General Finance

Factors That Led to the Growth of NBFCs in India

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The transformation of Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) in India in the past few years plays an important role in growth of Indian Financial system. NBFC’s have emerged successful as compared to Banks as their customized product offerings help individuals with their financial needs.

NBFC Credit Market growth is as shown below.

Financial Year Growth
2016 13%
2017 16%
2018 20%

NBFC’s grow at an average rate of 4%-6% every year. Following are the major factors that led to the growth of NBFC’s in India

Understanding the customer

  1. Focus on unorganized & under-served segments of the economy.
  2. Customization of rigid policies to meet customer needs

Customized product offering

  1. Emphasis on a limited line (or often a mono-line set of products) to serve the target customer segment
  2. Adoption of non-standard pricing models for product lines, in-line with the customer profile and inherent risk of lending

Leveraging technology

  1. Reduced time to market and enhanced customer experience
  2. Offering customized credit assessment models with optimized business processes

Reaching out to wider audience

  1. Catering to the needs of Tier-2, Tier-3 and Tier-4 markets
  2. Distribution of loans across several customer touch-points with 24/7 sales and service

Risk Management

  1. Improved governance with agile risk management model
  2. NBFCs continue to grow with Chief Risk Officer (CRO) ensuring the highest standards of risk management.

growth of nbfc in india

Banks or NBFC: Which is better for Business Loan?

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Bank or NBFC for Business Loan Overview

As a business owner, your reliance on loans from banks is quite understood as the business goes through several ups and downs. There would be very few businesses which can withstand unpredictable business cycles and manage headwinds without worrying about any business loan. For those who are unable to scale up because of crunch in the capital always turn to loan from banks. Today markets have opened up and the government has also supported SMEs through various schemes and loans. There are a plethora of options available if you want to apply for a business loan. Of all the choices available you usually get stuck between a bank and NBFC. Here we demystify both the financial institutions which can help you make an informed decision for your business.

It is important to have clarity on the two financial intermediaries in any financial system. NBFC is primarily Non-Banking Finance Company that provides banking services without holding a banking license or any legal agreement. NBFCs have to get registered under the Companies Act 1956 to offer services similar to banks. NBFCs are privately owned institutions regulated by the RBI and other government entities.

While a bank is a financial institution that accepts deposits from the public and creates credit. Banks can perform lending activities either directly or indirectly through capital markets.

Banks can manage financial services and products generally authorized to them. Most importantly banks can accept demand deposits while NBFCs can only lend or invest but they are not allowed to accept demand deposits.  A demand deposit is a bank account which allows the account holder to withdraw his money from the account at his will and by any means without notice to the bank.

The functions of NBFCs are limited to the extent that they can accept/renew public deposits for a minimum period of 1 year to 5 years. The maximum interest rate an NBFC can offer is 12.5%. Also, keep in mind that the RBI doesn’t guarantee the repayment of deposits by NBFCs, unlike banks. Since NBFCs doesn’t form a part of the payment and settlement system, it cannot issue a cheque to its customers.

In fact, both institutions offer attractive deals to customers with different needs of borrowings. NBFCs are typically divided into three categories –Asset, Loan and Investment Companies.

In recent times Indian banks’ are struggling with bad loans which has given way to NBFCs which are not as strictly regulated as banks. Access to formal credit is still a big challenge to MSMEs, with nearly 40% of lending taking place through informal sources, according to report by the Omidyar Network and BCG. To avail a small business loan, NBFCs can offer a better deal than traditional banks. Here are some of the reasons.

Interest rates

Bank loans are typically linked to the MCLR, the minimum interest rate below which a bank is not permitted to lend. It is further linked to macro-economic factors such as RBI lending rates, international market, etc. On the other hand, NBFCs offer loans  based on the prime lending rate (PLR) which is not regulated by RBI.  As a result, NBFCs can exercise some amount of freedom to increase or decrease loan rates as per their requirements. It benefits the customers and offers them multiple options, especially when they can’t meet the loan eligibility criteria of banks.  NBFCs get an edge over banks who can’t lend below MCLR slab. It is seen that cases, where owners easily meet the criteria may end up paying higher interest rates compared to a loan from banks.

