Many business owners believe that financing from banks and other lenders will always be the best option to fund business growth, but that is not always the case.
Working capital finance can help your company get the money it needs to meet immediate cash flow challenges. This also allows you to maintain your credit rating and keep control of your assets and debt repayment strategies.
Learn more about working capital finance. Determine whether it is the right fit for you. Read this article to learn about working capital finance.
Defining Working Capital Finance
Working capital is the money a company has available to cover its expenses between periods of sales.
It can be used for day-to-day operations, long-term investments, or additional working capital loans.
Working capital loan interest rate is one of the most important factors in determining how much you will pay in interest on your debt.
A low working capital loan interest rate will result in a lower monthly payment, while a high one will lead to higher monthly payments and potentially a higher total cost of borrowing.
The primary factor that affects working capital loan interest rates is the length of time between when the funds are borrowed and when they are repaid. The longer it takes for repayment, the higher the rate.
Types Of Working Capital
Working capital is the amount of money you have available at a given time. There are four types of working capital: cash in hand, accounts receivable, inventory, and current assets.
- Cash in hand: Cash in hand is the most liquid form of working capital finance because it can be put into use immediately.
- Accounts receivable: Accounts receivable represent how much customers owe a company for products or services that have been delivered but not yet paid for.
- Inventory: Inventory stands for products a company has on hand that are ready to be sold to its customers.
- Fixed assets: The final type of working capital finance is fixed assets, which refer to items like property and equipment that the company owns and may utilise over time.
How Does Working Capital Work?
A working capital loan is a type of business loan where the finance company allows you to borrow up to 75% of what your inventory, receivables, and other assets are worth.
Working capital finance loans have interest rates that vary, depending on the financial strength of your company and what collateral you have for the loan.
They can be anywhere from 2% all the way up to 7%. Borrowers are required to repay the amount borrowed plus interest within 90 days. Otherwise, they may face liquidation in order to pay back the debt.
As long as the borrower has some sort of collateral to offer (real estate, vehicle, etc.), they will receive a lower interest rate than someone who doesn’t.
How To Calculate Working Capital
The working capital finance is the total value of all cash needed plus all accounts payable divided by 365 days in a year.
Working capital formula: Current assets / Current liabilities = Working capital ratio
A lower working capital loan interest rate could save you a lot of money over the life of your business, depending on how much working capital you need and how long it takes to get repaid.
The Importance of Working Capital Management
Working capital is the difference between a company’s current assets and liabilities. The level of working capital needed varies based on the type of business.
Companies need to manage their working capital levels. This is because they have an impact on liquidity and solvency. This, in turn, can have a big effect on the company’s creditworthiness.
Working capital finance is determined by several factors. They include credit history, industry type, and the size of the company. There are some reasons why your business might require additional working capital:
- To fund new projects and equipment: The working capital loan interest rate is usually lower than the company’s credit card debt, so it can be a good way to help fund projects and equipment. They will increase your revenue in the future.
- As a short-term solution for cash flow issues: Working capital loans are usually paid back in one year or less. So, they’re an ideal short-term solution for companies with cash flow issues.
- To repay higher-interest debts: If you have more expensive debts such as a car loan, student loans, or credit cards, working capital loans can often save you money in the long run by getting rid of these debts.
- For inventory financing: If your inventory exceeds what you need on hand to fulfil orders, then you may want to look into inventory financing options. This is because they provide additional liquidity for managing inventory levels during busy periods.
The Bottom Line
Working capital is the fuel that powers a company. It is an amount of money that can be used for operations or investments. They help keep the company in operation. Working capital loan interest rates are typically set at a fixed rate of interest. This is done so that you know how much you will pay over time. Check out more finance-related articles at Piramal Finance.