Month: October 2021

Insurance

5 Easy Ways to Save On Your Car Insurance

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

If you own a vehicle, paying for car insurance is an unavoidable expense, but that doesn’t mean that you have to spend more money than necessary. If your premiums have gone up or you are looking for insurance for a new car, there are ways to get a lower price and cut back on your budget.

With the proper research and communication with your broker, you can save a bundle on your car insurance. Not all insurance companies are created equally, so if you are tired of overpaying with your current company, it may be time to start shopping around.

Reputable companies like My Choice Financial can help you find the coverage you need for an affordable price. Let’s take a closer look at a few easy ways to save on your auto insurance.

Shop Around

You may have been dealing with the same insurance company for many years but that doesn’t mean that you are getting the best price. If you are unhappy with your current premiums or are shopping for a new policy, it’s best to do your research. Take some time to do an internet search to compare prices and policies. Keep in mind that the lowest price isn’t always the best option; you need to consider what you are getting for the price. Get at least three quotes before you make your choice.

Bundle

One of the easiest ways to reduce your insurance costs is to bundle your policies. If you are dealing with multiple companies for your personal policies, you could be wasting money. Finding one company to which you can entrust your home, life, and auto insurance can save you money.

Discounts

Insurance companies often have multiple discounts that they don’t necessarily advertise. In most cases, if you want to find discounts on your insurance, you will have to ask your broker directly. Most insurance companies have typical discounts, including:

  • Seniors discount
  • Military or veteran discount
  • Safe driving discount
  • Loyalty discount
  • Multiple vehicle discount
  • Annual payment discount
  • Low mileage discount

Increase Your Deductible

When you have to claim your insurance, you will be required to pay a deductible amount. Most people prefer to keep their deductible costs at the lowest rate, which is generally $500. If you want to save money on your premiums, you can bump up your deductible amount. This means that you will need to have money set aside to pay for your claim, but your premiums will be reduced throughout the year.

Pay Annually

Insurance companies reward their clients that choose to pay their premiums all at once on an annual basis. You can save more than 10% on your overall insurance costs if you pay annually on your policy.

Car insurance is an unavoidable expense if you own a car. Every state has made it a law that you must have a minimum policy on your vehicle. If you want to save some money on your insurance costs, try some of these tips to help you save.

Banking

7 Essential Steps to Take If You’re a Victim of Banking Fraud

Author ByCFI.co

The FTC, also known as the Federal Trade Commission, had more than 2.1 million reports of fraud from consumers in 2020. Banking fraud is one of the most common types of fraud and results in millions of dollars lost each year. 

If you are a victim of banking fraud, there are steps that you can take to regain your safety and to prevent future fraud from happening. 

Do you want to learn more about what you should do if you are a victim of fraud? Keep reading these 7 steps to take after banking fraud to learn more.

1. Immediately Contact Your Bank

When you have identified fraudulent activity on your bank statements or credit reports, it is vital that you immediately contact your bank. While fraud cases and cybercrime continually increase, only 15% of these crimes are reported. 

Reporting fraud to your bank will allow them to take immediate action to protect your account from future transactions. This means that you can be sure that you will not lose any more money. 

They can help you cancel your credit cards and give you replacement cards to protect your finances. Your bank will also be able to refund the money that was stolen out of your account. 

However, if you wait too long to contact your banking institution, you may not be able to refund the money that was stolen.  

2. File Reports & Complaints

Next, it is important that you file reports and complaints. 

First, you should report this crime to your local police department. Even if they are not able to help you identify the source of fraud, filing a report is often a necessary step to take if you want to get your money back. 

Next, you need to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission. They will get more details about your specific case which may be able to prevent other people from being victims of the same scam. 

3. Collect Important Information

If you are the victim of bank fraud, you may need to open a case or file a claim with your insurance agency if you want to get your money back. To make sure you are protected, it is important to collect important information about your case as soon as it happens. 

This includes your account number, when you noticed the fraudulent activity on your account, when you reported this activity, and if you filed a report with the FTC or police. 