Loan eligibility

The eligibility of a loan can differ between a bank and NBFC. Since it is not regulated as tightly as banks, NBFCs can sanction amount higher than banks. Also, most banks don’t fund the entire credit requirement and fund only a certain portion and the rest has to be paid by the borrower. However, NBFCs can find out ways to help borrowers and sanction the entire business loan. While some NBFCs offer business loans with a loan limit that is pre-approved, which means if you are a business owner you can withdraw funds from your pre-approved loan limit. The most interesting factor is that businesses will be paying interest only on the used amount and not on the entire loan amount, unlike the term loans, where EMIs are on the entire amount. The interest is charged only on the amount utilized which can help in reducing the monthly business loan EMIs. Such pre-approved loan limit comes to the rescue of business and ensures they are never devoid of capital. Moreover, there is no need to apply for multiple applications for procuring loan at any point in time.

Business Loan Apply Online

Paperwork

NBFCs have a good share of small business loans in their books because of the above reasons. Most people turn towards business loan from NBFCs because of less documentation and paperwork while banks can be stringent when it comes to approval of the documents. If you are unable to provide requisite documents, banks may not process the loan and refuse the application. However, NBFCs have minimum documentation and the business loans are processed much faster than a bank.

Credit Score

Banks follow strict guidelines and ensure that the borrower has a good credit score because business with a poor credit score is deemed risky. NBFCs may offer and accept SME business loan even if the credit score is not too good. However, keep in mind in such a scenario you may have to pay a higher interest rate to balance out the default risk. As the capital need is of prime importance for small business it is imperative that you evaluate all the options available. In 2017, the Reserve Bank of India in its financial stability report found that the NBFCs are more successful than banks and their balance sheet expanded 15.5%.

Both lending institutions have their pros and cons. As a business owner, you should carefully read the offer documents, calculate EMIs with the help of business loan calculator and consider the benefits mentioned above before approaching to either of the two for a small business loan.

Top 5 Government Loan Schemes for Small Businesses in India

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India was recently termed as the only, truly emerging market in the world at the moment. A part of this growth is fueled by the micro, small and medium enterprises of the country. The SME sector contributes over 40% of the total GDP and remains a critical source of employment for the India’s growing population. Recognizing the importance of SME growth in the post-demonetization era, the government has started some new business loan schemes and boosted other existing ones. Here are the top five business loan schemes from the government of India that you can avail for small business finance.

MSME Business Loans in 59 Minutes

Perhaps the most talked about business loan scheme right now is the ‘MSME Business Loans in 59 Minutes’, a scheme first announced in September 2018. The loans under this scheme are given for financial assistance and encouragement of MSME growth in the country. Both new and existing business can utilize the scheme for a financial assistance up to ₹ 1 crore. The actual process takes 8-12 days to complete, while the approval or disapproval is granted within the first 59 minutes of application. It is a refinancing scheme, wherein five authorized public sector banks will grant the funds. The interest rate depends on the nature of your business and credit rating. No information has been given on subsidizing the principal amount or interest subvention.

To apply for business loan under this scheme, you need GST verifications, Income Tax verifications, bank account statements for the last 6-months, ownership related documentation, and KYC details. More information on application and approvals can be sought by visiting the SIDBI portal for this business loan.

MUDRA Loans

Micro-units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) is an organisation established by the government of India to provide business finance to micro-business units. The loans under the scheme are given on the pretext of ‘funding the unfunded’. Since small companies and startups are often left to their own devices for financing their venture, the government has created the concept of low-cost credit to such undertakings. MUDRA Loans are also a refinanced business loans, approved and disbursed through public sector banks, private sector banks, co-operative societies, small banks, scheduled commercial banks and rural banks that come under the scheme. The loans are generally given to micro or small businesses operating in the manufacturing, trading and services sector. The MUDRA Loans are structured as under,

  • Sishu Loans up to ₹ 50,000/-
  • Kishor Loans up to ₹ 5,00,000/-
  • Tarun Loans up to ₹ 10,00,000/-

Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises

The CGMSE was first launched in the year 2000 as a monetary support scheme for micro and small enterprises. It offers collateral-free credit for both new and existing business units that satisfy its eligibility criteria. The scheme provides working capital loans up to ₹ 10 lakhs without any collateral. However, for all credit facilities above ₹ 10 lakhs and up to ₹ 1 crore only primary security or mortgage of land and building associated with the building is obtained and such eligible accounts are covered under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE). Asset created through the credit facility which are associated with the business unit are also considered as security when the loan amount exceeds ₹ 10 lakhs.

