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How can you get working capital for new business, and use it drive business growth in 2022? Find out more in this article!
Working capital is a term used to describe the money a business spends on its daily operations. Payroll, rent, utilities, and debt obligations all fall into this category of business expenditures, but it also encompasses other short-term expenses, such as the launch of a new marketing campaign.
All of these items require a business owner to have cash on hand, which is sometimes difficult if they’re in an industry that regularly deals with cyclical or seasonal sales.
If your business activity isn’t constant throughout the year, you might find yourself strapped for working capital during your low revenue months. Rather than dip into your personal savings account to cover the cost, you could consider a working capital loan, a short-term financing option designed for this very situation.
There are many working capital loan uses, but generally, a business owner will use one to offset the financial burden of low revenue months. Here’s everything you need to know about working capital for new business and how to take full advantage of all the opportunities.
1. What is working capital?
A working capital loan is a short-term financing option that is used to cover the operational expenses of a business, including payroll, rent, utilities, and debt obligations. While a working capital loan can’t be used for larger expenditures, such as an aggressive expansion, it can help you pay liabilities during periods of low revenue or business activity.
For example, construction companies will typically take on more contracts in the summer months. Most of their profit comes from these months of high business activity, and they might not generate enough revenue during the winter to cover their expenses.
Vehicle repairs, payroll, and any payments on equipment leases don’t stop just because of the weather, so these businesses must find a way to pay these bills to ensure they’re in a good financial position to start generating revenue again in the following year.
One option is a working capital loan, a lump sum payment that they can use to pay their bills and hold themselves over until they’re profitable.
Many industries outside of construction deal with the same set of issues. However, working capital loan uses aren’t limited to these few, as you can use this financing option to fund your business growth and take your business to the next level if you manage them correctly.
Working capital loans are often used to fund short-term expenditures, such as the launch of a new marking initiative, and help businesses hire more employees to prepare for a surge in activity.
2. Types of working capital loans
There are numerous types of working capital loans that you can use to finance your business, such as:
2.1. Term loans
When it comes to working capital for new business, one option are term loans. A term loan is what most people think of when they hear business financing. Working capital term loans are lump-sum payments for a specific amount that you have to pay back within the repayment period.
You’ll likely have to pay an interest rate on the amount borrowed, too, but the specific percentage of your interest rate will depend on the lender you’re dealing with, the repayment terms, and your credit score, amongst other things.
Additionally, you might be required to offer collateral to secure a term loan, but once again, this depends on the lender you’re doing business with.
2.2. Lines of credit
Much like a credit card, a working capital line of credit is a revolving line of credit that a business can draw on whenever they need additional capital, making it a good option when it comes to working capital for new business.
One of the benefits of this option is that you only pay interest on the amount drawn rather than the total credit amount, making repayments easier and less stressful if you aren’t using the full line. Repayment terms for working capital lines of credit are generally between one to five years, and you can potentially tailor your terms to your circumstances if you speak with your lender.
Although working capital lines of credit might sound similar to a business credit card, the two are very different. Business credit cards can only be used for transactional purposes, meaning that you can’t draw physical cash without a hefty fee.
Some businesses might benefit more from a business credit card than a working line of credit, but this is usually if the organization mainly relies on transactions and doesn’t need to make cash payments.
You can learn more about the differences between working capital loans vs line of credit in this article.
2.3. SBA Loans
A Small Business Association (SBA) loan is a more formal financing option that’s highly coveted due to its low-interest rates. These loans are backed by the government, meaning they agree to cover an agreed-upon portion of your outstanding debt if you default.
Lenders see that your loan is backed by the government and will offer lower interest rates and more flexible terms as a result. Fortunately, the SBA is flexible on qualifying expenses, too, so you can potentially use an SBA loan to cover expenses outside of your working capital.
SBA loans are further broken down into the following categories:
- SBA 7(a) Loans: 7(a) loans are amongst the most popular SBA loans, as they offer the highest borrowing amount of $5 million. Since you can borrow so much, many business owners use 7(a) loans for expenses outside of working capital, such as real estate purchases and expansion projects.
