small business

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Whitepapers
Sep 21, 2020
Cross-border payments are changing and business owners expect to transfer money quickly. SWIFT gpi allows community financial institutions to meet their customers’ needs and generate additional fee income for their institution.
Webinars
Jun 20, 2017
Are you currently providing international services for your customers? The global market is growing and with small businesses making up 97% of all exporters, your customers will be growing too. Knowing how to support your business customers will deepen long-term customer relationships with an enhanced suite of services.
Sep 20, 2018
As your customers expand their businesses across borders, they need to know that your financial institution can provide international services like foreign wires or check clearing. You easily can with PCBB as a partner. Join us for a complimentary 30-minute webinar where we will discuss the benefits of using international services.
BID Newsletters
Mar 24, 2023
Helping business clients of every size is at the core of CFIs and their missions. CFIs have a little-known tool that can help their SMB clients: the employee retention credit (ERC). We break down what this refundable tax credit is, who may qualify, and how it can help your customers.
Mar 23, 2023
Small businesses are increasingly doing business across international borders, and in need of international banking support. We discuss how CFIs can best serve their customers’ cross-border banking needs and stay ahead of the competition.
Mar 15, 2023
Using sophisticated digital solutions, alternative lenders are gaining small business customers, sometimes at the expense of CFIs. Here are some tips to help CFIs look for signs of defection and respond.
Mar 13, 2023
As economists warn that recession is inevitable, CFIs should actively take steps to best prepare themselves and their customers to weather a significant economic downturn.
Mar 7, 2023
Small businesses have been at the heart of the post-pandemic economic recovery, but high inflation and hiring challenges are contributing to a negative outlook for them. By rethinking the lending process, CFIs can support SMBs through these tough times, while also increasing their own revenue opportunities, cutting the cost to serve, and minimizing risk. We explore how.
Dec 8, 2022
Baby boomers are retiring at a rate of 10K per day, and along with those retirements will be a wave of small businesses passing on to younger generations. CFIs should identify small business customers likely to be impacted by baby boomer retirements and preemptively take steps to ensure those businesses will remain with their organizations long after their current owners have left the workforce.
Nov 30, 2022
Embedded banking allows CFIs to provide financial products and services through non-bank, third-party partners such as retailers and service providers. In this second part of our embedded banking series, we explore ideas of how CFIs might partner with non-bank organizations to offer embedded banking services. We also address some of the legal, compliance and technology challenges associated with launching embedded banking.
Nov 28, 2022
As SMEs seek to attract and retain employees by offering enhanced benefits such as 401(k) plans, financial institutions predict major growth in this business line. Some CFIs have already begun partnering with retirement service providers to put together affordable and streamlined offerings.
Nov 23, 2022
The pandemic caused many smaller companies to adopt digital technologies that expanded their ability to reach customers across the US and in other nations. Many of the companies say that cross-border commerce is a way to grow businesses and keep up with the competition. As a result, CFIs with international payment solutions may have opportunities to strengthen relationships, add new customers, and grow fee income.
Nov 22, 2022
Borrowing a page from the Paycheck Protection Program, some banks have begun offering microloans to early-stage businesses based on their gross income. We consider the pluses and minuses of this underwriting method.
Nov 15, 2022
Businesses and consumers prefer the convenience of electronic payment methods. So, an electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) platform is helpful for CFIs to retain customers, compete for new clients, and stay viable. Not all EBPP platforms are alike, so we discuss how to choose the one that benefits your institution the most.
Nov 9, 2022
CFIs say their top strategic goal is growing loans. They also say they plan to increase tech spending. Targeting more of that increased tech spending on products demanded by small businesses can help advance loan growth.
Nov 8, 2022
Understanding why paper checks are still a popular way of paying business invoices can help CFIs assist their customers in making the transition to electronic payments. We discuss the reasons businesses still use paper checks for B2B payments and the benefits of switching to EFT.
Nov 2, 2022
Money management and forecasting are top concerns for small businesses. CFIs can help small business customers deal with those issues by offering regular feedback and suggestions for improvement, thus helping avert more serious problems later.
Oct 21, 2022
Organizations with fewer than 100 people account for 22% of all fraud cases and a median loss of $150K. Preventing financial fraud is easier when small business owners and employees know how to spot signs of trouble. CFIs can help their commercial customers by educating them about fraud — we provide several fraud-prevention steps for you to share.
Oct 18, 2022
The US dollar is at parity with the euro for the first time in 20Ys, and up against numerous other foreign currencies. That’s not necessarily a good thing for companies that do business overseas. American goods are more expensive, and the dollar’s strength deflates the value of funds earned overseas. We discuss ways you can support your commercial customers who have international business ventures.
Sep 21, 2022
Universal retirement benefit plans are on the horizon for many states in the US, with proposed congressional legislation meaning potentially big changes for small business customers. CFIs can aid those small business customers with preemptive educational offerings to help prepare them for what’s to come.
Sep 22, 2022
Digitization is a critical component in CFIs’ efforts to remain competitive with fintechs and their largest peers, but the personalization of smaller banks is their most valuable asset. We explore how to reconcile these seemingly competing forces to achieve a digital experience that works for your customers and your CFI.
Sep 15, 2022
Top-performing financial institutions had higher expenses last year, but also higher revenues and profit, as well as more loan growth. While their frugal peers may have been better at holding down costs, the higher performers got more bang for their buck.
Sep 14, 2022
Financial institutions enjoyed client deposit surges through the end of last year, but extreme rate hikes from the Fed may change that. As CFIs feel pressure to raise their rates on deposits to keep customers, it’s important to consider what other strategies CFIs can deploy to retain deposit levels and client relationships.
