Are you tired of the challenges associated with securing a business loan? Having to jump through hoops, not to mention the time it can take. Isn’t it time you explored the alternatives? Interest free business lending is a viable solution for any business owner seeking to grow their business, improve cash flow and attract new customers.
Traditional Business Lending
Information shared by Equifax shows how business lending is on the decline while Trade Credit and Asset Finance lending has largely remained stable. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand also shows that the annual growth in total business lending based on the size of business is reducing from previous years.
Commercial lending isn’t cheap. Businesses fail more regularly than individuals are bankrupted, so lenders offset this bigger risk by ensuring greater profit and incorporating higher charges. 2,500 businesses went into liquidation in 2024, according to the MBIE and news reports, marking a significant increase compared to previous years and representing the highest number of business liquidations in a decade.
Source: https://www.rbnz.govt.nvz/statistics/series/registered-banks/banks-asse…
A Smart Alternative
Bartercard is New Zealand’s leading business trading currency and offers a smart alternative: an interest free line of credit designed to empower businesses like yours to thrive without the constraints of traditional financing. It’s offered as a cash-alternative currency (Trade Dollars) that comes without the interest rates of a business bank loan, and it’s repaid by selling your products and services through the Bartercard community.
Many members use their interest free line of credit to invest in revenue-generating expenses such as marketing and advertising, interior fit-outs, equipment, larger premises and extra storage space sourced through Bartercard’s cashless network.
Use Bartercard as a Stepping Stone to Grow Your Business
Fund Capital Growth
As a Bartercard member, you can fund the capital growth necessary to grow your business once it’s up and running. Some established business members have applied for a considerable increase to their credit line, just like Linda Bryan from Rococo Café/Cottage Fare Ltd did.
“As owners of a food/confectionery manufacturing business, a gift basket business and a newly added café, Bartercard has substantially benefited our business over the decades. Rather than having to spend cash, we were able to utilise our trade dollars on a range of products and services, which were usual cash spends. These included tradesmen for R&M, equipment, packaging and packaging supplies, gift baskets and contents for gift baskets.
When we expanded our business by adding the café, Bartercard was a huge benefit in helping with the fit-out. We utilised the trade dollars to buy kitchen equipment, furniture, crockery, water cooler, and other services such as our website, advertising, printing, and products for sale in our café, like gelato and high-end chocolates.
Over the years, we have seen a steady increase in customer traffic with minimal effort on our behalf – we put this down to being a Bartercard member and being exposed to a network we wouldn’t have had if we were just in a cash business. Bartercard has allowed not only the business to thrive, but it’s allowed us to grow.
Our long-standing business had been a food and confectionery factory, manufacturing predominantly fudge and other associated products, with a small factory shop. The dream had been to grow the business into an integrated factory, café, and retail shop with a higher profile to increase our reach to direct customers. Without Bartercard, we would not have been able to achieve this. With the interest free line of credit, we could pay for a large amount of the expansion costs on Bartercard.”
Save Cash
In the start-up phase of your business, Bartercard’s interest free line of credit enables you to save your cash by covering some of the essentials. Members have been able to fund stationery, printing signage, branded promotional products, computer equipment, website and app development, content creation, and so much more.
Expand Your Customer Reach
Launch your business through advertising or marketing to reach cash-paying customers. Other start-up businesses use their credit line to seek support from professionals who can help them plan and map out a path to business success.
Explore how Bartercard can transform your business and unlock new opportunities for growth and success with an interest free line of credit.
0508 227 837
Anna Herd is a freelance communications and marketing specialist contracting to Bartercard New Zealand LP.