Debt Financing 101: Understanding the Basics and Beyond
When it comes to making the decision to finance your business there are a variety of different paths that you can take, each with its own advantages balanced with disadvantages. The first choice that you may have to make when seeking to fund your business, and what will ultimately determine the funding options available to you, is whether you prefer to finance your business through equity financing or debt financing.
The question of which method to take when funding your business can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Backd is here to help break down debt financing so that you can make an informed decision to strengthen your business's footing.
What is Debt Financing?
Debt financing is a method of raising capital for a business or organization by borrowing money from a lender or investor, with the agreement to repay the borrowed about plus interest over a specific period of time. This can be in the form of bonds, loans, or other debt instruments.
In debt financing, the borrower (the company or organization) is legally obligated to repay the principal amount of the loan, along with interest and other fees, in line with the terms and conditions of the agreement. The lender, in turn, receives regular interest payments as well as the repayment of the principal at the end of the term.
Debt financing is often used by companies and organizations as a way to raise capital for various purposes, such as funding new projects, expanding operations, or refinancing existing debt. However, it also carries the risk of default if the borrower is unable to make the required payments, which can result in penalties, higher interest rates, and damage to the borrower’s credit rating.
Advantages of Debt Financing
Debt financing comes attached with many benefits that make it an extremely accessible and attractive financing option for business owners looking to expand their operations. Using debt financing is usually cheaper than equity financing because lenders demand lower returns on their investments compared to equity investors who expect higher returns.
There are also tax benefits to using debt financing as the interest paid on debt financing is tax-deductible, which means that companies can reduce their taxable income by deducting the interest paid on their debt. Debt financing also does not require business owners to dilute the ownership of existing shareholders or investors, meaning that the company can maintain its ownership structure and avoid restructuring the company hierarchy.
Debt financing also comes with fixed payments, which involve regular payments of principal and interest, which makes it easier for companies to manage their cash flow and financial planning. Utilizing debt financing can also improve the creditworthiness of an individual or organization. By taking on debt and making regular payments, companies can improve their creditworthiness and gain access to additional sources of capital in the future.
Disadvantages of Debt Financing
No financial tool or service is without its disadvantages, and debt financing does have some strings attached. For instance, debt financing can involve taking on financial risk, as companies have to pay back the borrowed amount with interest even if their revenue declines or their profits decrease. This is why it is always imperative to have a thorough business plan that accounts for how you will continue to pay back your loan should your income decrease.
Debt financing is also limited by the amount of borrowing capacity that a company has, which means that companies may not be able to raise enough capital to finance their growth or expansion plan. This risk is being mitigated over time though as the market of alternative lenders continues to grow with larger offerings. Backd, for instance, offers Working Capital of up to $2 million to help you scale your business.
While you do not have to trade any equity in debt financing, some lenders may require collateral or a personal guarantee from the company’s owners. This can result in a loss of control over the company’s assets or decision-making, however, this only becomes a disadvantage if you default on the loan and could vary from lender to lender. Within debt financing, you can either choose to pursue secured or unsecured financing.
Sources of Debt Financing
When it comes to embracing debt financing then there are a number of different avenues to explore. These options can include but are not limited to:
Banks and Financial Institutions: Traditional banks and financial institutions are the most common sources of debt financing for businesses. They offer a range of loan products, such as term loans, lines of credit, and asset-based loans.
Bonds: Companies can issue bonds to raise debt financing from investors. Bonds typically offer a fixed rate of interest and have a maturity date when the company must repay the principal amount.
Private Lenders: Private lenders, such as peer-to-peer lending platforms, can provide debt financing to companies. These lenders typically offer smaller loan amounts and charge higher interest rates than traditional banks.
Government Programs: Governments often offer loan programs and grants to help small businesses and startups access capital. These programs may offer favorable interest rates and terms compared to traditional lenders.
Trade Credit: Trade credit is a form of debt financing where suppliers allow companies to purchase goods or services on credit and pay for them later. This can help companies manage their cash flow and working capital needs.
Leasing: Companies can also use leasing as a form of debt financing. Leasing allows companies to use assets, such as equipment or vehicles, without having to purchase them outright. The leasing company owns the assets and the company makes regular lease payments.
It's important to note that the availability and terms of debt financing will depend on the company's creditworthiness, financial history, and overall risk profile.
Steps To Debt Financing
When it comes to debt financing, the steps to acquire funding are relatively simple.
Determine Financing Needs: The first step is to determine the amount of financing required and how it will be used. This will help to determine the type of debt financing that is most appropriate for the company's needs.
Identify Potential Lenders: Once the financing needs have been determined, the company can identify potential lenders, such as banks, financial institutions, private lenders, or bondholders.
Prepare Loan Proposal: The company will need to prepare a loan proposal that outlines the purpose of the loan, the amount requested, the proposed repayment terms, and any collateral that will be used to secure the loan.
Submit Loan Application: The loan proposal is submitted to the lender along with a loan application. The lender will review the application and may request additional information, such as financial statements, tax returns, and business plans.
Due Diligence: The lender will conduct due diligence on the company, which may include a review of its financial history, creditworthiness, and business operations.
Negotiate Terms: Once the lender has completed its due diligence, it will provide the company with a loan offer. The company can then negotiate the terms of the loan, including the interest rate, repayment schedule, and any covenants or restrictions.
Close the Loan: Once the terms have been agreed upon, the loan is closed, and the funds are disbursed to the company.
Repay the Loan: The company is responsible for making regular payments of principal and interest on the loan until it is fully repaid.
It's important to note that the steps associated with debt financing can vary depending on the type of loan and the lender's requirements. Companies should work closely with their advisors and lenders to ensure a smooth and successful debt financing process.
Debt Financing Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions associated with debt financing can vary depending on the type of loan, the lender, and the borrower's creditworthiness. However, some common terms and conditions of debt financing include:
Principal Amount: The principal amount is the amount of money borrowed by the company.
Interest Rate: The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money and is typically expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR). The interest rate can be fixed or variable.
Repayment Term: The repayment term is the period over which the loan must be repaid. It can vary from a few months to several years or even decades.
Collateral: Collateral is an asset or property that the borrower pledges to secure the loan. If the borrower fails to repay the loan, the lender can seize the collateral to recover their losses.
Covenants: Covenants are conditions that the borrower must meet to maintain the loan. For example, the lender may require the borrower to maintain a certain level of financial performance or restrict the borrower's ability to take on additional debt.
Fees: The lender may charge fees, such as loan origination fees, appraisal fees, or late payment fees.
Prepayment: The loan agreement may allow or prohibit prepayment, which is the borrower's ability to pay off the loan early.
Default: If the borrower fails to make payments or violates the terms of the loan agreement, the lender can declare a default and take legal action to recover the loan.
It's important for borrowers to carefully review the terms and conditions of any debt financing offer and consult with legal and financial advisors to ensure that they understand their obligations and risks.
Is Debt Financing the Solution For Your Business?
While business owners may be hesitant to take on additional debt to expand their business, debt financing is a great resource to leverage success. Like any financing option, it is of key importance to ensure that you have a solid business plan that takes paying back any debt. It is also important to only ever borrow what you can afford, even if you are approved for more.
Debt Financing with Backd
Backd specializes in providing debt financing to business owners with flexible terms and competitive rates so that they can grow their businesses the way they want to.
With working capital advances of $25K up to $2M and terms ranging up to 16 months or business lines of credit ranging from $50K to $750K and 6 or 12 months terms, Backd is positioned to help you expand your business without relinquishing control.
Don’t sacrifice your equity to get the financing that you need. Apply with Backd today!
