Summary:
- A cash flow loan is used by businesses as a short-term solution to managing cash flow problems within a business.
- Basic eligibility criteria: (1) The business owner is over 18 years old (2) The business is a limited company (3) The company is based in the UK.
- Businesses can borrow between £1,000 – £500,000 with repayment periods of up to 24 months.
- Business owners can only apply online and can be approved for funding within 24 hours.
What is a cash flow business loan?
A cash flow loan is where a business uses an unsecured loan to manage and improve cash flow during periods where the business has not generated enough cash to cover the costs of running the business. It is typically used as a short-term solution.
How can I apply for a business cash flow loan?
Business owners can apply for a cash flow loan by completing the online application at For Kredit. The online application requires the applicant to provide some basic information and documentation about the business. It is compatible with both desktop and mobile devices.
Once the application is submitted the lender will assess the application, if the applicant is successful they can be approved for funding within 24 hours.
How much money can I borrow with a cash flow loan?
Businesses can borrow between £1,000 – £500,000 to aid with any cash flow problems affecting their business. The funding is subject to approval by the lender, therefore the amount initially applied for may differ from the amount offered by the lender.
Is my business eligible for a cash flow loan?
To be considered eligible for a cash flow loan, the applicant must meet the basic criteria below:
- The owner of the business is over the age of 18 years old.
- The business is a limited company.
- The limited company is based in the UK.
Meeting the above criteria does not necessarily guarantee that the applicant will be approved for business finance.
What are the repayment terms of a cash flow loan?
Businesses can choose to repay their cash flow loan from anywhere between 1 – 24 months. The repayments are made in monthly instalments alongside interest rates which vary between 2% – 6%. There are no early repayment fees, therefore a business can repay the money early if they choose to.
Do I need to sign a personal guarantee if I apply for a cash flow loan?
Yes, the business director will be asked to sign a personal guarantee when they apply for a cash flow loan. The purpose of a personal guarantee is that it legally requires the business owner to take responsibility for repaying any unpaid debt should the business stop operating for whatever reason. The personal guarantee ensures that someone repays the loan which also minimises the risk to the lender.
How much interest is charged on cash flow finance?
Interest in general varies between 2% – 6% per month. It is important to note that the interest accrues daily, which means businesses only pay interest each day that the business is in debt.
Will my credit score affect my application?
The credit score can affect an application but does not necessarily stop businesses from receiving funding. The credit score of the owner or the business will be taken into consideration when the application is assessed.
The lender will undertake soft credit checks to ensure that they lend responsibly. Having a bad credit score may affect how much money the applicant is entitled to borrow and how much interest is charged.
The lender will also consider other aspects of the business such as bank statements and VAT returns, so credit score is not the only aspect scrutinised. There is potential that if you have a bad credit score but the business is performing well, that a loan may be granted subject to approval by the lender.
What is cash flow?
Simply put, cash flow is the money that goes in and out of a business on a daily basis. Money goes into a business by making sales or providing a service. Money goes out of a business by paying bills, staff or repaying debts.
If more money is going out of a business than going in, this causes a cash flow problem as it means that the business may not have enough money to operate normally.
What causes a business to have cash flow problems?
Cash flow problems are not uncommon in business, often there are a number of contributing factors which can negatively affect the flow of cash. Below we have listed a few reasons why a business may have trouble with cash flow.
Seasonal businesses
Some businesses operate seasonally, which means that in some parts of the year they receive a lot of profit and in other parts of the year, business is very slow. This can often create cash flow issues during the quieter periods of trading.
Overheads cost too much
Overheads include things such as rent and bills that need to be paid in order for a business to operate. Sometimes businesses pay over the odds on their overheads which can contribute to cash flow problems if not addressed quickly.
No spare cash
Having cash reserves can be useful during periods when business is slow as it allows businesses to rely on their saved cash to reduce their vulnerability. However, not all businesses have the luxury of relying on cash reserves.
Startups do not usually have cash reserves as they have not had enough time to trade, this means that they can be prone to struggling with cash flow problems.
What other forms of business funding are available?
A cash flow loan may not be necessary for every business. However, there are a number of different funding options that can help businesses secure the working capital they need.
- Startup business loans
- Small business loans
- Bad credit business loans
- Limited company loans
- Short-term business loans.
- Unsecured business loans.
FAQs
How much money can I apply for with a business cash flow loan?
Business owners have the option to apply for an unsecured loan between £1,000 – £500,000 to help with cash flow problems.
How can I apply for a cash flow business loan?
Companies struggling with cash flow can apply for an unsecured business loan by applying online on the For Kredit website. It is free to apply and the application takes minutes to complete. It is also compatible with mobile and desktop devices.
How long does it take to repay a cash flow loan?
Business owners can choose to repay their business loan between 1 – 24 months, depending on their circumstances. The repayments are paid in monthly instalments with interest.