With so many Americans rethinking the way they make a living, entrepreneurship remains a popular choice. But there’s a lot to consider, from hiring in this challenging climate to knowing how to qualify for a small business loan. We’ll explain how to get started with these business borrowing basics.
1. Why apply for small business lending?
There are many reasons your business might need a loan. Business borrowing can help startups and established companies alike. From launching a new business to easing your company’s growing pains, these benefits make learning how to qualify for a small business loan worth your time and effort:
Staffing up
Buying equipment and/or inventory
Acquiring real estate to house your business
Renting more office, warehouse or storefront space
Being ready to seize opportunities when they arise
From incentivizing great work with bonuses to moving into a bigger space, business borrowing gives you the spending power you need to evolve as a company.
2. What do I need to get a small business loan?
When learning how to qualify for a small business loan, knowing how to instill confidence in lenders is essential. While many smaller companies flourish, many others fail within the first year. These factors boost your approval odds by showing that you’ll be able to repay your debt:
Steady income or credible projections
Established business success
Having a business plan
Little or no existing debt
Good personal and business credit ratings
Collateral
If you can’t meet all these guidelines, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to obtain a loan. However, lenders need assurance that you will be able to repay the money you borrow. Alternatives like Small Business Administration-backed loans may help you get the funding you need.
3. How to Qualify for a Small Business Loan
Being prepared is a must when applying for a business loan. Be sure to bring the following items to your appointment:
Lease
Business plan
Financial records, including tax returns
Business licenses
Insurance documents
Personal identification
Articles of incorporation or organization
Obtaining a copy of your credit report could prove invaluable. You’ll have the opportunity to correct inaccuracies, and you can even work on boosting your credit score if you have time. Paying off small debts can improve your debt-to-credit ratio, which could make you a better credit risk.
Apply For a Small Business Loan Today
Whatever stage your business is in, knowing the answer to the question, “What do I need to get a small business loan?” can help with your business borrowing efforts. Landmark National Bank offers a variety of lending options to help you launch or grow your company. With many bank branches near you, we make it easy to find the funding you need. Stop by your nearest branch, or contact us online today.
Regardless of business size, if you are at the helm of a business that makes its sales over a counter, you probably have some point of sale (POS) system in place. While you may currently use a traditional cash register with a credit card slider, there’s a more secure, more efficient piece of technology on the market that will take your sales process to the next level: a mobile point of sale system.
Whether you manage a boutique, hair salon, food truck, or small business, we understand how important efficient customer service and accurate transaction management are to your success. That’s why we recommend the Clover Flex.
Cut Down on Customers’ Wait Time
Engineered to keep small business moving, wherever your business is found, the Clover Flex thrives in its autonomy. Whether your operations involve customers in a line, at a table, or in the field, the Clover Flex’s handheld POS system maneuverability allows it to go where other point of sale systems cannot.
With the Clover Flex in hand, you are not restricted to any particular location, allowing you the freedom to navigate your store, chat with customers to figure out their needs, and create more opportunities for a successful sale. The easier it is for your customers to complete a transaction, the more likely they are to pull the trigger on your product or service.
Make the Most of Your Store Space
Featuring a 5-inch screen and simple 1-pound heft, the ease of transporting the Clover Flex is indisputable on a practical level. With this easily stored, easily carried, handheld POS system, you can dedicate more of your store space to setting up eye-catching displays, marketing banners, and otherwise creating an inviting space where customers are comfortable and free to see everything your store has to offer.
Because there’s also a reporting feature, you don’t need to waste space tracking paper files, either. More on that in a bit.
Accept a Wider Range of Payment Options
The Clover Flex is a mobile POS system that’s loaded with customization options, so you only need the features relevant to your specific operations. It’s your decision whether to accept debit, credit, cash, or check, or to integrate a prompt for tips into the purchase process. The Clover Flex can also accommodate different card payment features, such as a magnetic strip reader, chip slot, or tap function, so you can ensure that no customer is lost because you are unable to take a payment.
In the circumstance that a refund is required, the Clover Flex also has a quick and intuitive function to help reverse any sales, helping reduce frustration for both you and your customer to preserve customer loyalty.
Open New Opportunities for Pop-Up Events
Have you dreamed of taking your taco truck on the road? Perhaps run a four-stop pop-up campaign across the major Kansas cities? Maybe you’ve come across the opportunity to have your services featured at a local music festival?
