Off-balance sheet financing: how businesses can access funds without adding debt

Off-balance sheet financing (OBSF) might sound technical, but it’s simply a way for businesses to get the funding they need without piling up debt on their books. It’s a handy option for businesses that want to grow, improve cash flow, or fund operations while keeping their financial statements strong. Here’s an overview of it, how it works, and examples of how it can help businesses like yours. 

What is off-balance sheet financing? 

OBSF is a way to raise funds without showing them as debt or liability on your balance sheet. Instead of traditional loans that increase your company’s debt, OBSF uses methods like leasing or partnerships, where financial obligations are recorded differently. 

This approach helps keep your debt-to-equity ratio low, making your business more attractive to investors or lenders. It also ensures you can get the funds you need without crossing borrowing limits or straining your cash flow.

How does it work?  

Common types of off-balance sheet financing 

• Leasing instead of buying 

Leasing allows you to use assets like equipment or property without owning them. Payments for the lease are treated as operating expenses rather than debt. 

Example: instead of buying expensive construction equipment, a contractor leases it. This keeps the costs manageable and off the balance sheet. 

• Factoring invoices 

Factoring lets you sell unpaid invoices to a third party in exchange for immediate cash. You get the funds you need without taking on a loan, and the liability for collecting the payments shifts to the factoring company. JSW One’s Invoice Factoring Program provides unsecured credit up to 90 days, allowing businesses to access funds efficiently while maintaining healthy balance sheets. 

Example: an MSME sells its pending invoices to a factoring firm to get upfront cash for paying workers or buying materials. 

• Setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) 

An SPV is a separate entity created to handle a specific project. It raises its own funds, and any debt it takes on stays off your balance sheet. 

Example: a property developer forms an SPV to finance a new housing project, keeping the risks and debt separate from their main business. 

• Partnering with others 

Joint ventures or partnerships spread the costs and responsibilities between companies, so the debt doesn’t fall entirely on your business. 

Example: a steel manufacturer partners with another company to set up a shared production unit, with the joint venture bearing the financial burden. 

• Selling and leasing back assets 

This approach involves selling an asset, like property or machinery, and leasing it back. It gives you cash to work with while allowing you to use the assets for operations. Example: a factory sells its warehouse to an investor, gets the money upfront, and continues to use the warehouse by leasing it back. 

Why consider off-balance sheet financing? 

Keep your financials healthy: OBSF keeps liabilities off your balance sheet, making your financial ratios, such as debt-to-equity, more attractive to investors and lenders. 

• Access more funds: by keeping debt levels low, you maintain the flexibility to borrow when needed. 

• Improve cash flow: arrangements like leasing or factoring provide immediate cash without requiring large upfront investments. 

• Reduce risk: methods like SPVs and joint ventures help isolate risks associated with specific projects. 

JSW One offers trade credit options like Letter of Credit (LC) and Bank Guarantee (BG) that provide up to 90 days of credit for purchases. These solutions help businesses maintain operational liquidity without impacting their balance sheets. 

What should you watch out for? 

OBSF presents challenges such as compliance risks, dependence on third parties, and hidden costs. To overcome these problems, businesses should: 

• Ensure transparent reporting to build stakeholder trust. 

• Comply with accounting standards and regulations to avoid penalties. 

• Diversify financing methods to reduce reliance on any single source. 

• Carefully evaluate total costs, including hidden fees, to ensure value. 

• Use digital tools for tracking and monitoring OBSF arrangements. 

By addressing these challenges strategically, MSMEs can leverage OBSF effectively to access funds while maintaining financial health.