2.1.2 - External Finance Flashcards

1
Q

What is external finance

A
  • External finance is investment for the business that is obtained from; banks, investors and lenders outside of the business
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2
Q

What is a source of finance

A

This is where the finance has come from e.g. a bank

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3
Q

What is a method of finance

A

This is the use of a finance – or what use it would be suitable for e.g. loan to buy computer equipment for the business

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4
Q

What are the different sources of finance

A
  1. family and friends
  2. banks
  3. peer-to-peer funding
  4. business angels
  5. crowd funding
  6. other businesses
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5
Q

What are family and friends (sources of finance)

A
  • Private limited companies are able to raise finance by selling shares to friends and family.
  • A sole trader or partnership may also find that their family may want to contribute to the business. This may be for interest, a share of the profits or maybe even an interest free loan amongst family
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6
Q

What are the advantages of friends and family (sources of finance)

A
  • Loans from friends and family will probably be offered without the need for security and at lower rates and over longer terms than traditional lenders
  • They are also unlikely to need a business plan which means the owner may not need to write one
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7
Q

What are the disadvantages of friends and family(sources of finance)

A
  • Downside is that it may cause tension and problems if the finance is not repaid or the business does not flourish.
  • They may also demand their money back at short notice
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8
Q

What are banks (sources of finance)

A
  • Banks may lend a loan to a business to start-up or when a business wants to grow and expand
  • Banks may also provide a business with an overdraft to help when they have cash flow problems
  • All the high street banks have business departments that will deal with commercial loans
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9
Q

What are the advantages of banks (sources of finance)

A

Banks will lend to businesses without asking for a % of the ownership
* Banks will allow the business owner to continue running the business their own way, and not interfere, so the owner retains control of the business (unlike business angels)

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10
Q

What are the disadvantages of banks (sources of finance)

A
  • Bank loans can be expensive compared to other sources of finance and interest must be paid back on time
  • It may be hard for a new business owner to obtain a loan as they have no historical sales data to show the bank
  • The owner may need to use their own assets as security for the loan e.g. their own house
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11
Q

What is peer to peer funding (sources of finance)

A
  • Lending marketplaces such as Funding Circle have gained the trust of consumers by offering lower rates than banks to business owners who want to borrow money
  • Peer-to-peer funding matches businesses that need finance with investors who are looking for a good return on their investment
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12
Q

What are the advantages of peer to peer funding (sources of finance)

A
  • Businesses can get access to funding within a week once approved
  • Business owners can apply online
  • Investors can expect returns of 6-7% whereas a savings account might only give them 3%
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13
Q

What are the disadvantages of peer to peer funding (sources of finance)

A
  • Peer to peer loans are classified as private business loans, so the money for the loan comes from several investors or small businesses.
  • If there are not enough individuals interested or willing to invest in your loan, you may not be able to acquire the entire amount that the business needs
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14
Q

What is a business angel (sources of finance)

A
  • An angel investor offers to lend their personal disposable finance
  • The angel would normally take shares in the business in return for providing finance
  • Angels normally seek to not only provide the business with money to grow, but also bring their experience and knowledge to help the company achieve success
  • Angel Investors seek to have a return on their investment over a period of 3-8 years
  • Usually smaller loan amounts than a venture capitalist
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15
Q

What are the advantages of a business angel (sources of finance)

A
  • Angels are free to make investment decisions quickly
  • The owner gets access to your investor’s sector knowledge and contacts
  • The owner gets access to angels mentoring or management skills
  • The owner will have no repayments or interest on the money lent
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16
Q

What are the disadvantages of a business angel (sources of finance)

A
  • Not suitable for investments below £10,000 or more than £500,000
  • Owner needs to give up a share of the business
17
Q

What is crowd funding (sources of finance)

A

Crowd funding is where a large number of people fund a project over the internet making small investments each, 3 ways to fund:

  • Donate: no money back, but rewards like tickets or a newsletter
  • Lend: get money back with interest and satisfaction of contributing to success of a small business
  • Invest: Invest in a business in exchange for equity or shares which may increase in value
18
Q

What are the advantages of crowd funding (sources of finance)

A
  • Good alternative to loans for small business owners
  • Finance can be obtained without paying upfront fees
  • The business can generate funds and also promote the business at the same time
19
Q

What are the disadvantages of crowd funding (sources of finance)

A
  • The business will need to show case their idea to investors and may need to put together a video and other promotional material to attract investors
20
Q

What are other businesses (sources of finance)

A
  • Other businesses may wish to invest in start-ups
  • A business may have surplus profit and view this as a way to get a good return on their investment
  • Usually IT or disruptive technology businesses will attract funding as they are likely to offer a larger % return on investment
21
Q

