Sources of Finance
Understanding the sources of finance is essential for any business as it helps in determining how to fund operations and expansions. In this section, finance is split into two primary categories:
Owned Capital (Internal Sources)
- Definition: This refers to the funds that the owner(s) of the business invest in the operations.
- Key Components: It includes personal savings, retained earnings from profits, and funds raised from the sale of assets. This type of finance does not have to be paid back, thus is seen as less risky.
Borrowed Capital (External Sources)
- Definition: This type of capital consists of funds that are borrowed from external sources with the commitment to pay back, usually with interest.
- Key Components: It includes loans from banks, financial institutions, and the issuance of debentures. This is generally riskier than owned capital as it involves repayment obligations, potentially affecting cash flow.
In summary, the choice between these sources of finance depends on several factors including the costs, availability, and the financial strategy of the business.