Commercial finance
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Commercial finance is a pivotal component of the UK’s business environment, providing the crucial monetary resources needed for operations, expansion, innovation, and stability. From small start-ups to large corporations, companies utilise commercial finance to fuel their growth and contribute to the country’s overall economic development. As the world of finance evolves, it is increasingly shaped by technology and FinTech innovations, which have revolutionised how businesses access and manage their financial resources. This guide delves into the intricacies of commercial finance from a UK perspective, discussing its benefits, how to navigate its complexities, common mistakes to avoid, and the impact of technology and FinTech on this financial domain. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business owner, or simply someone interested in the dynamics of commercial finance, this exploration offers a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Commercial finance refers to a broad range of financial products designed to support business activities. These could be loans, credit lines, leasing options, invoice financing, asset-based financing, and more.
Commercial finance aims to provide businesses with the necessary capital to fund their operations, expansion, equipment purchase, or to manage cash flow gaps.
Commercial Loans: These are similar to personal loans but are designed for business purposes. The loan amount, interest rate, and repayment schedule can vary widely based on the needs and creditworthiness of the business.
Line of credit: This is a flexible loan where a bank or financial institution sets a maximum loan balance that a company can access as needed. It allows businesses to borrow only what they need and pay interest only on the amount used.
Asset-based Financing: This involves using a company’s assets, like inventory, accounts receivable, or equipment, as collateral for a loan. The loan amount is typically a percentage of the assets’ value.
Invoice Financing or Factoring: This involves selling a business’s unpaid invoices to a finance company (factor) at a discount. The company gets immediate cash, and the finance company collects the full amount later when the invoice is paid.
Leasing or Equipment Finance: This allows a business to lease or finance the purchase of equipment. The leasing company owns the equipment and leases it to the business for a monthly fee.
Commercial Mortgages: These are used to buy business premises or as a form of secured loan where the property is used as collateral.
Banks, financial institutions, or specialised commercial finance companies can provide these financial products. They’re designed to meet the unique needs of businesses, which often have more complex financing requirements compared to individuals.
Commercial finance offers several benefits to businesses, including:
Cash Flow Management: Cash flow is a crucial part of running a business. Commercial finance can provide the necessary funds to manage day-to-day operations, including payroll, supplies, or unexpected costs, helping businesses navigate periods of fluctuating cash flow.
Growth and Expansion: Commercial finance can provide the funds needed for businesses to grow and expand, whether it’s opening new locations, expanding existing ones, or launching new products or services. This can be a more practical option than waiting until the business has accumulated enough profits to reinvest.
Asset Acquisition: Equipment, vehicles, and property are often essential for businesses. Commercial finance in the form of leasing or hire purchase agreements can make it possible to acquire these assets without significant upfront costs.
Liquidity and Working Capital: Through products like invoice financing, businesses can unlock tied-up cash in unpaid invoices. This can provide the working capital necessary to invest in the business or cover operational expenses.
Risk Management: By taking a secured business loan or asset-based finance, businesses can potentially protect their operations from financial risks. This can also provide creditors with assurance, as assets or invoices back the finance.
Flexible Repayment Terms: Commercial finance providers often offer flexible repayment schedules based on the business’s cash flow situation. This can mean seasonal payments for seasonal businesses or income-contingent repayments, easing the burden on businesses.
Building Credit: Regularly using and repaying commercial finance can help a business build its credit profile, making it easier and potentially cheaper to get finance in the future.
Commercial finance thus plays a crucial role in the economy by supporting business investment, growth, and sustainability. By providing access to funds when businesses need them, commercial finance can help drive economic growth and job creation.
When comparing commercial finance options, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure you’re choosing the best solution for your business. Here are some key considerations:
Interest Rates: This is the cost of borrowing money and is a significant factor in the total cost of your loan. Be sure to compare both the nominal rate and the APR (Annual Percentage Rate), which includes fees and other costs.
Fees: Beyond interest rates, you may also be charged additional fees such as application fees, origination fees, service fees, late payment fees, and prepayment fees. It’s crucial to understand these charges as they can significantly affect the cost of the finance.
