The Ultimate Small Business Finance Guide

Important Small Business Finance Basics and Questions - Guide | FundThrough

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

What kind of financial planning do small businesses need?

Ideally, your small business financial plan will contain key statements and projections or forecasts that help inform the actions of the business. These include:

  1. Personal financial statement
  2. Balance sheet
  3. Cash flow forecast and cash flow statement
  4. Income statement
  5. Accounting ledger
  6. Supporting documents for taxation, insurance, real estate, etc.

Using accounting software can help make your financial planning and record-keeping more effective and less time consuming. When you need to apply for funding, you can reduce the legwork of having to recreate all of these statements for your application. In fact, with FundThrough, you don’t need to submit any of these statements at all, as our app simply integrates with your invoicing software.

Small Business Borrowing: How To and Planning Questions

What is cash flow?

Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business. It’s the measure of how much money is flowing into your business versus the amount flowing out over any given period and without it, your company can’t meet its financial obligations. You can learn more in The Ultimate Cash Flow Guide.

How does cash flow factor into our business planning?

If you’re wondering, “Is cash flow forecasting part of a business plan?” the answer is YES! Negative cash flow is the number one reason businesses fail; if there’s one place you’re going to focus your energies, this is it. Cash flow statements are a critical tool as you grow your business, to show you exactly where you stand at any given point. Cash flow forecasting will help you foresee any potential gaps before they happen, so you can proactively put cash flow tools to work.

What is a cash debt coverage ratio?

Your cash debt ratio is the measure of net cash from operating activities versus your average current liabilities. This tells you whether your operations can support payment of your current liabilities. The cash debt coverage ratio formula is:

Current cash debt coverage ratio = Net cash from operating activities / Average current liabilities

How do you get approved for a business loan?

If you don’t have all of those things, it can be challenging to impossible to get approved for a business loan. Many owners turn to private lenders, investors, or VC firms next, but this can mean giving up equity in your company or having to agree to high interest rates and unfavorable loan terms.

That’s why so many entrepreneurs and small businesses are choosing to use more creative sources of funding that allow them to bootstrap their own business. One way you can do this is by making better use of your accounts receivable through invoice factoring. Here’s how it works.

What is the difference between secured and unsecured financing?

Secured financing means the borrower has used an asset of some sort as collateral. This can be a risky strategy. Imagine using a large piece of business equipment as collateral, then losing a major contract that caused you to default on your loan. Your ability to do business at all could be limited or even eliminated. Sometimes banks ask small business owners to use personal property such as a home or retirement savings as collateral as well. The risks involved are too great for many owners to stomach, which is why more are turning to innovative new alternative financing solutions like invoice factoring, which advances funds you’ve already earned rather than creating new debt.

Capital injection vs loan: What's the difference?

A capital injection is an investment in your business that gives you operating capital. A loan is just one method of injecting capital in your business; other methods include owner investments, VC funding, and invoice factoring.

How can I quickly establish credit for my new business?

Traditional lenders like banks want to see an established credit record before they’ll even consider lending funds to a business. The best way to establish credit is to carry at least two revolving credit products (such as a credit card and line of credit), and to not only use them regularly, but pay down the balance each month, as well. While you establish your company’s credit, you can use a cash flow tool like invoice factoring to speed up your accounts receivable and free up funds to grow your business.

How important is it to be proactive in small business financial management?

It’s critical! You can’t just set-it-and-forget-it with your small business finances. Run important financial reports including your balance sheet and cash flow statement regularly and use a cash flow forecasting tool to get ahead of any potential gaps in cash flow. Considering that negative cash flow is the #1 killer of small businesses, cash flow forecasting and management are the most important aspects of your financial management activities.

How do small businesses find alternative funding?

Well, you’re in the right place and already have a head start! Invoice factoring is one of the best ways to improve your cash flow while limiting risk, as you don’t need to take on new debt to fund your business using this tool. Invoice factoring advances revenue you’ve already earned, so you don’t have to wait 30 or 60 days (or more) to collect on your invoices. You can learn more about how it works here.

