Cash credit to finance growth
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Cash credit (also called overdraft facility, credit line or current account advance) is a type of loan which is made available on the business’ current account up to a specific amount and according to certain well-defined conditions, thereby offering a greater flexibility of use.
Once the funds are granted by the financial institution, borrowers may use them freely within the defined limits. They are therefore not obliged to provide supporting documentation relating to their financing needs.
It is a cash advance (like a fixed advance, invoice advance, or temporary current account overdraft facility) intended to help a business experiencing a temporary gap between its earnings and its expenses resulting from the operating cycle, between the supply phase (start of the cycle) and the customer payment phase (end of the cycle).
Objective: it is used to finance the operating cycle and working capital and short-term cash flow needs while waiting to obtain a more suitable form of financing. Cash credit is not intended to finance specific requirements such as machinery, commercial vehicles or properties.
Who is concerned
Available to the self-employed and any type of business, cash credit applies in the following cases:
- creation of a business;
- growth of the business;
- relatively long operating cycle;
- opportunities for investment in equipment;
- opportunities for building up stock;
- long terms of payment given to customers;
- prepayment of suppliers so as to benefit from discounts;
- seasonal activity.
This financing solution can be particularly useful for businesses that experience major seasonal fluctuations in terms of turnover.
Example: a clothing shop purchases significant amounts of stock twice a year, but only sells this stock in the following months. This type of shop will use its credit line intensively when purchasing merchandise and will use it less as sales progress.
Prerequisites
Documentation or description of the business
- copy of the company’s articles of association;
- group structure if the company is part of a more complex group;
- last 3 audited balance sheets of the borrower and, if applicable, the latest available trial balance;
- recent supporting documentation regarding VAT, tax and social security situations;
- order book (where applicable);
- list of customers and their relative contribution to turnover;
- list of suppliers.
Presentation of the application
- cash flow statement;
- forecast budget showing future working capital requirements;
- calculation of the effect of the discount on cash flow requirements.
Guarantees
For the bank, cash credit represents a very high-risk type of credit. Therefore, guarantees are required depending on the customer’s reputation and the extent of the credit line compared to the customer’s financial commitments, its turnover and the overall financial structure of the business. The most common guarantees requested for cash credit are:
- pledge on business assets;
- the surety of the parent company or partners/shareholders;
- various moral guarantees.
When the partners/shareholders of a business have to stand surety for the company, the bank should be provided with the details of their financial situation.
How to proceed
Duration and amount
Duration
- short-term, but generally renewed at maturity;
- the bank can terminate the facility in the short-term, i.e. between one and 3 months.
Amount
Determined according to the specific characteristics of the sector of activity and the size of the business, as well as its balance sheet structure.
Interest rate
- interest rate depending on the quality of the client, the project and the guarantees offered;
- variable rate;
- interest to be paid on the amount used.
Refunds
Repayment at maturity, unless stipulated otherwise in the contract.
Set-up times
The reviewing and processing times depend on the complexity, size and urgency of the case.
Advantages, disadvantages and risks
Advantages
- can be used to offset temporary cash flow shortages which may occur during the business’ operating cycle, the extent and duration of which cannot be accurately anticipated;
- can be used to quickly pay suppliers so as to benefit from significant discounts;
- extremely adaptable and flexible form of credit allowing the borrower to use the credit freely, provided that the credit limits are complied with;
- possibility of repaying the credit at any time and terminating it without incurring any additional costs.
Disadvantages
- higher rate of interest compared to other means of bank financing;
- sometimes the cost of the reservation fee or the permanent availability of the credit line, which is due whether the credit is used or not;
- short notice period if the bank decides to terminate the facility;
- guarantees to be provided to the bank.
Risks
- cash credit can endanger the business’ profitability if it is used for purposes which are not linked to its activity;
- in view of the short notice period that may be given by the bank, the business could find itself unable to repay the loan.
