Fundera

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Have you ever needed some advice or an answer to a very specific question? Every small business owner, at one point or another, has been in a quandary. We’ve all wondered if the decision we’re about to make is the correct one, or if we need to do more research before proceeding. Before, it’d been difficult to get multiple opinions in a short amount of time—you either had to call or email trusted associates and friends to get their thoughts.

Small Businesses 111

Small Businesses Credit and Collections Deductions 111

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Banks involved in ag lending understand that the volatility of the industry – unpredictable weather patterns, variable commodity prices and more – can often lead to higher amounts of risk compared to other concentrations. Given recent news about decreasing ag incomes , combined with increasing demand for ag loans , banks need to evolve in this area of lending.

Credit and Collections 68

Credit and Collections Credit Risk Credit Unions 68

Fundera

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

Restaurant owners have always had trouble getting financing… But the times, they are a-changing. Whether you’re a seasoned seasoning veteran or just getting ready to fire up the grill, we’ve got some good news: there are more restaurant loans available for you today than ever before. A restaurant owner’s financial bread-and-butter options are generally equipment loans , working capital loans , and commercial mortgage loans (for purchasing buildings).

Small Businesses 102

Small Businesses Transactions 102

Fundera

NOVEMBER 2, 2015

What Are Corporate Bylaws? What are corporate bylaws, and why does your business need them? The term “corporate bylaws” may sound like legal rigmarole that applies only to giant, multinational corporations—and not to your small business. In reality, however, any business that chooses the legal form of a corporation must create corporate bylaws. Corporate bylaws are a legal document that explains how your business is organized and how it will be operated.

Small Businesses 102

Small Businesses 102

Fundera

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

In recent years, the lending marketplace has turned upside-down. As always, banks hold the greatest share of the small business lending landscape: they currently make up 75% of the $800 billion in outstanding small business loans in the United States, according to a recent report co-authored by QED Investors and Oliver Wyman. But alternative lenders—and other innovators—have popped up to fill in the gaps.

Credit Scoring 99

Credit Scoring Credit and Collections Small Businesses Invoice Collections 99

Fundera

NOVEMBER 12, 2015

I’m a bookkeeper, not a tax preparer, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a role in my client’s tax preparation each year. I save them a ton of time getting ready for small business tax preparation. As we approach year-end, it’s time to start getting those files ready for the poor soul who has to do all that tax work. Just kidding! Two of my best friends are CPAs!

Small Businesses 97

Small Businesses Credit and Collections Transactions 97

Fundera

NOVEMBER 4, 2015

When you’re new to the world of small business lending, it’s not uncommon to have more questions than answers. The more you learn, the more questions you have… It can feel like a never-ending rabbit hole. Today, we’re here to answer the many questions that are likely to come up before your loan application process, while you’re shopping around and applying, and after you sign.

Small Businesses 97

Small Businesses Credit Scoring Credit and Collections Default 97

Fundera

NOVEMBER 9, 2015

The White Moustache: Small-Batch Yogurts with a Persian Twist from SkeeterNYC on Vimeo. At The White Moustache in Brooklyn, one entrepreneur is making luxurious treats the way only a small business can. Now, we’re not talking cupcakes, pie, or pudding… We’re talking yogurt. Yogurt is a craft Homa’s been perfecting since her childhood in Iran.

Small Businesses 96

Small Businesses 96

Fundera

NOVEMBER 18, 2015

For businesses to thrive today, entrepreneurs need to know they’re dealing with smarter, savvier customers. Sure, upfront costs will always be vital and licenses need to be up-to-date and valid—but to come out on top, every business has to have a bottom line that accounts for its customers. From corner delis to neighborhood bars to wineries, every small business has a secret to starting and running it well.

Small Businesses 94

Small Businesses 94

Fundera

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Here at Fundera, we try to provide small business owners like yourself everything you could possibly need. Yes, we help you find the best loans with the most trustworthy lenders around—but there’s more to it than that. We genuinely care. We’ve got a couple of big goals we’re always striving towards. We want to make your small business…. Funded. Usually, small business owners are at the whims of their lenders.