Regardless of the details, the freedom afforded to those with a portable POS system cannot be understated. If you’d never entertained the possibility of pop-ups or similar events in the past, the Clover Flex has you covered, so be as adventurous as you want. You never know when you’ll discover a new market and new audience for your product or service.
Improved Business Management with Digital Reports
The Clover Flex provides the options to review taxes, applied discounts, payments received, and stock sold. Through an advanced array of reporting options, we know you’re able to remain organized, efficient, and effective in planning your small business strategies.
Looking at the payments review gives access not only to gross totals, but other useful information such as transaction count, tip total, refunds processed, and net totals. All of these are customizable to certain windows of time, so you can better track productivity at certain times, or pinpoint certain key information you may be looking for in your business turnout, such as how much of a certain item was sold in the afternoon.
Streamline Your Small Business Strategy with Landmark and Clover Flex
At Landmark National Bank, we’re proud to help small businesses improve their operations through our partnership with Clover and our commercial banking accounts, loans, and services.
Contact your local Landmark location and learn how to integrate your accounts with your Clover Flex system so you can optimize not only the sales process, but your entire financial operation. We can’t wait to help you take the next step toward building your small business today!
When you allow your customers to pay with credit and debit cards, you can reap the benefits in a number of ways. From giving your customers more ways to pay to streamlining your overall payment process, card payment can be a busy business owner’s best friend.
However, if your small business has yet to add the option of card payments, it can be an intimidating transition. In this guide from Landmark National Bank, you can learn how to start accepting card payments for your small business.
Determine How You’ll Accept Card Payments
Before you begin the actual process of adopting card payment options for your business, you should determine exactly how you want to accept card payments. There are three ways to accept card payments
In-person card payments: Most common when you own a brick-and-mortar shop.
Online card payments: Can accompany in-person payments or be used alone through online stores.
Mobile payments: An add-on option that can be used for both in-person and online payments.
Over-the-phone payments: Take card payments verbally over the phone without a physical card in person.
The type of card payment option you choose may vary depending on your business type. Restaurants, for example, may require over-the-phone card payments for deliveries or pick-up orders, while in-person and online payments may work better for boutiques and shops.
Regardless of what kind of card payment option you choose, you can learn more about each type below.
How to Accept In-Person Card Payments
Choose a Merchant Account or Payment Service Provider
There are two ways to accept in-person card payments: with a merchant account, or with a payment service provider. A merchant account is an account that is directly connected to a bank and authorized to accept card payments for your business.
Payment service providers are companies that allow you to accept card payments without having to go through the bank. Common payment service providers include PayPal, Apple Pay, and Stripe.
While payment service providers tend to have lower processing and transaction fees, they may have difficulty handling a larger volume of transactions. Both merchant accounts and payment service providers are excellent choices for small businesses.
Once you’ve opened a merchant account or chosen a payment service provider, you’ll need a card reader and point-of-sale (POS) system to accept payments. Landmark National Bank is partnered with Clover®, a convenient payment technology provider. With Clover’s POS systems, you can make your transition to accepting cards easier. Clover’s payment technology offerings include:
Clover® Go: Makes it simple for you to accept card payments while on the go, and can be paired with the Clover® mobile app to set discount rates, tip rates, and tax rates.
Clover® Flex: Allows medium-volume businesses to track cash payments, send paperless receipts, and export basic reports.
Clover® Station: Recommended for high-volume businesses, such as bars and restaurants, and allows you to create dynamic floor plans, manage your wait staff, and more.
If you own an e-commerce shop, restaurant, or any business that accepts online orders, having a digital storefront is a must in order to accept online card payments. To create a digital storefront, you’ll need a secure, online card payment processor.
Whether you already have a website in place, or you’re still building it, the Clover® Virtual Terminal is an excellent option for online-only shops. Take payments online, any time, without hardware.
Just like in-person payment processors, be aware of the fees that come with an online payment processor option.
How to Accept Mobile and Over-The-Phone Payments
Mobile Payments
As mobile payment systems, such as Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, become more popular, offering a mobile payment option is important for businesses. Consider choosing a card reader that has a mobile payment option built-in, such as Clover® Go.
Over-The-Phone Payments
Taking an over-the-phone payment is a relatively straightforward process. When a customer calls your shop or service, they will read their credit card information aloud to you or one of your associates. As they read, you enter the number into your POS system or mobile payment device. You’ll need the full card number, expiration date, billing ZIP code, and security/CVV code. Depending on what kind of system you use, you should also send your customer a receipt via text or email.
