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Put your property to work
HOW AN ALL-IN-ONE ACCOUNT FOR YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP YOU OVERCOME CASH FLOW CHALLENGES
Put your property to work
It’s an old adage for many entrepreneurs: when you need capital most, the banks won’t budge; when you’re well-capitalized, they’re ready to lend.
The good news is that some banks are responding to the ever-growing demand for flexible financing with more innovative lending options. This includes what’s referred to as an “all-in- one business account.”
Unlike a traditional operating line, which is margined against inventory and accounts receivable, an all-in-one account is a line of credit supported by your own commercial property. “Operating lines are problematic for businesses with receivables that extend beyond 90 days, have significant fluctuations in income or are seasonal,” says Tim Nadelle, director, small business & high net worth solutions, Manulife Bank. “Especially in times of high growth, access to ready cash is critical.”
These accounts allow you to consolidate all of your savings and debt into one variable rate account. Deposited revenue, for example, goes directly to reducing debt levels, which saves you more in interest than you could ever earn in a high interest savings account. All the debt you pay down then becomes available to you as a credit line, which you can access as you need.
Some all-in-one accounts allow you to carve out a portion of the credit line and fix a term and rate (on as many as five different segments). This gives you the predictability of a traditional commercial mortgage without giving up the flexibility of the credit line—a tactic that allows you to diversify your interest rates similar to large developers with multiple properties.
Business owners who own property outright, currently lease but plan to purchase, or have purchased investment property can benefit from this account by making smart use of cash flow. Keep in mind that there are typically fees associated with switching your existing commercial mortgage, so it may be best to wait until renewal to avoid incurring costs.