The business loans under this scheme are financed by various public and private sector banks covered under the scheme.

National Small Industries Corporation Subsidy

The NSIC subsidy for small businesses offers two kinds of financial benefits – Raw Material Assistance and Marketing Assistance. Under the raw material assistance scheme of NSIC, both indigenous and imported raw materials are covered. Under the marketing support, funds are given to SMEs for enhancing their competitiveness and the market value of their products and services. The NSIC is mainly focused on funding small and medium enterprises who wish to improve / grow their manufacturing quality and quantity.

Credit Link Capital Subsidy Scheme for Technology Upgradation

This scheme allows small businesses to upgrade their process by financing technological upgradation. The technological upgradation can be related to numerous processes within the organization, such as manufacturing, marketing, supply chain etc. Through the CLCSS scheme, the government aims to reduce the cost of production of goods and services for small and medium enterprises, thus allowing them to remain price competitive in local and international markets. The scheme is run by the Ministry of Small-Scale Industries. The CLCSS offers an up-front capital subsidy of 15% for eligible business. However, there is a cap to the maximum amount that can be availed as subsidy under the scheme, which is set at ₹ 15 lakhs. Sole proprietorships, partnership firms, co-operative, private and public limited companies come under the ambit of this business loan scheme.

An Alternative: Quick Business Loans from Lendingkart

While all these schemes display the commitment of the past and present Indian governments for developing the economy of the nation, there is much that needs to be done to make the schemes effective. For example, the refinancing and subsidy model used by the government takes away the ‘quick’ factor from business loans touted by the schemes. Since these loans are essentially funded by the government sponsored banks, the turnaround time is in weeks or even months, which is detrimental for a small business owner looking for quick business finance. Even the most ambitious of all these schemes, the 59 Minutes Loan for MSMEs, takes up to 2 weeks in reality.

On the other hand, MSME finance by non-banking financial companies like Lendingkart is approved and disbursed within 72 hours. This is done by combining business analytics and online technologies for loan approval and disbursal instead of relying on paperwork and age-old processing techniques. For instance, Lendingkart offers business loans online through their website or mobile app. Simply log-in to apply for a business loan, get a same- day approval, accept the quote and upload your documents digitally for verification. The entire process hardly takes 10-minutes of your time and the verification is completed within 3 working days by Lendingkart. So, you have the funds ready for use within a quarter of the time it takes a government scheme to disburse a loan.

To apply for a business loan with Lendingkart in 3 simple steps, visit us at www.lendingkart.com.

Things to Know When Making Your Wife a Guarantor for Your Business

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Most small and medium businesses need to stabilize before they can make profits. This initial phase requires capital and may make or break a new business venture. That is why most startup owners look for funding or business loans to meet their immediate asset creation and working capital needs. Now, getting a business loan can be a harrowing experience if it is your first ever project. Indian banks are already reeling from a bad loan crisis and are particularly wary of lending to new SMEs. Plus, banks need a guarantor who will vouch for you in case of a loan default.

What is the role of a guarantor?

A guarantor is the surety provider for repaying a debt if or when the original borrower fails to repay the debt. He or she signs a document to that effect and hence the guarantor is contractually obliged to repay the debt of the principal borrower in the case of default.

According to a Supreme Court of India verdict, the guarantor becomes equally liable for repaying a debt when a loan goes bad. Therefore, if you have made your wife or a close relative your guarantor for a small business loan, chances are that they will be dragged into legal troubles if you fail to service the liability.

Furthermore, the loan contract also gives the lender the power to attach the property of a guarantor (in this case the wife) to recover the loan amount.

How to safeguard your wife’s assets in advance?

There are two scenarios in which a lender cannot attach the asset of your spouse in a loan default recovery case.

  1. Register your business as LLP: New businesses are run under several categories such as sole proprietorship, partnership, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or private limited. In case of LLPs, the assets of inactive partners cannot be attached in a loan recovery lawsuit.
  2. Set up a Parental Trust: Discretionary trusts set up at the time of a daughter’s marriage are also exempt from business loan recovery proceedings. Having one set up for your would-be wife can help minimize personal asset loss in case of a business failure.

Instances when a lender cannot hold your wife liable in case of a business loan default

  • If a woman has no direct or indirect role in her husband’s business, the Married Women’s Property Act prevents lenders from attaching her belongings in the case of loan recoveries.
  • If the husband and wife are joint holders of a disputed asset, the lender has to reimburse the wife’s portion upon liquidation of the asset.
  • If your wife is a director in the company but not the guarantor, her assets cannot be seized by the lender.