Start Accepting Card Payments Now with Landmark National Bank
At Landmark National Bank, we want small businesses to thrive. That’s why we provide a range of business banking solutions to help you take steps toward accepting online payments. When you choose one of our merchant accounts, we can make it easier for you to accept card payments for your business.
Through our partnership with Clover, you’ll be able to connect your card reader and POS system directly to your Landmark National Bank merchant account for quick and easy transactions. We also offer online cash management with fraud protection tools.
As a small business owner, you want all the flexibility, tax advantages, and personal protection you can get. Fortunately, forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can give you all three of these benefits and more in one fell swoop.
At Landmark National Bank, our business banking experts are here to help educate you on what an LLC can do for your business. Below, you will discover exactly what forming an LLC means, its benefits, as well as how a small business owner can apply for one.
What is an LLC and what does it stand for?
The acronym “LLC” stands for the phrase “Limited Liability Company,” and forming one is an easy and inexpensive way to structure your small business. An LLC provides you with the personal liability protection of a corporation, as well as pass-through treatment of income for tax purposes.
Simply put, establishing an LLC can protect your personal assets if your business is sued, and it allows the profits (or losses) of your business to be taxed at your personal tax rate.
Who qualifies for an LLC?
LLCs can be formed by any person starting a business or currently running a business as a sole proprietorship or within a partnership. While LLCs can be used to run or own nearly any type of business (for example, LLCs are typically formed to own rental or commercial properties), some states require business owners to establish a specialized LLC, which is called a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC).
What are the pros of an LLC?
Forming an LLC for your small business provides you with many real-world advantages, including:
Protecting Your Assets
The phrase “limited liability” in an LLC refers to the individual protection this business structure provides. An LLC provides small business owners with a safety net by limiting their personal liability. This means that the assets of the business itself (not the personal assets of the business owner) are liable in the event of business-related lawsuits, liens, or debts.
Due to the lack of personal liability, creditors or individuals who file lawsuits against an LLC can’t collect against personal assets like your personal vehicle, personal bank account, or primary residence. They are strictly limited to collecting from your LLC’s assets.
Note: The personal liability protection of an LLC does not cover illegal acts committed by an LLC owner.
Pass-Through Taxation
Forming an LLC provides small business owners with pass-through taxation perks. This means that profits associated with the business are reported on personal income tax returns and taxed at personal tax rates. It’s important to note that LLC owners may also qualify for a special pass-through tax deduction generated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This income tax deduction could allow LLC owners to deduct up to 20% of the net business income earned each year.
While standard LLCs typically provide pass-through taxation, filing an election through the IRS allows them to be taxed like an S Corporation or a C Corporation. With C Corporation taxation elected, an LLC pays taxes on the business profits at the corporate tax rate of 21%. With S Corporation taxation elected, the LLC remains a pass-through entity, but it is not subject to Social Security or Medicare taxes.
Ease of Use and Adaptability
LLCs are the most basic business entity to establish and operate, and they provide enormous adaptability for different business-related circumstances. For example, LLCs do not place limits on the number of owners (or members) a business can have. Additionally, LLCs can be managed by any owner or member of the business, and they provide the option to designate specific managers, too.
Trustworthiness
One of the biggest benefits of forming an LLC is creating a sense of trust with your customers or clients. Along with having an official business name to use, your LLC will help to reassure your business’s credibility.
How to Form an LLC for Your Business
Forming an LLC for your business is a straightforward process, but it’s important to remember that each state has its own set of LLC requirements. In general, establishing an LLC is a multi-step process that includes:
Selecting a Business Name
When forming an LLC, your business’s name must be unique in the state you plan to do business in. When filing for your LLC, your state will let you know if your business’s name is available for use. Additionally, your business must adhere to your state’s LLC naming conventions, which generally means your business’s name must also include “LLC” in the title.
Writing and Filing Articles of Organization
While this name may vary from state to state, Articles of Organization allow you to establish your LLC in your state. These articles typically require you to fill out general information about your business, including your LLC’s name, address, and the names of the owners or members of the business. In some states, each member of an LLC must sign the Articles of Organization, but others only require one member’s or owner’s signature.
Designating a Registered Agent
Many states require you to designate a registered agent to form an LLC. This agent is the business owner or member that represents the LLC and receives any legal paperwork in the event of a lawsuit.
Paying Required Fees
LLC fees vary from state to state. Typically, these fees can range anywhere from $100 to several hundreds of dollars.
