Skip to content
The Question Atlas
Menu

Business finance

Loans, invoice finance and leasing.

Decision guides

How to choose · Business finance

How to choose between business loan types

Match the product to the need. Term loans suit one-off investments with predictable repayment, revolving credit lines suit uneven cash flow, and asset-backed products tie borrowing to equipment or invoices. Compare the total cost of borrowing, security required, personal guarantees, repayment flexibility and fees. This describes how to evaluate options and is not personal financial advice; consult a qualified adviser.

Comparison · Business finance

Invoice finance versus a term loan for managing cash flow

Invoice finance advances cash against unpaid invoices, so funding grows with sales and suits businesses with reliable corporate customers and long payment terms. A term loan provides a fixed sum repaid on a schedule regardless of sales. Compare fees, how customers are treated, recourse terms and flexibility. This explains how to evaluate options and is not personal financial advice.

Cost factors · Business finance

What determines the cost of a business loan

Cost depends on the lender's view of risk, the term, security offered, the repayment structure and fees. Longer terms usually lower the monthly payment but increase total interest. Arrangement fees, early repayment charges and insurance requirements add to the real cost. Compare offers using the total amount repayable and the standardised cost measure your regulator requires. This is general information, not advice.

Requirements · Business finance

Requirements to qualify for a business loan

Lenders typically look for evidence of repayment capacity: financial statements, cash flow projections, tax filings, bank statements, business registration, details of owners and the loan purpose. More recent-generation businesses may need personal guarantees or security. Requirements vary by lender, product and jurisdiction, so ask each lender for its checklist. This is general information, not advice.

Questions answered in this section

More in Business operations