Avoiding the hassles of a business loan from banks

As you can see, there is a lot of hassle and risk involved in securing a business loan from a bank. The red tape, the bureaucratic process and finally the stringent terms dictating recoveries are simply not worth the trouble in this modern day and age. Switching to alternate means of business finance can save you all that trouble and facilitate fast business loans at the same time.

Non-banking financial companies, or NBFCs as they are popularly known, offer instant business loans without any collateral and have a flexible recovery process that allows you a chance to settle the dues. Here are some of the benefits of applying for a business loan with an NBFC.

  • Online application and processing allow faster business loan approvals.
  • Money is transferred directly into your bank account and instantly available for exploiting new business opportunities.
  • Minimal processing charges and lower interest rates reduce the payback burden on your books.
  • Break down your loan repayments in bi-weekly or monthly installments or repay early without a worry as there are no prepayment charges.
  • Reapply for a business loan and get the previously sanctioned loan amount instantly.

These benefits, not only allow you to get loans quicker but also help your business grow faster, which means you are better equipped to face a financial blowback. Moreover, the recovery process is also very business friendly as NBFCs allow you to restructure your loans in cases of market upheavals.

Concluding thoughts

When you are setting up a new business, it is always a wise thing to have a comprehensive look at the business scenarios that will benefit you and the scenarios in which things can go south. Making your wife a guarantor for your business loan liabilities is one of those things. While, initially, it may seem like a good choice if your wife has a business of her own or has significant personal wealth, you may soon realize your mistake if things do not work as planned on the business front. Thus, taking some prudent steps in advance will help you and your wife avoid simultaneous bankruptcy. Moreover, financing your business through a FinTech lender like Lendingkart may be a better alternative altogether. Non-banking financial companies offer business-friendly financial products and services and are better suited for small and medium enterprises looking for business loans up to ₹ 1 crore.

Want to apply for a business loan with Lendingkart? Check your Eligibility.

Indian Government Reduces the Tax Burden on SMEs

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Indian economy has stayed robust for the past few years. Global credit rating agencies continue to display confidence in the Indian economy and the government is also optimistic about meeting its fiscal targets. This in turn has prompted the government into taking on some bold reforms to the Indian economic system in the past. In yet another move, the government has announced through the Ministry of Finance that it is lowering the rate of deemed profits under the presumptive scheme for businesses.

This is good news for small and medium enterprises operating in manufacturing, wholesale, retail and trading. Earlier, when a business opted for the presumptive scheme of taxation under section 44AD, 8% of its total turnover or gross receipts was taken as net income chargeable under tax. However, the government has announced a new incentive for businesses wherein they can reduce this tax rate to 6%.

How you can reduce the tax on your business income under the new scheme?

Well, going digital and creating a low cash environment is one of the government’s primary economic objectives. The new scheme is an incentive for small and medium businesses who conduct their business transactions through electronic mediums. A statement by the finance minister also reflected this sentiment as he noted that small businesses can save up to 30% in taxes by availing this scheme and going cashless.

To take the benefit of the scheme the precondition for traders and businesses is that all their payments should be through digital means. Hence, the deemed profit rate shall be reduced from 8% to 6% for those who satisfy the pre-condition.

Who can benefit from the scheme?

SMEs which have already moved to digital transactions will benefit the most from this scheme. The tax rebates are being given with a retrospective effect. So, if your business has been accepting payments through digital transactions since 1st April 2016, you can claim tax benefits under the scheme up to 31st March 2017.

Consequently, if you have missed that opportunity, there is still a silver lining for your business, as you can benefit from the scheme by moving your future transactions through electronic modes. One caveat of the scheme is that all transactions done through cash are still liable for taxation at 8% under the deemed profit presumptive taxation scheme.

The following table shows how a business can save taxes under the new scheme.

