National Equipment Financing & Working Capital Blog

When is it necessary for a business to get a cash flow loan?

Written by Paul Kendall | Jun 01 2020

There are many reasons there’s a need for cash flow loans for small business. 

A cash flow loan is an immediate way to help small businesses through financial shortfalls. Cash flow issues are disconcerting and small business owners often require help just to deal with them. 

Slow or diminishing cash flow can have a significant impact on any business. This is why it’s essential to address the issue before it gets out of hand. 

That’s where cash flow loans for small business enter the picture. 

In this post, I’ll be talking about the times when it’s necessary to get cash flow loans for small business. This can help you figure out when your own business may need such loans.

Cash Flow Loans for Small Business

 


Before we get into when a small business may need cash flow loans, let’s get something straight. A cash flow loan isn’t a traditional bank loan. 

Lenders for a traditional bank loan will decide to grant a loan based on factors such as credit history, business investment, collateral, etc. 

Applying for a traditional bank loan can be time-consuming because of that. There’s plenty of paperwork involved, and to add to that, there’s no guarantee of approval. 

The hurdles involved when applying for a traditional bank loan are actually what led to cash flow loans. The latter evolved as a response to the need for an alternative to traditional bank loans.

Cash flow loans came from a new category of lenders. They use a different set of factors in their assessments… and take less time and paperwork to determine the qualifications of the borrower too. 

A cash flow loan is also focused on the cash flow of your business instead of your business assets. 

Basically, when you get cash flow loans for small business, you’re borrowing against money that you expect to receive in the future. 

This is how the lender will decide whether or not to grant you the cash flow loan. Taking into consideration your projections and your past performance, a lender will use computer algorithms to determine the accuracy of your revenue projection. 

If your business has poor credit but you have good sales, there’s a likelihood that you will be approved for a cash flow loan. That’s why it may be preferable for businesses with lackluster credit scores.

Note, by the way, that there are many types of cash flow loans for small business. One worth noting here is the business line of credit -- we’ll refer to it as BLOC here, for convenience. 

Usually, a BLOC accommodates a business’s seasonal credit demands along with inconsistencies in cash flow. It has high limits but also comes with stricter repayment terms than other cash flow loans.

Still, once approved, you’ll be able to withdraw money whenever you need it. You also only need to pay interest on funds that you borrow. 

Basically, it works like a credit card. The money available replenishes with every repayment. 

However, not all BLOCs work that way. 

If you want to get the best deals for a BLOC, consider getting it from Trust Capital. They are one of the best  lenders that offer a business line of credit today. 

But before you start contacting them, make sure that you really need BLOC. To help you determine if you need it, take a look at these scenarios of when cash flow loans for small business are ideal. 


Business Emergency


You really can’t tell when a business emergency could arise. A valuable piece of equipment could break, for example… and you’d need to have it fixed right away or else your business operations will cease. 

With cash flow loans for small business, you can deal with business emergencies without the need to cut down on other costs. 

Therefore, this puts business owners at ease that their business operations will continue to run despite unexpected issues. 


New Initiatives


Are you planning to expand? Or are you planning to launch a new line of inventory? 

Either way, cash flow loans for small business can help you pursue your latest venture. Business projects are necessary to grow, and there are really going to be times when you need to take out a loan to get the ball rolling. 

Such projects entail additional costs that business owners need to pay right away. With a cash flow loan, you don’t have to worry about running out of money just because you’re funding a new venture. 

You can start or launch a new venture while you maintain your business operations with the right amount of cash flow coming in and out of your business. 

Should you have plans to start a new business venture and you need immediate funds for it, a cash flow loan for small business can do the trick. 


Financing Overextension


If you already have existing business loans, this could result in negative cash flow. Charging to your business credit card when faced with negative cash flow will not cut it. 

Don’t let this happen to you as this will only result in an influx of debt, which can have a significant effect on your credit score. It will also add unnecessary stress for you and for your business. 

Instead, get cash flow loans for small business to boost your working capital. This way, you remain financially responsible, which will reflect in your business’s credit history. 


Sales Decline


When your business isn’t meeting your sales goals, you’ll need more money to run your business. You still need to increase your sales, which requires additional funds for new strategies such as promotional campaigns, new employees, etc. 

You may even use cash flow loans for small business for new ad or marketing campaigns, for instance. 

Sales declines aren’t entirely uncommon, so business owners must always have plans for how to stay afloat when they strike. This is when a business needs to explore new strategies to increase sales.

As mentioned, these strategies will need funding. A cash flow loan will help you through these trying times and help you execute those sales-generating strategies. 


Equipment


Most businesses require specific pieces of equipment for their operations. Equipment can get really pricey, and over time, wear down. 

Unplanned expenses like a repair or replacement of broken equipment can affect your budget. And there are times when a business wouldn’t be able to operate without a specific piece of equipment. 

Additionally, broken or faulty equipment can increase your liability. That’s why it’s necessary to fix or replace faulty equipment ASAP.

Cash flow loans for small business can help you manage the costs of equipment that will let you do your job. Getting a cash flow loan may also help keep your business updated with new technology. 


Final Thoughts on When Is It Necessary For a Business to Get a Cash Flow Loan

 

In this post, I’ve discussed when cash flow loans for small business are necessary. I’ve also shown you that in some ways, a cash flow loan is the opposite of a traditional bank loan. 

With a cash flow loan, lenders focus more on your company’s cash flow when assessing whether or not you’re eligible for a loan. 

There are several situations that may necessitate the use of a cash flow loan for small business. We discussed the common ones above, from business emergencies to equipment upkeep.

Consider cash flow loans for small business your life vest that will help your business stay afloat in rough waters. That’s why it’s important to find a reputable lender such as Trust Capital that can help you find the right cash flow loan term that will suit your business. 

If it’s your first time to get cash flow loans for small business, you can always seek the help of a financial expert to guide you throughout the process. 

Furthermore, research is crucial when you plan to get cash flow loans for small business. Familiarize yourself with cash flow loans, the terms, lenders, and the like to help yourself here. 

Make sure to implement good cash flow management as well. You’ll need this even when you have an existing cash flow loan! 

At any rate, do you still have questions about cash flow loans for small business? You can contact Trust Capital at 866-458-4777