Businesses can have a wide range of capital needs. Sometimes, companies will turn to credit to meet these needs. There are a range of different credit options businesses can have. One is a business line of credit.
This is an arrangement a company reaches with a lender in which a certain credit limit is set. The business can then, generally, borrow money from the lender up to this limit at any time while the line of credit is still open. When money is borrowed, it is treated as a loan.
The flexibility lines of credit provide is something businesses may finds helpful for navigating certain financial situations. This could include meeting seasonal or time-sensitive capital needs.
Now, while companies can find lines of credit useful, there are, of course, costs connected to them. One is interest. Interest is charged on money borrowed from a line of credit. In some instances, this interest rate could be quite high.
Also, there can be a range of different fees connected to this type of credit source.
Now, lines of credit vary greatly in their terms. This includes the terms regarding: credit limits, interest rates, fees and whether collateral is needed or not. So, what costs and risks could come with a business line of credit depends on its particular terms.
Given this, when considering opening a line of credit, it can be important for small business owners to carefully think about whether this credit option is right for their company and to shop around for a line with the terms that are the best fit for their needs and situation. Also, after an opening a line of credit, it can be critical for business owners to be careful about how much money they draw from the line and what purposes they use the line for. Missteps with lines of credit are among the things that could land a company in debt trouble.
When a company runs into debt trouble over a business line of credit or some other credit source, prompt action can be important for the company’s owners. The sooner business debt problems are faced head-on, the more options that may still be available for tackling the problem. Skilled small business bankruptcy attorneys can advise company owners on what options are open to them given their particular business debt situation.