- CAPLines: CAPLines are a flexible option for business owners who don’t want to be confined by the terms of a loan. You can choose between a traditional term loan, a line of credit, a builder’s line of credit, or a working capital line of credit, depending on the needs of your business. Typically, CAPLine funding goes up to $5 million and has a ten-year maximum repayment period.
- SBA Microloans: Unlike the previous options, SBA microloans are designed for startup businesses or new businesses looking to kickstart their growth. Borrowing amounts are up to $50,000; the maximum repayment period is six years, with the average repayment lasting around 40 months. Although these loans are technically designed for new businesses, any organization can apply to use one for working capital purposes.
2.4. Invoice factoring
Some businesses run into issues when their customer invoices aren’t paid on time. This can leave them waiting for long periods of time without their revenue, but invoice factoring can help restructure your cash flow.
Invoice factoring involves exchanging your outstanding invoices for immediate cash, but you likely won’t be able to recoup the total amount of the invoices. Generally, you’ll be able to receive anywhere between 85% to 95% of the total value of your invoices.
It’s a trade-off: cash today for a small portion of your total outstanding accounts receivable. If you’re considering this option, make sure your business can support losing a portion of its outstanding invoices, or you might run into additional cash flow problems.
3. Working capital for new business: uses
Working capital for new business can be used to cover your business’s operational or day-to-day expenses. There are many ways to use this financing option to support your growth, such as:
- Paying Rent: Businesses that make a majority of their profits during a specific period of the year might have difficulty paying their expenses during the low revenue months. Rent payments won’t stop just because it’s cold outside, but a working capital loan can help you stay afloat as you wait for the next revenue boom.
- Payroll: Seasonal companies might keep some employees on their payroll despite the periods of low revenue. While these employees might be vital to the success of the company, you can’t pay them without profit, which puts you at risk of losing them for the following season. Working capital loans can help you cover payroll costs, keeping your team together for as long as possible.
- Bridging the Gap Between Payment Delays: Late customer invoices can cause cash flow problems and make it difficult to pay off expenses. Rather than wait for these customers to pay you, a working capital loan can allow you to continue your business operations despite the late payments.
- Hiring New Employees and Staff: If you need an influx of cash to hire and pay new employees, a working capital loan could be exactly what you need.
- Equipment Updates/Repairs: Some industries, like construction, rely on heavy equipment and machinery to conduct their business operations. In some cases, this equipment might need repairs, updates, or maintenance during low revenue months to ensure they’re ready for the following year. Many business owners choose to cut costs in other areas of their business to afford these expenditures, but why not keep your business exactly as is and secure a working capital loan to afford the expense?
- Afford New Technology: New technology can improve your client’s experience and make it easier for your employees to perform their job. If you discover a tech item that could be a gamechanger for your business, and can’t afford it at that moment, consider applying for a working capital loan to take your business to the next level.
4. Secured vs unsecured working capital loans
When talking about working capital for new business, it’s important to differentiate between secured and unsecured options.
4.1. Secured working capital loans
A secured working capital loan requires you to offer an asset as collateral before the lender approves you for funding. Real estate, equipment, and vehicles can all be used as collateral for a loan, but make sure you’re able to pay back the borrowed amount within the terms, or you’ll risk losing the asset.
Most businesses try to avoid lenders who require collateral, but it might be your only option if you have a low credit score and a short time in business. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still search for funding that meets your needs, and you might be able to find a deal that works for you through a marketplace.
4.2. Unsecured working capital loans
Some lenders will approve you for a working capital loan without requiring collateral, but you’ll likely have to pay a higher interest rate. Unsecured loans are generally considered riskier because of the lack of collateral, which forces lenders to enforce strict eligibility requirements.
In most cases, unsecured loans are granted to businesses that can display positive cash flow and sustainable revenue, as the lender needs to understand that you’re capable of paying back the borrowed amount within the terms.
