Understanding Debt Funding | When it comes to growing their business or increasing their revenue to levels that otherwise wouldn’t be attainable, many companies require more capital in order to do so. These businesses have essentially three options for raising the necessary additional capital:
- Funding via Debt
- Equity Capitalization ‘
- Mixed Debt/Equity Structure
A rise in a company’s value, which should be the ultimate goal of any organization that is profitable, is made possible by receiving capital from an outside source like this.
Yet, there are a few considerations that go into a company’s choice of capital structure, and these are the things that an organization must take into account. Access to money, taxes standards, agency fees, transactional expenses, and so on are some examples of these, although the list is not exhaustive. This article discusses debt financing and the implications that it has for businesses.
What exactly does “debt financing” mean?
It is said that a firm is considered to be financed by debt when it obtains a loan from an external organization in order to finance the operations of its business with the agreement that it will pay back the loan’s principal amount in addition to an interest component. Therefore, the individuals or institutions that grant the corporation such a loan are referred to as the company’s lenders. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is a task that is constrained in terms of time, and as a result, the payment of the principal as well as the interest must be completed within the allotted window of opportunity.
There is no transfer of ownership in the case of debt financing, which is one of the most essential characteristics of this form of financing and the trait that differentiates it from equity financing. In addition, the nature of such loans might either be secured or unsecured depending on the borrower’s preference.
Debt financing is available to businesses in the form of a wide variety of fixed-income products, including bonds, bills, and notes.
Read: How Does a Short Squeeze Work?
Financial Debt Structures
The following are some of the methods of debt financing for small businesses and new firms that are most frequently used:
Unsecured Loans for Business Purposes: No collateral is needed for these types of loans. Yet, the company’s creditworthiness is essential for loan approval. In most companies, money can be spent on anything that is deemed necessary. Secured Commercial Loans: Collateral is typically required for secured loans. A firm with poor credit may nevertheless be granted a loan if the application is secured by collateral. Loans for Small Businesses: Even though banks give out these loans, the money is backed by a group like the Small Business Administration (SBA) in the United States. This lowers the risk for the bank, which means you have a better chance of getting the loan and better terms. Loans for Equipment: Only business equipment purchases are eligible for this sort of credit. Leasing equipment instead of purchasing it outright is a more cost-effective option for enterprises.
Benefits of Debt Financing
Gains from taxes: Since interest is an allowable business expense, it can be deducted from taxable income. The cost savings generated by this measure can be reinvested in the company. Enhanced Preparation: Given that the rates of interest have already been set. When anticipated cash flows are considered, their financial statements are prepared with significantly less effort. Keeping the Reins: Unlike Equity Financing, no ownership is lost. Consequently, lenders cannot affect company operations. The lender can select “for what” but not “how” the money is utilized, depending on the loan conditions and kind (Example: Equipment Loans).
Negatives of Borrowing Money
Payback and Schedule: Interest is included in the total amount due, in addition to the principal. If the loan is not repaid by the agreed-upon deadline, the company will be subject to penalties. For businesses with irregular revenue streams, this can become a serious issue. Even if the business fails, you are still responsible for paying back the debt. Evaluations of Credit: A company’s creditworthiness can change as a result of taking on debt. A higher interest rate is required to entice lenders to work with a company that has a high debt-to-equity ratio. Significant Interest: Despite the tax breaks, a company may still be hit with high rates depending on variables like credit history, economic climate, etc.
Interest Expenses on Borrowing
Along with the loan amount, the company also pays the lenders interest (usually annually). These payments are called coupon payments, and they show how much it costs to borrow money. In the same way, the dividends paid to shareholders are the cost of equity. When you add up the costs of debt and shares, you get the cost of capital.
The firm’s decisions must lead to a higher return than the cost of debt. If they don’t, the firm won’t be making money for its lenders, but it will still have to pay its debts, so it will lose money.
Debt vs. equity financing is a problem that every company that wants to get money from outside sources has to deal with. Figuring out the right capital structure can be hard, but the company needs to think about the total cost of capital (the cost of debt plus the cost of equity) and try to keep it as low as possible to get a better return and thus make more money.
Join our social handles | EKANA TECHNOLOGIES