Small Businesses 92

Small Businesses Credit and Collections 92

Fundera

NOVEMBER 20, 2015

When you’re looking to get your small business financed, you’re focused on one thing and one thing only: How can I get that capital ? Researching lenders, compiling documentation, filling out applications, negotiating, figuring out what you can and cannot afford… It’s a tiring process. What about life after your loan? Post-funding feelings may include drowsiness, heartburn, and indigestion—but there’s more work to be done!

Small Businesses 89

Small Businesses 89

Fundera

NOVEMBER 19, 2015

Well, well, well. Looks like you made a great decision to take out that loan for expanding your small business. Whatever it was for—a new pizza oven, an experimental robo-employee—really paid off, and you’re rolling in dough. (Literally, if you got that pizza oven.). But you’ve still got those pesky payments on your loan…They cut into your cash flow, and who likes the feeling of being in debt?

Credit Scoring 89

Credit Scoring Small Businesses Deductions 89

Fundera

NOVEMBER 17, 2015

When Moishe Mater isn’t next to the wine he loves, he loves the wine he’s next to. This kind of passion is exactly what’s needed to leave a life of recurring paychecks and turn to face an arduous, entrepreneur path complete with razor-thin profit margins and grim statistics. We know most small businesses fail. We know most people will not become Gary Vaynerchuk , t he serial entrepreneur who turned his family’s liquor store into a $6 million business (as of 2011).

Small Businesses 89

Small Businesses 89

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 8, 2015

Whether it’s part of a CECL preparedness conversation or part of a more proactive approach to risk management under existing regulatory expectations, the topic of “loan-level data” has repeatedly come up since the 2012 proposal from the FASB. As a result, at Sageworks, we have received many questions from our clients – banks and credit unions alike – about the steps to data preparedness.

Credit Unions 68

Credit Unions CECL Credit and Collections 68

Fundera

NOVEMBER 25, 2015

As an entrepreneur, you have plenty of experience in conquering unknowns. From your first day learning how to write a business plan to applying for your first business license, hiring your first employees, dealing with taxes and accounting and legal considerations… You’ve probably figured out by now that every step in the process of starting and growing your business is going to involve learning something new.

Small Businesses 76

Small Businesses Investment Firms Deductions 76

Fundera

NOVEMBER 24, 2015

Follow our checklist’s 6 steps to maximize the potential of your small business loan application, and secure the financing your business needs to flourish. 1. Check Your Business and Personal Credit Rating. Your ability to get a bank loan, as well as that loan’s interest rate and other loan terms, will be driven in part by your business and personal credit ratings—so you’ll want to know this information in advance.

Small Businesses 76

Small Businesses Credit Reporting Agencies Bankruptcy 76

Fundera

NOVEMBER 23, 2015

When we started Fundera, we wanted to bring more transparency and accountability to the small business lending industry. Our unbiased marketplace was the first step. Our “Know Before You Owe” campaign was the second. We’ve taken even bigger strides since, like leading an industry-wide coalition to launch a Small Business Borrower’s Bill of Rights. But there’s still so much more to be done.

Small Businesses 76

Small Businesses Credit Scoring Credit and Collections 76

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

By Ryan Himmel, CPA, Founder & CEO, TaxResearchPro By now, many accounting firms have a website. Firms are motivated to have a site because other firms in the area have one and most clients expect it. Still, saying you have a website is not enough. You should be able to assess whether or not it is actually helping your firm grow. What's the purpose of your website?

Accounting Firms 60

Accounting Firms Small Businesses 60

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 24, 2015

Add FDIC Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg to the list of regulators and industry officials warning about growing credit risks in the U.S. In prepared remarks for the release of the FDIC’s third-quarter version of the Quarterly Banking Profile , Gruenberg said growing interest-rate risk and credit risk warrant “timely attention” by banks and will “continue to be a focus of supervisory attention.

Credit Risk 60

Credit Risk Default Credit Unions 60

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 20, 2015

The auditing process is mechanical in its function but requires a curious mind to prevent and detect misstatements that can hurt a business. Each year, leaders in the industry gather together to discuss ways to make the craft of an audit more deliberate and structured. As a result of these discussions The Center for Audit Quality communicates important processes for firms to follow when performing an audit.