Sep 13, 2022
Every CFI wants to attract new customers, and many have a marketing plan in place to help them accomplish this. The only problem is that CFIs don’t need just one marketing plan. They need multiple marketing plans to help them attract the different demographics within their customer bases. We explain how to develop customer segments and market to each one.
Aug 24, 2022
In the competitive small business lending market, a clear understanding of business owner needs can go a long way to drive an institution’s loan portfolio growth. Gaining that edge takes hard work and sophisticated data mining. Here are four steps to make your SME loan strategy more holistic, ultimately resulting in increased revenue.
Aug 9, 2022
Small business owners are more pessimistic about the economy than they have been in nearly half a century, according to a new survey. But they remain somewhat optimistic about their own future. In this muddied outlook, CFIs need to move cautiously in how they work with small business borrowers.
Jun 30, 2022
Demand for commercial lending is heating up. CFIs have an opportunity to expand into new markets, add talented lenders, launch new niches, and team up for bigger deals – all while maintaining stellar credit quality. We delve into the details.
Jun 23, 2022
There are 32.5MM small businesses in the US, generating 44% of economic activity — an attractive opportunity for financial service providers of all sizes. CFIs have a strong connection with small business customers and could leverage their understanding of the customers’ unique needs in order to create compelling propositions for them. We give you four strategies to help get you off to a good start.
Apr 8, 2022
Around $90B was withdrawn from over 200K independent ATMs across the country in 2020. As financial institutions continue to merge, close branches, and remove ATMs, these independent ATMs, found in convenience stores among others, are a lifeline to many consumers where banks have closed branches. They are also a revenue generator for many small businesses. Is this an opportunity for community financial institutions?
Apr 7, 2022
The Small Business Administration provided $85MM in microloans to 5,890 people in 2020. Many community financial institutions assisted in that business as intermediaries. These loans help startups and smaller businesses that might not be eligible for traditional loans. Are they worthwhile for your institution? We explore this lending sector.
Mar 15, 2022
Ninety-five percent of text messages are read within three minutes. With consumers’ reliance on texting, it is no wonder that the latest payment option, text-to-pay, is gaining momentum. It gives users the ability to pay through a link on a text easily and quickly. Let’s see why your small business customers may start finding it attractive.
Dec 1, 2021
The pace of bank M&A this year has been high with 19 deals worth almost $12.5B in September alone. Community banks have been on both sides of the table in M&A activity this year. Here are the latest bank merger numbers along with some of the reasons to merge and the results of this continuing consolidation of community banks.
Nov 22, 2021
The pandemic threw a major curveball at everyone, especially small businesses. Many changed gears and moved to an e-commerce model, which helped them survive. With fewer geographic barriers, global payments soared and the value of global digital payments is expected to increase 22% YoY in 2021. Here are three ways that community financial institutions can help their customers continue to thrive with global payments.
Oct 26, 2021
There has been a 25% increase in the number of startups last year compared to 2019. With increasing confidence as the economy picks up, these new businesses will need more capital. Even though lending levels are still low, now is the time to consider the criteria for lending to entrepreneurs when they come knocking. Here are six criteria to look for in these startups to translate into serious lending business.
Oct 18, 2021
Small businesses are busy overseas. They are looking for more opportunities to not only grow, but sometimes survive. Last year’s e-commerce boom made international business even easier for many businesses. Small business international wire transfers increased to 17% last year from 10% in 2019. Is your institution supporting its customers with international payment solutions? If not, the competition will.
Sep 16, 2021
With the economy slowly recovering, bankers wonder when loan growth will return. With the continuing uncertainties of the Delta variant, labor constraints, and supply issues, significant challenges remain. However, there are some bright spots. We highlight three important lending areas: mortgage lending, CRE, and small business.
Jun 2, 2021
The pandemic caused many things — a coin shortage was one of them. The residual effects of this shortage are still felt even today. We update you on what the Fed is doing, why coins are still important (even in this increasingly cashless economy), who loses out in a cashless society, and how community financial institutions can help their small business customers adapt.
Oct 8, 2019
A number of surveys provide insight into the confidence of small businesses. We give you a summary.
Sep 9, 2019
Small businesses are at the forefront of international trade. We provide tips to ensure they come to you for international services.
Apr 27, 2018
Small businesses have been seeing business conditions improve according to a NFIB survey. How your bank can leverage these findings.
Feb 22, 2018
Do your small business customers want to use a remote deposit check service? A recent survey says they might.
Feb 6, 2018
The path to positive consideration under CRA may not be clear for many community bankers. We provide some helpful hints.
Feb 2, 2018
More community banks are recognizing their small business customers' good works, which can provide them with reciprocal rewards. What some of your peers are doing.
Jan 26, 2018
A new survey by the FDIC shows community banks support businesses with both flexibility and rigor. How does your bank compare?
Jan 23, 2018
Women are becoming more influential in business. They also control more than half of personal wealth in America, so are a growing client segment. Key opportunities abound for wealth management and small business loans.
Jan 16, 2018
82% of community banks currently offer small-dollar unsecured loans according to the Fed. Is this still a good idea?
Jan 11, 2018
Facebook emerges as a new competitor for banks as it partners with Clearbanc. What community banks should know.
Dec 29, 2017
An Aite Group study finds different small business sizes approach loans in different ways. Does your bank need to change its lending tactics in light of this?
Nov 20, 2017
Could asking more questions help bankers get more business? What one recent case study shows.
Oct 30, 2017
Aite Group finds different small business sizes approach loans in different ways. What your bank should know.
Jul 26, 2016