Monday, April 09, 2012

Choosing the Right Bank to Manage Your Business Finances

Banks and businesses are invariably connected. When businesses earn money, owners store their earnings in the bank. Owners can also borrow money from banks in order to start a business or to prevent its downfall. Hence, banks and businesses rely on each other for survival, but how can you be sure that this partnership is not detrimental to your business and lead you to success instead? One of the determinants of the success of a business is its good partnership with its bank so, you need to carefully choose the bank that is suited for your business needs.

Hundreds of banks may be present in your area but only a few can offer the services you need. When starting a business, the common notion of business owners is to go to the large banks immediately. While large banks have all the resources to support your business, they may charge higher fees for that. Business owners can always go to community banks where card and ATM fees are not that high.

In addition, some large banks charge monthly maintenance fees and these fees, when summed up, can amount to significant loss in your profit. Always be vigilant about extra fees and if you are unsure why your bank charges you with such fees, you should not hesitate to ask them about it. You can also opt for a type of account that incurs little or no fees.
If you are looking to borrow money, check whether the bank is capable of granting it to you.

Smaller banks or internet banks may not have the resources to help you out on big loans such as larger banking institutions could, but they are more likely to offer your customized services which can be highly beneficial. But, this does not mean that your loans will be immediately approved since they will have to consider your business credit. Larger banks often apply the formulaic approach when deciding on which loans to approve since reviewing the local market where your business operates is not feasible for them. Smaller community banks, on the other hand, can review your credentials to determine the financial state of your business.

Also, check the quality of their services and offerings. The bank manager must always be ready to respond to your queries and give you full assistance on your needs. Every business is unique in its own way so personalized services that can cater to your specific needs would be very great features. Tools and other products that can help you manage your finances, interest rates, foreign exchange transactions are likewise valuable.

Friday, April 06, 2012

US Census Infographic

Interesting infographic on the US Census comparing 1940 with 2010. It is amazing how much can change in 80 years.