In India, a lot of consumers are making a switch to debit card EMIs to spread out their financial payments carefully. Emerging as a popular financing option among people, debit card EMIs make large purchases for businesses manageable and hassle-free. Businesses no longer need to rely solely on credit card payments.
This convenient and flexible option is a practical solution for businesses to achieve their goals and maintain financial stability. This blog will help in understanding the perks and importance of using debit card EMIs.
What is debit card EMI?
Businesses now have a convenient payment option with debit card EMIs, available to anyone with a savings or current account. Debit cards have long simplified cash withdrawals and fund management, and now they offer an EMI payment facility. Traditionally limited to credit cards, many top banks now extend this feature to debit cards as well.
A debit card EMI allows businesses to make purchases without paying the full amount upfront. Payments are processed through a pre-approved overdraft facility, with the bank covering the initial cost.
The business then repays in instalments from the account linked to the debit card. This method allows purchases even without the full amount available. Businesses can make down payments to reduce EMIs or partially pay a larger portion and opt for EMIs on the remaining amount. Leveraging the debit card EMI feature can greatly enhance financial flexibility for business operations.
How do debit card EMIs help businesses?
Debit card EMI facility is a flexible manner of spreading out large payments. This method also helps them in numerous ways. Let’s take a look at some benefits of debit card EMI options to businesses.
1. Better cash flow management
Debit card EMI options enable businesses to make purchases without exhausting their funds. By distributing payments over several months, businesses can manage cash flow more effectively, ensuring sufficient liquidity for other operational needs. This flexibility facilitates smoother financial planning and helps avoid cash shortages.
2. Easier access to equipment and supplies
Debit card EMI options allow businesses to acquire necessary equipment and supplies immediately, even if they lack the full amount upfront. This is especially beneficial for startups or small businesses needing to invest in tools and resources to grow.
The ability to make partial payments and opt for EMIs on the remaining balance helps businesses remain competitive and operational.
3. Accessibility without credit cards
Previously, EMI payments were limited to credit cards, which not all businesses have access to. Debit card EMI options make this facility available to a broader range of businesses, simplifying instalment payments. This ensures that businesses without credit cards can still benefit from the flexibility and convenience of EMIs.
4. Enhanced financial flexibility
With the debit card EMI option, businesses can make down payments for larger purchases and spread the remaining costs over time. This is particularly useful during financial uncertainty or when managing multiple expenses. The ability to partially pay a larger portion and opt for EMIs on the balance allows businesses to plan and execute their investments strategically.
5. Strengthened supplier relationships
Using debit card EMIs can improve relationships with suppliers by ensuring timely payments. Suppliers appreciate prompt payments, which can lead to better terms and conditions for future transactions. This reliability can help businesses negotiate discounts or favourable deals, further benefiting their financial health.
Working on the debit card EMI facility
Businesses must follow several key steps to use debit card EMI optimally. Let’s examine each step briefly to understand how this facility can be used.
- Eligibility Check
Before a business can offer Debit Card EMI options to customers, it must ensure compliance with the bank’s eligibility criteria. These criteria typically include maintaining a minimum balance in the business account, having a clean credit history, and meeting a specific transaction threshold.
- Partner with Merchants
To provide the Debit Card EMI facility, businesses need to partner with merchants that offer this service. These can be online retailers, electronic stores, or select offline establishments. It’s crucial to ensure that transactions fall within the permissible limit for EMI conversion.
- Offer EMI conversion option
During the payment process, businesses should present customers with the option to convert their purchase into an EMI plan. Customers can choose their preferred EMI tenure, which may range from a few months to a couple of years. Different banks offer varying EMI tenures and interest rates, so businesses should be aware of these details.
- Confirmation and authorisation
Once the customer selects the EMI tenure, the bank will provide the terms and conditions of the EMI scheme, including interest rates, processing fees, and any additional charges. The business must ensure these details are clearly communicated to the customer for their consent and authorisation of the EMI conversion.
- Monthly EMI deductions
After the EMI conversion is confirmed, the bank will deduct the EMI amount from the customer’s linked savings account each month. Businesses must ensure that they have systems in place to remind customers to maintain sufficient funds in their accounts to cover the EMI payments, avoiding penalties or default charges.
By following these steps, businesses can seamlessly integrate the Debit Card EMI option into their payment process, providing customers with flexible payment solutions while ensuring smooth transaction management.
Some pre-requisites for debit card EMIs
- Banks extend debit card EMI facilities to customers based on their banking activity, repayment history, and relationship with the bank.
- Â Transaction amounts eligible for debit card EMIs vary among banks, with minimum and maximum limits set individually.
- The duration of debit card EMIs typically ranges from 3 to 36 months, depending on the transaction amount and the borrower’s profile.
- Approval and disbursement of debit card EMIs are swift, although additional documentation may be necessary to initiate this overdraft.
- Banks may impose a modest processing fee for providing this service, ensuring smooth facilitation.
- Users are required to maintain sufficient account balances at the time of EMI deductions to avoid incurring substantial penalties.
- Typically, this service does not necessitate down payments, security deposits, or account freezes, though some banks may place a hold on fixed deposits.
- Availability of the debit card EMI option is contingent upon specific card variants, prompting users to verify eligibility with their respective banks.
Finding the most suitable bank to avail debit card EMI options
While debit card EMIs offer great respite to businesses, it is important to look for banks that offer the best features. The eligibility criteria and extra benefits offered by several banks need to be accessed.
For businesses to quickly discover the eligibility criteria and benefits for different banks, websites like Pine Labs offer quick services. The one-stop portal to know all about different debit card EMI options will help retain customers and increase sales for businesses.
Visit Pine Labs today and check debit card EMI options now.
