Overdraft accounts

Managing cash flow is a vital part of running a business successfully. However, sometimes you need access to some extra cash to help you cover a range of ongoing business expenses and keep trading normally. This is where a business overdraft comes in handy, designed to help provide cash flow relief when you need it the most.

What is a business overdraft?

A business overdraft is a revolving line of credit businesses can have access to when they need access to funds. For example, you may be waiting on payment from clients for completed projects, but you still need to be able to pay the bills and other ongoing business expenses.

A business overdraft can be useful to a wide range of businesses, as it offers the security and confidence that comes with knowing you will have the cash you need to pay suppliers and employees. It can also be used to expand your business or let you negotiate better terms on purchases by enabling you to afford larger upfront purchases.

How does it work?

A business overdraft is typically linked to the business transaction account you hold with your financial provider. It is a revolving line of credit that offers fast access to funds when you need them.

Business overdrafts are available in secured or unsecured form and with fixed or variable interest rates. There is typically no minimum or maximum term and you can tailor a flexible repayment schedule to fit perfectly with your budget.

What are the types of business overdraft?

• Secured loan. A secured loan requires you to offer an asset as security for the loan, which works to reduce the risk a lender faces by allowing you to access funds. By offering something as security, you can usually enjoy access to lower interest rates than on an unsecured loan and may also be able to take advantage of fewer fees.
• Unsecured loan. An unsecured loan does not require you to offer anything as security. As a result, you can typically expect higher interest rates and fees than on a secured loan because you pose more of a risk to lenders.

How do I compare business overdrafts?

• Secured or unsecured. Do you want to offer an asset as security for your loan or not?
• Interest rate. The lower the interest rate, the less you’ll have to pay in interest charges on the amount you spend. You can also choose between the security of a fixed rate and the potential savings possibilities a variable rate offers.
• Fees. Make sure to look at the fees and charges attached to every competing business overdraft. Look for application fees, annual fees and any other ongoing fees.
• Repayment options. What repayment options does your business overdraft offer? Do you need to stick to a rigid repayment plan or is there any flexibility built in? Look for an overdraft that lets you tailor repayments to suit your budget.
• Loan term. Some business overdrafts don’t feature any minimum or maximum loan term at all, while others will require you to pay the loan off over a period of at least 12 months. Make sure to check the term on each business overdraft you are considering.

What are the pros and cons?

Things to avoid

As business overdrafts tend to attract higher interest rates and fees than other lending products, you need to be wary of getting into too much debt. It’s also vital to familiarise yourself with all the fees and charges attached to an overdraft before signing up.

Another common issue is that many products allow the lender to recall the overdraft at any time. This can be highly inconvenient for business owners.

Business bank accounts that come with the option of an overdraft

In order to apply for a business overdraft, you'll need to open a business bank account to link the overdraft facility to.

There are a range of accounts out there which come with the option of an overdraft facility. Once you've opened the bank account, depending on the size of the overdraft and the type of entity your business is, you can apply and get approved for the overdraft online and link it to your account to start accessing the funds.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I need to offer an asset as security? Not necessarily. Business overdrafts are available in secured and unsecured form.
• What is the purpose of a business overdraft? Overdrafts are designed to help you manage business cash flow, offering quick access to funds when you need them.
• What can I use the funds for? This is up to you. You might wish to use the funds to pay urgent expenses, expand your business or even negotiate better deals with suppliers.