Having this information will make other organizations take your case seriously and may help you get a favourable result.  

4. Place a Fraud Alert

Something else that can give you peace of mind after you have been the victim of banking fraud is to place a fraud alert on your accounts. This will not have any impact on your credit score, but it can prevent people from getting credit under your name. 

It essentially acts as a red flag for lenders and other creditors and will require extra verification to be sure that it is you that is applying for new credit. 

5. Change Your Banking Passwords

Next, you need to change all of your banking passwords. If you have been the victim of a financial scam, you will not know how the criminal got access to your banking information. 

For example, they may have stolen the numbers off of your card. Or maybe they hacked into your bank account after you used a public computer to log onto your account. 

By getting a new credit card and by changing your passwords for things like your bank account, you can keep people from accessing your account in the future. It is also important to never share your passwords with anyone who should not have permanent access to your bank account. 

6. Request a Credit Freeze

Anyone can place a credit freeze on their account, which acts as an extra layer of security. It will prevent people from opening any new credit accounts in your name without authorization. 

If you place this alert and someone tries to use your information to open a new account, you will be notified and you may have a better chance of stopping the criminal who has your information. 

7. Take Steps to Prevent Future Fraud

Finally, it is vital that you take steps now to prevent credit card fraud from happening in the future. People who are victims of fraud are often targeted more than once, so it is important that you take steps to protect yourself from this. 

First, it is important to learn how to practice online banking safety. This includes regularly scanning your bank statements for fraud, avoiding public wifi or computers when using private information, and more. 

You also need to understand common types of scams. Recognizing scam techniques can prevent you from being a victim of a banking scam in the future.

 Finally, you can use things like anti-virus protection to stay safe from viruses or malware and to keep your private data safe. These types of fraud awareness will keep you safe in the future!

Learn More About Banking Fraud & Protecting Your Finance Today

Banking fraud is a common tactic that results in millions of dollars lost each year.

However, many instances of banking fraud go unreported. If you have been a victim of fraud or identity theft, it is vital that you take these steps to take control of your banking and to prevent fraud from happening again. 

By staying up to date on trends in finance and banking, you can be prepared for these situations and can even prevent them from happening. 

Do you want to learn more about banking and finance? CFI.co can help! Check out our website for more tips about banking and how you can protect yourself from fraud. 

Politics

An interview with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

Sven Lilienström

Founder of the Faces of Democracy initiative | Faces of Peace

“We need to remain vigilant when fundamental rights and the rule of law come under attack”

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission

Dr. von der Leyen, you have been President of the EU Commission since December 1, 2019. The very first question we would like to ask you is: How significant are democracy and democratic values to you personally?

They are essential part of who I am and what I believe in, not only as a politician but as a human being. I grew up in a divided country: when I was a student in West Germany, East Germany was under authoritarian rule. I knew that people my age, on the other side of the wall, were not free to speak their mind, to demonstrate, to be themselves. And I knew that my parents, too, had lived under a dictatorship during their youth. I have always felt very lucky to be born in a blessed generation when it comes to personal freedoms and true democracy. I have also learnt that democracy can never be taken for granted. It is a seed that every generation must cherish and nourish. It is our responsibility to protect our democracies, and to improve them.

Crises are increasingly becoming a stress test for democracy – in Europe too. What challenges does our continent face in future, and are democracies actually able to manage them effectively?

Our response to the pandemic shows that a Union of democracies can deliver on its citizens’ needs. Look at all that we have achieved together. More than 75 percent of adults in the EU are fully vaccinated. By procuring our vaccines together, we made sure that all European countries had equal access to them. Meanwhile, we have exported as many vaccines as we delivered to Europeans – becoming the pharmacy of the world. No autocracy has achieved the same results. The same goes for our recovery plan, and for the European Green Deal. Democracies can manage any challenge effectively. Because in democracies, citizens contribute to solutions with all their strength and creativity. Because democracy is what we make of it. Every day anew.

