Getting bank finance for my restaurant is almost impossible. How else can I access the funding that I need?
Most small businesses will experience a cash flow challenge at some point during the next 12 months and raising capital from traditional banks is becoming a real challenge. Conservative lending policies and onerous application processes mean that finance applications can take up to twelve weeks or longer.
Banks require significant securities, which many business owners are unable to meet. In short, banks are making it very tough for small businesses.
The business cash advance
For businesses that accept credit or debit cards as a form of payment for their goods and services (termed merchants), the business cash advance is now available as alternative source of funding.
In simple terms, a business cash advance offers the merchant an upfront advance to buy a discounted amount of future business turnover. For example, you may be advanced R80,000 for R100,000 of future turnover, so the fees can be easily calculated as R20,000.
The payback is an agreed percentage of your turnover, paid daily until the full amount is paid across. Payback increases and drops with your business turnover and the smaller daily payments are often easier than monthly fixed instalments.
Quicker turn-around and more accessible
Comparing it to a bank loan, the business cash advance is more accessible, operates over a shorter term and requires no personal security. It is also much faster, typically available within two weeks.
The advance amount is based on historical credit and debit card sales and pay overs are daily. The costs are fully transparent and there are no penalties for late payments or extended payback. However, accessibility, flexibility and convenience come at higher cost than traditional bank lending products.
As with any financial product, it is important that the benefits gained from using the money are more than the costs, so it is important to have a good purpose for the funding and carefully consider the available options.
Over the last three years, the business cash advance has becoming more main-stream and this funding is used by business with a relatively high card turnover, such as restaurants, retailers, beauty salons, supermarkets, convenience stores etc.
What to use the advance for
The advance is typically used for a business opportunity, such as expansion, new stock, new equipment, marketing etc. Alternatively, it also offers through a difficult trading period or to cover an unexpected expense such as equipment failure when the money is needed quickly.
Small businesses are a vital part of the South African economy, contributing over 65% of South Africa’s employment and over 50% of GDP – accessing funding is imperative for these businesses to survive and grow.