Repayment Terms: Look at the length of the loan and the repayment schedule. Depending on your cash flow, you might prefer longer terms with smaller monthly payments or shorter terms with larger payments but less interest over time.
Type of Financing: Different types of financing will suit different needs. For example, invoice financing may be perfect for dealing with late-paying customers, while a line of credit might be ideal for ongoing working capital needs.
Flexibility: Some lenders offer more flexible terms, such as the ability to adjust your repayment schedule, take payment holidays, or repay the loan early without penalty.
Lender Reputation: It’s also important to consider the lender’s reputation. Look at reviews and ratings, and seek advice from other businesses or advisors if possible.
Security: Some forms of commercial finance will require security or collateral, like property or business assets, while others will not. Consider the risk associated with secured loans.
Speed of Funding: If you need funds quickly, the time it takes for a lender to approve your application and provide the funds can be crucial.
Loan Amount: Different lenders and types of finance have different minimum and maximum amounts. Ensure the lender you choose can provide the amount you need.
Eligibility Criteria: Check the lender’s criteria to make sure you qualify. These may include minimum annual revenue, minimum time in business, and credit score requirements.
Remember, the cheapest option may not always be the best fit for your business. It’s important to consider the full range of factors and choose the financing that best meets your specific business needs and circumstances.
The application process for commercial finance can vary depending on the type of finance and the lender, but the following steps provide a general overview:
Yes, start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can indeed avail of a range of commercial finance options. In fact, there are many types of finance specifically designed for these types of businesses. Here are a few examples:
Start-up Loans: This is a government-backed personal loan available to individuals looking to start or grow a business. Aside from finance, it also offers 12 months of free mentoring for loan recipients.
Business Loans: Many banks and alternative lenders offer business loans to SMEs. The eligibility criteria, interest rates, and terms can vary widely, so it’s worth shopping around to find the best deal.
Asset Finance: If the business has valuable assets like equipment or vehicles, these can be used as collateral to secure a loan. This can often enable businesses to borrow more, or at a lower rate, than they might otherwise be able to.
Invoice Financing: This allows businesses to borrow money against the amounts due from customers, helping to improve cash flow.
Peer-to-peer Lending: This is an alternative form of financing where businesses can borrow from a pool of investors online. It can often be quicker and easier than borrowing from a bank.
Equity Finance: For start-ups and high-growth businesses, raising equity finance from angel investors or venture capitalists can be a viable option. This involves giving up a share of the business in return for finance.
Crowdfunding: This involves raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, usually via an online platform. It can be a good way for start-ups and smaller businesses to raise finance.
Grants: There are also many grants available to start-ups and SMEs in the UK, particularly for businesses in certain sectors or regions or those undertaking innovative projects.
The interest rates for commercial loans can vary widely depending on various factors, such as the type of loan, the term of the loan, the creditworthiness of the business, and the overall business health.
Here’s a rough guide:
UK banks and financial institutions use several methods to assess the creditworthiness of businesses applying for commercial finance. This process is often referred to as “credit assessment” or “credit underwriting”. Here are some of the key factors considered:
Credit Score: Just like individuals, businesses also have credit scores. These are calculated by credit reference agencies based on the business’s past borrowing and repayment history. A high credit score indicates that the business is reliable and has repaid previous loans on time.
Financial Statements: The lender will typically review the business’s financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. This allows them to assess the business’s profitability, liquidity, and overall financial health.
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR): This ratio measures the business’s ability to cover loan payments from its cash flow. A high DSCR indicates that the business generates enough cash to pay its debts.
Business Plan and Forecast: Lenders often require a business plan and financial forecast, especially for start-ups and businesses seeking finance for expansion. This helps the lender assess the viability of the business and its future profitability.
Collateral: For secured loans, the lender will consider the value and quality of the collateral being offered. This could be property, equipment, inventory, or accounts receivable.
Industry and Market Conditions: The lender may also consider the health of the industry and market in which the business operates. Certain sectors may be considered riskier than others, and market trends can impact the business’s ability to repay the loan.