“Fit for 55”: By 2030 the EU wishes to reduce its CO2 emissions by 55 percent – Europe’s “man-on-the-moon moment” on the way to delivering the Green Deal for a climate-neutral continent by 2050. How green will Europe become?

The Member States of the European Union have decided in a democratic process that Europe will be the first climate-neutral continent. We want to reconcile economic growth with our planet’s health. What is new is that we now have a roadmap to reach this goal, measure by measure, sector by sector, target by target. We have a roadmap towards zero-emissions cars, and to step up our production of clean energy. We have a Social Climate Fund, to cut energy bills for vulnerable households. And with our recovery plan, NextGenerationEU, we have unprecedented investment to help us achieve our climate goals – from home renovations to high-speed trains. Nine out of ten Europeans are asking us to act on climate change – and we are delivering on their expectations.

With the “European Democracy Action Plan,” the EU Commission intends to strengthen media freedom and pluralism and counter disinformation. How dangerous is fake news to democracy in Europe?

The pandemic has shown that disinformation can cost lives – literally. Information is a public good: our health, our economy, and the very functioning of our democracies rely upon it. Online platforms need to do more to fight disinformation – and we want to make sure they do so, with our Digital Services Act and by calling for a strengthened Code of practice on disinformation. Last month, we put forward a recommendation to give journalists better protection and announced a Media Freedom Act. Because democracy can only thrive if freedom of information, freedom of expression and media freedom are upheld.

Keyword “gender diversity”: You are the first female leader of the EU Commission, Kamala Harris the first female US Vice President. Do we need a women’s quota, and would such a quota really deliver greater equality?

We must strive for a system where women can always reach for the top, if this is what they want. The first step for this is to give equal opportunities to women and men. And for this, we are working to ensure quality education for all girls and women, to ensure parental leave for mothers and fathers alike, to guarantee equal pay for women, and to strengthen childcare. We have created, for instance, a Child guarantee, so that children in need have effective and free access to early childhood care and education. All parents, from all social backgrounds, should be able to send their kids to childcare and school. This is women empowerment at its most basic. As President of the European Commission, I have put up a team that is fully gender balanced. Yet today, fewer than 7 percent of top companies’ CEOs are women. So yes, years ago in Germany I have pushed for quotas for women on board. And it worked. Clearly, we need to incentivize companies and organizations to open up and give women their fair chance. We simply cannot exclude half of our talents from leadership positions.

Many young people take a democratic, peaceful and united Europe for granted. How can we enthuse young people about the European idea, or put another way: Why is Europe “nice”?

Europe is simply the best place to live in the world. In no other place in the world young people enjoy the same opportunities to study, to travel, to be entrepreneurs, and the same social protections. And in no other place young people enjoy such a broad set of rights and freedoms. This is what makes us who we are, and why we need to remain vigilant when fundamental rights and the rule of law come under attack. Europe must always remain a place where free speech is sacred, where all are equal before the law, and where everyone is free to love those who they wish. And one of our roles, as European Commission, is precisely to be the guardians of these fundamental values, which are guaranteed by the European Treaties. But we can only be successful if all European citizens – young and old – fight with us every day for these freedoms.

Dr. von der Leyen, our seventh question is always a personal one: Where do you feel at home – in Belgium, Germany or everywhere in Europe?

I was born and grew up in Brussels, I spent my teenage year and most of my political career in Germany. I feel at home in both of these places. Europe is my longing and I am a true citizen of the European Union. But ultimately, home is where my family is. We are a big family – with my husband, seven children, and a granddaughter too! I live in Belgium now, they are in Germany and across Europe. During the lockdowns, we tried to meet virtually every week. But it is not the same as being all together. Our family reunions – that’s when I truly feel at home!

About the Faces of Democracy and Faces of Peace initiatives:

To date over 1 million people in 50 countries have signed the online commitments of the Faces of Democracy and the Faces of Peace. More than 100 prominent figures from the world of politics, science, media, business and society are now committed to our democratic achievements – including numerous heads of state and government, Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, the publishers and chief editors of leading media publications and the CEOs of international companies. The Faces of Democracy initiative is now in its fifth year of existence.

