Prepare for financing
Forecast for a bank: turn your figures into a supported plan
Your bank has asked for a forecast. Start with the question you need to answer: what revenue and profit do you expect, and why? Existing accounting entries provide a starting point for your figures. Agree with the lender which additional budgets and documents are required.
Start with the lender’s request
Record the business, funding request and period covered by your forecast. Buying a machine calls for a different explanation from financing extra stock. Ask whether the lender needs monthly figures, several financial years, a projected balance sheet or a cash-flow budget. This establishes the scope before you start.
Make the boundary between actual figures and expectations explicit. Explain each material change with evidence such as a signed contract, an adjusted fee or a rent increase. An unexplained percentage leaves the reader guessing.
Worked example: growth with higher costs
Suppose the completed accounts show average monthly income of €12,000 and costs of €9,000. You expect income to rise by 8% and costs by 5%. The calculation below applies each change once to the monthly average. These are fictional amounts, not predictions for your business.
| Item | Historical monthly | Forecast monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Income | €12,000 | €12,960 |
| Costs | €9,000 | €9,450 |
| Profit | €3,000 | €3,510 |
Explain the step to €42,120
Twelve months at €3,510 gives forecast profit of €42,120. That figure does not show when customers pay, how much you invest or when you repay a loan. Address those questions in a separate schedule. If you expect two quiet summer months, a constant monthly figure is also insufficient as a seasonal plan.
Before exporting, check whether missing entries, one-off income or closing entries distort the average. Keep the reference period and account classification with the report. This makes it possible to trace the numbers when the lender asks a follow-up question.
Common questions
Will every bank accept this report?
There is no general acceptance guarantee. The lender determines the required content and assessment. A Rekenbox forecast supports the discussion with a calculation from your source data; check that it matches the requested documents.
Can I generate a three-year forecast immediately?
The current XAF tool calculates 3, 6 or 12 future months. A multi-year budget also requires assumptions beyond that period. Do not multiply one year by three without explanation.
Sources and product scope
The worked examples were prepared by Rekenbox for explanation. Product behaviour and source references were checked on the stated update date.
KVK discusses repayment capacity and checking document requirements in advance. KVK · Zakelijk lenen: hier letten financiers op ↗
Continue your preparation
Prepare for financing
Applying for business finance: which figures should you prepare?
Prepare your financing application with the purpose, funding need, existing figures and assumptions. Includes a document checklist and practical example.
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Support your figures
Create a cash-flow budget: when might cash run short?
Preparing a business or bank cash-flow forecast? Follow opening cash, receipts and payments in a monthly example. Understand the difference from profit.
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Support your figures
Compare forecast scenarios: what if income or costs change?
Compare base, growth and downside forecasts. Includes calculated monthly results, sensitivity analysis and guidance on assumptions.
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