How do startups find funding without giving up control and ownership?

Finding funding without bringing on investors or giving up equity typically requires that you make creative use of your company’s assets. What assets, you ask? You’re right, most small businesses don’t have much in the way of assets – especially not anything they can afford to lose by using it as collateral. That’s why invoice factoring has become the go-to funding tool for all kinds of businesses, from contractors to manufacturers to retailers and more.

Invoice factoring puts the power of your accounts receivable to work for you by advancing your invoices. You retain full ownership and control and because FundThrough operates in the background, your clients never know you’re using an invoice factor. Check it out.

Chapter 2

What is working capital?

Working capital refers to the resources available for you to use in your day-to-day business operations and includes cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and securities.

Working Capital Basics

How is working capital calculated?

The formula for calculating working capital is:

Current assets – current liabilities = working capital

Why is working capital important?

Working capital is critical to the success of your business. Without working capital, you cannot operate, as it provides the free cash flow required to purchase inventory, pay employees and contractors, lease your space, and more.

When is working capital used?

Working capital is used every day that your business is in operation. It’s used to stock your shelves, pay your team, and otherwise operate your business. Working capital may also be used by lenders and investors as a measure of the liquidity, efficiency, and the financial health of your business.

Where does working capital come from?

Working capital can come from your operating, financing, or investing activities. You can learn more about each of these sources in The Ultimate Cash Flow Guide.

Is working capital the same as cash flow?

Cash flow measures the funds flowing in and out of your business over a specific period of time, while working capital is the sum equal to your current assets minus your current liabilities.

How does working capital affect cash flow?

Without working capital, you do not have the cash flow to pay your company’s short-term expenses. Keeping your cash flow positive is the key to ensuring you always have enough working capital to operate your business and meet your obligations to creditors, employees, and clients.

Who is responsible for calculating working capital?

As a business owner or manager, you can calculate working capital using the figures provided to you on your company’s balance sheet.

Where is working capital on the cash flow statement?

Your cash flow statement shows the amount of cash flowing in and out of your business from operating, financing, and investing activities over a specific period of time. It’s a critical financial document, but you won’t find working capital here. To learn more about your cash flow statement, keep reading here.

Where is working capital on the balance sheet?

Working capital is one of the easiest calculations to work out from your balance sheet. Simply subtract your current liabilities from current assets. As a rule of thumb, experts like to see that a company has enough working capital to pay all of its expenses for one year.

What is a working capital ratio?

Your working capital ratio, or current ratio, shows how your current assets stack up against your current liabilities. A ratio of 1.0 indicates that you may be facing imminent financial difficulties, while a ratio of 2.0 demonstrates greater short-term liquidity and is an indicator of better financial health. The working capital ratio formula is:

Current assets ÷ current liabilities = working capital ratio

What is working capital management?

Working capital management is closely linked with cash flow management. Together, these disciplines help to ensure that you always have enough liquidity and cash flow to meet your financial obligations and grow your business. Read Cash Flow Management Basics to learn more.

Why is working capital management important for SMBs?

Small and medium-sized businesses tend not to have large reserves of liquid assets. In fact, too much working capital isn’t necessarily a good thing (more on that below). Taking a proactive approach to managing your working capital helps ensure that you are making informed financial decisions for your business.

How much working capital do I need?

As a rule of thumb, you should have enough working capital to pay all of your bills for one year.

When is net working capital positive?

Positive working capital means you have more current assets than liabilities, and can cover your financial obligations over the next 12 months.

What happens when working capital becomes negative?

Negative working capital means you have more current liabilities than assets. For example, a construction contractor may find themselves in a position of negative working capital when beginning a new project, due to the large outlay of cash required for purchasing materials and contracting vendors. It’s critical to limit periods of negative working capital as much as possible.

Can positive working capital be too high?