Business

5 Skills Needed for Success in International Business

Author ByCFI.co Blogger
5 Skills Needed for Success in International Business
Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

International business is so much more involved and politically charged than it was even a decade ago. The need for a unique set of soft skills to help you navigate the international scene has become essential. While you still need to be an efficient negotiator and have analytical skills, the more subtle skill set will make a difference to your success. 

To remain competitive on the international stage, new graduates must have critical soft skills to help them relate to their colleagues and clients. Corporate management is still looking for those that excel at the technical skills but are also interested in candidates that are proficient in networking, adaptive thinking, and collaboration.

With inclusive programs from MBA Discovery, future business associates will learn how to adapt to the changing world of business. Let’s take a look at a few of the crucial soft skills that will help you succeed in international business.

Cross-Cultural Communication

Thanks to the reach of the internet and the convenience of modern travel, companies are doing business across the world. Your role in any industry will include working within a diverse environment. Finding ways to communicate across cultural lines effectively is essential to your success. You will need to keep an open mind, respect differences, and have a high level of appreciation for different cultures, traditions, and religious beliefs. 

Networking Abilities

Developing a collaborative network outside of your home country is essential to success in today’s business world. When you have a strong international network, you are often afforded opportunities you would never have otherwise. Online platforms like Linked In make networking across the globe an easy task. Making lasting connections requires diplomacy, excellent listening skills, and mastering your elevator pitch to be sensitive to all cultures. 

Adaptive Thinking

To be an effective adaptive thinker, you must hone your skills, including tact, impulse control, and humility. Having the ability to think outside of the box can help you to thrive in any international environment. When things change quickly, adaptive thinkers can control their impulses and come forward with a thoughtful solution. 

Resilience

You need to be mentally tough and need to be able to bounce back from the long hours and regular travel that a career in international business demands. Changing time zones, long meetings, and late hours can take a toll. You need to build up your resiliency to be at your best with your international colleagues and clients. 

Emotional Intelligence

Becoming a self-aware and confident business person will help you in your international dealings. Being able to control your emotions in various tense and serious situations will gain you respect from your peers and customers. Strong empathetic skills, a listening ear, and flexibility are all critical aspects of emotional intelligence.

If you are entering the realm of international business, you need to up your game to succeed. Strengthening your soft skills, including your networking abilities, being an adaptive thinker, heightening your emotional intelligence, and increasing your resiliency can assist you in becoming a successful international businessperson. 

Budgeting

A Quick Guide to Bitcoin Kiosks

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

Cryptocurrencies are on the rise. So many people are investing in cryptocurrency, as well as using it for spending regularly.

And of course, the most commonly purchased cryptocurrency is Bitcoin. There are many ways to buy Bitcoin. One of the most underrated, though, is by using Bitcoin kiosks. 

These are essentially ATMs that allow you to deposit cash or use a debit card to purchase Bitcoin, along with other major cryptocurrencies.

They are fast, efficient, and secure. So should you try using that Bitcoin kiosk located outside your favorite restaurant? Probably!

Here’s everything you need to know about buying Bitcoin using a physical kiosk.

Why Buy Bitcoin

Did you know that in 2010, the first purchase using Bitcoin was for two pizzas? Do you know how much that person spent on those pizzas? 10,000 Bitcoin.

Back then, Bitcoin was brand new, and no one knew what it was worth. Over the course of a decade, it started to catch on as a new form of internet currency. 

Demand for Bitcoin grew, and with it, the price per coin. So while you could’ve purchased a Bitcoin for a few cents back in the day, it would cost you around $40,000 as of late September 2021.

That’s a huge gain. Bitcoins’ price has constantly been rising. Especially lately as it’s become a mainstream investment class, people worldwide are investing in and using Bitcoin regularly.

Many experts agree that Bitcoin’s price is likely to move past $100,000 in the near future.

So why should you buy Bitcoin? Most people buy it in hopes of seeing some of these impressive gains. They would love to make a 100% profit. And doing so is likely, as long as you can hold onto your investment long enough and not panic sell when the price dips.

