What is a debt financing?
Debt financing is the act of raising capital by borrowing money from a lender or a bank, to be repaid at a future date. In return for a loan, creditors are then owed interest on the money borrowed. Lenders typically require monthly payments, on both short- and long-term schedules.
Debt financing refers to taking out a conventional loan through a traditional lender like a bank. Equity financing involves securing capital in exchange for a percentage of ownership in the business.
Debt financing can be both good and bad. If a company can use debt to stimulate growth, it is a good option. However, the company must be sure that it can meet its obligations regarding payments to creditors. A company should use the cost of capital to decide what type of financing it should choose.
You should be aware, however, that just as debt can increase your return, it also adds to your risk. If the overall return is less than what the bank demands, you may end up owing more than you can pay, and defaulting on your loan.
Debt financing isamong the most popular forms of financing. So, what makes it so widely used? Ownership and control – Unlike equity financing, debt financing allows you to retain complete control over your business. You don't have to answer to investors, therefore there's less potential for disagreements and conflict.
A common form of debt financing is a bank loan. Banks will often assess the individual financial situation of each company and offer loan sizes and interest rates accordingly.
The disadvantages of debt financing include the potential for personal liability, higher interest rates, and the need to collateralize the loan. Debt financing is a popular method of raising capital for businesses of all sizes.
Equity financing may be less risky than debt financing because you don't have a loan to repay or collateral at stake. Debt also requires regular repayments, which can hurt your company's cash flow and its ability to grow.
Debt financing can be riskier if you are not profitable as there will be loan pressure from your lenders. However, equity financing can be risky if your investors expect you to turn a healthy profit, which they often do.
Lower upfront costs: Compared to equity financing, debt involves borrowing money, often with lower initial costs than selling shares in your company. No ownership dilution: With debt, you don't give up ownership or control of your company like you would with equity financing. Investors become lenders, not co-owners.
Which should be cheaper debt or equity?
Since Debt is almost always cheaper than Equity, Debt is almost always the answer. Debt is cheaper than Equity because interest paid on Debt is tax-deductible, and lenders' expected returns are lower than those of equity investors (shareholders). The risk and potential returns of Debt are both lower.
The most common sources of debt financing are commercial banks. Sources of debt financing include trade credit, accounts receivables, factoring, and finance companies. Equity financing is money invested in the venture with legal obligations to repay the principal amount of interest or interest rate on it.
Debts are generally considered tax-free because they represent borrowed money that needs to be repaid, rather than income generated by individuals or businesses. Taxation is typically imposed on income or profits, and debts do not fall under this category. Instead, they are seen as liabilities that need to be settled.
| Borrower credit rating | Score range | Estimated APR |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 720-850. | 12.42% |
| Good | 690-719. | 14.82%. |
| Fair | 630-689. | 18.08%. |
| Bad | 300-629. | 21.10%. |
Many fast-growing companies would prefer to use debt to support their growth, rather than equity, because it is, arguably, a less expensive form of financing (i.e., the rate of growth of the business's equity value is greater than the debt's borrowing cost).
Consider the snowball method of paying off debt.
This involves starting with your smallest balance first, paying that off and then rolling that same payment towards the next smallest balance as you work your way up to the largest balance. This method can help you build momentum as each balance is paid off.
Pros of debt financing include immediate access to capital, interest payments may be tax-deductible, no dilution of ownership. Cons of debt financing include the obligation to repay with interest, potential for financial strain, risk of default.
Debt finance is money provided by an external lender, such as a bank. Equity finance provides funding in exchange for part ownership of your business, such as selling shares to investors. Both have pros and cons, so it's important to choose the right one for your business.
Debt provides an opportunity to extend your cash runway between raise rounds. If your burn rate leaves you without enough time and funds until more capital can be raised, debt is a worthwhile consideration. Working to increase sales and reduce expenses is also worthwhile, but results are not guaranteed.
Debt financing is generally considered to be less risky than equity financing because lenders have a legal right to be repaid. However, equity investors have the potential to earn higher returns if the company is successful. The level of risk and return associated with debt and equity financing varies.
What does your credit score tell lenders about you?
Credit score ranges help lenders determine the risk of lending to a borrower. Credit scores are based on factors such as payment history, overall debt levels, and the number of credit accounts. You credit score can be a deciding factor on whether you are approved for a loan and at what interest rate.
Ask a CFO or an academic in finance and you would get a different answer. Indeed, debt has a real cost to it, the interest payable. But equity has a hidden cost, the financial return shareholders expect to make. This hidden cost of equity is higher than that of debt since equity is a riskier investment.
Debt Can Generate Revenue
Plus, as equity financing is a one-time injection, you'll have to return to the capital markets again if you need additional funding in the future. If you keep selling company equity to generate funds, you'll have to share even more of your profits with your investors.
Debt Expenses That Can Be Deducted
Though personal loans are not tax-deductible, other types of loans are. Interest paid on mortgages, student loans, and business loans often can be deducted on your annual taxes, effectively reducing your taxable income for the year.
Answer and Explanation: C) Capital is any form of wealth used to produce more wealth. Capital, normally acquired from external investors, is used to buy additional assets or make a company's operations more efficient.