Absolutely. If you hang on to a large amount of positive working capital (greater than one year’s worth of liabilities), investors and lenders might actually see this as a drawback. Those funds could be better spent investing in the growth or improvement of your business.

What will increase working capital?

You can increase your working capital through operations, financing, or investing activities by filing and collecting invoices, reducing expenses, increasing sales revenue, reducing inventory volume, and more. Learn more in How to Increase Your Working Capital and Liquidity.

How can working capital problems be solved?

Working capital provides the cash you need to operate, so staying on top of it is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your business. Collect payments as quickly as possible to keep cash flow positive. Avoid using working capital to finance fixed assets like equipment; deploy short or long-term financing here, instead. Don’t be afraid to borrow to invest in your business, and make sure you’re maximizing the value of your accounts receivable by using a tool like invoice factoring to convert working capital to free cash flow as needed.

What is cash flow and why does it matter?

Cash flow is the measurement of net cash and cash equivalents flowing in and out of your business over a specific period of time. Cash flow tells management, investors, and others whether your company is able to pay its current liabilities. It’s an important determinant of your company’s financial health.

How can I create liquidity in my business to fund payroll and equipment purchases?

Invoice factoring is an effective, inexpensive method of improving liquidity by speeding up your invoice collection cycle and putting money you’ve already earned to work for you sooner. It allows you to purchase inventory, buy equipment, make payroll, and otherwise fund critical business operations even while extending attractive credit terms to your clients. Here’s how invoice factoring works.

Where can I find emergency working capital?

How’s your rich uncle doing? If (like most entrepreneurs) relying on a benevolent benefactor isn’t an option for you, you’ll need to proactively plan to keep your working capital and cash flow positive to avoid financial crises. You can learn more about cash flow management here. Then, view our pricing to see how inexpensive it is to put this innovative financial management strategy to work for your business.

Chapter 3

What are my company's assets?

How’s your rich uncle doing? If (like most entrepreneurs) relying on a benevolent benefactor isn’t an option for you, you’ll need to proactively plan to keep your working capital and cash flow positive to avoid financial crises. You can learn more about cash flow management here. Then, view our pricing to see how inexpensive it is to put this innovative financial management strategy to work for your business.

Debts, Assets, and Growing Your Business

Should I use my company's assets as loan collateral?

The formula for calculating working capital is:

Current assets – current liabilities = working capital.

What are the risks of using my personal assets as collateral for a business loan?

Working capital is critical to the success of your business. Without working capital, you cannot operate, as it provides the free cash flow required to purchase inventory, pay employees and contractors, lease your space, and more.

Why won't lenders fund my small business even though we have a lot of assets?

Working capital is used every day that your business is in operation. It’s used to stock your shelves, pay your team, and otherwise operate your business. Working capital may also be used by lenders and investors as a measure of the liquidity, efficiency, and the financial health of your business.

How can I grow my business when I have no money or assets?

Working capital can come from your operating, financing, or investing activities. You can learn more about each of these sources in The Ultimate Cash Flow Guide.

Can my small business borrow with bad credit or no credit?

Cash flow measures the funds flowing in and out of your business over a specific period of time, while working capital is the sum equal to your current assets minus your current liabilities.

Can I use a loan to pay off business debt?

Without working capital, you do not have the cash flow to pay your company’s short-term expenses. Keeping your cash flow positive is the key to ensuring you always have enough working capital to operate your business and meet your obligations to creditors, employees, and clients.

What is debt financing?

As a business owner or manager, you can calculate working capital using the figures provided to you on your company’s balance sheet.

Can debt really help grow my business?

Your cash flow statement shows the amount of cash flowing in and out of your business from operating, financing, and investing activities over a specific period of time. It’s a critical financial document, but you won’t find working capital here. To learn more about your cash flow statement, keep reading here.

How can I expand my business without capital?

Working capital is one of the easiest calculations to work out from your balance sheet. Simply subtract your current liabilities from current assets. As a rule of thumb, experts like to see that a company has enough working capital to pay all of its expenses for one year.

