Issue of Shares: It is the most important method. The liability of shareholders is limited to the face value of shares, and they are also easily transferable. A private company cannot invite the general public to subscribe for its share capital and its shares are also not freely transferable. But for public limited companies there are no such restrictions.
There are two types of shares:
1. Equity shares: The rate of dividend on these shares depends on the profits available and the discretion of directors. Hence, there is no fixed burden on the company. Each share carries one vote.
2. Preference shares: Dividend is payable on these shares at a fixed rate and is payable only if there are profits. Hence, there is no compulsory burden on the company’s finances. Such shares do not give voting rights. Issue of Debentures: Companies generally have powers to borrow and raise loans by issuing debentures. The rate of interest payable on debentures is fixed at the time of issue and are recovered by a charge on the property or assets of the company, which provide the necessary security for payment- The company is liable to pay interest even if there are no profits. Debentures are mostly issued to finance the long-term requirements of business and do not carry any voting rights.
Loans from Financial Institutions: Long-term and medium-term loans can be secured by companies from financial institutions like the Industrial Finance Corporation of India, Industrial ; Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI), State level Industrial Development Corporations, etc. These financial institutions grant loans for a maximum period of 25 years against approved schemes or projects. Loans agreed to be sanctioned must be covered by securities by way of mortgage of the company’s property or assignment of stocks, shares, gold, etc.
Loans from Commercial Banks: Medium-term loans can be raised by companies from commercial banks against the security of properties and assets. Funds required for modernisation and renovation of assets can be borrowed from banks. This method of financing does not require any legal formality except that of creating a mortgage on the assets.
Public Deposits: Companies often raise funds by inviting their shareholders, employees and the general public to deposit their savings with the company. The Companies Act permits such deposits to be received for a period up to 3 years at a time. Public deposits can be raised by companies to meet their medium-term as well as short-term financial needs.
The increasing popularity of public deposits is due to:
1. The rate of interest the companies have to pay on them is lower than the interest on bank loans.
2. These are easier methods of mobilising funds than banks, especially during periods of credit squeeze.
3. They are unsecured.
4. Unlike commercial banks,the company does not need to satisfy credit-worthiness for securing loans.
Reinvestment of Profits: Profitable companies do not generally distribute the whole amount of profits as dividend but, transfer certain proportion to reserves. This may be regarded as reinvestment of profits or ploughing back of profits. As these retained profits actually belong to the shareholders of the company, these are treated as a part of ownership capital. Retention of profits is a sort of self financing of business.
The reserves built up over the years by ploughing back of profits may be utilised by the company for the following purposes:
1. Expansion of the undertaking
2. Replacement of obsolete assets and modernisation.
3. Meeting permanent or special working capital requirement.
4. Redemption of old debts.
5. It enables the company to adopt a stable dividend policy.
