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Guides & Articles on Banking

Checking Backgrounds Before Hiring

Make sure potential employees don't pose a risk to your company

By Maggie Rauch

The costs of a bad hiring decision can be devastating to a small company. But if you do your due diligence in screening candidates, you can cut down the number of problem hires and mitigate the risks inherent in staffing your company. When screening candidates you want to: Stay within constraints as dictated by candidates' right to privacy. Notify potential employees, when app...

Business Banking for Startups

Why having a business bank account makes dollars and sense

By Cherie L. Berkley

A first step to establishing your small business is setting up a business bank account. Many new and part-time small business owners are guilty of using their personal checking account to handle transactions. But that just won't cut it for a variety of reasons and can make tracking money confusing, especially at tax time or if you are audited. Self-employed sole proprietors are...

Bank CDs for Your Business Cash

Business certificates of deposit are more flexible than ever and offer higher rates

By Mary Sit

You're not on a shoestring anymore, and extra cash may be idling in your business checking account. Consider parking your cash in a bank certificate of deposit (CD), a time-based, fixed-income investment that can earn you extra income with no effort on your part. Here are three things you need to know: This is a great way to store your money at a higher interest rate than most ...

Opening a Business Banking Account

When choosing a bank partner, relationships can matter as much as interest rates and services

By Mark Ingebretsen

Opening up a business bank account takes just minutes, but building a quality relationship with your bank can take years. Find a banking team that is truly excited about your business. The banking team should also be able to: Explain its services clearly and how they can benefit your company. Analyze your credit needs and explain if the bank can meet them. Explain reporting requi...

Choosing and Buying Business Checks

Facilitate bill-paying and record-keeping with the right checks

By John Fuller

When you open a business checking account, it's customary to order your first set of checks through the bank. However, on subsequent orders, your bank may not be the best bet for checks. Independent check printers generally offer a wider selection at a lower cost. They usually offer faster service, too. Although business checks are relatively inexpensive, they serve a number ...

Business Banking Rates and Quotes

Take advantage of the Web to shop for the best deals

By Meagan Francis

When choosing a bank to do business with, you'll probably look at many factors — from monthly fees to the branch's hours and proximity to your office. But whether you're opening a simple checking account, looking for a loan, or investing, you'll want to check out interest rates before you settle on a financial institution. Interest rates can affect your busi...

Small Business Online Banking

Get out of the line and back to making money by banking via the Web

By Greg Brown

Online banking is now a decade old, yet many small business owners have been slow to take advantage of the speed and simplicity it offers. It's not surprising that people are hesitant, but financial institutions have a huge motivator – money – to get you out of their lobby and away from costly tellers. Banking online can be a boon for small business owners who want ...

Business Money Market Accounts

Use a business money market account to build up accessible cash

By Cherie L. Berkley

Business money market accounts (MMAs) are interest-bearing bank accounts that are invested in short-term securities through banks or credit unions. The benefits of a business MMA are many: they're convenient, earn you money, and are easy to access when necessary. Like a traditional savings account, an MMA allows you to make deposits and withdrawals, and transfer money. Unlike a...

Banking Software

Streamline customer relations and keep sales on track with banking software systems

By Greg Brown

You know the front-end of banking software: ATM machines, online banking and banking by phone. But an entire revolution on the back-end -- the internal workings of banks and their far-flung branches -- has made that front-end customer possible. Online banking software systems now run transaction inside and between financial institutions, help private banks and investment fund admin...

Banks for Small Business

Not all business banking is created equal. Find the right banking institution for your small business.

By Greg Brown

Every banking institution has the same marketing message these days, either blue-gray corporate power, sunny, hometown simplicity or, ideally, both. But the reality is, some small business banks are good at servicing specific niches and types of businesses; other banks excel at completely different markets. A lot depends, too, on where you live. Banks have consolidated in recent ye...

Online Banking for Small Business

Got a small business? Online banking solutions can simplify accounting tasks

By LaRita Heet

Online banking small business accounts aren’t the wave of the future – they’re how many small and mid-sized businesses already handle their banking. If you’ve been resisting the change from traditional banking to online banking for small business needs, it may be time to take the plunge. Today’s banks have a plethora of small business Internet banking ...

Money Orders

How to purchase and accept secure U.S. and international money orders

By Suzann Connell

Financial transactions move our world. There are reasons why, as well as reasons why not, to turn to money orders as a means of conducting business. As in any monetary exchange, use money orders to your advantage, and avoid using them when they could pose a risk.Money orders are safe substitutes and an alternative to writing checks. If you lose a secured money order, you can have i...