What are the pros and cons of debt financing?

Your working capital ratio, or current ratio, shows how your current assets stack up against your current liabilities. A ratio of 1.0 indicates that you may be facing imminent financial difficulties, while a ratio of 2.0 demonstrates greater short-term liquidity and is an indicator of better financial health. The working capital ratio formula is:

Current assets ÷ current liabilities = working capital ratio.

Is debt financing a bad way to fund your business?

Working capital management is closely linked with cash flow management. Together, these disciplines help to ensure that you always have enough liquidity and cash flow to meet your financial obligations and grow your business. Read Cash Flow Management Basics to learn more.

Are debt factoring and invoice factoring the same thing?

Small and medium-sized businesses tend not to have large reserves of liquid assets. In fact, too much working capital isn’t necessarily a good thing (more on that below). Taking a proactive approach to managing your working capital helps ensure that you are making informed financial decisions for your business.

Are asset factoring and invoice factoring the same thing?

As a rule of thumb, you should have enough working capital to pay all of your bills for one year.

How can accounting software help my business grow?

Positive working capital means you have more current assets than liabilities, and can cover your financial obligations over the next 12 months.

Is there an alternative to taking on investors or VC funding to speed up my company's growth?

Negative working capital means you have more current liabilities than assets. For example, a construction contractor may find themselves in a position of negative working capital when beginning a new project, due to the large outlay of cash required for purchasing materials and contracting vendors. It’s critical to limit periods of negative working capital as much as possible.

Is it possible to grow my business without any external funding?

Absolutely. If you hang on to a large amount of positive working capital (greater than one year’s worth of liabilities), investors and lenders might actually see this as a drawback. Those funds could be better spent investing in the growth or improvement of your business.

Where can I find business expansion funding?

You can increase your working capital through operations, financing, or investing activities by filing and collecting invoices, reducing expenses, increasing sales revenue, reducing inventory volume, and more. Learn more in How to Increase Your Working Capital and Liquidity.

How can working capital problems be solved?

Working capital provides the cash you need to operate, so staying on top of it is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your business. Collect payments as quickly as possible to keep cash flow positive. Avoid using working capital to finance fixed assets like equipment; deploy short or long-term financing here, instead. Don’t be afraid to borrow to invest in your business, and make sure you’re maximizing the value of your accounts receivable by using a tool like invoice factoring to convert working capital to free cash flow as needed.

What is cash flow and why does it matter?

Cash flow is the measurement of net cash and cash equivalents flowing in and out of your business over a specific period of time. Cash flow tells management, investors, and others whether your company is able to pay its current liabilities. It’s an important determinant of your company’s financial health.

How can I create liquidity in my business to fund payroll and equipment purchases?

Invoice factoring is an effective, inexpensive method of improving liquidity by speeding up your invoice collection cycle and putting money you’ve already earned to work for you sooner. It allows you to purchase inventory, buy equipment, make payroll, and otherwise fund critical business operations even while extending attractive credit terms to your clients. Here’s how invoice factoring works.

Where can I find emergency working capital?

How’s your rich uncle doing? If (like most entrepreneurs) relying on a benevolent benefactor isn’t an option for you, you’ll need to proactively plan to keep your working capital and cash flow positive to avoid financial crises. You can learn more about cash flow management here. Then, view our pricing to see how inexpensive it is to put this innovative financial management strategy to work for your business.

Chapter 4

The Cost of Capital and Commercial Loans

What are capital loans?

A capital loan provides funds to help your company with its immediate, day-to-day operating expenses. These are typically short-term arrangements designed to provide working capital, with a short repayment period and no impact on owner equity (i.e., you are not required to take on an investor or otherwise sacrifice a portion of ownership of your business).

Are working capital loans a good idea?

They can be. Working capital loans can help companies bridge gaps in cash flow, expand inventory, or purchase new equipment. In general, you want to make sure that the activities you’re financing with the loan can produce more than enough revenue to pay it back. This is where an alternative finance tool like FundThrough can reduce the risk of borrowing, as invoice factoring gives you that immediate access to funds without creating new debt. Here’s how it works.

