Due to the present state of the banking and credit industries, it is quite possible that several small companies are being inundated with solicitations for online loans and cash advances. However, taking advantage of some of these offers may push the company further into debt, or at least get it closer to that point.
Small companies have had a hard time getting the attention of conventional banks for a long time. Online lending platforms provide a major demand in a market that has fought for a long time to win the attention of traditional banks. They can make it simpler for small firms to secure funding. The latest CNBC Momentive Small Business Survey revealed that owners indicated they had lost faith in banks as a consequence of the regional banking crisis. Even more pertinent to the topic at hand, over half of owners claimed that it is difficult for them to acquire cash to manage their businesses. The struggle over the debt limit has added a new dimension to the already existing economic uncertainty, which puts owners of small businesses on edge.
When compared to a loan through a bank, an internet loan provider would often have more liberal underwriting criteria, require fewer hoops for applicants to jump through, and have a shorter turnaround time. Finding a respectable supplier that offers their services at a price that is affordable and on conditions that do not jeopardise the long-term prospects of the company is difficult.
“Some people say you shouldn’t have a credit card, but it’s not the credit card. It’s how you use the credit card. The same is true with online financing,” said Nicole Davis, founder and principal of Butler-Davis Tax & Accounting LLC.
When taking into consideration an internet finance offer, here are five points that small companies need to be aware of:
Online loans
A loan obtained online may be used to pay for many different kinds of company costs. It is often simpler to submit an application and get approved for than a regular bank loan, and there may be possibilities available to you even if you have credit that is less than excellent. The size of the loan might vary, but the majority of them fall between the range of $100,000 and $500,000. There are some online loans that have terms of a year or less, but there may also be alternatives for longer repayment periods. According to a study conducted by NerdWallet, the annual percentage rates on these loans are often in the range of 6% to 99%, which is far higher than the interest rates that may be offered through a typical bank or the United States Small Business Administration. According to Travis Miskowitz, a partner in the CFO advisory services area at the accounting and consulting firm Wiss, the terms are determined by the credit profile of the business owner, the length of time the company has been in operation, the company’s financials, and the amount that is borrowed.
Miskowitz advised paying close attention to any fees that could increase the overall cost of the loan. The application charge, the good standing fee (which determines whether or not the company is in conformity with local legislation), and the credit check cost are all examples of possible fees.
Many lenders may additionally want a personal guarantee, which, in the event of a default, may be very detrimental to the owner and may also have an effect on the owner’s ability to qualify for a personal loan, such as a mortgage. According to Miskowitz, the potential benefits of a secured loan include a potentially cheaper interest rate and the possibility that the lender will not demand a personal guarantee.
Merchants cash advance
A merchant cash advance allows businesses to borrow money against their future sales and repay the loan when their sales produce the necessary funds, often over a period of three to eighteen months. According to Alan Wink, managing director of Eisner Advisory Group, a merchant cash advance might be especially appealing for a small business in a situation in which the company needs cash quickly, often within a few days. Additionally, owners who have credit issues may find it easier to get this form of investment.
However, there are a few catches. Because the terms vary greatly from one supplier to the next and the cost of the capital is often not presented as an APR, it is more difficult for firms to comprehend. According to NerdWallet, funding companies often apply their costs in the form of a factor rate, which ranges anywhere from 1.1 to 1.5.
The amount that has to be paid back is equal to the advance amount multiplied by the factor rate. But while owners are often more acquainted with APR, knowing that sum does not always help them realise how costly the cash advance is. Converting one unit of measure to another might be helpful when making comparisons.
According to NerdWallet, the annual percentage rate (APR) for cash advances may go into the triple digits, making them highly expensive.
Fixed vs. variable rate debt
Aside from the type of financing, businesses need to consider whether the interest rate is fixed or variable, the duration of the loan, the business’s ability to pay it back on time, the costs, including underwriting and late fees, if any, whether personal or business guarantees are required, and what will occur if a payment is missed.
“This is not a scroll-down-and-accept-the-terms-situation,” said Will Luckert, president of Corpay, a corporate payments company. “There can be a number of tricky things buried in the terms and conditions,” Luckert said.
It is very common for owners to find themselves in trouble when it comes to merchant cash advances since they do not fully comprehend what they are agreeing to. You should begin by figuring out the figures on your own. To demonstrate his point, Luckert used the example of a $10,000 loan with a $12,000 repayment requirement within the next 30 days. In order to get the annual percentage rate, take $12,000 and divide it by $10,000. After that, do a subtraction of one, and then multiply by 100. Multiply the number, which is 20 percent, by 12 to obtain an annual percentage rate of 240%. The effective annual percentage rate (APR) for the owner may also be calculated with the aid of this calculator provided by NerdWallet.
Consider the payment frequency as well, whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly, particularly if you find yourself in a financial bind already, as stated by Davis. For instance, she does not advise making daily repayments and says that this is because “it’s a quick fix to a problem that can become a ruinous cycle.”
The state of California now mandates certain expense disclosures be made to merchants in an effort to safeguard local small businesses. Even though the California restrictions are now being contested in court, New York is moving forward with the implementation of its own disclosure standards. A buyer should always use caution in this market until further notice. “People need to do the math themselves, especially on a cash advance, and see if there’s anything you can do that would be less expensive,” said Paul A. Rianda, an attorney in Irvine, California, who specialises in representing the bankcard sector. “People need to do the math themselves, especially on a cash advance,” he said.
How to find a reputable business loan provider
According to Wink, a smart way to reduce the risk of dealing with a dishonest provider is to run possible service providers by your certified public accountant (CPA) or attorney, who most likely work with internet service providers on a regular basis.
Waseem Daher, chief executive and cofounder of Pilot, a firm that specialises in providing accounting, tax, and CFO services for high-growth technology companies, recommended that prospective clients also read online customer reviews and search for information on regulatory measures taken against the financing company.
The Small Business Finance Association is another resource for proprietors to look into. This trade group has 25 members, the majority of whom are online lenders and funders. To become a member of the SBFA, a company has to agree to follow a set of best practises that, among other things, include transparent pricing and terms, access to customer support, and fair collection practises. According to Steve Denis, the executive director of the Small Business Finance Association (SBFA), a small business may contact the organisation to find out whether a certain financing firm is a member of the SBFA or to ask specific concerns about the sector.
In addition, the SBFA offers a relatively new certification programme for industry experts to verify that they have the appropriate level of training. According to Denis, proprietors may get this information by getting in touch with the SBFA in the interim while a database of authorised specialists is being developed for the future.
Other alternative lending options
Depending on the specifics of the situation, one of the other available financing options could be preferable. People in your immediate family and circle of friends, investors, or credit card companies might fall into this category. According to Daher, businesses need to consider the many options available to them in order to stabilise their operations without depending on the assistance of other parties.
For instance, are you able to convince your clients to prepay for the service in return for a discount? Is it possible for you to negotiate extended payment arrangements with your suppliers? Is there anything more you can do to get your expenses down?
According to Daher, your participation in these activities won’t set you back any money and may make it unnecessary for you to seek support from a third party.
