What is a business overdraft?

What is a business overdraft?

A business overdraft is a revolving line of credit attached to your business transaction account which allows you to draw on funds, when you need, up to an approved limit. As a form of revolving credit, with no formal repayments, an overdraft can assist in managing business cashflow.

How does a business overdraft work?

With a business overdraft, you only pay interest on the funds upon which you draw. It’s typically used by businesses to cover employee wages, supplier invoices, stock purchases or unexpected expenses.

Why use a business overdraft?

A business overdraft can be a useful tool which can assist with managing business finances. A business overdraft:

• Gives your business the ability to quickly access business finance as the funds are ready to use as needed.
• Can instil confidence when making business decisions knowing working capital is available for business purposes.
• Means there may be no need to set up a separate line-of- credit facility as the business overdraft is linked to an existing business transaction account (option to open a new account).
• Interest is only paid on the funds you use, so no need to pay interest on a loan that isn’t used.

What are the pros and cons of a business overdraft?

Pros of a business overdraft can include:

• Helping manage an uneven cash flow, especially if you have a seasonal or contracting business and you pay staff weekly but only get paid for the job on completion.
• Giving you access to general working capital so you can meet your expenses until you receive customer payments.
• Letting you take advantage of time-sensitive business opportunities, for example purchasing stock in bulk at a discounted price.
• Allowing your business to handle unexpected operating expenses, assisting with cash flow during periods when business is slow.

Cons of a business overdraft can include:

• Not ideal for financing long term business vehicle or equipment purchases.
• While useful in the short term, it may give some businesses a false sense of security and can mask ongoing issues with cash flow.

What’s the difference between a secured and unsecured business overdraft?

With a secured overdraft, the lender requires you to provide property, inventory, accounts receivables or other assets as security. If the loan repayments can’t be made, the lender may rely on these assets to clear any outstanding balance, interest or fees.

With an unsecured overdraft the lender doesn’t require you to provide assets as security. Instead, they will often look at the strength and cash flow of your business as security for the loan. However, unsecured overdrafts tend to have a higher interest rate than secured loans, as they’re deemed higher risk.

Learn more about secured vs unsecured loans.

How can I apply for a business overdraft?

For fast access to funds, you can easily apply online for our NAB QuickBiz unsecured business overdraft facility of up to $50,000. If approved, the funds could be ready next business day.

Alternatively, learn more about our business overdrafts or speak to a NAB Business Banker to have a solution tailored to you. Contact us to 13 10 12 or request a call back.

What’s the difference between interest charges on a business overdraft, a credit card and a loan? 

Business overdrafts charge interest when your account balance drops below zero and generally only charge interest on the outstanding balance.

Credit cards have two common types of interest rates:

• purchase interest which is usually charged where the value of the purchases is not repaid within a set period, and
• cash advance interest rate, which is usually charged from the time funds are drawn from the card.

Make sure you understand when you could be charged both types of interest. 

If you are unsure of which type of loan is best suited to your needs, contact us to 13 10 12 or request a call back.