How Does Leveraging Bank Guarantees Aid SME Growth?

If you have an innovative business plan and are looking to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey right away because the consumer market is growing, you must capitalise. In fact, India’s consumer market is set to become the third-largest in the world by the year 2027. This is a big opportunity, and dipping your hands into this can turn out to be profitable for you.

Nowadays, banks offer diverse services that go beyond just loans. SME bank guarantees are a thing, and they can take your business to new heights. These guarantees have gained immense traction as a valuable tool for thriving businesses by ensuring their sustained growth. Let’s understand more about them and how these guarantees can help you write your entrepreneurial success journal.

What are Bank Guarantees?

A guarantee is a powerful financial tool that acts as a third-party guarantee provided by a bank.  It is on behalf of a client (usually a small or medium-sized enterprise) to another party (known as the beneficiary).

Essentially, it assures the beneficiary that if the SME fails to fulfil a specific contractual obligation, the bank will step in and settle the outstanding amount. This, in turn, ensures that the beneficiary is not left out of pocket and serves as a safety net.

Furthermore, it helps overcome the beneficiary risk, cultivates trust in business transactions, and makes them smoother, more efficient, and ultimately more profitable.

How SME Bank Guarantees Empower Growth?

Access to adequate financial support in the form of guarantees cements business growth and sustainability. However, traditional lending avenues such as loans and lines of credit may only sometimes be readily available.

This may be due to factors such as limited collateral, high-risk profiles, and stringent lending criteria. In such cases, leveraging guarantees from banks can empower you in the following manner:

1. Enhanced Credibility and Trust

Obtaining a bank guarantee demonstrates your commitment and financial backing to potential partners and vendors. This is advantageous for new businesses or those with limited financial track records.

By showcasing your ability to secure a guarantee, you also protect your business’s financial stability and reliability. This, in turn, increases your chances of securing favourable contracts and partnerships.

2. Improved Access to Business Opportunities

Several business opportunities, including participating in tenders or securing large contracts, often require a guarantee as a mandatory part of the application process. By having these financial products in place, you eliminate a significant barrier to entry. This, in turn, opens up the doors to previously inaccessible opportunities and propels your SME business growth.

3. Facilitated Procurement and Inventory Management

Guarantees can streamline your procurement process and improve your relationship with suppliers. By offering a bank guarantee, you can secure better payment terms from suppliers. This will also allow you to manage your inventory more efficiently and negotiate lower prices due to the reduced risk for them.

4. Streamlined Bid-Bonding Process

Participating in bids for government contracts or large-scale projects often necessitates submitting bid bonds. These bonds, similar to bank guarantees, assure the project awarding entity that you, as the bidder, will enter into a contract if your bid is selected. Having access to these financial products simplifies the bid-bonding process, allowing you to compete for lucrative opportunities without facing financial constraints.

5. Handling Risks and Building Confidence

Guarantees offer a layer of protection for both parties involved in a transaction. For the SME, it safeguards against potential financial losses if unforeseen circumstances hinder your ability to fulfil contractual obligations. For the beneficiary, it minimises the risk of non-payment, fostering a sense of security and encouraging future collaborations.

Considerations Before Leveraging Guarantees by Banks

While bank guarantees offer a compelling array of advantages for your business, it’s essential to approach them with a balanced perspective. Here are the considerations to keep in mind before adopting this financial instrument:

1. Cost Implications

Understand that bank guarantees come with associated costs. Banks typically levy fees based on factors like the guaranteed amount, duration of the guarantee, and your business’s creditworthiness. The fees range from a percentage of the guaranteed sum to a flat fee.

It’s crucial to meticulously assess these costs and factor them into your overall project budget. Failing to do so could potentially erode the profitability of the venture you’re trying to secure.

2. Eligibility Criteria

Not all SMEs automatically qualify for bank guarantees. Banks often have specific eligibility requirements that your business must meet. These criteria can encompass your company’s financial health, reflected in parameters like your credit score, profitability, and debt-to-equity ratio.

The nature of the underlying transaction itself might also be subject to scrutiny. Banks may be more hesitant to issue these guarantees for SMEs deemed particularly risky or outside your usual business domain.

Guarantee Your Business’s Reliability Today!

Bank guarantees are powerful tools, but just like any powerful tool, they require responsible and strategic use. By carefully considering which bank you pick, the costs and eligibility requirements will differ. Here, HDFC Bank offers SMEs guarantees as an alternative financing option to loans.

Their expert insights from certified trade specialists can help you make informed decisions. Moreover, with their eBG facility, you can access bank guarantees online in just 3 hours.

Leverage the potential of these financial products and ensure your business’s financial well-being today!