To run a successful business, you must always have sufficient funds to meet your operational expenses. In the event of a cash crunch, financial institutions now provide a variety of financing choices to assist you with your funding needs. Among these alternatives, cash credit loans and overdraft facilities are two of the most regularly used loan products. Though most people mistakenly believe that both of these products are identical, they are actually quite distinct. In this blog, we help you understand cash credit and overdraft while also highlighting the key differences between them.
A cash credit loan is a sort of short-term lending offered by financial institutions to small businesses to help them meet their working capital needs. Businesses can use this funding option without having a credit balance in their account.
Cash credit is a type of working capital loan that is available for 12 months tenure. It allows businesses to withdraw funds from their account in excess of their account balance as often as they desire, up to a predetermined borrowing limit. On the successful completion of the loan term, the cash credit limit is renewed. Under this financing arrangement, the interest is applicable only on the withdrawal amount and not on the entire borrowing limit.
The following is a list of factors that go into determining the cash credit loan eligibility and your borrowing limit.
Businesses can use the funds to cover expenses such as purchasing raw materials, paying wages, and utility bills, among other things.
Now that you have learned about the cash credit loan, it's time to learn about its features.
An overdraft is a facility offered by a financial institution that allows an account holder to borrow up to a particular amount whenever the account balance reaches zero. The financial institution charges an interest rate, or say, an overdraft fee only on the amount withdrawn from the overdraft account. The borrowed amount must be repaid within a specific time frame.
When you request for an overdraft facility or when you have a pre-approved overdraft limit, then post-approval, you have the option to overdraw funds from your account up to a predetermined limit. Using the overdraft limit means you are raising your account's outstanding balance. The outstanding balance reduces as soon as you deposit the funds into your account.
Under this financing arrangement, you have the option of repaying the lender in full or in part. Once you repay the lender, you can again overdraw the funds until your overdraft limit is exhausted. To understand the working of an overdraft facility, let's take an example.
For eg, a business owner has to pay a salary of Rs 10 lakh. However, he only has Rs 7 lakh in his current account because his payments are delayed by his customers. If he has an overdraft account with a limit of over Rs 3 lakh, he can withdraw the amount he falling short of and cover his expenses.
Interest here will be levied on the money drawn from the overdraft account, until it is fully paid back.
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Before you make a decision, let us first analyse the key differences between these two financing choices.
Parameters | Cash Credit Loan | Overdraft Facility |
---|---|---|
Purpose | Available to businesses for meeting working capital requirements. | Available to both businesses and individuals for meeting their short term financial obligations. |
Basis | Cash credit loan is provided based on the availability of business stocks and inventories. | Overdraft facility is provided based on the applicant's relationship (amount of investment held, type of account, etc.) with the financial institutions. |
Interest Rates | Cash credit interest rates are lower than overdraft facilities. | When compared to cash credit, overdraft interest rates are slightly higher. |
Account Opening | You need to open a new account to receive the cash credit loan amount. | You can avail of the overdraft facility from your existing account. |
Loan Tenure | Cash credit loans usually have a one-year repayment period. | Overdraft facility repayment tenure can be monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly. |
Loan Amount | Under this financing arrangement, the sanctioned amount does not decrease with time. | Under the overdraft facility, the sanctioned amount reduces monthly. |
Apart from differences, there are also some similarities between an overdraft facility and a cash credit account that you should be aware of.
Whether it's an overdraft or a cash credit, the financial institution charges interest based on the amount withdrawn and not on the amount sanctioned.
In both the financing arrangements, the maximum amount sanctioned is fixed, and you cannot qualify for an additional amount.
Whether it's a cash credit loan or an overdraft facility, both of these financing arrangements are payable on demand. These two types of finance options do not have any prepayment fees.
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These pointers help businesses make informed decisions when considering cash credit or overdraft facilities, ensuring they choose the most suitable option for their financial operations.
When deciding between cash credit and overdraft facilities, several important factors should be taken into account to ensure the choice aligns with your financial needs and goals:
Both cash credit loans and overdraft facilities are useful financial tools that help small businesses meet their working capital requirements. However, before making a decision on whether to take a CC or an OD, consider the interest rate, processing fees, and other features of both products.
In conclusion, choosing between a cash credit loan and an overdraft facility depends on your business's specific financial needs and operational requirements. Cash credit offers structured repayment terms with lower interest rates, ideal for ongoing working capital needs. On the other hand, overdrafts provide flexibility for short-term cash flow gaps but may have slightly higher interest rates. Assessing these factors will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and financial capabilities.
1. Who can apply for a cash credit loan or overdraft facility?
Businesses with a good credit history, stable cash flow, and sufficient collateral can apply for cash credit loans. Overdraft facilities are available to account holders with a reliable banking relationship and creditworthiness.
2. What documents are needed to apply for cash credit or overdraft?
Typically, applicants need to provide financial statements, business plans, collateral details, and proof of identity and address for both cash credit and overdraft facilities.
3. Which option is more suitable for my business?
Choose cash credit for consistent working capital needs with structured repayments. Opt for an overdraft for flexibility in managing short-term cash flow gaps and unexpected expenses.
4. Are there any fees associated with cash credit and overdraft facilities?
Both options may have processing fees, interest charges on withdrawn amounts, and potential penalty fees for late repayments or breaches of terms.