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When can borrowing make sense for a business?
The decision is not simply whether a lender will provide money. It is whether the business has a specific use for the funds, a credible path to generating cash and enough capacity to repay without putting its operations under undue strain. Enda Grenham, head of debt advisory at Goodbody, puts the emphasis on purpose: “Debt works best when there is a clear plan for how the money will be used,”
Darren Brennan, debt advisory in corporate finance at PwC Ireland, describes the growth case this way: “Borrowing makes sense when it funds growth that generates returns exceeding the cost of debt.” Expected returns need to be weighed against financing costs and risk, not considered in isolation.
When is more debt a warning sign?
Recurring cash-flow shortfalls
Borrowing to fund a defined opportunity is different from repeatedly borrowing to cover an operating shortfall. Mark O’Rourke, managing director of Bibby Financial Services, warns: “If borrowing is being used to solve a recurring cash flow issue rather than fund a specific business objective, this is a cause for concern.” Repeated borrowing may conceal a deeper weakness rather than resolve it.
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Existing obligations cannot be met
If the business cannot meet its current obligations, taking on another loan may not address the underlying problem. Brennan’s advice is: “If the borrowing rationale is that the business cannot meet its existing obligations, the conversation should be about restructuring, not new debt,”
How to compare business financing options
The Irish Times Content Studio report names several forms of financing but does not set out product terms or a formal comparison. Their suitability depends on the company’s cash flows, objectives and future plans. Compare any options against the same practical questions:
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- Purpose: Is the money funding a defined opportunity or covering a recurring operating deficit?
- Cash inflows: When will the business receive cash, and how reliable are those expected inflows?
- Repayment capacity: Can payments remain affordable if income arrives late or falls short?
- Cost and risk: What are the financing costs, and what risks come with the repayment structure?
- Security or eligibility: Does the option depend on collateral, eligible receivables or particular assets?
- Flexibility: Would the facility leave enough headroom for unexpected needs?
| Financing form named in the report | What to check for your decision |
|---|---|
| Traditional bank lending | Compare the repayment schedule with the timing and reliability of the cash the funded activity is expected to generate. |
| Revolving facilities and overdrafts | Assess whether the flexibility fits the cash-flow need and leaves sufficient headroom; the report does not state product terms. |
| Invoice financing | Check whether the business has eligible receivables and how funding availability fits its collection cycle; the report does not state product terms. |
| Asset-based lending | Check which assets may support borrowing and how the resulting obligations affect the business; the report does not state product terms. |
| State-backed funding | Check the relevant scheme’s eligibility and conditions; the report does not identify a scheme or state its terms. |
How to plan borrowing without using all available capacity
Planning should start with cash flow and a conservative view of what the business can repay. The report advises retaining headroom for unexpected events rather than maximising the amount of leverage available. O’Rourke describes the goal as “a sustainable level of debt that preserves operational and financial flexibility.”
Starting financing discussions early can also preserve choices and negotiating strength. Waiting until cash is under immediate pressure may leave less room to compare structures or address problems before they become urgent.
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What the report does—and does not—establish
The Irish Times Content Studio report, published 2 October 2026, presents advice from debt and corporate-finance practitioners, not a universal rule or personalised lending recommendation. It identifies itself as sponsored special-report content, supported by advertisers, and says advertisers do not have editorial control. It offers no quantified study findings or product terms, so businesses should assess their own finances and the conditions of any specific offer.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