Publishing a Notice of Intent
If you live in Arizona, Nebraska, or New York, you are required to publish a legal notice of intent in a local newspaper. These states may also require you to publish your notice of intent several times over the course of weeks or months, as well as file an affidavit of publication with the state.
The Importance of Creating an LLC Operating Agreement
If your business has multiple owners, it is critical to create an LLC operating agreement—even if it is not required by your state. This document details the rights and responsibilities of each owner, which provides a general framework to help deal with business conflicts or transfers of ownership. While your operating agreement can be as detailed as you need it to be, it should specify things like voting power, percentages of ownership in the business, and more.
Forming an LLC in Kansas?
If you’re planning on forming an LLC in Kansas, Kansas Business One Stop is your go-to solution for starting and maintaining a business. No matter if you’re just getting your startup off the ground or your business is expanding, this convenient government resource provides you with information on structuring, operating, and growing your business—as well as quick access to important documents you will need when forming your LLC.
Manage Your LLC’s Finances with Help from Landmark
Forming an LLC not only gives your small business credibility, but it also allows you to protect your personal assets, gain access to unique tax breaks, and establish a centralized structure for your enterprise.
Once you have your LLC established, you need a business banking partner to help you manage your finances. With Landmark National Bank, our suite of business banking services can help you keep your personal and business-related finances separate. Additionally, we provide unique tools like online cash management, merchant card services, business credit cards, and more so you can get all the solutions you need under one roof.
If you’re ready to experience better business banking, reach out to one of our business banking experts, or find a branch near you.
If you are a small retail business owner with a brick-and-mortar store, you have likely realized that the way people are shopping is changing due to the ripple effect of COVID-19.
As society continues to adapt to the pandemic and a resurgence of stay-at-home orders, online retail purchases have exploded—especially as consumers gear up for the holiday season. In fact, concerns over extended winter lockdown orders in October have already driven a 53% increase in retail e-commerce transactions.
Unfortunately, as more brick-and-mortar retailers are shifting their focus online, fraudsters have more opportunities to scam customers out of their money—which inadvertently increases chargeback pressure and revenue loss on businesses.
If your small business is adapting to changing shopping behaviors and moving to online-focused transactions this year, it is important to know what you can do to prevent purchase disputes and chargebacks initiated by online shopping fraud. To help, Landmark National Bank is here with a few tips on how you can avoid unnecessary loss during these unusual times.
How to Prevent Fraud-Related Chargebacks Online
With so many consumers shopping on the internet this holiday season, cybercriminals have a surplus of vulnerable customers to prey on. Unfortunately, while cardholders are primarily responsible for their own decisions when avoiding fraud, business owners are often the ones taking the financial hit when a cybercriminal makes a fraudulent purchase.
Fortunately, there are three easy things you can do right now to minimize risk and costly chargebacks:
1. Secure Your Site’s Third-Party Software
If your website uses third-party software that is out of date, your internal security systems could be breached—meaning your customer data could be compromised. Whether you use shopping cart software, shipping software, or other programs, make sure all third-party software is up-to-date or patched to the most recent version to keep your site security strong. Not only does this protect your customers’ data from cybercriminals, but it also protects you from chargebacks due to fraud.
2. Create a Clear Merchant Descriptor
While it may sound simple, having a clear merchant descriptor (a line of copy that identifies your business on a cardholder’s account statement) can help eliminate unnecessary purchase disputes. Ambiguous merchant descriptors can lead to confusion if a customer cannot clearly identify the transaction, which means they could dispute the charge with their bank or credit card company and initiate a chargeback.
Make sure to create a clear and concise merchant description that features your business’ name, phone number, or address to avoid confusion during the busy holiday shopping season.
3. Address Customer Service Issues Promptly
It is always a good idea to address customer service issues quickly, but it becomes even more important during the holiday season. If a customer experiences a delay in their return and refund process after shopping online—or has a difficult time contacting you to find out when to expect their refund—they could dispute the charge with their bank out of anger. Worse, if you already processed the refund but failed to address the chargeback promptly, you could be left with double the revenue loss.
Make sure to address all customer complaints, returns, or refunds as quickly as you can, and provide your customers with answers or updates via clear communication channels.
Minimize Chargebacks Caused by Online Shopping Fraud
As a small retail business owner, dealing with chargebacks caused by online shopping fraud can be stressful—especially if this is your first time venturing into the world of e-commerce. Rather than risking revenue loss, it is important to implement the strategies listed above to protect your business from falling victim to fraud-related chargebacks.
