Invoice Financing: Is It Right For Your Business?
Alwin Goh
Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often hurry to secure financing for their expansion and day-to-day operations. However, it’s crucial to recognise that hastily obtaining a loan may not always be the optimal choice.
Instead, SMEs should take a moment to assess the available financing option, as making the wrong choice could lead to higher interest rates, unfavourable repayment terms, and financial strain.
One often overlooked loan structure for SMEs is invoice financing.
Invoice financing permits a business to secure a loan by leveraging its outstanding invoices with buyers, allowing SMEs to unlock cash trapped in unpaid invoices for business growth and expansion. The financing duration is synchronised with the payment terms outlined on the invoices, eliminating the necessity to endure prolonged waiting periods, such as up to 120 days.
This financing approach proves efficient as it empowers businesses to borrow and repay solely for the utilised amount, distinguishing it from a business-term loan that necessitates a lump-sum payment spread over several years. Additionally, compared to traditional business loans, invoice financing frequently offers more affordable interest rates.
But is invoice financing right for your business? Keep on reading, and let’s find out.
The Most Common Industries Using Invoice Financing
Wholesale and Distribution
In the competitive wholesale market, price and payment terms play a crucial role in winning contracts. The ability to access funds at the beginning of the payment cycle provides wholesalers and distributors with a competitive edge, especially when facing payment terms of up to 120 days.
It is possible for businesses to capitalise on demand and supply imbalances within short timeframes through the use of invoice financing, which proves to be helpful for the purpose of grabbing market opportunities.
Manufacturing Industry
To ensure that manufacturing operations are carried out effectively, it is necessary to have adequate resources for the acquisition of materials and the management of a substantial staff. The use of invoice financing proves to be quite beneficial for manufacturers who are confronted with conventional payment terms ranging from 60 to 90 days, in addition to unforeseen expenses such as equipment maintenance.
Manufacturers, particularly those that are preferred in categories such as food and beverage, are able to satisfy customer requests and address additional costs through the use of the invoice financing option. This demonstrates the usefulness of the option in situations where large supermarket purchasers have payment terms of up to sixty days.
Service Industry
Service companies heavily reliant on human capital often face challenges with timely salary payments and cash flow stress.
Unlike suppliers with flexible credit terms, service providers must pay salaries promptly, causing cash flow strain when there are delays in customer payments.
Payroll, material purchases, and equipment leases are examples of big expenditures that can be covered by invoice finance, which is a quick option that enables service organisations, particularly government service providers, to manage their cash outflows and cover significant expenses.
Transportation Industry
Fuel, salary, and vehicle maintenance costs all fluctuate, causing cash flow concerns in the transportation industry. Because finance requirements vary by work, cash flow is variable. However, funding options ike invoice financing can provide a regular cash flow, giving financial managers flexibility.
Transporting companies need a lot of working capital, thus invoice finance helps. It helps businesses manage expenses guaranteeing smooth operations until invoices are paid.
Construction Industry
Construction is historically characterised by high costs and delays in payment, therefore invoice finance is crucial. Contractor and subcontractor payment delays, material, people, and equipment costs are challenges for construction organisations.
Through invoice finance, construction companies can get paid for completed work quickly, improving their cash flow and giving them the flexibility to chase payments without disrupting active projects.
So, Invoice Financing Right For Your Business?
To determine the suitability of invoice financing for your business, it is crucial to pose the following questions:
- Does your business provide credit terms extending to at least 30 days?
- Does your business encounter cash flow gaps during seasonal fluctuations in demand?
- Does your business manage multiple customers with outstanding invoices, consistently waiting for payments?
If the response to these questions is yes, your business might discover that invoice financing is an appropriate choice for funding its invoices. This financing structure is widely embraced across various industries, including manufacturing, services, wholesale and retail trade, as well as construction.
SMEs in various industries might use invoice financing to get funds for operational needs or seize chances in dynamic market conditions.
Businesses considering this financing may apply with their present bank. This option allows them to borrow and repay only the used amount at 0.6% per month for 120 days and up to 80% of the invoice amount.
The Bottom Line
For SMEs and businesses, integrating invoice financing into their financial strategy can significantly impact the continuous business growth.
However, it’s important to note that invoice financing might not be always applicable. The minimum eligibility criteria for applying could pose it challenging for smaller startups to access this option. If you find yourself in this category, exploring other business loan options might be a more suitable consideration.
On the other hand, if you are a goods or service provider meeting the requirements, invoice financing presents itself as a viable solution to mitigate cash flow-related delays. This type of business loan come with minimal risk.
Need help in securing a funding for your business, consider applying for a custom business loan in Singapore through Capitall to meet your business needs.