Bitcoin primarily acts as a hedge. It will protect your money from inflation, which is running rampant these days. 

If you’d like to invest in a unique asset that has provided far greater returns than anything else in the last decade, you should buy Bitcoin today.

What Are Bitcoin Kiosks?

One way of buying Bitcoin is by using a Bitcoin kiosk or ATM. These function just like regular ATMs.

But unlike a normal ATM, which puts cash in your bank account, a Bitcoin ATM uses the money you deposit to purchase Bitcoin at the current market rate.

So if you put a $100 bill into a Bitcoin kiosk when the price is $40,000, you would receive 0.0025 Bitcoin. 

You can also use a Bitcoin ATM to sell Bitcoin in exchange for cash. So if you want to sell your 0.0025 Bitcoin one month later, when the price is $45,000, you would receive about $112, minus any transaction fees.

When buying and selling Bitcoin, and any other cryptocurrencies, you’ll pay blockchain transaction fees. These aren’t charged by the ATM but are changed by the blockchain to record the transaction down, which proves ownership over your newly purchased Bitcoin. 

Benefits of a Bitcoin ATM

So why should you use a Bitcoin ATM over an online exchange? Bitcoin ATMs are fast and secure. Plus, they are easy to find these days. You can check out www.bytefederal.com to see where any of their 900 ATMs are located. 

When purchasing via an ATM, you’ll complete your transaction in a matter of moments. And once of the main benefits is that identity verification is instant.

When you sign up for an online exchange, identity verification is an in-depth process. While this is considered a good thing, it’s a sign of solid security; it’s definitely a hassle.

It can take users a few days before they can actually start buying and selling crypto on an online exchange. But with an ATM, the process is instant. 

Plus, your information and your Bitcoin are never exposed on an online exchange. These exchanges are the main targets for hackers since there is so much valuable currency and user data.

Attacks have happened in the past on all major exchanges. But with an ATM, you can bypass all of that. 

How to Buy and Sell Bitcoin Using a Bitcoin Kiosk

So what do you need to do to use a Bitcoin kiosk? First off, you need to have a cryptocurrency wallet. When you buy Bitcoin for the first time, you need a place to store it.

You don’t receive any physical Bitcoin, as cryptocurrencies are virtual currencies that live on the internet. So your wallet is a device that stores transaction files. 

You can either download a software wallet, which is an app on your mobile device or computer. Or, you can purchase a hardware wallet, which is the most secure option since it’s never connected to the internet. These are basically USB drives for storing crypto.

Regardless of what type of wallet you use, you’ll need a QR code, which displays your wallet address. When you visit an ATM, you’ll insert your money or debit card to make a purchase.

You’ll need to show the QR code on your mobile device, or even a printed version, which the ATM scans. Then, it sends your newly purchased Bitcoin to the wallet. 

Keep Your Details Safe

Because your Bitcoin is instantly sent to your private wallet, this type of transaction is considered very safe. The most important thing you can do, however, is keep your wallet details safe.

Each wallet address comes with a private key and a public key. The public key is what you use to receive crypto to your wallet. It’s what you show to your ATM.

If you purchase cryptocurrency online, you would input your public key to transfer it to your wallet. If a friend worldwide wants to send you some crypto for your birthday, you give them your public key.

Displaying your public key is safe, and no one can steal from your wallet using your public key.

Your private key, on the other hand, is what authorizes wallets to send and release funds. Never share this with anyone. Write it down and store it in a safe place because if you lose it, you may lose access to your crypto. 

Make Your First Bitcoin Purchase

Now that you know how to use Bitcoin kiosks to buy and sell this valuable cryptocurrency, it’s time to invest in some for yourself. First, set up your personal wallet, which doesn’t take very long at all.

Then, find your nearest kiosk and make your first purchase today. In a year’s time, you’ll be very glad you did.

Looking for more tips like this? Head over to our blog to keep reading. 