What are the methods of financing

A
  1. loans
  2. share capital
  3. venture capital
  4. overdrafts
  5. leasing
  6. trade credit
  7. grants
22
Q

What is share capital

A
  • In a public limited company – plc - one that has been floated on the stock market - they can raise more finance to expand by having an ordinary share issue
  • This is an external and long term method of finance but would only apply to a large business with a plc after its name
23
Q

What are the advantages of share capital

A
  • Investors are often prepared to provide extra funding as the business grows
  • More cost effective way to raise finance than a loan – no interest to pay back
  • Finance is based on acquiring more equity rather getting further into debt
24
Q

What are the disadvantages of share capital

A
  • Potential investors may require a great deal of background information before they buy the shares
  • The more shares that are sold, the more the profits have to be divided up and paid out to investors as dividends
  • Can be expensive and slow process to organise
25
Q

What is venture capital

A
  • Venture capitalists (VCs) will invest large sums of other people’s money in a business in return for shares in the company.
  • Typically, VCs will invest at least £50 000 in a small regional business although this can rise into millions of pounds.
  • The VC will look for a high rate of return in a specific time period e.g. 5 years
26
Q

What are the advantages of venture capital

A
  • Useful if the business is looking to raise a large amount of money in a short space of time e.g. £1 million
  • The business gets all the skills of the venture capital business, their network and links may increase revenue streams
  • Great for owners who have been refused a loan from a bank
27
Q

What are the disadvantages of venture capital

A
  • Venture capital firms look for a strong business plan, sound management and a proven track record, making it difficult for start-up firms
  • Venture capital firms typically want 20-30% stake in the business
28
Q

What is an overdraft

A
  • Some months a business may need extra cash to tide it over until a better month. A loan is over many years so is not suitable.
  • An overdraft may be organised by the bank which is short term lending of smaller amounts of money
  • Once its arranged (say £2,000) on an account a business can dip into it or pay it back as they see fit
29
Q

What are the advantages of an overdraft

A
  • For a business owner this would idea as a quick fix method to tide the business over a difficult month of trading
  • An overdraft can be arranged on the phone
  • or online with an instant decision from the bank
  • The business will only pay interest on the amount of money that they are overdrawn
  • As soon as the business improves trading they can easily pay back the overdraft to the bank and the interest charges will stop
30
Q

What are the disadvantages of an overdraft

A
  • If the business goes over this amount the overdraft will be “unauthorised” and the business will be charged heavily
  • Very expensive source of finance, very high charges and interest rates
  • Not suitable for large amounts over a long period of time
31
Q

What is leasing

A
  • As a business grows it may decide that it needs some more vehicles or equipment
  • They may decide to lease so that the equipment can be updated regularly and spread the cost
  • They will never own the equipment but will get the option to change it when it wears out
  • Examples are photocopiers and vans
32
Q

What are the advantages of leasing

A
  • This is a lower monthly costs for a business owner than a loan
  • Often business leases can be arranged without any advanced fees being paid
  • The leasing firm maintain the equipment, vans, cars etc. so the business will always have reliable working equipment
33
Q

What are the disadvantages of leasing

A
  • Leasing is often over a fixed term, if the business changes its mind and wants to lease from a different company, contracts may be difficult to get out of
34
Q

What is trade credit

A
  • When one business trades with another they will sometimes need to “buy” goods with trade credit
  • The seller gives the buyer 30, 60, 90 days to pay
  • The buyer then has time to sell the goods in their own shop before they have to pay for them
  • The wholesaler may give the buyer a discount when they use cash instead
35
Q

What are the advantages of trade credit

A
  • Business can sell the goods before the stock needs to be paid for, so can make a profit before the costs have to be paid
  • No interest has to be paid on trade credit
  • Businesses that pay regularly on time can build relationships with their suppliers and secure better deals
36
Q

What are the disadvantages of trade credit

A
  • Not all stock is available to buy using the trade credit method, so only applies to certain industries
  • If the business does not pay in time they risk being refused further credit by the supplier in the future
37
Q

What is a grant

A
  • The business usually will not have to pay the grant back
  • Unlike a loan there will be no interest to pay
  • The business owner will get funds without any loss of control of the business
38
Q

What are the advantages of a grant

A

▪ The UK government provides financial help to businesses in some areas of the country, in an effort to overcome problems of unemployment.
▪ Government grants do not normally have to be repaid and owners keep full control of their business.

39
Q

What are the disadvantages of a grant

A
  • A business will have to find a grant that suits their specific project, which can be difficult
  • There’s a lot of competition for grants
  • The business may be expected to match the funds they are awarded, eg a grant might cover part of the cost of a project
  • Grants are usually awarded for proposed projects, not ones that have already started
  • The application process can be very complex and time-consuming