Management Team: The business’s management team’s experience, skills, and track record can also be a factor in the lender’s decision. A strong management team can increase a lender’s confidence in the business’s ability to repay the loan.
Trading History: Established businesses with a long trading history are often seen as less risky than start-ups or businesses with a short trading history.
Personal Credit Score: For small businesses and start-ups, owners’ or directors’ personal credit scores can also be considered, especially if the business lacks a credit history.
Yes, a UK business can secure commercial finance even with a bad credit history, though it might be more challenging. The options might be more limited, and the cost of borrowing could be higher, but lenders are still willing to provide finance to businesses with bad credit. Here are some options:
Asset-Backed Loans: If the business has valuable assets, such as property, equipment, or vehicles, these can be used as collateral to secure a loan. This can reduce the risk for the lender and make them more willing to provide finance, even if the business has bad credit.
Invoice Finance: This involves borrowing against the value of the business’s outstanding invoices. The lender will typically advance a percentage of the invoice value immediately, then the rest (minus fees) once the invoice is paid. This can be an option even for businesses with bad credit, as the lender is more focused on the creditworthiness
Asset-based lending in commercial finance is a method of financing where a business uses its own assets as collateral to secure a loan. The loan amount is usually a percentage of the value of the assets pledged.
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how it typically works:
Evaluation of Assets: The lender will begin by assessing the assets that the business plans to use as collateral. This could include accounts receivable, inventory, machinery, equipment, real estate, or other tangible assets. The goal is to determine their current market value.
Loan Amount Determination: The lender will then determine the loan amount based on a certain percentage of the appraised asset value. The exact percentage can depend on the type of asset and the lender’s policies, but it’s typically between 50% and 85%.
Loan Approval and Funding: If the lender is satisfied with the value and condition of the assets, they will approve the loan and provide the funds.
Repayment: The business will then repay the loan according to the agreed terms. If the business defaults on the loan, the lender has the right to seize the assets and sell them to recoup their losses.
Release of Assets: Once the loan is fully repaid, the lender will release their claim on the assets.
Asset-based lending can be a good option for businesses that need working capital and have valuable assets, but it comes with risks. If the business is unable to repay the loan, it could lose essential assets. Therefore, it’s crucial for businesses to thoroughly assess their ability to repay before pursuing this type of financing.
Commercial finance can benefit businesses significantly, but it also carries potential risks.
Benefits of Commercial Finance:
Access to Capital: One of the most obvious benefits is access to capital. Commercial finance can provide the funds needed for a variety of purposes, such as starting a business, expanding operations, acquiring new equipment, or smoothing out cash flow.
Cash Flow Management: Certain types of commercial finance, like invoice financing, can help businesses manage cash flow by providing funds based on accounts receivable.
Opportunity for Growth: With access to additional capital, businesses can invest in growth opportunities that they may not be able to afford otherwise, such as launching new products, entering new markets, or acquiring other businesses.
Asset Acquisition: Asset-based lending or leasing can make it easier for businesses to acquire expensive equipment, vehicles, or properties that they might not be able to afford outright.
Flexible Repayment Terms: Many commercial finance options offer flexible repayment terms, allowing businesses to choose a repayment schedule that aligns with their cash flow.
Risks of Commercial Finance:
Debt Burden: Taking on debt increases a company’s liabilities and can put a strain on its financial health, particularly if the business struggles to make repayments.
Collateral Risk: For secured loans, the business risks losing its assets if it fails to repay the loan. This could potentially disrupt business operations.
Cost: Commercial finance can be expensive, particularly for businesses with a poor credit history. The costs include not only interest but potentially also origination fees, service charges, and penalties for late or early repayment.
Dependence: There’s a risk that the business might become overly dependent on debt for its operations, which could make it vulnerable if the lender decides to withdraw the facility or if the terms become less favourable.
Complex Contracts: Some commercial finance agreements can be complex, with various terms and conditions that the business needs to meet. If these are not understood fully, it could lead to unexpected costs or other issues.