Uncategorised

A Quick Guide on How to Build Wealth at Any Age

Author ByCFI.co

Ever heard of the wealth mentality and how it can help you build wealth from nothing? Well, if you want to start building wealth, you need to rethink your financial security. Financial decisions that you make in the present will determine how comfortable you’ll live in the future.

Regardless of your age, it’s never too late to start your wealth-building journey. Evaluate your savings, assets, and debt before coming up with a wealth creation plan. Avoid comparing yourself with your peers who have made great financial strides.

Amassing wealth from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated as most people think. Here are proven tips on how to build wealth at any age:

Cut Your Expenses

Start spending less and saving more for you to have enough personal finances to afford the future you want. For instance, you may cook at home instead of going to the restaurant as a way of saving money. With a tight budget, you won’t overstretch your income, and you’ll avoid running into debt.

Track your spending habits and lower your household expenses as part of your money management strategies. You should also cut your insurance premiums and re-evaluate your subscriptions to save cash.

With reduced expenses, you can allocate more money to paying off debts. The extra cash can also help finance a lucrative project or diversify your investment portfolio.

Pay off Your Debts (and Loans) Early

Your debts (and loans) can make it difficult for you to save or invest for the future. Create a debt management plan that allows you to pay off credit card balances and loans early. You should also pay off your mortgage or avoid getting one if it puts pressure on your income.

Pay more than your debt’s minimum repayment amount to settle the balance faster. You can also pay the debt twice or thrice a month to reduce the balance. Start with the most expensive loan if you have multiple loans under your name.

The downside of debts (and loans) is that they accrue interest charges. They may also affect your credit score if the lender submits your loan information to a credit bureau.

Consider Side Hustles

Turn your talent or passion into a side gig that can earn you extra cash if you have spare time. The side gig will complement your main job and improve your total income.

You may consider online side hustles like transcription, web design/coding, and writing/editing. Working online as a virtual assistant, coach, consultant, tutor, or marketer may earn you extra cash.

Offline side gigs to consider include freelance private chef or part-time adjunct professor. You may also work part-time as a yoga instructor, fitness coach, or freelance property manager.

Sign up for short certification courses to diversify your knowledge base. These certifications can help you land part-time hustles to grow your income and build wealth.

Have a Fully-funded Emergency Fund

An emergency fund will shelter you from the financial effects of an unexpected event. The size of this fund may vary with your income, dependents, monthly costs, and lifestyle. Save three to six months’ worth of your expenses in a locked account for emergencies.

While debt can help you cover a financial emergency, it will come with high-interest charges. An emergency fund will sustain you when you lose your job, unlike a debt or a loan.

Part of your emergency fund should help cover health emergencies. Money from your health savings account may help in instances where your medical insurance can’t be applicable.

Rethink Retirement

Start thinking about where you’ll get income during your retirement years. Your retirement plan should allow you to lead a comfortable and active life as a retiree.

Save a portion of your gross income into retirement accounts with good returns. You may put your money in a secure pension plan that guarantees tax relief. Furthermore, you may rely on your workplace pension (paid by your employer) to save for retirement.

The amount of money that can sustain you in your retirement years will depend on the lifestyle you’d like. You can use an online retirement tool to help you calculate how much money is needed in your retirement savings to afford that lifestyle.

Scrutinize Your Insurance Policies

A good insurance cover will prevent you from dealing with massive financial losses in undesirable situations. You should have affordable health insurance to cover unexpected, high healthcare costs. With the coverage, you enjoy free screenings, preventive care, and essential checkups.

Auto insurance will protect you from the legal consequences, medical expenses, and financial liability when you get in an accident. Depending on your lifestyle and income level, you may need life insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, and home insurance.

Only spend up to ten per cent of your overall income on insurance policies. Discontinue any insurance coverage that drains your income and no longer suits your current lifestyle.

Diversify Your Investments

Spend part of your income on different assets and asset classes as a way of diversifying your investment portfolio. Only invest in opportunities and assets that you are familiar with to avoid running into losses. You should also look out for the latest investment tips to grow your knowledge base.