In search of a bank that has your business’ back? At Landmark National Bank, we have a variety of business bank accounts and merchant services to meet your needs. Contact our team today to learn how we can help you stay on top of your finances and get to your money faster.
From putting in late-night hours to using your own personal funds, getting your small business idea off the ground is no easy feat. But, once your business plan is finalized and it comes time to present your loan request and acquire funding, how can you decide which bank is best for your small business?
While a bank will evaluate you on all aspects of your business plan, it is also important that you evaluate the bank to ensure you can maintain a long-term working relationship. Rather than basing your decision solely on your bank’s current interest rate, you should focus on the future of your business and how a successful partnership will lead to growth and success.
Here at Landmark National Bank, we have compiled a list of the most important questions to ask your commercial banker when evaluating a potential partnership for a business loan.
9 Questions to Ask Your Small Business Loan Lender
When determining the best bank for your small business loan, make sure to ask all the questions you need to. A commercial banker should be receptive to your concerns, and their answers should help you decide if the partnership is right for you and your future goals. Also, do not forget to trust your gut. Your instincts are an important part of the process, as you know what is best for your business.
1. What are your primary responsibilities and goals with this partnership?
Along with general responsibilities surrounding your loan request, your commercial banker should be more than someone you use to complete a transaction. He or she should have goals that align with you and your business.
Simply put, you will want a bank that is more than just a “money chucker.” The right bank should add unique value to your business outside of the transaction and interest rate.
2. What types of commercial industries and businesses does the bank work with?
It is important that your bank has experience lending money to businesses in your industry. Their understanding of your market and insider knowledge will help you navigate unforeseen situations and growth opportunities.
3. What is your local business lending experience?
You may find it important to have local decision-makers that can better understand your business and the community you serve. These local lenders may know your market better than a corporate banker on the other side of the country. Also, when considering loan decision timeframes, you may want a quick, localized loan decision to take advantage of a timely opportunity.
4. What is the bank’s rating for financial safety and soundness?
A bank’s financial safety and soundness are important, as you want to know that your bank will still be there to serve you in the future. A great source to research bank safety and soundness is BauerFinancial, as they provide star ratings based upon financial strength and longevity.
5. How will you gain an understanding of me and my business?
The more your banker knows about you, your business idea, and your business plan, the better they will be able to tailor solutions for you. Having honest conversations about your financial health early in the loan process will ultimately improve your business loan and help you reach your goals.
6. Will I have a primary point of contact?
Ideally, your commercial banker will not change on a transactional basis. You will want to build a relationship with your banker for them to get to know your business and provide services and suggestions that fit your long-term plan.
7. How does our banking relationship evolve past our initial transaction?
Banking is always evolving. Having a commercial banker sit down with you on an annual basis to go over those changes, and how they can benefit your business, keeps you on the leading edge of cash flow management.
8. What happens if I have difficulty making my payments on the loan?
While you expect to be successful, adversity can strike at any time. It is important to understand what will happen if difficulties arise and whether your bank will work with you through the tough times.
9. How will you promote my business as a customer of the bank?
Banks work with many different businesses, and some banks love to facilitate introductions and promote your business to other clients. Find a bank that will be a cheerleader for your business and help you expand your network.
Apply for Your Small Business Loan with Confidence at Landmark
When you partner with Landmark National Bank for your small business loan, our commercial bankers are here to help you through every step of the process. With local lending expertise and a drive to see you succeed, we are happy to work with you through all your questions or concerns.
Plus, with over a century of experience and a 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial, you can feel confident that you are in good hands. Don’t put off your small business project any longer—find a Landmark National Bank branch near you and reach out to one of our friendly associates.
Building your own business takes time, commitment, and perseverance in today’s economy. From developing a comprehensive business strategy to getting your final product or service buttoned up for your customers, it takes research, prep work, and working capital to realize your passion and become your own boss. But, once you have your business plan finalized, just how do you go about presenting your idea to secure the funding you need?
At Landmark National Bank, we know it might seem daunting at first to present a loan request for your business plan, but we are here to help you pitch your idea like a pro. With this guide, we will prepare you for a meeting with one or our friendly, knowledgeable commercial bankers—giving you the confidence you need to walk through our doors and showcase all that your business has to offer.