How does equipment financing work?

Equipment financing can work in a number of different ways. Companies most commonly use loans to purchase new equipment and pay back the funds borrowed over a period of several months to years. However, since over 80% of small business loan applications to banks are rejected, business owners often have to turn to financial products or investors with less favorable terms and interest rates for help. They may be required to use personal assets as collateral, find a co-signer, or come up with a large down payment.

Speeding up your accounts receivable cycle with invoice factoring is an innovative way to improve cash flow and use funds you’ve already earned to finance equipment.

Who can provide capital loans to small businesses?

Banks and credit unions, angel investors, VC firms, and other private entities can all provide capital loans to small businesses.

What is a commercial loan?

A commercial loan is a debt obligation offered by a bank or other lender to help a company pay for major capital expenses or operating costs.

Are commercial loans a good funding option for small businesses?

They can be, but the creation of new long-term debt should not be an owner’s first choice for financing. Commercial loans allow you to spread the cost of a large, expensive piece of equipment, for example, over several years of business operations. However, you will pay interest over the term of the loan.

What are typical commercial loan terms?

Commercial loans are typically obtained from banks and other financial institutions. Unfortunately for small businesses, about 80% of their applications to banks are rejected, as SMBs simply lack the business history, credit record, and assets banks demand.

In the U.S., small business owners with a feasible business plan, relevant management expertise, and other requisite qualifications can apply for the 504 Loan Program offered by the SBA. It’s designed to provide funding for growth, new equipment, new facilities, and more. This type of loan cannot be used for working capital, and you can see the (rather lengthy) list of requirements here.

The Government of Canada has a similar offering called the Canada Small Business Financing Program, which you can learn about here.

Small businesses should investigate all of their alternative financing options when seeking funding.

Where can we get a commercial loan?

Commercial loans are typically obtained from banks and other financial institutions. Unfortunately for small businesses, about 80% of their applications to banks are rejected, as SMBs simply lack the business history, credit record, and assets banks demand.

In the U.S., small business owners with a feasible business plan, relevant management expertise, and other requisite qualifications can apply for the 504 Loan Program offered by the SBA. It’s designed to provide funding for growth, new equipment, new facilities, and more. This type of loan cannot be used for working capital, and you can see the (rather lengthy) list of requirements here.

The Government of Canada has a similar offering called the Canada Small Business Financing Program, which you can learn about here.

Small businesses should investigate all of their alternative financing options when seeking funding.

What are average commercial loan rates?

Business loan rates often fluctuate with the prime rate. Individual rates will vary depending on your credit history, assets used as collateral, business financial history, loan terms and more.

How can I finance my business without personally guaranteeing a loan?

It’s a great question, and one that small business owners often worry about. Are you going to have to use your retirement savings or even your home as collateral to get funding for your business? Those are things many people simply aren’t willing to risk. That’s why innovative cash flow tools like FundThrough’s invoice factoring are so attractive to small business owners. Advancing funds you’ve already invoiced enables you to put money you’ve already earned to work faster, speeding up your accounts receivable cycle and injecting positive cash flow into your operations. See how it works here.

How do I calculate the cost of borrowing?

You can start by using this simple business loan calculator by Bankrate to find the total cost and repayment schedule of a traditional loan.

For comparison, use FundThrough’s Pricing page to find the total cost of funding your invoices.

Online Small Business Financing Options

How can I get funding fast?

Invoice factoring with FundThrough gives you fast access to money you’ve already earned, so you can generate working capital without taking on new debt.

Where can I get emergency funding in a hurry?

It takes just minutes to complete your FundThrough application online – there’s no personal credit check, business plan submission, or pitching required. Your application is reviewed within 1 business day. Once you’re approved to start funding, money is deposited in your account each time you see a need for emergency funding and decide to factor an invoice.

How do seasonal businesses find funding?