To grow your portfolio, consider exchange-traded funds (ETFs) such as stock ETFs, bond ETFs, and REIT ETFs. They give great returns without the market timing, fees, and taxes of mutual funds.

With stock ETFs, you’ll buy a company’s shares and earn money every time the company makes profits.

Bond ETFs allow municipal, federal, and corporate to borrow money from you and pay it back with interest. On the other hand, REIT (real estate investment trust) ETFs allow you to buy stocks of profitable real estate ventures. Your money will grow every time the value of the company or real estate rises.

Need More Insights on How to Build Wealth?

With these financial tips, you can build wealth gradually to secure your future years. Wealth building requires a proper strategy and a positive mindset to succeed. Consult as much as you can on how to make the most out of your hard-earned money.

We are an online resource and print journal that reports on finance, economics, and business. Our content comprises commentary, analysis, and news on worldwide markets to help our readers succeed in any line of work they’re pursuing. We’d like to hear your honest view of our content.

Banking

7 Helpful Business Banking Tips

Author ByCFI.co

Did you know that applying the best banking tips for your business can make it more productive?

In today’s volatile markets, entrepreneurs confront a slew of problems, the major one being business finances.

But having a good understanding of your business account and the services provided by your bank or building society can ensure that you’re getting the most out of your business banking.

A business account will undoubtedly help you manage your money and monitor your income and profit progress. This doesn’t matter whether you are a new venture, solo or start-up trader trying to position yourself. 

Getting accustomed to business banking best practices and checking your company account online will assist you in managing your money. This is especially helpful if you are new to accounting and bookkeeping.

Here is a list of 7 business banking tips to assist you in getting the most out of your business account and prevent any mistakes along the way.

1. Select the Best Introductory Offer

There are numerous introductory bonuses to take advantage of when choosing your first business bank account. This will also assist you in comparing accounts and choosing the one that is ideal for you.

They primarily involve providing a term of free business banking. This means you will not be required to pay a monthly service fee. Based on the provider you pick, introductory deals on existing business accounts can last up to 25 months. This allows you to avoid these extra fees as you establish your new firm.

Some initial deals will also waive transaction costs. This makes it totally free to deposit funds through cash, check, or electronic transfer. If you can look around for the greatest introductory offer, you may avoid costly fees and focus on profit in your initial stages of operation.

2. Speak to Your Business Manager

Starting your own business may be stressful enough. That is why you need to seek guidance wherever possible. Your building society or the best bank are among the best options.

You would most certainly be allocated a business manager by any big supplier, whom you may call whenever you need help. You may also use this opportunity to report a problem with your business account if one arises.

Developing a working connection with your company manager will help you obtain timely advice and address any difficulties that may arise.

This support may be quite beneficial for individual entrepreneurs and start-ups who may know their industry or skill but not about business finance.

Even if you’ve chosen an app-based business account with no local branches, you may get online and mobile assistance.

3. Borrow Without Remorse

Many small company entrepreneurs have used personal resources to fund their ventures. This is not suitable as the needs expand. This is because most businesses will need extra cash to support development and expansion.

Any borrowing will come with interest. Hence select your loan product wisely.

4. Don’t Allow Your Cash Flow to Turn Into a Cash Drain

Not every business checking accounts are the same.

The charges you pay for withdrawals and deposits might vary greatly. This is especially important if you run a firm with a considerable volume of transactions. These charges might easily pile up.

Also, not every fee is transactional. There may be extra fees for large amounts of cash, cheques, or coin.

Now, what are you going to do? Inform your banking institutions about your daily usage so that they can assist you in selecting the appropriate account for you.

A financial institution’s cash management services may frequently reduce costs and rates while increasing efficiency. Look for methods to save money by comparing several accounts. Then, select one that will have a minimal strain on your finances.

5. Avoid Overpaying For a Merchant Account When a Simple One Would Suffice

Most retail institutions now provide point of sale payment alternatives. This is because a huge percentage of consumers prefer making purchases using their debit or credit cards rather than cash.

