Term loans vs project finance
A term loan is a loan for a fixed tenure, repaid in instalments, used to buy long-term assets such as machinery, equipment, vehicles or premises. Project finance is used to fund a new project or a large expansion, where lenders appraise the project's own projected cash flows along with the promoters' strength and the security offered.
| Machinery / equipment term loan | Project finance | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Adding or replacing machines, equipment, capex | New plant, capacity expansion, real estate or infrastructure projects |
| Lender focus | Existing cash flows and track record | Project viability, projected cash flows, promoter contribution |
| Key documents | Quotations, financials, CMA | Detailed project report (DPR), CMA, approvals, cost certification |
| Repayment | EMIs, sometimes with a short moratorium | Structured repayment, usually after a moratorium during construction |
What lenders assess
- Debt service coverage (DSCR): whether cash flows comfortably cover interest and principal. Lenders commonly look for an average DSCR well above 1x.
- Promoter contribution: the share of project cost funded by promoters from equity or internal accruals.
- Debt-equity and leverage: how much debt the balance sheet can carry after the new loan.
- Security: primary security on the assets financed and any collateral offered.
- Track record and credit history of the company and promoters.
How NexKred helps
- We review the project cost, means of finance and timelines to size the right debt.
- We prepare or refine the DPR, CMA data and projections so they stand up to bank appraisal.
- We approach lenders whose current appetite matches your sector and ticket size — including consortium or multiple-banking arrangements for large requirements.
- We negotiate pricing, moratorium, tenure, security and covenants, and support you through technical, legal and valuation formalities to disbursement.
Refinancing an existing term loan
If your business has improved since the loan was sanctioned, you may qualify for better pricing or longer tenure elsewhere. A balance transfer can reduce your interest outgo and free up cash flow — we compare the savings against switching costs before recommending it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a term loan and a working capital loan?
A term loan funds long-term assets and is repaid in instalments over years. A working capital loan funds day-to-day operations and is usually a revolving limit renewed every year.
What is a DPR and do I need one?
A detailed project report sets out the project cost, means of finance, technical details, market analysis and financial projections. Lenders generally require one for project finance and larger capex loans.
How much promoter contribution is required for project finance?
It varies by lender, sector and project risk. Lenders expect promoters to fund a meaningful share of the project cost; we help you plan the means of finance before approaching banks.
Can you arrange a moratorium on repayment?
For projects with a construction or ramp-up period, lenders often allow a moratorium before repayment begins. We negotiate a repayment structure that matches your projected cash flows.