With online lending and cash flow loans gaining popularity among small business owners as an “easier” financing option, it’s worth being cautious and noting some of the characteristics of predatory business loans.
We have witnessed the rapid rise of short-term lenders, lending on cash flow. These loans tend to signal the end, rather than the start of the business lifecycle. We see these options as being a six-month indicator for the business to completely fail.
Restructuring a business is generally a step towards the end of a period of uncertainty, creditors, stakeholders, staff and the owners are on tenterhooks, communication is generally stressed or non existent and it’s now necessary to re-engage. Often in the lead up to a restructure there has been a period of mixed communication, business owners accentuating the good often to the detriment of the bad.
A recent decision in the Supreme Court of Western Australia shows that pre-testamentary wishes are difficult to prove unless they are expressly provided for under a valid Will. In Caratti, the deceased mother made a decision during her lifetime that her son, and future beneficiary of her estate, could reside at her house for as long as he wished. However, there was no provision of this right in her Will. The consequence was that the deceased’s son was not eligible for an exemption to land tax despite using the property as his place of residence.
Recently, De Luca Corporation had their licence suspended after failing to meet The Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s financial requirements. The building watchdog has since reinstated the licence, but the suspension has served as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the tight financial requirements enforced by the regulatory body.
