According to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Britain will stand the pressure from the European Union (EU) for a Swift start to initiate its withdrawal from the bloc it has mentioned about. According to new data released by Swift, it has experienced some strong traffic these days. New data released shows that at the end of June Swift saw a surge in traffic for Brexit-related securities and treasury traffic. Swift report shows that on June 28 there were 28.305.037 million messages sent over its network. On June 30, there were 30.392.943 sent over its network, which is a growth of 7.4% […]

The European Union (EU) wants to cooperate with private companies to provide funding for cybersecurity research. Computerworld reports the EU has already provided €450 million or $500 million for cybersecurity investment and requested the industry to bring the total amount up to $2 billion. A recent report has recently been released by the EU’s executive body, the European Commission, that cyberattacks are likely to undermine the digital market, economic and social life as a whole. The cybersecurity public-private partnership (cPPP) aims to facilitate the global research into cybersecurity and help build security products and services for industries such as energy, […]

High risk merchants often have a hard time acquiring business loans. Lenders view merchants in high risk industries as undesirable investments, even if the business owner is an experienced entrepreneur. But it is possible for high risk merchants to find and attain the necessary funds to start and grow their businesses. The following are a 5 steps to getting a business loan. Develop a Business Plan Many business owners only know that they could do with some extra cash. Lenders are not likely to disburse funds unless you can tell them exactly where the funds are going and how they […]

Most business entrepreneurs choose to fund their startups through their own cash or savings. While this approach works well for many business owners, there will come a time when additional capital is required from the outside. With alternative lending options constantly evolving, small business owners are finding it easier and easier to evaluate what each lender is offering them (pricing, rates, terms, etc.). Ultimately, these non-bank lenders offer more choices. While it is fairly easy to find a list of alternative lending options for a small business, knowing what to consider while evaluating those lenders is not always as transparent. […]

Startup companies are having the worst time finding legitimate funding. While some believe that the internet (and their Facebook friends) are their best bet, others follow more traditional roads. Funding for businesses these days is tough to find, whether you are a big, time-tested business or a newbie on the scene. Below are some of the best ways to gain cash flow for your startup business. Cash Advance: A cash advance may sound like a loan, but it isn’t. Offered by merchant account providers, this method is a “buy in” to your future sales. You are given a sum, which […]

All businesses struggle from time to time, and while some can seem to snap out of it quickly, others are scrambling for funds. Others are simply small businesses with little credit and a big issue when it comes to finding a legitimate funding source. There are many ways to obtain extra funding, commonly known as “alternative lending”, and while not all are quick methods, they can help you get your business out of a hole. Some of these are true “loan” types, and have to be paid back, while others are “grant” types and do not. The choice is up […]

With high school and college graduations celebrations concluded, millions of Americans are turning their attention to outdoor activities. This year, Americans have celebrated the lowest gas prices in 10 years by traveling to their summer destinations by car. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Commerce, consumer spending – a major driver of the economy – has improved at a pace not seen in nearly seven years. To add to the improvements, personal income and household spending have also increased. These figures are great news and signs of positive changes for small businesses across the country. In order […]

25 states in the US have already made the cannabis industry legal either for medical or recreational purposes. However, it is still illegal on the national level. Raising enough funds to start your own business is not that easy. Big Players and the Right Investments When it comes to major players in the field, they want to see how state and local corporations come into play. Microsoft has recently become the 1st  major company to announce its participation in the sector and partnered with Kind Financial. The latter helps businesses and government agencies track sales of legalized marijuana. According to […]

Since the Global Financial Crisis (2007-09), small business owners had difficulty getting approved for a loan from a traditional bank or an alternative lender offering decent rates. Today, it has become much easier to get approved for a small business loan from an alternative lender. A recent study from Dun & Bradstreet and Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management shows that only 38% of businesses were qualified for a bank loan. In comparison to 70% of mid-size ventures. What is more, today, the Small Business Administration provides even fewer loans. In addition, only 1% of small businesses surveyed […]

Years ago, it was often difficult to get approved for a traditional bank or a credit union loan. Business owners had to borrow from their family, friends, or against receivables. Today, thanks to alternative lenders and institutional investors, entrepreneurs have better chances to get business funding even with bad credit for their companies. Funding Options for Small Businesses Alternative Lenders Alternative lending came into existence after 2008 financial crisis when small businesses saw it was difficult for them to get approved for a traditional bank loan. Online lenders built web-based lending platforms that made it easier and faster to obtain […]