Business Insights

As your business baking partner, it is our goal to provide you with the resources needed to make sound financial decisions. These articles provide expert insights and advice to guide you through starting, growing and operating your business.

Getting Started

Tips to consider before the Grand Opening.

There is a lot to consider when starting your business. Before you seek financing, these articles can you narrow down your business goals and create a plan for moving forward.

Click the links provided below to learn more about each topic:

• Thinking About Going Out on Your Own? The Federal Trade Commission provided this advice for aspiring business owners.
• Operating a Franchise: Consider these five factors if you're thinking about investing in a franchise.
• Creating a Business Plan: Whether you're just getting started or already up and running, a business plan will serve as a guideline for the formation and development of your business.

Financing Your Business

Advice for business lending.

These articles can help guide you through various stages of financing your business. Click the links provided below to learn more about each topic:

• Considering an SBA Loan? Ask yourself these questions first to determine if a loan backed by the Small Business Administration is a fit for your business.
• Financial Projections, the Key to Business Financing: A business financial projection is simply forecasting your sales and revenue to the lender.
• How to Qualify for a Small Business Loan: These four factors are key to securing financing for your small business.

Operating a Business

You've secured financing for your business. Now what?

From managing your funds to staying safe from fraud, there is a lot to consider in order to keep your business operating smoothly. These articles can help answer questions you have as a business owner.

Click the links provided below to learn more about each topic:

• Choosing a Checking Account for Your Business: Just like choosing a personal checking account, you should select a business checking account that fits your unique needs.
• Creating a Disaster Recovery Plan: Disasters can strike at any time and being ready with a disaster plan can reduce fear and help keep you afloat if (or when) the unthinkable happens.
• The Basics of Accepting Money from the Public: Credit and debit cards, checks and mobile payments all feature different costs and benefits. This article can help you decide which methods of payment make sense for your business.  
• Frauds Target Small Businesses: Following these simple tips can help your business stay safe from fraud.

Human Resources

Helpful hints for one of your business' key assets—your employees.

From hiring the right people to retaining valuable team members, your employees are a key asset to your business. These articles can help answer the questions that employers often face regarding human resources.

Click the links provided below to learn more about each topic:

• The Importance of a Job Description: A clear job description provides a basis for employee performance reviews, salary increases and career development.
• Boost Morale...And Your Bottom Line: As cliché as it may sound, happy employees are often productive employees. This article offers advice on keeping your workplace both fun and productive.
• Choosing a Retirement Solution for Your Small Business: There are a number of retirement programs that provide tax advantages to both employers and employees. This article can help select the plan that makes sense for your business.

Contact Us to Learn More

When you're ready to take the next step with your business, our local team of business banking experts is standing by to help— simply click here to get started with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.