Particulars

 100% Digital 100% Cash 50% Cash, 50% Digital

Gross Turnover

 ₹ 1 Crore ₹ 1 Crore

₹ 1 Crore

Digital Turnover

 ₹ 1 Crore Nil

₹ 50 Lakhs
Cash Turnover Nil ₹ 1 Crore

₹ 50 Lakhs

Deemed Profit @6%

 ₹ 6 Lakhs NA

₹ 3 Lakhs

Deemed Profit @8%

 NA ₹ 8 Lakhs

₹ 4 Lakhs

Total Profit

 ₹ 6 Lakhs ₹ 8 Lakhs

₹ 7 Lakhs

Deductions u/s 80C

 ₹ 1.5 Lakhs ₹ 1.5 Lakhs

₹ 1.5 Lakhs

Taxable Income

 ₹ 4.5 Lakhs ₹ 6.5 Lakhs

₹ 5.5 Lakhs

Tax Payable

 ₹ 15,452 ₹ 56,650

₹ 36,048
Tax Savings ₹ 41,198 Nil

₹ 20,596

So, by going the digital route, a small business owner can save as much as 72% in taxes through the new presumptive tax scheme. Such a margin can be a huge relief for small business owners and Kirana shop owners who operate at very thin profit margins. A legislative amendment in this regard was carried out through the Finance Bill, 2017.

Additional benefits of the scheme

Since this scheme is aimed at bringing more transparency to the organised and unorganised small and medium business sectors, there are several other financial benefits for SMEs as well.

Raising Capital through Investment will become easier for small business owners as the profit margins improve. An investor will be more willing to put his money in a business with healthy profit margins and support from the government of the day.

Getting Unsecured Business Loans through banks and NBFCs is also supposed to get easier for SME owners with an increase in their profits. However, here non-banking financial companies are positioned better than the banks. Traditional banks in India are simply too slow for the digital initiatives whereas NBFCs like Lendingkart Finance have already embraced digital finance, here’s how.

  • Lendingkart offers business loans online through their website and mobile app.
  • From application and document uploads to tracking, approvals and funds transfer, everything is done online.
  • An SME can get a business loan within 3 days’ time.
  • Digital financing allows Lendingkart to offer lower interest rates on business loans, reduce processing charges and waive off prepayment penalties.
  • Instant refinance available upon closing an existing loan.

Raising credit rating is another side benefit of the new scheme as more profits means less credit liabilities and subsequently a healthier balance sheet. This will raise a business’s credit score and help secure more financial resources for growth and expansion.

In conclusion

All in all, the new scheme is a very good incentive from the government and shows the ruling dispensation’s eagerness for market reforms. Small and medium business owners are set to gain from this scheme both in short-term and long-term. It would be good if the government can extend the benefits of these schemes to professionals taking the benefits of the presumptive tax scheme. However, one step at a time does the trick and we applaud the finance ministry’s proactive approach to business development in India. Moreover, the financial benefits of the scheme such as easy small business loans and growth in investment prospects are definitely positive steps for the economy and the people.

Here’s How You Can Raise Funds for Your Startup

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All startup businesses begin with exciting new ideas and high hopes. However, it is also an unfortunate fact that most startups run into unforeseen financial and operational difficulties within the first year of their operations.

Business researchers often point to a number of reasons that are responsible for the failure of a promising new venture. Yet, the fact also remains that most of these difficulties arise due to inadequate capital.

Capital is the basic requirement for running any venture and no business can be expected to thrive if it does not have proper financing. That is the reason why the concept of investor funding is so strongly embedded in the startup scene. But, raising funds is not only a tedious exercise, it also determines the future of a startup venture. For instance, you may lose the control of your business by giving up a large stake in return for capital funding.

There are a number of ways you can raise funds for a startup business, such as bootstrapping or self-funding, crowdfunding, Angel investment, venture capital, working capital loans, and government programs that help MSMEs. Every one of these methods has its own pros and cons. Let’s have a look.

Source:

Pros:

Cons:
Self-funding:

Using funds from personal savings or borrowings from family and friends or both.

 -Easily accessible funds

-No bureaucratic hassles

-Flexible interest rates

 – Not feasible for large scale business operations or expansions
Crowdfunding:

Getting funds from crowdfunding platforms by making a pitch and getting capital from interested crowd funders.

 –       Helps in marketing as well as financing by creating a public interest

–       Allows you to retain control of your business

–       May help attract future investment from venture capitalists

 –       Competition is heavy due to the public nature of the platform

–       So, is the probability of your idea getting rejected due to too many homogeneous ideas
Angel Investment:

Basically, getting funds from individuals with huge capital worth, willing to invest in new business ideas.