Invoice financing is a type of commercial finance that allows businesses to borrow money against the amounts due from customers. The process for securing invoice financing typically includes the following steps:
Review Your Invoices: The first step is to identify which invoices you’d like to finance. These should be invoices for which you have provided goods or services to your customers, but payment is yet to be received.
Choose a Finance Provider: Look for a finance provider that offers invoice financing. This could be a traditional bank, a specialist finance company, or an online lender. Make sure you understand their terms, including how much they’ll advance, their fees, and any other conditions.
Application Process: You’ll typically need to provide the lender with information about your business, such as your annual turnover and details about the invoices you want to finance. The finance provider may also require additional documentation to assess your application, like bank statements or financial accounts.
Approval and Funding: Once your application is approved, the lender will advance a certain percentage of the invoice amount. This is typically around 80%-90%, but it could be more or less depending on the provider and the specifics of the invoice.
Invoice Collection: Depending on the type of invoice financing (factoring vs. discounting), the finance provider might take over the collection of the invoice, or you might continue to collect it yourself.
Repayment: Once the customer pays the invoice, the lender will pay you the remaining balance of the invoice minus their fees. If the provider has taken over the collection, they’ll collect payment directly from the customer. If not, you’ll need to repay the lender once you’ve received payment from the customer.
It’s important to note that invoice financing can improve cash flow, but it comes at a cost, and you’re effectively receiving less for the goods or services you invoiced. Also, if your customers fail to pay, you may still be responsible for repaying the finance provider, depending on the terms of the agreement. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the terms and consider the pros and cons before deciding to use invoice financing.
The repayment terms for commercial loans can vary widely depending on the type of loan, the lender, the amount borrowed, and the specific circumstances of the borrower. However, they typically include the following components:
Principal: This is the amount that you originally borrowed. Depending on the loan terms, you may start repaying the principal right away, or you may only pay interest at first and then start repaying the principal later.
Interest: This is the cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the loan amount (the interest rate). Interest can be fixed (where the rate stays the same for the entire term of the loan) or variable (where the rate can change based on market conditions).
Repayment Schedule: This outlines when and how often you will make payments. This could be monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Some loans might have a balloon payment at the end, where the majority of the loan is paid off in one large payment.
Loan Term: This is the length of time you have to repay the loan in full. Short-term loans might have terms of a few months to a couple of years, while long-term loans could have terms of many years or even decades.
Fees: There may be additional fees associated with the loan, such as origination fees, service charges, prepayment penalties (if you pay off the loan early), or late payment fees.
Amortisation: This refers to the process of paying off the loan over time through regular payments. An amortisation schedule outlines how much of each payment goes towards the principal and how much goes towards interest.
Collateral: If the loan is secured, the repayment terms will include details about the collateral that you’ve used to secure the loan. If you fail to repay the loan, the lender has the right to seize this collateral.
Covenants: These are conditions or requirements that the borrower must meet for the duration of the loan. For example, the borrower might be required to maintain certain financial ratios or limits on further borrowing.
Businesses must understand the repayment terms of any loan agreement before signing. If terms are not met, it can lead to default, potentially harming the business’s credit and leading to additional fees or legal consequences.
Yes, a business can certainly use commercial finance for expansion. In fact, one of the most common reasons businesses seek commercial finance is to fund growth initiatives, including but not limited to:
Opening New Locations: Whether it’s a retail store, restaurant, or office, setting up a new location requires significant upfront capital. Commercial finance can help cover these costs.
Hiring Staff: Expanding often means hiring more employees. Commercial loans can cover recruitment costs and salaries until the expansion begins generating sufficient extra revenue.
Purchasing Equipment: A business might need to purchase new machinery or technology if an expansion involves increasing production capacity. Equipment loans are a form of commercial finance specifically designed for this purpose.
Buying Inventory: Businesses expanding their sales might need to purchase larger amounts of inventory to meet anticipated demand.
Marketing and Advertising: Reaching new markets usually requires investing in marketing and advertising. A commercial loan can provide the necessary funds.
