Business

What are your best options when it comes to commercial credit?

Establishing a credit history for your company may be crucial to its long-term success, whether for maintaining a healthy cash flow or beginning a new venture. There is a broad variety of choices, from corporate credit cards to asset financing. Find out what each of these terms means so you can make the right choice for your company.

Business credit cards

Credit cards for businesses function similarly to personal credit cards. Your spending will be capped at the credit limit that has been established for you. There may be a grace period of 30–60 days during which no interest is charged, but then you’ll have to start paying the amount.

Your business’s credit limit will be determined by the lender’s assessment of your company’s creditworthiness, which will be performed upon application.

Advantages

  • The same account may be used by several users.
  • Simple to monitor and restrict employee spending
  • You might get rebates, points, and other incentives.

Downsides

  • If the amount is not paid in full every month, fees may be incurred.
  • Unsuitable for major expenditures or expansion plans
  • Cash flow management may be challenging due to interest and late payments.

Merchant cash advance

A merchant cash advance is a way to get a loan based on your business’s credit card sales, which is ideal if a large percentage of your consumers pay with plastic. Payment is generally made as a share of monthly card transactions. You can easily monitor repayments since they will be deducted automatically from future card transactions. It’s an easy method for companies like bars, cafés, restaurants, and stores to get some additional cash flow.

Advantages

  • Easy payments
  • Monthly sales volume instead of credit score
  • Intensify cash flow

Downsides

  • Only applicable to certain industries
  • Cannot be used for non-essential expenses

Overdrafts

Overdrafts are a kind of company credit that may be helpful for obtaining operating capital. A bank overdraft allows you to withdraw funds from your account even if the balance is negative. As a temporary safety net, you can get your hands on some additional operating money whenever you need it.

Advantages

  • Increased liquidity at short notice

Downsides

  • A modest credit limit is typical.
  • The barrier to entry might be higher for small enterprises.

Business line of credit

A company line of credit is an ongoing source of credit that may be drawn upon for a number of purposes. There might be transaction fees, interest, and account maintenance costs associated with using it, depending on the supplier. 

When paid back, the repaid credit may be used again, similar to overdrafts and credit cards. 

Advantages

  • There are no hidden fees, interest, or yearly rates.
  • A flat 3% is added to each transaction.
  • Business expenses should be repaid in three equal installments.

Downsides

  • There are no perks as there are with credit cards.
  • Comparatively lower borrowing limits and shorter repayment periods than commercial loans

Business loans

Money may be borrowed and repaid over a period of time with a business loan. You may use the money for everything from large-scale projects to operating expenditures, taxes, and working capital, and the allowable limitations are usually larger. 

Loan amounts from £10,000 to £500,000 at fixed rates beginning at 7.9% per year are now available via Funding Circle. 

Advantages

  • Increased potential for funding both major and small endeavors
  • You may submit an application in about 10 minutes and hear back in under an hour.
  • No prepayment penalties and fixed rates for up to six years.
  • Your credit will not be affected if you apply as a limited liability corporation.

Downsides

  • Investing money for the foreseeable future
  • Expense monitoring would be less feasible.
  • A personal guarantee can be necessary.

Invoice financing

Through invoice finance, you may release the capital that is stuck in your outstanding bills. Even if you finish a project today, you could not be paid for it for another 90 days. A lender providing invoice financing will advance you the bulk of the invoice’s payment, then collect their money plus a charge when the invoice is paid in full.

Advantages

  • Get rewarded more quickly for your hard work.
  • One flat rate per invoice, no compounding interest
  • A simple method for regulating cash flow

Downsides

  • Only appropriate for increased profits
  • Depending on past-due bills
  • Not useful for big endeavors or expansion

Choose the type of credit wisely. If you still have questions or need a consultation, feel free to contact Fundshop.