5. Working capital for new business: pros and cons
Working capital loans aren’t for every situation. Here are the pros and cons of working capital loans:
Pros
- Short-term funding solution for your operational expenses
- Might not have to offer collateral
- Faster funding
- Ability to improve your personal credit if you repay early
- Keep ownership of your business
Cons
- Not necessarily a long-term solution
- Might need to offer collateral
- Higher interest rates, if approved for an unsecured loan
- Tied to your personal credit score
- Need to repay the borrowed amount in a short period of time
6. Securing working capital for new business
If you are looking to secure working capital for new business, here is what you’ll need to do.
Anyone who needs capital for their day-to-day expenses will most likely benefit from a working capital loan. However, everything can change depending on your lender, as one organization won’t necessarily offer the same terms as another. You can also read more on working capital loans for small businesses here.
You should diligently research your options before making a decision or team up with a marketplace that can connect you with multiple lenders at once. Here are a few steps to prepare you for the process:
6.1. Determine the capital you need
First, you should review your balance sheets and determine how much capital you need to achieve your business goals. You don’t want to overestimate your needs and borrow too much, nor do you want to underestimate and borrow too little.
Business owners who step into the process with a level head and realistic expectations often find the best deal for their circumstances, setting themselves up for success at the very beginning.
6.2. Evaluate your credit score
Lenders take your credit score in to account before approving you for a loan. While higher credit scores often receive the best rates and terms, those with poor credit can still find working capital loans that fit their circumstances.
Some business owners choose to spend time building their credit score before applying for a loan, which can be beneficial if you have the time.
However, if you don’t have the time to improve your credit score before applying for a loan, you can still find a lender that fits your needs, but you might need to look a little more diligently.
6.3. Prepare all relevant documents
The third step to secure working capital for new business is to prepare all the relevant documents you’ll need.
Now that you have a good understanding of your business’s needs, you should begin to collect all the relevant documents to prepare yourself for the process. Lenders will commonly ask for business bank statements, tax returns, and business plans, but you might be asked for additional documentation, such as accounts receivable statements.
6.4. Research and compare lenders
Next, you’ll begin to research lenders and their terms. You should compare their repayment terms, interest rates, fees, and, most importantly, how transparent their process is.
In some cases, lenders try to hide fees and rules in the fine print of your agreement, potentially leaving you confined by terms that only make your life more difficult. Be sure to evaluate as many lenders as possible to find one with terms that meet your needs, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
6.5. Submit your loan applications
Lastly, you’ll submit your formal loan application and see if you qualify for financing. Banks and traditional lenders generally have longer wait times between submitting your application and approval, whereas online lenders are much faster.
Some lenders have longer applications than others, so make sure to account for the time you’ll need to fill out the application. That is, unless you work with National Business Capital, of course.
Grow your business with National Business Capital
Working capital loans are best for businesses that deal with cyclical or seasonal periods of low business activity, but only if you can find a lender with terms that meet your needs. With so many responsibilities on your plate, you might not be able to spend hours researching lenders, which is why fintech marketplaces are so important in our industry.
National Business Capital, the #1 fintech marketplace of 75+ lenders, can streamline your search for funding. Rather than comparing lenders yourself, our team does the heavy lifting for you, and we’re there before, during, and after the deal is funded. Our Business Finance Advisors take the time to learn about your business and your circumstances to find the best deal for your situation, and many clients are approved for funding within days of their application.
With over 2,000 five-star reviews between TrustPilot and Google, over $1 billion funded for our clients, and three consecutive Best Workplace on Long Island awards, you’ll never have to wonder if choosing National was the right choice for your funding journey.
Ready to get started? Fill out our digital application in minutes and learn more about the personalized working capital loans your business qualifies for. Apply Now
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joe Camberato is the CEO and Founder of National Business Capital. Beginning in 2007 out of a spare bedroom, Joe and his team have financed $2+ billion through more than 27,000 transactions for businesses nationwide. He’s made it his calling to deliver the educational and financial resources businesses need to thrive.