Acquiring Other Businesses: Sometimes, businesses expand by acquiring other companies. This can require a significant amount of capital, which could be financed through a commercial loan.
It’s important for businesses to carefully plan and budget for expansion and to consider the potential risks as well as the benefits. While commercial finance can provide the necessary funds, it also increases the business’s liabilities and monthly expenses due to loan repayments. It’s crucial for a business to be confident that the expansion will generate sufficient additional revenue to cover these costs. Professional advice from a financial advisor or accountant can be invaluable in this process.
Negotiating a commercial finance deal can be a complex process. However, a well-negotiated deal can lead to better terms and conditions that are more favourable for your business. Here are some tips to help you navigate this process:
Understand Your Business’s Financial Position: Before you start negotiating, you should have a thorough understanding of your business’s financial position, including your cash flow, assets, liabilities, and credit history. This will help you understand what you can realistically afford and what type of financing will best suit your needs.
Research and Compare Lenders: Not all lenders are the same. Some may offer more favourable terms than others or have more experience with your industry or type of financing. Do your research, compare offers, and don’t be afraid to explore non-traditional lenders like online lenders or credit unions.
Know What’s Negotiable: Many aspects of a loan can potentially be negotiated, including the interest rate, repayment schedule, fees, and covenants. Even if a lender presents their offer as “standard” or “non-negotiable”, don’t be afraid to ask if they can make adjustments.
Be Prepared to Walk Away: If a lender isn’t willing to offer terms that work for your business, be prepared to walk away. Remember, getting finance on unfavourable terms could harm your business more than not getting finance at all.
Get Expert Help: Consider working with a commercial finance broker or financial advisor. They can help you understand the terms and conditions, identify potential issues, and negotiate more effectively.
Clear Communication: Be transparent and open with lenders about your needs and concerns. Similarly, make sure any agreement you reach is clearly documented and that you understand all the terms and conditions before signing.
Build Relationships: Establishing a good relationship with a lender can improve your chances of negotiating favourable terms. This includes maintaining good communication, meeting all your existing obligations, and demonstrating the stability and profitability of your business.
Commercial finance and personal finance, while both related to managing money and accessing credit, are quite different in several ways. Here are the key differences:
Purpose: The most basic difference lies in the purpose of the funds. Personal finance deals with managing personal financial matters such as income, saving, investing, and borrowing for personal needs. Commercial finance, on the other hand, relates to the financial management of businesses and includes borrowing for business needs like working capital, equipment purchase, or business expansion.
Borrower: In personal finance, the borrower is an individual or a family. In commercial finance, the borrower is a business entity, such as a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship.
Loan Amounts: Commercial loans generally involve larger amounts of money compared to personal loans because businesses often need substantial funds for their operations or expansions.
Risk Assessment: Lenders use different criteria to assess risk. In personal finance, lenders primarily look at an individual’s credit score, income, and personal assets. In commercial finance, lenders consider the business’s credit history, profitability, cash flow, and business assets. They might also consider the state of the industry and market in which the business operates.
Collateral: Commercial loans are often secured against business assets such as machinery, inventory, or accounts receivable. In contrast, personal loans can be unsecured or secured against personal assets like a home or car.
Interest Rates: Interest rates for commercial loans are often higher than those for personal loans due to the perceived higher risk involved in business ventures.
Repayment Terms: Repayment terms for commercial loans can be more complex and varied than personal loans. They may include more flexible or structured repayment plans, balloon payments, or covenants (terms and conditions that the borrower must meet).
Regulation: Commercial and personal finance are regulated differently. Personal finance is usually more heavily regulated to protect individual consumers. Commercial finance regulations are focused more on the soundness of the financial system and the prevention of fraud.
The state of the UK economy significantly influences commercial finance in several ways. Economic conditions can affect interest rates, availability of credit, and business borrowing.
Here are some of the ways in which the UK economy can impact commercial finance:
Interest Rates: The Bank of England sets the base interest rate in the UK, which influences the interest rates offered by banks and other lenders. If the economy is doing well, the Bank of England might raise interest rates to prevent overheating and control inflation. On the other hand, in a sluggish economy or during a recession, the Bank of England might lower interest rates to stimulate spending and investment.
