Business professionals have discovered endless options to finance the merger and acquisition of a new company. A company can work with its own finances, obtain new capital, sell its assets and plenty of other methods. The following are several, well-known ways to prepare one’s finances for a merger.

Cash on Hand

Fund a M&A project by spending the existing cash reserves. Many business owners believe that they need to borrow capital to make an important investment. But if they have five to 10 years of savings, they can afford to buy and maintain the other company if it’s the same size and importance.

Seller Notes

Seller financing is when the seller provides a loan to the purchaser, and it is a common form of payment in all types of industries. The seller must agree not to accept the money in full. They may receive 80% upon the closing of a deal and 20% in installment payments that last for one year or longer. A seller who has backup savings can afford to accept a seller’s note and act as a bank or lender.

Seller Equity

Some buyers are confident enough in their business to sell shares of their ownership to the sellers. The new shareholders are now involved in the long-term growth and prosperity of the business. Selling shares also reduces the cost of collecting funds to buy the rest of the company.

Bank Financing

Most business owners start by contacting the banks first, which is either the easiest or most difficult step of the M&A process. Some banks require proof of financial stability that includes cash flow records, existing assets, proof of collateral, etc. The bank needs to ensure that there will be sufficient cash flow once the two companies have merged. Additionally, banks are more likely to lend to companies that have higher cash flows, so funding an M&A this way is not recommended to every company.

Mergers and acquisitions are the less common yet more profitable areas of business and finance. The main benefit is the increased cash flow of the two companies. However, making a successful merger requires the buyer to put some cash upfront. There are various methods that businesses can use to fulfill this type of transaction.