Transactions 60

Transactions 60

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 19, 2015

For years, the banking industry has been talking about mergers and acquisitions (M&A). While some consolidation has occurred, it still hasn’t reached levels that many expected. Bank Director’s 2016 Bank M&A Survey , sponsored by Crowe Horwath, was recently released and offers insight on current M&A trends in the banking industry. The survey comprised 260 current and former directors, CEOs and other senior bank executives, with 76 percent having greater than $250 million in total asse

Cybersecurity 60

Cybersecurity Credit Risk Credit Unions 60

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 18, 2015

Finding prospective valuation clients isn't always easy, and even once a firm has identified a prospect, communicating the value of valuations is critical to a successful relationship. Sageworks hosted a webinar on the topic, "How to Find New Business Valuation Clients" in order to explore tactics for identifying clients as well as the fundamentals of a successful valuation services pitch.

60

60

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 12, 2015

Hectic schedules and an immense workload often prevent accountants from fulfilling their role as a trusted advisor during tax season. Time crunches mean that some strategic planning that accountants wish they could implement for their clients goes out the window during these months. Though strategic planning for clients must be put on hold during these times, there are things your firm can do to construct its business planning around tax season and open the door to firm growth.

60

60

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

Business owners might ask the question "What is a valuation"? Or, "Why does my business need a valuation?". Professor Damodaran, a Professor of Finance at NYU Stern and frequent writer and speaker on valuation, writes: "Knowing what an asset is worth and what determines that value is a prerequisite for intelligent decision making -- in choosing investments for a portfolio, in deciding on the appropriate price to pay or receive in a takeover and in making investment, financing and dividend choice

60

60

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

A tell-tale sign that winter is coming is the shrinking number of hours of daylight each day. As dusk falls earlier each day and as the sun rises later, we are reminded that summer has drawn to a close and cold weather is near. For some people, this knowledge prompts the purchase of wood for the fireplace or salt for anticipated snowstorms. Others begin winterizing the house and having the furnace inspected.

Credit Risk 60

Credit Risk Credit Unions 60

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 4, 2015

Last month, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) approved the long-awaited final rule on risk-based capital requirements for credit unions. The rule aims to reduce the possibility of high-risk credit unions exhausting their capital and causing systemic losses, which all federally insured credit unions would have to cover for through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF).

Credit Unions 60

Credit Unions CECL 60

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

By Bakley Smith, CFA Most business owners - especially those in the startup space - have an eye fixed on valuation. At what level does the market value the company? The media, of course, feeds the frenzy with television shows, articles, podcasts and a steady stream of click bait, aimed at illuminating the opaque world of valuation. Deciding w here to invest money in a business can often seem like a perilous decision, even when the company is established.

Bankruptcy 60

Bankruptcy Deductions Small Businesses 60

Fundera

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Cash flow has always been king for small businesses. In fact, more small businesses fail because of cash flow problems than for any other reason. It doesn’t have to be that way. There are many best practices that you can follow to help you manage cash flow and mitigate any problems. But to be truly useful, your forecast needs to be as accurate as possible.

Electronic Funds Transfer 59

Electronic Funds Transfer Collector Cash Forecasting Credit and Collections 59

Fundera

NOVEMBER 18, 2015

For businesses to thrive today, entrepreneurs need to know they’re dealing with smarter, savvier customers. Sure, upfront costs will always be vital and licenses need to be up-to-date and valid—but to come out on top, every business has to have a bottom line that accounts for its customers. From corner delis to neighborhood bars to wineries, every small business has a secret to starting and running it well.

Small Businesses 45

Small Businesses 45

Fundera

NOVEMBER 2, 2015

Halloween has packed up and left town. Thanksgiving looms. Christmas decorations are going up whether you like or not. It’s official: The holiday season is here. That means it’s go-time for businesses owners everywhere… And we know exactly what you’ll be doing this November. 1. Looking at the calendar and PANICKING. Got this one here. 2. Keeping employee morale high.

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