 –       An Angel investor can also provide valuable business mentorship along with the capital investment

–       Angel investors are less risk averse

 –       The capital provided by Angel investors is often less in comparison to venture capitalists or other business funding methods
Venture Capital:

Venture capitalists are professionals who tend to invest in solid business ideas. However, they rarely seek equity and pull out when a business is acquired or upon IPO.

 –       Venture capitalists bring a huge amount of mentorship and business acumen to the table

–       They help you design exit-strategies that allow huge profit margins

 –       Venture capitalists tend to take away the control of your business in order to recover their investment quickly

–       Venture capitalists are mostly interested in large companies which have a proven business model
Working Capital Loan:

A loan from a microfinance company or NBFC that especially caters to the needs of small business owners.

 –       Loans are unsecured so there is no risk of collateral loss as is with a bank loan

–       A quick business loan can fast track your income generation

–       Helps small businesses gather their bearings before seeking higher investments

–       No legalities and technicalities in comparison to traditional bank loans

 –       None that we can think of
Government Programs:

Getting funds from the government subject to institutional scrutiny and meeting the policy parameters.

 –       Great way to source funds at low interest rates along with subsidies and other incentives –       Very slow, long, and often tedious process that may take months or even years to get an approval

So, now that you know about the various ways of raising capital for your startup business, the obvious question that needs asking is – which one is the best?

Well, if you are looking for a quick and hassle-free funding, it means you have already tapped in bootstrapping sources. So, the next best thing here will be getting a working capital loan from an NBFC.

Faster Business Loans without Security

Non-Banking Financial Companies offer loans for business without requiring a collateral. NBFCs are also business sensitive and hence provide quick business loan approvals and disbursements in comparison to traditional banks. For example, a bank may take up to 15 days to process your business loan application whereas you can get a business loan approval within 72 hours by applying with an NBFC like Lendingkart Finance.

Flexible EMIs, Interest Rates and Prepayment Options

Working capital loans for business come with the added benefits like a flexible EMI schedule, lower interest rates and zero prepayment charges. If you are a budding entrepreneur, these benefits can be a godsend for your business. For instance, the ability to customize your EMIs allows you to plan your repayment in tandem with your invoicing cycle. Lower interest rates mean you are not losing precious capital in interest payments. Finally, if at any stage your business starts generating expected profits and you wish to repay your business loan in full, there are no prepayment charges, fees or penalties.

Conclusion

Raising funds for business establishment and growth is always tricky. There are a lot of checkboxes that you need to tick before getting the capital you need. Furthermore, some of the most popular startup funding measures are also the most crowded ones as other entrepreneurs are also having the same funding ideas. Whereas getting funds by giving away equity has its own pitfalls in the long-run and can leave you without any control whatsoever over your business. Alternatively, you can get a bank loan for funding your business but that process is also marred by slow processing, bureaucratic red-tape and the huge risk of collateral loss.

So, amidst such tedious and discouraging scenarios, getting a working capital loan or a business loan from an NBFC like Lendingkart is the most plausible alternative for funding your startup. Add to that the many benefits of NBFC business loans, and the fact that you do not have to give away control over your business for getting working capital funds, and you have a winner on your hands.

Why Fintech Lenders Have Become The Best Choice For Business Finance

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As we very well know, the public and private sector banks in the country are burdened by an unprecedented NPA problem at this moment. As a domino effect, correctional measures taken by the banks has made it harder for small and medium enterprises to get business loan approvals. Also, banks in India still lack business specific products and services, which makes loan application a cumbersome and time-consuming process, which is the opposite of what 21st century businesses need.

On the other hand, the Indian economy is booming and there is a start-up boom, which means there is an increased demand for small business finance. This disharmony in demand and supply has given rise to FinTech lending, a new age medium of small business finance.

FinTech lenders like Lendingkart Finance stress on a customer centric business model, where the customer has to make the minimum effort possible to get business finance. The idea is to help business owners focus on growth of their enterprise rather than being burdened by financial worries all the time.

Here are the salient features of FinTech finance which make companies like Lendingkart, the go-to financial solution for small and medium business owners in India.

Minimal documentation

Where banks and traditional financial institutions require a ton of physical documentation before a loan application is put into processing, FinTech firms have a completely online business loan application process. A simple upload of soft copies of essential company documents is all that is required to start a business loan application. Check the KYC documents – what you have and what is needed.

