Debt Financing

Debt financing involves any money that a business borrows in order to run operations. Also referred to as loans, it can be a long-term or short-term solution to needed cash flow. There are various options for obtaining the money a business may need to operate effectively.

For any viable business, loans are available. Terms may vary, but every loan is set to be repaid with interest at a future date. This cash flow option can be attractive to business owners because they do not have to sacrifice any ownership interests in their business. Furthermore, the interest on borrowed money may be tax-deductible. Finally, the costs are relatively fixed, and therefore predictable in planning for future business expenses.

When looking for a short- or long-term cash flow solution, a business may find that a loan is the most viable option. By definition, short-term debt financing provides money needed for day-to-day business operations with plans for repayment in less than one year. Day-to-day business operation needs may include purchasing inventory or supplies or paying employee wages. Short-term financing is also referred to as operating loans, and can include lines of credit or credit cards.

On the other hand, long-term loans provide greater amounts of money that are paid back over a longer period of time. A business may use long-term debt financing to purchase equipment, land, buildings or machinery. This money then is used to purchase business assets in which the scheduled loan repayment and the usefulness of the asset extends longer than one year.

A business can obtain money from different sources depending on its needs and financial situation. Banks and credit unions are traditional sources for borrowing money and offer a variety of options especially for businesses. If a business does not yet have established credit, or its credit is poor, it still may be able to get the money needed through a commercial finance company, which offers loans with higher interest rates to high-risk borrowers. Also, commercial financial institutions are available for loaning money, as well as for providing funds for inventory or equipment purchases.

Debt financing can be a useful tool for a business in need of additional cash flow. However, it is meant to be a means to an end, namely of generating more money for a business in order to grow it. Business owners should try to avoid falling into the revolving trap of getting their business into an unmanageable state of debt. Remember that "he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

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