Availability of Credit: Economic conditions can impact how much banks and other lenders are willing to lend. In a strong economy, banks might be more willing to extend credit because businesses are more likely to succeed and repay their loans. In a weaker economy, banks might become more risk-averse and tighten their lending criteria.
Business Confidence and Borrowing: The state of the economy can affect how confident businesses feel about investing and expanding, which in turn affects their demand for commercial finance. In a thriving economy, companies may feel more optimistic about future prospects and therefore be more willing to borrow for investment and expansion. In a weaker economy, businesses may be more cautious and reduce their borrowing.
Sector-Specific Effects: Economic conditions can have different impacts on different sectors. For example, a decline in the property market could reduce demand for commercial property finance. Similarly, a boom in the tech sector could increase demand for commercial finance from tech start-ups.
Government Policy: The state of the economy often influences government policy, which can affect commercial finance. For example, in a downturn, the government might introduce measures to stimulate the economy, such as loan guarantee schemes that encourage banks to lend to businesses.
Inflation: Inflation rates can influence the cost of borrowing. High inflation can lead to higher interest rates, making borrowing more expensive for businesses. Conversely, low inflation can lead to lower interest rates, making borrowing cheaper.
These are just a few ways in which the broader UK economy can influence commercial finance. Economic conditions can be unpredictable, so it’s important for businesses to keep an eye on economic trends and consider how changes could impact their financing plans.
Planning for long-term commercial finance is an essential aspect of a business’s strategic financial management. This process involves several steps:
Establish Clear Business Objectives: Understand what you want to achieve in the long term. This could include expanding operations, entering new markets, launching new products, or undertaking major capital projects. These goals will guide your financial planning.
Perform Financial Forecasting: Develop projections for your income, expenses, and cash flow for the next several years. These forecasts will help you determine how much financing you’ll need and when you’ll need it.
Evaluate Your Financing Options: There are many different types of commercial finance available, including term loans, lines of credit, lease financing, and equity financing. Each of these options has its own advantages, disadvantages, and costs. Research these options thoroughly, and consider consulting with a financial advisor or broker.
Assess Your Creditworthiness: Lenders will consider your business’s credit history, financial performance, and assets when deciding whether to extend credit. Make sure you understand these factors and take steps to improve your creditworthiness if necessary.
Prepare a Detailed Business Plan: A comprehensive business plan that includes your business objectives, market analysis, financial forecasts, and financing needs can be a valuable tool in discussions with potential lenders or investors.
Understand the Total Cost of Financing: The cost of borrowing isn’t just the interest on the loan. It can also include fees, costs related to collateral, and the opportunity cost of potential equity given up in the case of equity financing. Make sure you understand and plan for these costs.
Maintain Flexibility: Business conditions can change, so it’s essential to maintain flexibility in your financing arrangements. This could mean arranging for a line of credit that can be used when needed or negotiating loan covenants that don’t overly restrict your business’s operations.
Plan for Repayments: Make sure you understand when and how much you’ll need to repay, and include these repayments in your financial forecasts and budgets. Failure to repay loans as agreed can lead to severe consequences, including default and bankruptcy.
Commercial finance plays a crucial role in the UK’s economic growth in several ways:
Funding Business Growth: Commercial finance provides businesses with the capital they need to invest in growth. This can include expanding operations, investing in new equipment, hiring more employees, or entering new markets. These activities can lead to increased production, sales, and profits, contributing to economic growth.
Stimulating Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Start-ups and innovative companies often rely on commercial finance to get their ideas off the ground. By providing funding for these businesses, commercial finance can stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation, driving economic growth and job creation.
Supporting Business Stability: Commercial finance can also support businesses in maintaining their operations during tough times. For instance, it can help manage cash flow or replace essential equipment, enabling companies to keep running and avoid layoffs or shutdowns.
Facilitating Trade: Commercial finance options like trade finance and invoice finance can facilitate domestic and international trade. By providing capital when it’s needed, these financial products can help smooth out cash flow issues and enable businesses to trade more effectively.
