Would Interest-Only Weeks Help Your Client? Three Questions to Ask Before You Refer.

Start with timing, not financing

Most Referral Partners don’t talk about loans every day, and you don’t need to. When a client mentions that money is tight, a few good questions can show you whether the challenge is really about timing. That matters, because some financing features are designed for timing problems.

One example is an interest-only week. During an interest-only week, your client pays the interest on their loan for that week. The regular principal repayment, which is the part that pays down what they borrowed, is deferred until later. The payment that week is smaller, but the amount they owe doesn’t go down. Regular payments start again afterward.

That can create breathing room when cash is expected soon. It’s less helpful when the shortfall keeps coming back. These three questions help you tell the difference.

Question 1: What expense or delay is squeezing cash right now?

Listen for something specific with a clear beginning and end. Good examples include a large equipment repair, a seasonal inventory purchase, or a customer who pays in 60 days. A defined, one-time cause is a helpful sign. Vague answers such as “things are just slow” or “it’s been tight all year” usually point to something bigger than timing.

Follow-up: “Is this a one-time cost, or something you’ve been seeing month after month?”

Question 2: When do you expect cash flow to improve, and what gives you confidence in that timing?

Listen for a date and a reason behind it. Strong answers sound like “Our largest client pays on the 15th” or “Holiday orders are booked and ship in three weeks.” Hopeful answers with nothing behind them, such as “business should pick up eventually,” deserve a gentle second look.

Follow-up: “What would happen if that payment or busy season arrived a few weeks later than planned?”

Question 3: How will regular payments fit into your budget once they resume?

Interest-only weeks postpone principal repayment. They don’t erase it. Listen for whether your client has thought about the weeks after the break. A client who can explain how incoming cash will cover regular payments is planning ahead. A client who hasn’t considered it may need a broader conversation first.

Follow-up: “Once things improve, how much room will you have each week after your usual costs?”

Two hypothetical clients

These examples are illustrations only. They don’t describe actual clients, offers, or outcomes.

Hypothetical A: A defined timing gap. A plumbing company finished a large commercial job in October. The invoice is approved, and payment is scheduled for early December. In the meantime, the owner needs to cover payroll and winter equipment maintenance. Her answers are clear. The squeeze is a payment delay, cash improves when that invoice is paid, and she has mapped out how regular payments fit afterward. This is a natural moment to suggest she talk with an ARF Loan Consultant about whether interest-only weeks could fit her situation.

Hypothetical B: A recurring shortfall. A café owner says sales have trailed expenses for most of the year. Rent and supply costs keep rising, and he isn’t sure when things will turn around. He can’t point to a date or a source of incoming cash. Pausing principal for a few weeks could push the problem back without solving it. The more helpful conversation here is about the bigger picture, such as pricing, costs, or other kinds of support. An ARF Loan Consultant can still talk through his options, but the referral starts from a different place.

About Elevate 12

ARF Financial’s Elevate 12 promotion gives qualifying borrowers access to up to 12 interest-only weeks. Here’s how those weeks are structured:

• The first eight weeks: These don’t have to be used during the first 26 weeks of the loan.
• Four additional weeks: These become available only after week 26.

Using interest-only weeks doesn’t reduce the amount your client owes. Not every borrower or loan will qualify, and terms and costs apply. Your client’s ARF Loan Consultant can explain eligibility and the details that apply to their situation.

Your next step

You don’t need to know the answer. You just need to ask good questions. When a client’s answers point to a timing gap, share what you heard with your ARF Loan Consultant: what’s squeezing cash, when your client expects things to improve, and why. Your Loan Consultant can explain the options available and the terms that apply.