This is useful for both management of cash and record-keeping. But, be certain that the merchant account provider you choose meets your demands in terms of services and charges.

If your transaction volume is not particularly large, a volume-based payment plan may lead to cost savings. In modern days, there are several options available that are tailored to your unique business needs.

Conduct some research and consult with your financial institution about your possibilities.

6. Avoid Combining Personal and Business Expenses

Using a personal credit card to fund your enterprise appears to be a simple solution, and it is a prevalent activity. It is, however, critical to keeping your personal and business spending distinct.

It is for this reason that company credit cards exist. Keeping your company spending separate helps make tax season go more smoothly. It simplifies record keeping and makes your tax accountant happy.

It can help you develop your company’s credit and make it simpler to get other loans in the future. Above all, business credit cards provide excellent incentives explicitly tailored to enterprises.

7. Save Money for Both Your Business and Your Trip Separately

If you are a solo entrepreneur, the boundary between your personal and business money might get blurred.

But, small company owners should keep their personal funds distinct from their business savings. This makes it easy to prepare and budget for expected company needs, such as bulldozers and office supplies.

A long-term savings strategy will enable you to borrow very little and offer a financial cushion for your company. So, put money aside for holidays in one account and businesses in another.

Use the Above Banking Tips to Leverage Your Business Banking Fully

Knowing banking tips and a good connection with your banker may be pretty beneficial for expanding your business.

A competent small business bank will guarantee that qualifying small businesses have enough credit to sustain their operations. Also, they will give solutions to difficulties and go above and beyond to ensure continuous development.

At CFI.co, we offer market news, analysis, and market opinion from around the world. Our specialised editorial staff ensures that readers have a deeper understanding of the factors affecting and transforming the global economy.

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Technology

Agtech Firm ‘Natufia’ wins KPMG’s Inaugural Saudi Tech Innovator Competition

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

Natufia, a Saudi Arabia-based agri-technology provider that enables you to grow fresh plants and herbs all year round, has emerged winner of the KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia competition for 2021. 

Dr Abdullah Al Fozan, Chairman, KPMG Saudi Arabia

Natufia now joins the winning tech innovators from 20 countries worldwide to qualify for the inaugural KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator competition at Web Summit 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal, in November.

Natufia, which goes beyond farm-to-fork to provide herbs and plants from kitchen-to-table since its founding in 2014, was up against four other tech startups in a closely contested competition from BRAQ Aerospace, Juleb, Digital Pharma Company, Mawidy and Tarjama who are shortlisted from 22 applicants in this inaugural edition.

The Natufia Smart Kitchen Garden is an innovative automated garden for every home, offering 100% nutritious herbs and vegetables without GMO or pesticides.  

A panel of four KPMG judges – Dr. Samer Abdallah, Head of ICT Sector, Fuad Chapra, Head of Private Enterprise & Family Business, Mazhar Hussain, Digital Lighthouse Leader, and Buthainah Albaity, Associate Director Private Enterprise and Family Business – chose the final winner after intense deliberations based on six equally weighted categories, including innovation and disruption, market potential, customer adoption, marketing traction, long-term potential, and quality of their pitch.

Dr. Samer Abdallah commented: “The response to the KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator competition was astounding. The competition was pretty intense and demonstrated the thriving and flourishing technology community in Saudi Arabia. Amid innovative ideas and strong pitches from all contestants, Natufia was chosen the winner.”

 “We are excited to be named KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator in Saudi Arabia. We thank KPMG for the opportunity and support received throughout the process. We are all set to head to the Web Summit to share our concept with a global audience,” stated Duaa Albalawi, Chief Botanical Officer at Natufia. 

The award was presented by KPMG in Saudi Arabia Chairman, Dr Abdullah Al Fozan.

About the competition

The KPMG Global Tech Innovator competition is hosted in more than 20 countries around the world. The Tech Innovator finalist in each country will represent their country on the world stage at Web Summit 2021, where they will be given the opportunity to get recognised as the global winner.