Enabling Infrastructure Development: Larger-scale commercial finance, like project finance, can fund significant infrastructure projects. Infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and telecommunications is fundamental to a well-functioning economy and can drive economic growth.
Creating Jobs: When businesses expand or start-up, they often need to hire more employees. Therefore, commercial finance can indirectly contribute to job creation, reducing unemployment, and supporting household income.
It’s worth noting that while commercial finance can support economic growth, it also needs to be managed carefully. Too much borrowing can lead to over-indebtedness and financial instability, both for individual businesses and for the economy as a whole. Therefore, responsible lending and borrowing practices are crucial to the positive role of commercial finance in economic growth.
Commercial finance can have several tax implications for UK businesses. Here are some key points to consider:
Interest Expense Deductibility: Interest paid on commercial loans is generally tax-deductible for businesses in the UK. This means businesses can deduct the cost of the interest from their taxable income, reducing their overall tax liability.
Leasing and Hire Purchase: In the case of equipment leasing or hire purchase agreements, the tax implications can depend on the type of agreement. For finance leases or hire purchases, businesses can generally claim capital allowances (tax relief on certain types of capital expenditure) on the cost of the equipment, and the lease or hire purchase payments may also be tax-deductible. For operating leases, the lease payments are typically fully tax-deductible.
Invoice Financing: If a business uses invoice financing (selling its invoices to a third party at a discount to improve cash flow), it still needs to record the full amount of the invoices as sales for VAT purposes.
Loan Repayments: Principal repayments on loan are not tax-deductible, as they’re considered repayment of a liability rather than a business expense.
Debt Forgiveness or Write-offs: If a loan is forgiven or written off, it could be treated as income for the business, which might increase the business’s tax liability.
Tax Implications of Equity Finance: If a business raises funds through equity finance (issuing shares), this does not generally have immediate tax implications. However, it may affect the business’s capital gains tax liability if the business is later sold.
Seeking commercial finance can be a complex process, and there are several common mistakes that UK businesses can make:
Not Understanding the Cost: Some businesses focus only on the interest rate and overlook other costs such as fees, charges, and the cost of any collateral requirements. The total cost of a loan includes all of these factors.
Failing to Plan Ahead: Businesses often underestimate how long it can take to secure commercial finance. It’s important to plan ahead and start the application process well before the funds are needed.
Not Reading the Terms and Conditions: Some businesses do not fully understand the terms and conditions of their finance agreements. This can lead to surprises down the line, such as unexpected fees or restrictive covenants.
Overborrowing: Some businesses borrow more than they need or can afford. This can put a strain on the business’s cash flow and lead to financial distress.
Not Preparing a Solid Business Plan: Lenders typically require a detailed business plan as part of the application process. A poorly prepared business plan can decrease a business’s chances of securing finance.
Failing to Explore All Options: Some businesses only consider traditional bank loans and overlook other forms of commercial finance that might be more suitable for their needs, such as asset finance, invoice financing, or equity finance.
Not Reviewing their Credit Score: Businesses should check their credit score before applying for commercial finance. A low credit score or errors on a credit report can decrease a business’s chances of securing finance.
Not Seeking Professional Advice: The world of commercial finance can be complex. Professional advisors such as accountants, financial advisors, or finance brokers can provide valuable advice and increase a business’s chances of securing suitable finance.
Avoiding these common mistakes can increase a business’s chances of successfully securing commercial finance that suits its needs and circumstances.
The rise of technology and FinTech (financial technology) has significantly transformed the landscape of commercial finance in several ways:
Online Lending Platforms: With the emergence of online lending platforms, businesses can now apply for loans and other financial products online. These platforms use advanced algorithms to make quick decisions, often within minutes or hours, significantly speeding up the lending process.
Alternative Finance: FinTech has introduced new forms of alternative finance, such as crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending. These platforms connect businesses directly with investors, bypassing traditional financial intermediaries.
