Temporary Cash Flow Loans

Find funding that can help with cash flow management.

10-Minute
application process and fast funding

$15 Billion
delivered to U.S. businesses

A+ Rating
with the Better Business Bureau

What are temporary cash flow loans?

Temporary cash flow loans are not a specific loan product — the term simply describes any small business financing used to cover a business’s cash flow shortages. The best loan for temporary cash flow will depend on a business's unique needs. For a good fit, business owners will want to consider the type of loan, the amount of money it provides and the period of time over which it’s repaid.

Often, a temporary cash flow loan will be different from a loan used for large, one-time purchases such as real estate or a piece of equipment. As long as future cash flow is expected to increase, meeting a one-time temporary cash flow need is often best met by short-term financing options. These may include a business line of credit or term loan of 12 months or less.

Solve your temporary cash flow problems with OnDeck.

OnDeck offers two funding options that can be used to help relieve cash flow crunches. An OnDeck Line of Credit is a good fit for longer-term cash flow issues. For one-time business needs and opportunities, an OnDeck Term Loan can be used similarly to a short-term cash advance.

OnDeck Line of Credit

A revolving credit line you can draw from 24/7 to receive funds within seconds.*

  • Credit limits from $6K - $100K
  • Flexible repayment terms of 12, 18 or 24 months
  • Great for ongoing cash flow needs

OnDeck Term Loan

A one-time lump sum of cash with an eventual option to apply for more.

  • Loan amounts from $5K - $250K
  • Repayment terms up to 24 months
  • Great for one-time investments in your business

Where can a small business find a temporary cash flow loan?

Temporary cash flow loans can come from a handful of business funding providers, including:

Banks

Because most small businesses already have a relationship with a bank due to their business checking account, banks are commonly the first place many think to look for short-term loans that can be used to cover a cash flow shortage.

Factoring companies

Some financing companies specialize in a type of business funding called invoice factoring. This refers to when a business “sells” its outstanding invoices, otherwise known as its accounts receivable for an upfront sum of money. Generally, that amount is 85% of the value of the invoices. Once the invoice is paid, the business will get the remaining amount, less the interest that has accrued since the money was issued.

Online lenders

Online business lenders, like OnDeck, can provide a faster and more convenient way to apply for and receive the amount of cash a business needs when they need to free up some working capital.

Vendors and suppliers

For small businesses that are on good terms with their vendors and suppliers, trade credit may be an option to help with temporary cash flow. A business can negotiate pricing and payment terms to work with the seasonality of their business.

What’s the best type of loan for temporary cash flow?

There are a number of different business funding options available to help small businesses free up working capital and improve their cash flow. The “best” type is whichever is best for the business’s specific needs and options. Here are a few of the most common ways business owners work through cash flow problems.

Short-term business loan

A short-term business loan is one of the most common ways businesses boost short-term cash flow. With this type of funding, the business receives a lump sum of money and pays it back (with interest) over several months or a few years.

Business line of credit

With a line of credit, a business receives a specific amount of available credit to draw from as operational expenses arise. As the money is repaid, the available credit replenishes for the business to draw from again without reapplying.

Business credit card

While not considered a loan, business credit cards are the most common type of financing used to bridge temporary cash flow gaps. It’s just important that the business not take on so much debt that it inhibits the business’s cash flow in the future.

Learn more about temporary cash flow loans.

Temporary cash flow loans provide small businesses with funding that can help them overcome short-term cash flow crunches. By providing working capital at a time when it would otherwise be limited, cash flow loans can allow businesses to take advantage of inventory opportunities, cover payroll and attract new customers. Ideally, temporary cash flow loans help businesses make enough money to repay their loans (and provide a significant return on the investment).

Temporary negative cash flow is a period of time in which the business’s cash outflow exceeds its cash inflow. Simply put, the business is spending more than its taking in. Negative cash flow is common for startup companies and new small businesses. For this reason, it’s a good idea for small business owners to create cash flow forecasts and maintain cash flow statements to keep track of the health of the business.

Cash flow forecasting refers to estimating the cash inflow and cash outflow of a business over a specific period of time. These can be used to predict the business’s future cash positions, avoid cash flow shortages and maximize a return during times when cash flow is strongest.

A cash flow statement is a financial statement that details the movement of cash (and cash equivalents) going in and out of a business. It can be used to monitor how well a business generates cash to pay debt and fund its operating expenses.