Business Library

Arrange a business overdraft

An overdraft is one of the most common ways to finance your business. If your need for money is likely to be fairly short-term (to cover a temporary shortage of cash or modest start-up requirements, for example) an overdraft is likely to be your best bet. You will need an up-to-date business plan to present to potential lenders and to calculate how much money you need to borrow. Spend some time revising this before you start talking to potential lenders.

An overdraft is quick to arrange and relatively cheap. The serious drawback with one is that the bank can call in the loan at any time. While this does not happen very often, you can bet that if the bank does demand repayment or reduction of the overdraft, it will happen when you can least afford it. Find out about a Factoring alternative...

Security

If your business has no assets, such as debtors, to be taken as security for the overdraft, your bank manager will probably require you to give some personal assets or a personal guarantee as security even if you have formed a limited company. As a self-employed person you are personally liable anyway, so no further guarantees are needed. In the extreme, this means that if you cannot repay an overdraft, your assets, including your house, could be seized to cover the debt.

Banks will often insist on property or debtors as the only acceptable security on an overdraft. Always negotiate the level of security needed; it is in your interests to give up as little as possible. You may wish to raise your share of the funds by using your personal assets to act as security (for example, a second mortgage on your home) or by giving a personal guarantee. You must give this careful consideration and the bank may insist that you take legal advice before you do. You should also discuss this decision with those it will affect, such as your family and partners.

Tax relief

You can get tax relief on these loans. If you are a sole trader or partner, any interest you pay on a loan for business purposes is deductible against tax in working out your taxable profits. If you take on a loan to invest in your company you can get tax relief at your highest rate of tax on the interest you pay. To be eligible for this tax relief, you must either own more than 5% of the shares or own some shares and work for the greater part of your time for the company.

Action Checklist:

Discuss the implications of borrowing with family and partners
Check out the security required on the overdraft
Check out the potential tax relief
Polish your business plan
Shop around for the best lender, comparing interest rates and repayment terms

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This is a guide. It may be helpful for you to speak to an advisor in commercial financing. E&OE