Banker Education and Training for Tellers

Keep your teller's education current so they provide better service to your customers

By Eisla Sebastian

Banking courses help bank tellers better play their important role as the face, voice and hands of a bank. Banking classes in customer service, security and money handling can be offered to tellers as:1. In-house banker education and training programs.2. Online banking classes.3. Seminar style banking courses.Banker education and training classes ...

Setting Up Internet Bank Accounts for Businesses

Virtual banking for small businesses is the key to success

By Eisla Sebastian

For over a decade now, individuals have been using Internet bank accounts to make their lives easier. However, businesses have been slower to accept and utilize the conveniences of online banks. In an age where businesses are trying to streamline and automate as many business activities as they can, it only makes sense that this philosophy should also be applied to their banki...

Banks in Puerto Rico

How to expand your small business banking needs into commercial banks in Puerto Rico

By Kelly Shetsky

There is no Central Bank in Puerto Rico, but the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank takes on that responsibility.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Program also guarantees all deposits up to $100,000.Electronic banking is growing in popularity in Puerto Rico. There are also all basic banking services in Puerto Rico. Residents use Automated Teller Machines to bank. They'...

Deposit Slips

Know your options on bank deposit slips for your business

By Rose Bricker

Although your bank supplies you with bank deposit slips, you may need more. You can buy your business deposit slips online. Business deposit slips come in booked deposit slips, laser deposit slips and 3-on-a-page deposit slips. You can also make your own printable deposit slips. Always look for special deals on deposit slips for companies; many vendors offer them.When buying deposi...

Credit Union Jobs

Community spirit and financial know-how can come together into a rewarding credit union career

By Yvette Pryce

What's the difference between a credit union and a bank?The Frank Capra film It’s a Wonderful Life offers a good, if simplified, illustration of the difference between credit unions and other financial institutions. Where the Bailey Building and Loan put community needs ahead of profit, Potter’s bank was out to make a profit regardless of the harm it brought to the ...

Commercial Banks

Choose from thousands of commercial banks to find the one for your small business

By Courtney Ditzler

Choosing a commercial bank is a crucial step to make early in your business's life cycle. Often, the first transaction between businesses and commercial banks involves significant loans, so investigating financial institutions' lending practices is a must. To secure a loan from US commercial banks, small businesses must submit an application and a business plan. Before bank...

Banks in California

Find the best California bank to suit your needs

By Shannon Tani

You need a California bank to do your business, but trying to decide which of the many banks in California to use can be a tricky process.California banks offer services that go beyond simply storing your money and allowing you to pay bills. A commercial bank in California should also offer credit card processing, which allows your customers to use credit cards to pay for their pur...

Cash Bags

Select money bags suited to your deposit size and transportation security needs

By Robert Hill

Cash bags offer security and ease of transporting your money. Bank deposit bags come in many sizes and material. Get cloth money bags in different fabrics. Fire security cash bags offer more protection but cost the most. Buy reusable bags, or order disposable money bags in bulk for greater savings.Choosing cash handling bags to fit your needs requires knowing how you plan to transp...

Banks in New Jersey

Locate banks in New Jersey that you can trust with your company's earnings

By Heather Topham Wood

Finding a banking institution is an integral part of launching your small business. Since there are numerous banks in New Jersey, you need to find one that can offer the best services for your company. You’ll find a wide range of New Jersey banking institutions within the state. Some New Jersey banks operate on a small scale with only a limited number of accounts servicing bu...

Banking Supplies

Invest in the right banking supplies to increase your profits and support employees

By Tara McClendon

Banking equipment and supplies include everything from deposit tickets to brochures on current financial products and banking programs to the equipment needed to run the bank. When purchasing banking supplies, you may look at the need for items like deposit tickets and cringe. Rather than look at paper products as a waste of money, look at the value they add. In many cases, supplie...

Banks in Indiana

Find the right institution for your business banking in Indiana

By A.S. White

From the sheer volume of transactions that most Indiana business banking accounts run through every month, to the needs of a business for lines of credit and treasury management, Indiana commercial banks know that your business account requires their special attention.While there are many local banks, Indiana also boasts quite a list of national banks in Indiana. No matter what you...

Automated Teller Machines

Find the best deal on ATM machines for sale to grow your profits

By A.S. White

Nowadays, most people are carrying very little cash and rarely visit their bank's ATM machines. Everything seems to be moving to plastic. But there are still some instances where cash is needed. When people need cash, they must have a place to get it and get it fast. That's why there's quite a bit of money in owning an ATM machine. By having your own automated...

State Employees Credit Unions

Consider a state employees federal credit union over a traditional bank

By Doug Dannon

A traditional bank isn't for everyone. When people qualify for a credit union, that can be the right choice. A credit union is organized as a non-profit organization, where the customers act as the board of directors.One of the largest types of credit union is a state employee credit union. In many areas, credit unions for employees of the state are also open to other municipal...