Invoice factoring is a great short term financing option for seasonal businesses. When you have a short window of time in which to do business each year, you can’t afford to wait 30, 60, or 90 days to get paid so you can put those funds to work. FundThrough allows you to get paid right away while your customer pays according to the agreed upon terms, so you can free up cash flow to buy supplies, pay your team, and otherwise run your business.

What benefits can a small cash injection bring my business?

A small cash injection has numerous business benefits. It improves cash flow so you can purchase inventory and supplies, pay and hire talent, invest in new equipment, take on new contracts, and more.

What is invoice factoring?

Invoice factoring is a business financing solution used to bridge gaps in cash flow, raise funds for investing in new equipment, take on new business, hire talent, and otherwise grow your business. Rather than waiting for your invoiced clients to pay, you receive an advance on those funds and can put the money to work immediately.

What's the difference between invoice factoring and invoice discounting?

With invoice discounting, your invoices are used as collateral for a loan. Invoice discounting companies typically advance only 80% of the value of your invoice(s). You pay an interest rate above prime, plus a monthly fee to maintain the loan for as long as it takes you to pay it back.

With FundThrough’s invoice factoring service, you are not accumulating new debt. Our fee structure is simple and transparent, what you see is what you get. Plus, you don’t pay when you fund, and there’s no obligation to fund invoices. 

Will I qualify for invoice factoring with no business credit history?

FundThrough’s technology has revolutionized the application process for businesses, in that you don’t have to jump through the hoops you’ve probably become used to in dealing with banks and traditional lenders. You aren’t required to undergo a credit check or pitch us your business idea.

Instead, our software integrates seamlessly with your invoicing or bookkeeping software. Your FundThrough application is evaluated based on the volume and amount of your outstanding invoices, and the strength of the businesses you’re dealing with.

Can a brand new business get funding with no credit?

Absolutely. We understand that brand new businesses are the ones that need financing most and find it the most difficult to obtain! That’s why we offer funding that gives you access to revenue you’ve already earned, enabling you to put it to work right away at building your business.

Is factoring good for small businesses?

Definitely. Invoice factoring solves the most dangerous issue small businesses face: gaps in cash flow. Without free cash flow, you cannot pay your suppliers, employees, contractors, rent, or other financial obligations. Invoice factoring gives you access to emergency funds as needed, and can also be used as a proactive business planning tool to help you grow your business.

Can I get small business funding online?

You bet. In this age, why would you waste your time standing in line or begging for loans at the bank? Your FundThrough application takes just minutes to complete online, and there are no personal credit checks or other hoops to jump through.

What are the small business benefits of an online invoice factoring solution?

Online invoice factoring frees up valuable revenue and time, so you can focus on doing what you do best: growing your business. Online invoice factoring is quick and painless with FundThrough; it only takes a few minutes to apply and once you’re approved to start funding, you typically receive the cash in your bank account within days of a funding request.

How long does it take to get cash from invoice factoring?

It takes about 3 minutes to complete your online FundThrough application and connect your account with your invoicing and banking software. Upon approval, funds can be available as soon as the next business day. Each time your business needs a cash injection, you simply request that we fund an invoice for you. Those funds are deposited into your bank account in just days.

Can you get business financing approvals online?

Yes! Technology enables us to integrate with your invoicing and banking software while protecting your sensitive data, which takes the legwork out of having to fill out applications, make presentations, and otherwise spend your time and energy chasing financing. Our expert team of real humans evaluates your account to determine your funding eligibility, and the rest takes place online.

Is it safe to fill out a loan application online?

Absolutely. Your data security is our top priority, so we use bank-grade encryption on all of your data, whether resting or in transit. We do ongoing security scans to ensure we are protected above industry standards against all known threats and use

world class infrastructure to ensure your data is physically safe. We collect and store only the information we need to operate the service for you, and we’ll never share your data with third parties without your permission.

Where can I find the best financial planning resources for my business?

