Ever thought about taking out a business loan but hesitated because you were worried about meeting your repayments? Don’t worry; it’s a common concern. But some promising data has just come out that might help you put those fears aside.
You’ve got to spend money to make money, so the saying goes.
But what if your business’s cash flow has been heavily impacted this year due to COVID-19? What options do you have at your disposal?
According to the Australian Banking Association’s latest report, $10 billion in new lending was made to small businesses in the three months to August 2021 – a 26% jump ($7.9 billion) from last year.
As many as 50% of SMEs now hold a borrowing product.
So while taking out finance for your business might feel daunting, rest assured it’s something most companies do. A range of finance products and options are available to suit businesses of all shapes and sizes.
How difficult do most businesses find it to pay back loans?
So, here’s the good news.
Despite the challenging business conditions during 2021, just 1-in-6 small businesses (16%) struggled to meet their financial commitments.
That’s opposed to 41% of SMEs that found it “easy” or “very easy”, while 36% were indifferent.
And many of these businesses are taking out finance to help keep their doors open and operations running smoothly.
The top reason small and micro businesses gave for recently seeking finance was to ‘maintain short-term cash flow or liquidity’ (about 50%). The second most common reason was to ‘ensure the business’s survival’ (about 40%).
Replacing, upgrading or purchasing equipment or machinery came in third (20-30%).
Want to explore your finance options?
The SME lending space is evolving, with a surge of new lenders and products recently hitting the market.
And as brokers, we’re constantly upskilling and learning to ensure we stay abreast of the expanding options available to small business owners.
So if you’re an SME owner who might need funding, get in touch today.
The sooner we can discuss your options with you, the better placed your business can be to hit the ground running in 2022 and thrive beyond.
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