Keep Your Business Running with a Working Capital Loan

The greatest distinction between these two products is how they’re obtained. Traditional term loans require good credit, a proven business history, high annual revenues and often collateral. Small business operating loans are smaller, process quickly and have less stringent requirements.

Another significant difference is the length of their respective terms. The length of a business term loan can extend anywhere from 1-25 years while small business working capital loans are usually repaid in 18 months or less.

Their repayment structures differ, too. Where traditional term loans are paid back in equal monthly installments, working capital loans often require daily or weekly payments.  

Short-term working capital loans give you the ability to run your business without missing a beat. These loans offer business owners the chance to borrow only what is needed over a specific period of time, eliminating the need to manage debt long after your use of the funds has ended.

Short term business loans provide working capital for companies navigating obstacles like sudden cash flow emergencies and can even enable you to embrace exciting revenue opportunities. This type of working capital loan usually ranges from 3 to 18 months and is repaid in daily or weekly increments.

While there are many owners who need capital to fund a business need, they may not meet the requirements of a traditional bank loan. SBA loans provide a comparable alternative.

These loans are partially guaranteed by the Small Business Administration in an effort to decrease the risk for lenders who provide funding to small businesses. These federal guarantees help lenders offer more favorable terms to borrowers.

Regardless of their size, many businesses can qualify. SBA programs can even be used as a working capital loan for new businesses.

Many times a business’s working capital needs are evolving. A business line of credit (LOC) is a perfect solution in these instances.  

A LOC functions similarly to a credit card, allowing you to withdrawal only what you need up to the credit limit. You’ll pay interest only on the amount you borrow. In short, it’s the perfect financial solution when your capital needs are fluid.

When a business begins their search for working capital, they typically want funding fast and don’t want to jump over hurdles to get it. Merchant cash advances check off both of these boxes. Merchant cash advances (MCAs) are upfront sums of capital loaned against a business’s future sales. These are short-term programs and are repaid through smaller daily or weekly payments until the balance of the advance, along with any fees, are paid in full.

Out of all of the working capital financing products available, this type of funding offers the most flexible qualifications. Once you’re approved, funds can be placed in your account as soon as the same day. For this reason, these programs are a go-to resource for business owners requiring immediate access to cash to meet a short-term capital need.

If your business is used to waiting on unpaid invoices, or typically experiences a long payment cycle, invoice financing offers a solution.

Invoice financing programs are working capital loans that give you instant access to cash tied up in accounts receivables.

By offering the full value of your future invoice payments as collateral, lenders provide you with up to 80 percent of the total invoice. This means you can continue to manage the costs of your business.

In business, as in life, moments of crisis occur when you least expect them. In these situations, securing working capital for your small business can mean the difference between scraping by or finding some peace of mind.

Picture this—a vital piece of equipment breaks down and you’re forced to buy a brand new replacement. You have two options: you can pull funds from your business’s cash flow or savings, or you can apply for a small business capital loan. By using a working capital loan to make large purchases more manageable, you’ll avoid dipping into the money you have set aside for other expenses.

If your business comes across an opportunity for growth, it could require more capital than you have available. With a working capital loan, you can cover daily expenses and take advantage of moments like these without skipping a beat.

For instance, you may have a large purchase order from a new client that could lead to significant growth for your company. The challenge you have, however, is that you don’t have enough inventory to fulfill the order. With a working capital loan for small business, you can fund the upfront costs of purchasing the inventory you need and pay it off quickly, once you’ve received payment from your client.

Seasonal businesses can really benefit from working capital for small business. Despite the fact that busy seasons bring in a lot of revenue (like the holidays for retail stores), businesses need a significant amount of capital that will allow them to prepare and maintain.

Conversely, some companies endure slow seasons (like a landscaping business during winter) and need help covering expenses like payroll. Whether you’re preparing for a yearly rush or dealing with a slow season, small business capital funding can provide the funds to get you through.