Most businesses provide credit facilities to their customers to boost sales and build brand loyalty. However, the issue arises when a significant amount of money is stuck in invoice receivables - impacting the working capital required to pay operating expenses. If credit is not given wisely, there will be a huge discrepancy between the cash inflow and outflow of the business.
1) What Is Invoice Discounting?
2) Invoice Discounting Process
3) Advantages of Invoice Discounting
4) Disadvantages of Invoice Discounting
5) Invoice Discounting Interest Rates
6) Invoice Discounting Versus Business Loan
7) Difference Between Invoice Discounting and Invoice Discounting
Therefore, it is imperative for any business to make sure their working capital remains unaffected— even if it requires leveraging unpaid invoices through Invoice Discounting. Invoice Discounting service offered by KredX can help you access collateral-free, working capital to fuel your business requirements.
It is a trade-related activity in which a company’s unpaid invoices which are due to be paid at a future date are sold to a financier (a bank or another financial institution).
In Invoice Discounting, the business trades the company's unpaid invoices to gain access to short-term financial assistance and maintain the working capital. It is mostly pertinent in cases when a buyer purchases goods from the seller, and the payment is made through a letter of credit. This process is also called “Invoice Discounting”. This process is governed by the negotiable instrument act, 1881.
KredX is a leading Invoice Discounting platform that allows businesses to trade their invoices digitally for quick access to short-term funds.
The Invoice Discounting process is transparent and simple. It includes the following steps:-
Invoice Discounting is advantageous to businesses, banks, finance companies, and investors. Businesses benefit by rejuvenating their cash-flow in-turn helping them stabilise growth and fund business expenditure.
The interest rates are decided based on many factors such as the risk factor, the financial institute. The business will get a better rate if they choose a reputable platform. Invoice discounting interest rates are declining from the last two years and more MSMEs are availing aid rather than approaching for a loan.
Invoice Discounting |
Business loan |
Collateral-free finance |
Collateral required |
Quick processing (Usually in a couple of days) |
Long processing period |
Availed for short-term financial aid |
Availed for long-term financial assistance |
Digital process |
Generally not a digital process |
Hassle-free documentation process |
Lengthy documentation process |
Simple eligibility criteria |
Stringent eligibility requirements |
No impact on business balance sheet |
Impacts the business balance sheet and is considered as a debt |
The major difference between Invoice Discounting and invoice discounting is the loan tenure. Business can avail financial assistance for shorter tenure usually up to 90 days against unpaid invoices with invoice discounting. Whereas in Invoice Discounting, the tenure ranges from 30 to 120 days.
The following documents mentioned are required to apply for Invoice Discounting in India:
In a broader sense, small and medium-sized companies may find Invoice Discounting as an ideal way to boost liquidity. Businesses that are low on liquidity and lack immediate funding, often resort to Invoice Discounting to finance their purchase of raw materials and clearing off pending orders.
Other than these, businesses that intend to provide a more extended credit period to customers to sustain market competition can choose this funding option to keep operating activities continuous.
If at any time a business has to meet any of these following needs, they can fulfil the same by opting for Invoice Discounting –
To Boost Cash Flow
Invoice Discounting is a viable option to inject cash into the operational stream of a business. It helps entrepreneurs to replenish their cash flow and increase immediate liquidity quickly.
For Freeing Tied-Up Working Capital
This funding option allows businesses to free tied-up capital and in turn, eliminate the need of applying for a loan. Moreover, it also proves useful in shortening the working capital cycle.
To Settle Debts
If at any time businesses have to pay their suppliers, but their working capital is significantly low, they can get their invoices discounted. With the funds availed, they can pay their suppliers and other immediate liabilities.
Other than these, businesses can also get Invoice Discounting services if they need immediate funding but do not wish to provide any security to avail it.
In Invoice purchasing the whole amount is credited to the individual’s account by the finance institute after the purchase, the seller receives the whole amount of the Invoice as opposed to invoice/Invoice Discounting, and the bank gets the commission.
Electronic Invoice Discounting is a concept by the Financial Sector Reform (FSR) Committee, SIDBI, and NSE to support the financing of MSME receivables. There are several Invoice Discounting platforms online. KredX is one of the leading invoice discounting platforms in India.
Invoices discounted but not matured are in most cases considered as a contingent liabilities as the drawer may not be sure whether the invoice will be honored at maturity. If the invoice is not honored at maturity, it becomes a liability. In this case, the drawer becomes liable to repay the amount to the lender.
A Yes, it is eligible for tax benefits as it does not deduct tax at source.
Invoices discounted are considered to be a liability.
Although they are both financing options leveraged by an asset, there is an important distinction worthy of mentioning. With regard to invoice factoring, the investor or the finance company owns the sales ledger. In this case, the investor holds the responsibility of collecting the due invoices from the customer. However, in Invoice Discounting, the company itself bears the right to make the collection.
Yes, factoring includes Invoice Discounting, but the customer knows that the invoices have been factored. The provider assumes the responsibility of handling sales ledger