Blockchain and Smart Contracts: Blockchain technology and smart contracts have the potential to revolutionise commercial finance by making transactions more secure, transparent, and efficient. For example, they can automate the execution of loan agreements or the tracking and verification of assets in asset-based finance.
Open Banking: Open Banking allows businesses to securely share their financial data with third-party providers, which can offer tailored financial products or services based on that data. This can make it easier for businesses to access commercial finance and manage their finances.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning technologies enable more accurate risk assessment by analysing vast amounts of data. This can lead to more precise pricing of loans and better matching of businesses with suitable financial products.
Invoice Trading Platforms: FinTech has made invoice financing more accessible and efficient through online invoice trading platforms. These platforms allow businesses to sell their unpaid invoices to investors, improving their cash flow.
Mobile Technology: Mobile apps now allow businesses to manage their commercial finance on the go, making it easier to track loan repayments, manage cash flow, and communicate with lenders.
RegTech: Regulatory Technology (RegTech) solutions help businesses comply with financial regulations more easily and cost-effectively, reducing the administrative burden associated with commercial finance.
While FinTech has brought many benefits, it also comes with challenges, such as cybersecurity risks and regulatory issues. Businesses and financial providers need to manage these challenges effectively to realise the potential of FinTech in commercial finance fully.
Hiring a commercial finance adviser can offer several advantages, but whether or not you should hire, one will depend on your specific needs, business context, and resources. Here are some points to consider:
Advantages of hiring a commercial finance broker:
In conclusion, hiring a commercial finance broker can be beneficial, but it’s not necessary for everyone. If you have the knowledge, time, and skills to navigate the commercial finance landscape on your own, you may not need a broker. If you decide to hire a broker, make sure you choose one that is reputable, independent, and understands your business.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had several impacts on commercial finance, including increased demand for loans, changes in lending criteria, the introduction of government support schemes, and a shift towards online and digital finance platforms.
Yes, businesses can use commercial finance for working capital purposes, such as managing cash flow, financing inventory, or covering short-term operational costs.
Peer-to-peer lending platforms connect businesses directly with individual investors or institutional lenders, bypassing traditional financial intermediaries. Companies can borrow from multiple investors, while investors can spread their investments across various loans.
We are a hybrid mortgage broker and protection adviser. However, we want to make it clear that we do not have physical branch offices everywhere in the UK. You can get our services over the phone, online, and face-to-face in some circumstances.
Please keep in mind that while we may not be local to you, we may still assist you. Imagine if you had a long-term health issue that needed to be addressed. Would you rather have the person who is closest to you or the person who is the best? Now is the moment to put that critical thinking to work in your search.
Legal
Count Ready Limited is registered in England and Wales, No: 10283205. Registered Address: Unit 10, Robjohns House, Navigation Road, Chelmsford, England, CM2 6ND.
Count Ready Limited is an Appointed Representative of Connect IFA Limited 441505 which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register (https://register.fca.org.uk/s/) under reference: 976111.
The FCA do not regulate some forms of Business Buy to Let Mortgages and Commercial Mortgages to Limited Companies.
The information contained within this website is subject on the UK regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.
We usually charge fees of £595 on offer, but we will agree to our fees with you before we undertake any chargeable work. We will also be paid by commission from the lender.
Commission disclosure: We are a credit broker and not a lender. We have access to an extensive range of lenders. Once we have assessed your needs, we will recommend a lender(s) that provides suitable products to meet your personal circumstances and requirements, though you are not obliged to take our advice or recommendation. Whichever lender we introduce you to, we will typically receive commission from them after completion of the transaction. The amount of commission we receive will normally be a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow from the lender. Commission paid to us may vary in amount depending on the lender and product. The lenders we work with pay commission at different rates. However, the amount of commission that we receive from a lender does not have an effect on the amount that you pay to that lender under your credit agreement.
Disclaimer: All content on the Count Ready website can only ever provide general information and does not constitute financial advice. For this reason, we always recommend that you speak to authorised advisers for your needs. (Please be aware that by clicking onto any outbound links you are leaving the www.countready.co.uk. Please note that neither Count Ready or Connect IFA are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this website.)
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