Online application and processing

As mentioned above, the online loan application can be completed in a few simple steps, involving an eligibility check, application submission, evaluation and sanction of loan value, and disbursal. A business owner can track his/her loan application status anytime by logging into the FinTech loan account.

Quick disbursal of funds

Unlike bank loans, FinTech loans are cleared faster due to use of patented big data technologies and a combination of online and offline verification processes which save valuable man-hours. The loan funds are released directly into the business account of borrowers instead of issuing cheques or demand drafts. To give you an example, Lendingkart Finance, one of India’s top FinTech lenders, clears funds within 3 days of application approval.

No penalties or hidden charges

In many instances, a small business may become profitable sooner than original predictions and may want to repay the loan in full. A bank will usually charge a penalty for early repayment of loan to make up for loss of interest. However, FinTech with its cost advantage has no such provision. A borrower can prepay the loan in full with no extra charges. Furthermore, traditional banks and NBFCs generally have an array of hidden costs and charges that are deducted from the principal amount, leaving a small business owner well-short of the funds he/she expected. FinTech lenders on the other hand only have a provision for 2% as processing fees and no other charges to be deducted at all.

So, it is no surprise at all that business owners are moving towards FinTech lending to get working capital loans and business expansion loans, as these new-age lenders offer faster and more reliable business loans and services for the digitally connected businesses of the 21st century.

Best Small Business Practices to Adopt in a New Financial Year

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A small business owner is always striving to give his/her business the right environment to thrive. Here, environment implies having a good workplace, hiring efficient employees, getting the right equipment, developing fruitful relationships and most important of all, gaining access to proper financing and working capital. The last point is most important because every business needs money to operate and without a proper inflow and outflow of cash, any business will eventually suffer. Incidentally, inadequate access to working capital is the reason behind failure of most small business enterprises in the country and the world today.

In this post, we are sharing some tips that will help you enact financial discipline for your SME. To tip you off, these pointers explain the advantages of good accounting practices that keep your finances streamlined and readily available for use.

    1. Practice Strict Bookkeeping: The cardinal rule for running a successful business is to keep accurate records of all the transactions happening on a day-to-day basis. Financial records give you an accurate picture of your income and expenditure, debts, and, accounts receivables. Which in turn help you in tracking income, paying liabilities, and filing tax returns on time.

 

    1. Deploy Integrated Accounting Systems: The reach of technology is extending every day and a small business owner will do well to embrace a modern accounting system to integrate his/her small business with the digital economy. Accounting software are in use by most large scale businesses toady and their benefits are time tested. As a small business owner you can also utilise these systems to save accounting costs, improve financial accuracy, and reduce the chances of theft and fraud.

 

    1. Track your Invoices: Getting paid for the work you have done is all that matters at the end of each day as a small business owner. If you are not getting paid on time, your employees are not getting paid on time, your equipment is not being serviced on time, your rental and utility bills are not paid on time and so on and so forth. Therefore, it is important to have an active invoice tracking system in place. Moreover, generate your invoices as soon as your product or service is delivered instead of waiting till the end of month, this will speed up your invoice clearances significantly and give your working capital a boost.

 

    1. Follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: GAAP are accounting techniques that are pursued by leading accounting and auditing firms and are accepted as a standard procedure in the financial world. By following these principles on reporting and disclosure of financial statements you will not only be able to draw quicker financial decisions but will also instil confidence in a lender or investor for raising funds.

 

  1. Use Small Ticket Finance for Working Capital: As enumerated at the beginning of this post, having enough money to run daily business is one of the primary concerns of a small business owner. It is quite possible that your business will run into temporary working capital difficulties at the beginning. In such scenarios, never dip your hands into the capital earmarked for equipment or assets to use as working capital. This a vicious cycle which may never end and cause your business to lose precious competitive edge as you fail to invest in proper assets because you used up that capital as working capital. Instead, apply for a working capital loan to finance your short term needs. There are many fintech firms like Lendingkart who offer working capital loans at low interest rates in India. These business loans are short-term, typically one year in duration, and have flexible EMI options to make repayment easier.

In conclusion, financial discipline is necessary if you want your small business to be profitable. The online world offers a lot of tools that you can utilise to bring in transparency and accountability for your small business. Furthermore, online financing options have made it way easier to get working capital loans for a small business and you should utilise these opportunities pro-actively for sustained success in your venture.

To know how to apply for a small business loan from Lendingkart, click here.

