession on the basis of samples.[1]
Most modern factor business is in the textile field, but factors are also used to a great extent in the shoe, furniture, hardware, and other industries. The number of trade areas in which factors operate has increased.[when?] In the United Kingdom, most factors fall within the definition of a mercantile agent under the Factors Act 1889,[lower-alpha 1] and therefore have the powers of such.[3] A factor has a possessory lien over the consigned goods that covers any claims against the principal arising out of the factor's activity.[4]
The term derives from the Latin for "doer, maker", from facit, "he/she/it does/makes". Historically, a factor had their seat at a sort of trading post known as a factory.