Taking out a small business banking loan is an often-chosen option for many business owners who operate small or medium-sized enterprises. Since not all of them (especially newer entrepreneurs) have the financial capacity to pay for their business’s expenses out of pocket, small business banking loans can provide them with the funds they need to keep their enterprise running. Typically, these loans are used to cover the costs of doing business, including getting new office equipment, buying more inventory, or supplementing working capital.
That said, even though a business loan is meant to support the growth of SMEs, they aren’t always used sensibly. There are business owners who may be tempted to use their small business loans irresponsibly, and because of their actions, their enterprises can experience financial instability. Using loans for unauthorized purposes, on the other hand, can result in legal consequences, which can damage a business’s reputation. Taking measures to safeguard your business from such pitfalls is very important. It is imperative to establish robust internal controls and financial management practices that ensure the responsible allocation and utilization of borrowed funds. By meticulously planning and budgeting, you can strategically allocate loan proceeds towards initiatives that directly contribute to the growth and profitability of your small business. Specifically, it’s in your best interest to avoid these common mistakes when using funds from your loan.
1. Paying for Personal Expenses
While it may be tempting to utilize your small business loan for personal expenses, especially during times of financial strain, it's crucial to resist this urge and maintain a clear boundary between personal and business finances. Instead, consider establishing separate accounts for personal and business finances. By doing so, you not only safeguard the financial health of your enterprise but also demonstrate fiscal responsibility and sound management practices.
Separating personal and business finances not only facilitates accurate expense tracking but also streamlines financial planning, allowing you to better anticipate and meet the needs of your business. Moreover, adhering to the terms of your loan agreement and using funds solely for business-related purposes can help you avoid potential legal and tax complications. This approach not only protects your business from unnecessary risks but also preserves your personal creditworthiness, ensuring smooth access to financing opportunities in the future. By adopting such practices, you can protect the financial foundation of your small or medium-sized enterprise and pave the way for sustainable growth and success.
2. Funding New Projects Unrelated to Your Original Business
Another critical consideration is the temptation to divert loan funds toward new ventures that are unrelated to your original business when you’re not yet prepared. While exploring new opportunities can be exciting, it's essential to evaluate whether these ventures align with your core business objectives and your preferred strategic direction. Investing in unrelated ventures can dilute your resources, divert attention from your primary operations, and introduce unnecessary risks.
Instead of spreading yourself too thin, focus on leveraging your loan funds to strengthen and expand your existing business activities. By concentrating your efforts and resources on areas where you have expertise and a competitive advantage, you increase the likelihood of success and long-term sustainability for your original business.
3. Investing in Risky Ventures to Attempt to Grow Funds for Your Business
While it might be tempting to chase high-risk ventures, it's essential to consider safer investment options that offer steady returns and minimize uncertainties. For example, it can be risky to invest heavily in speculative assets like cryptocurrencies without thorough market research and analysis.
Instead, you should invest in strategic initiatives that are tailored to your business's needs and goals. One example of a prudent investment for a small business owner could be upgrading your technology infrastructure. Investing in modern software or equipment can streamline operations, improve productivity, or enhance customer experience. Another promising investment avenue is expanding your marketing efforts. Allocating funds toward targeted advertising campaigns or hiring a digital marketing specialist, for example, can help you attract more customers and boost your sales. Spending on employee training and development programs is yet another investment that can yield long-term benefits for your business. By focusing on such prudent investments, you can safeguard your business against unnecessary financial risks and pave the way for sustainable success.
4. Relying Solely on the Loan for Business Growth
Relying solely on a small business loan for financing can limit your business's financial flexibility. It may restrict your ability to respond to changing market conditions, pursue new opportunities, or address unexpected challenges that may arise. Depending heavily on loan funds for business growth can also result in a significant debt burden for your business. High levels of debt can strain your business's cash flow, increase interest expenses, and reduce profitability, making it difficult to achieve financial stability and meet debt repayment obligations.
Instead, you should aim to diversify your funding sources in a way that aligns with the scale and needs of your small business. Explore options such as merchant cash advances, government grants, and community-based financing programs tailored for small businesses. Additionally, focus on improving your cash flow management and implementing cost-saving measures to reduce the need for external financing. By diversifying your funding and optimizing your financial management, you can enhance your business's resilience and growth prospects without taking on excessive debt.
5. Taking Out a New Loan to Pay for Exisiting Ones
Using loan funds to repay pre-existing debts is essentially aimed at refinancing existing obligations. While this tactic may provide temporary relief by consolidating multiple payments into a single manageable installment, it does little to address the possible root causes of financial distress, which may include underlying issues such as overspending, lack of budgeting discipline, and insufficient business income.
Rather than perpetuating a cycle of debt, it's essential to confront these financial issues head-on and to implement proactive measures to improve your business's financial health. By breaking free from a continuous debt mindset and focusing on the long-term financial stability of your SME, you can position your business for growth and success without being weighed down by mounting debt burdens.
Ensure Positive Growth for Your Business with Maya Flexi Loan
Sign up for Maya Business and experience a hassle-free way to take out loans to fund your SME’s needs. Signing up qualifies you for a no-collateral Maya Flexi Loan offer of up to PHP 2 million in just 3 months, allowing you to have another funding source to further develop your business. To secure a loan, however, you have to meet certain criteria, which include being an active Maya Business solution user and passing credit evaluation requirements. If you meet these requirements, the chances of your application being instantly approved are high. Moreover, using our solutions frequently will take you one step closer to getting better loan offers. By simply using Maya Business as your primary processor for all wallet and card payments, you can increase your business’s creditworthiness.
Setting up a Maya Business account also lets you open a Maya Business Deposit account and use it as your settlement account. With an industry-leading 2.5% per annum interest rate, you’ll earn PHP 25,000 in interest per year on a PHP 1 million deposit. Furthermore, you’ll be able to send money to your partners and suppliers for free via InstaPay and PESONet, letting you save more. Sign up for Maya Business today to enjoy the benefits of Maya Business solutions.