5 Tax Saving Tips for Small Business Owners in India

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For running your own business in India you require a string of statutory compliances and remember to pay the attached fees and taxes. Even after the implementation of GST last year, the Indian taxation system remains complex as ever and your business ends up paying a significant amount in taxes to the government.

Today, we are sharing 5 tax saving tips for Indian business owners, including best practices to help you earn more from your business venture.

Claiming  benefits on a housing loan

If you have an active home loan, you can claim its interest to be a deduction from house property and claim the principal as deduction under Section 80C (limited to a maximum of Rs. 150,000).  This will effectively reduce your overall taxable income by reducing your ‘income from house property’ in ITR.

Electronic payment of municipal taxes

You can also claim the taxes paid to your municipal corporation or municipality as deductions under income from house property. You simply need to keep a record of the payments and copy of receipts. Electronic payment of municipal taxes ensures that your bank account have the necessary proof in case you damage or lose the receipts.

Switch to smart and efficient accounting

Since most small businesses in India are labour intensive enterprises, they are used to pay wages in cash. Sometimes, as much as 40% of a small business’s manufacturing expenses may be going into direct and indirect wages. If your business fails to keep track of these expenses, then your profit margins increase because of unrecorded entries in your expenses account and you are liable to pay more taxes. So if you have been neglecting bookkeeping for a while now, it is time to take a closer look at the state of affairs in your accounts department. You can also take help of a free accounting software to make matters easier.

Claiming Additional Depreciation

The Income Tax Act allows a claim of additional 20% depreciation on new machinery installed during the year. The provision meant for the benefit of certain notified industries under the Section 35AD and it is only applicable for the first year of a new machine or equipment’s operation. By claiming the additional depreciation @20% you can claim save that amount as expenses incurred.

Deducting TDS

There are certain transactions which require you to deduct the tax at source, such as payments made as commission to your business agent or a freelance employee. If you fail to deduct the TDS the whole amount becomes inadmissible for claiming tax rebates. So make sure that you keep track of all such transactions and deduct tax @10% for them.

So these are some tips / best business practices which will allow you to save more by reducing your tax burden. In case you have been a little less prudent with accounts management in the past, it is never too late to adopt these practices. In the meanwhile, you can also apply for short term business loans to get out of current financial troubles and start your business’s recovery. To know more about fast business loans, click here.

Best Free Accounting Software for Small Businesses in India

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Did you know that you can save a lot of time and money by adhering to smart accounting? Most small business owners do not always prioritize accounting, as there are other tasks on their to-do list which seem more urgent. However, there is a reason behind accounting being a separate arm of business management, accounting enables efficiency and transparency in business operations.

Nowadays, the integration of IT solutions with business operations means that a small business owner can easily manage cash flow, invoicing and payrolls with automated accounting software.

Here we are sharing a list of best free accounting software for small businesses that you can test and deploy for your enterprise.

ZipBooks

A popular choice among small business owners, ZipBooks simplifies accounting with an easy-to-learn interface and some powerful accounting features. The ZipBooks starter option is free and lets you create unlimited invoices for any number of vendors and customers. You can also connect your bank account to the software and manage your business’s bank account.

Marg

Developed specifically for use in India, the Marg Accounting Software is totally free to use and offers a comprehensive list of accounting features such as ledger management, cash flow control and preparing detailed balance sheets. The software also integrates various forms required by Indian Business Law for e-filing of tax returns online.

Tally ERP 9

Tally remains the most popular accounting software in India. It has a free version which you can utilise to manage accounts and keep track of your finances. There are many institutions offering Tally courses in India, so using this software also gives you ready human capital to invest in.

Profitbooks

It us a cloud based accounting software which can be accessed from any device anytime. The free version of Profitbooks allows bookkeeping and invoicing to give you accurate accounting information. You can also connect to the Profitbooks Live Chat to learn about its advance features.

GnuCash

This is an open-source personal and financial accounting software. Open-source softwares are community managed, hence they receive updates more frequently and a large community of devs means new features are available more frequently and bugs are removed quickly. However, open-source software may sometimes (although it’s rare) crash and cause data loss. The GnuCash is free and available for Linux, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.

So that completes our list for free-accounting software for small businesses in India. You can manage your finances and keep your working capital in check by switching to prudent accounting management with this software. Speaking of working capital, if you are having hard time maintaining the daily cash flow, consider getting a short term business loan. To know more about fast business loans in India, visit us at lendingkart.com