We recommend that you start with our Ultimate Cash Flow Guide, which connects you with a wealth of critical information and resources on cash flow. Failing to manage cash flow is the #1 reason businesses fail, so this is a great place to begin laying the foundation that will help you plan for success.

Chapter 5

What is alternative business funding?

Alternative business funding includes non-traditional methods of generating working and investment capital for your business.

Alternative Finance Options

What are some alternatives to bank loans for small businesses?

If you’ve been rejected by the big banks, you’re not alone. It’s critical that you soldier on to raise operating capital, though; a U.S. Bank study found that 82% of business failures are due to issues with cash flow. Where can you turn for help?

Some of the alternatives to bank loans for small businesses include higher interest private lenders, angel investors and venture capitalists, SBA loans (longer term loans guaranteed by the U.S. government), grants, lines of credit, merchant cash advances, and invoice funding.

What's the best way to get funding when banks and lenders don't believe in our idea?

When it comes to funding your small business, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind:

  1. Ownership and control of your business.
  2. Interest rates and financing fees.
  3. How repayment is structured.
  4. Protecting your personal assets.

Consider the potential impact of creating new debt or giving up some ownership or control of your business. There’s even greater risk in putting your personal assets up as collateral. Alternative finance companies are giving small businesses more and better funding options by using technology to find efficiencies. With FundThrough’s invoice funding app, for example, you can raise capital using revenue you’ve already earned.

What's the difference between traditional and alternative business funding?

There are a few key differences between traditional and alternative business funding:

  1. Traditional funders generally want to see that you are an established business with a lengthy, positive business and personal credit history. Alternative funders are open to evaluating your fundability using different criteria.
  2. Traditional funding can takes weeks or months to secure, while alternative funding like invoice factoring can be available in just a few days.
  3. Traditional lenders will likely want to evaluate your personal credit score as well, while alternative lenders are looking at other factors in evaluating your application.

What are my options for short term business funding?

If you’re operating an established business with stable, steady cash flow and have great credit, you might consider a bank loan. The odds aren’t in your favour, considering that over 80% of small business loan requests are turned down by banks. Only half of applicants will receive anything at all, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and it may not be near what you need to keep your business afloat.

For short term funding, invoice factoring can’t be beat. It enables you to put cash you’ve already earned to work for your business right away, rather than waiting weeks or months to get paid. Invoice factoring also negates the need for taking on new debt, paying high interest or finance fees, or giving up an ownership stake in your business.

Can companies get a cash advance?

Absolutely, but make sure you understand all associated fees, terms and conditions, and interest. Traditionally, companies that offered invoice factoring would purchase your invoice, advance you about 80%, and go collect from your clients. There are a lot of companies out there today that operate more like payday lenders, advancing your funds but charging extremely high interest rates.

Use a reputable invoice factor like FundThrough to have invoiced funds advanced to you. You pay one simple fee on the amount funded, with no additional service fees or interest charges. Calculate the total cost of invoice funding here for free.

How can I calculate the cost of a bank loan?

To calculate the cost of a bank loan, you’ll need to know the amount being borrowed, the length (term) of the loan, and the interest rate. A simple online calculator like this one offered by Bankrate.com allows you to plug in your figures and see how much a bank loan will cost.

Where can I find a business loan rates calculator?

For more complex business loans, try this online calculator that allows you to choose different interest types, additional fees, repayment schedules, etc. As you can see, business loans can get complicated – if you qualify.

Is there an alternative to a bank loan for financing my equipment?

Yes! Invoice funding is a smart, proactive alternative to bank loans that can help improve your cash flow and prevent cash flow gaps, finance new equipment or inventory, hire new talent and more. You don’t need to jump through the hoops of traditional lenders or worry about high interest charges and hidden fees, either. Learn more about how invoice factoring works here.

How do I calculate the total cost of each of my financing options?

Use the calculators listed above to compare your financing options. You should also factor the following into your funding decision:

  • What do I need to do to qualify?
  • How long will it take to access the funds?
  • How will this affect my business in the long term?

