Cash Flow Vs. Asset Based Lending: A Quick Comparison

Business entities are presented with a larger array of loan options to provide financial support for their operations. Whether you are running a startup or a giant corporation, having enough cash flow will help to sustain your business growth. Here, we have put together the different facets of cash flow vs. asset based lending which can help you pick the right financing option to suit your business needs.

Cash Flow Lending

A company’s cash flow can be defined as the amount of money that flows into and out of the company on a daily basis, which is what makes it possible for the company to stay in operation. In contrast to profits, cash flow refers to the money that comes in and goes out of an organization. Because of this, cash flow loans are an excellent choice for larger businesses that have a consistent pattern of cash flow.

Before deciding whether or not to provide a firm with the necessary capital, potential cash flow lenders will first evaluate the company’s credit rating and cash flow forecast. Businesses that have a high credit score and a continuous cash flow may find that cash flow-based financing is an excellent source of capital for their company.

Asset Based Lending

The difference between asset-based lending and cash flow lending is that the former option is a loan that is based on the value of a company’s physical assets. Asset-based lending is frequently comprised of multiple types of financing, such as invoice financing and a business loan. Cash flow lending, on the other hand, is based on the value of a company’s future cash flow.

This kind of financing is suitable for companies that have valuable property, automobiles, or equipment in their inventory. After using the company’s assets to free up capital, the corporation is then in a position to borrow money against the value of those assets.

Lenders will also choose loan terms based on the worth of the item, with the terms becoming more stringent as the value of the asset increases.

Cash Flow vs. Asset Based Lending

There are significant variations between the two loan options, despite the fact that they are both secure and suitable for firms seeking to effectively control their costs. Below are the key differences between cash flow vs. asset based lending:

• Cash flow lending is ideal for any business with a healthy cash flow, whereas asset-based lending is limited to businesses with tangible assets.
• The collateral is the next distinction between the two forms of lending, as asset-based lending is guaranteed by something concrete. However, cash flow lending is based on a forecasted estimate of cash flow, making it a greater risk for lenders, which may have consequences for businesses seeking this type of loan.

The form of lending you pick might also affect your ability to make repayment. For instance, if you have an agreement for a monthly payback on a cash flow loan but your cash flow is low that month, you may not be able to make the payment. Repayments on an asset-based loan are typically based on anticipated revenue from the assets, such as rental income from a property, which is a more stable source.