Summary:
- Working capital funding is used to help businesses that are struggling with their working capital.
- To be eligible for a working capital loan the business owner must be over 18 years-old, operate as a limited company, and be based and registered in the UK.
- Applicants can borrow up to £500,000 and repay the loan over 1 – 24 months.
- Successful applicants can be approved for funding within 24 hours of the application being submitted.
What is a working capital loan?
A working capital loan is used by businesses during periods during periods where working capital may be at a low. This can affect seasonal businesses, but many businesses may experience periods of low working capital at some point.
How can I apply for a working capital loan?
Businesses can apply for unsecured business loans to help with working capital by completing the online application at For Kredit. The application is simple to complete and requires the applicant to provide some basic details about the business owner and the business.
How much money can I apply for with a working capital loan?
Businesses can apply for a loan between £1,000 – £500,000 when applying with For Kredit. The loan amount is subject to the approval of the lender.
Is my business eligible for a working capital loan?
Businesses seeking to apply for a working capital loan must meet the following minimum criteria to be considered eligible.
- 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.
Although businesses may meet the minimum criteria it does not guarantee that a business will be fully approved for funding as other factors such as credit score and business performance are also taken into account.
What are the repayment terms of a working capital loan?
A business can choose how long they would need to repay a working capital loan, as long as it is within the period of 1 – 24 months. The loan is to be repaid in monthly repayments and interest rates are charged on the business finance borrowed (2% – 6%).
With this working capital loan there are no early repayment fees meaning that the business can repay their debt early if they choose.
Do I have to sign a personal guarantee when I apply for working capital loans?
Yes, business directors will be asked to sign a personal guarantee when they apply for a working capital loan or any other form of unsecured funding. This is important as it helps to minimise the risk posed to the lender should the business fail to repay the loan.
The personal guarantee ensures that whomever is the guarantor is personally responsible for ensuring that any outstanding debts are repaid if the business fails. This means that they may have to repay the debt from their own personal assets.
If I have a bad credit score, will it impact my application?
The credit score of an applicant and the business can affect an application, but it does not automatically exclude the applicant from receiving funding. Having a below average credit score still means you may receive funding, although you will probably be offered less by the lender and potentially charged with higher interest rates. In circumstances where the applicant has an extremely poor credit rating, they will probably not be offered funding.
Lenders will always undertake a credit check before approving and offering the applicant a loan. This is because the lender needs to get a more detailed understanding of the business but it is a necessity to ensure that the lender meets responsible lending standards. Besides the credit score, the lender will also assess the VAT returns and bank statements of the business.
What is working capital?
Working capital is the capability of a business to pay any future costs in the future, this can include recurring payments such as rent and utility bills. There are two types of working capital, positive working capital and negative working capital. A positive working capital means that the business has a surplus of money which can pay off future payments with extra money being reinvested into the business.
A negative working capital means that a business may not be able to pay their future debts. Businesses that have a negative working capital may seek business finance to try and stabilise their business whilst they sort out the working capital issues.
Why is working capital important?
Essential to staying in business
Working capital is a key part for a business being able to operate day to day. A business that does not have the right amount of working capital will not be able to pay its debts, which can lead to a spiral. If not addressed, it means that the business may take on too much debt and runs the risk of being made insolvent.
Needed to invest in the business
A positive working capital is really useful if a business wishes to grow and develop. The surplus money available with working capital can be used to reinvest into areas of the business that need it most. Alternatively, it also provides some security if the business faces unexpected problems in the future, much like a person’s savings account does.
Important to ensure the business operates smoothly
Having a well managed working capital allows the business to operate efficiently and smoothly. It means that the business does not necessarily need to worry about what they can and cannot afford. This can take away some stress if time is lent to constructing a working capital plan.
What other funding options are available for small businesses?
Besides working capital loans, there are several other funding options available for small businesses that may be useful. Below are some of the other financing options that may be useful for businesses.
- Startup business loans
- Small business loans
- Bad credit business loans
- Cash flow loans
- Limited company loans
- Short-term business loans
- Unsecured business loans
FAQs
How much money can I apply for with a working capital loan?
Depending on the extent of a business’ working capital needs, they are able to apply for funding between £1,000 – £500,000. The loan amount is subject to approval by the lender.
How can I apply for a working capital loan?
Businesses looking to apply for an unsecured working capital loan can do so by applying online at For Kredit. Our online application is very simple to compete and only requires the applicant to provide some basic information about themselves and their business.
Applicants which are successful can be approved for funding within 24 hours of submitting the application. The application is compatible with both mobile and desktop devices.
How long do I have to repay the working capital loan for?
It is up to the business owner to decide how long they would need to repay the working capital loan as long as it is within 1 – 24 months. The repayments are made in monthly instalments and interest rates are charged on the loan.