Learn more about how FundThrough works and why business owners chose invoice factoring to finance their businesses here.

Chapter 5

What is alternative business funding?

Alternative business funding includes non-traditional methods of generating working and investment capital for your business.

Alternative Finance Options

What are some alternatives to bank loans for small businesses?

If you’ve been rejected by the big banks, you’re not alone. It’s critical that you soldier on to raise operating capital, though; a U.S. Bank study found that 82% of business failures are due to issues with cash flow. Where can you turn for help?

Some of the alternatives to bank loans for small businesses include higher interest private lenders, angel investors and venture capitalists, SBA loans (longer term loans guaranteed by the U.S. government), grants, lines of credit, merchant cash advances, and invoice funding.

What's the best way to get funding when banks and lenders don't believe in our idea?

When it comes to funding your small business, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind:

  1. Ownership and control of your business.
  2. Interest rates and financing fees.
  3. How repayment is structured.
  4. Protecting your personal assets.

Consider the potential impact of creating new debt or giving up some ownership or control of your business. There’s even greater risk in putting your personal assets up as collateral. Alternative finance companies are giving small businesses more and better funding options by using technology to find efficiencies. With FundThrough’s invoice funding app, for example, you can raise capital using revenue you’ve already earned.

What's the difference between traditional and alternative business funding?

There are a few key differences between traditional and alternative business funding:

  1. Traditional funders generally want to see that you are an established business with a lengthy, positive business and personal credit history. Alternative funders are open to evaluating your fundability using different criteria.
  2. Traditional funding can takes weeks or months to secure, while alternative funding like invoice factoring can be available in just a few days.
  3. Traditional lenders will likely want to evaluate your personal credit score as well, while alternative lenders are looking at other factors in evaluating your application.

What are my options for short term business funding?

If you’re operating an established business with stable, steady cash flow and have great credit, you might consider a bank loan. The odds aren’t in your favour, considering that over 80% of small business loan requests are turned down by banks. Only half of applicants will receive anything at all, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and it may not be near what you need to keep your business afloat.

For short term funding, invoice factoring can’t be beat. It enables you to put cash you’ve already earned to work for your business right away, rather than waiting weeks or months to get paid. Invoice factoring also negates the need for taking on new debt, paying high interest or finance fees, or giving up an ownership stake in your business.

Can companies get a cash advance?

Absolutely, but make sure you understand all associated fees, terms and conditions, and interest. Traditionally, companies that offered invoice factoring would purchase your invoice, advance you about 80%, and go collect from your clients. There are a lot of companies out there today that operate more like payday lenders, advancing your funds but charging extremely high interest rates.

Use a reputable invoice factor like FundThrough to have invoiced funds advanced to you. You pay one simple fee, with no additional service fees or interest charges. Calculate the total cost of invoice funding here for free.

How can I calculate the cost of a bank loan?

To calculate the cost of a bank loan, you’ll need to know the amount being borrowed, the length (term) of the loan, and the interest rate. A simple online calculator like this one offered by Bankrate.com allows you to plug in your figures and see how much a bank loan will cost.

Where can I find a business loan rates calculator?

For more complex business loans, try this online calculator that allows you to choose different interest types, additional fees, repayment schedules, etc. As you can see, business loans can get complicated – if you qualify.

Is there an alternative to a bank loan for financing my equipment?

Yes! Invoice funding is a smart, proactive alternative to bank loans that can help improve your cash flow and prevent cash flow gaps, finance new equipment or inventory, hire new talent and more. You don’t need to jump through the hoops of traditional lenders or worry about high interest charges and hidden fees, either. Learn more about how invoice factoring works here.

How do I calculate the total cost of each of my financing options?

Use the calculators listed above to compare your financing options. You should also factor the following into your funding decision:

  • What do I need to do to qualify?
  • How long will it take to access the funds?
  • How will this affect my business in the long term?

Learn more about how FundThrough works and why business owners chose invoice factoring to finance their businesses here.

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