Present Your Loan Request with Confidence
When it comes to presenting a loan request for your business, there are a few key strategies that will help show off your industry expertise, experience, and passion, including:
Building an Open Relationship
The foundation of requesting a loan for your business starts with building a strong relationship. From having honest conversations to bouncing ideas off one another, a good working relationship between you and your commercial banker relies on open communication and a strong focus on what will make your business the best it can be. At Landmark National Bank, our commercial bankers are passionate about helping you find success, so it’s important to be upfront about your situation and your future goals right from the get-go.
Requesting a Loan
When you meet with one of our commercial bankers, he or she will want to know a little about you, your background, and your business. Your banker will need to understand some general information about your request, such as:
How you plan to use the money
The amount of money you are requesting
Your desired loan terms
How you plan to pay back your loan
And collateral to be used
You may have this information ready in writing, or you can verbally communicate these facts to your banker. Remember, it is important to be prepared with this information before your meeting at Landmark National Bank, as it lets your banker know that you are serious and have put the time and effort into your plan.
Evaluating Your Proposal with the 5 C’s
Once your commercial banker has all the information he or she needs about your request, it will be evaluated against the 5 C’s—which include character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions.
1. Character
Your commercial banker will take a careful look at your character. A borrower’s character is generally considered the most important factor in the lending process. Are you trustworthy and honest? Do you have integrity? In your meeting, make sure to tell the truth, good or bad. You can make all the money in the world, but if you do not make good on your promises, it will be difficult to establish a trustworthy relationship.
In addition, your banker will want you to understand the risks associated with your business and discover if you have the industry-related experience to mitigate them. Make sure to highlight all your experience in your line of business and how it relates to your future endeavors. For example, a hairdresser wanting to open his or her own hair salon will be more likely to acquire funding than a hairdresser wanting to open a construction company.
2. Capacity
Your financial ability to meet your debt obligations is your capacity. You may hear your commercial banker refer to “primary source of repayment” and “secondary source of repayment.” For example, if you are opening a gym, your primary source of repayment will be the income generated from selling memberships and other operating revenues.
Typically, a business will want to generate about $1.20 in operating cash flow for every $1.00 of debt payments. This is where a cash flow projection will come in handy. Think about a year’s worth of operations and put a number to the revenue and expenses you expect.
3. Capital
Your “skin in the game” is your capital. This can be from you directly or an investing partner. The more capital you can bring upfront, the better chance you have at being successful in securing a loan. Simply put, the capital funnel into your project illustrates your commitment to the business.
Depending on the type of financing you are seeking, a bank is going to want you or investors to provide at least 20% of the total project cost upfront. However, there are Small Business Association (SBA) loan programs that can help reduce the capital investment to 10%, but specific requirements must be met. Be sure to ask your banker if you meet SBA loan program qualifications.
4. Collateral
The asset that secures your loan is the collateral. Collateral is usually what the proceeds of the loan are used for and can be anything from accounts receivable, inventory, cash, equipment, or real estate. Collateral is usually considered as the secondary source of repayment in case the primary source of repayment fails.
In most cases, Landmark National Bank will secure a loan with an asset that has the same useful life as the length of the loan. For example, a 15-year loan will be secured by real estate and not inventory that will turnover multiple times a year.
5. Conditions
The current state of the economy and trends in your industry are the conditions. While these conditions can be out of your control, they will still affect your ability to repay the loan. You will want to define your market area and describe how those outside factors affect your business plan. Be prepared to discuss your competition and how you plan to differentiate your business from those competitors.
Additional Information You Will Need
In addition to bringing your business plan (which should include most of the information mentioned above) to your loan request meeting, your commercial banker will also request to see the following financial information:
Three years of financial statements and tax returns
Pro forma income statement and balance sheet
Three years of personal tax returns
Personal financial statement
These documents will help one of our team members grasp your past, current, and future financial positions. If you have any questions about these additional documents, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team today.
Achieve Your Business Goals with Landmark National Bank
At Landmark National Bank, we want you to feel confident presenting your loan request to one of our commercial bankers. Aside from preparing the proper documentation and information for your meeting, it is important to remember to just be yourself. We enjoy doing business with honest, hard-working people who are passionate about their goals. For more information on what we require for your loan request meeting, feel free to find a Landmark National Bank location near you or give us a call today.
For many, starting a business is a dream come true. Whether you are looking to provide your hometown with locally made goods or venturing into the agriculture business, becoming your own boss is a feeling unlike any other.
If you are in the process of lifting your startup business off the ground, you are most likely using your personal funds to get things going. In fact, Small Business Trends reports that personal funds account for more than 77% of small business financing methods. Talk about a lack of a financial work-life balance!
With many new small-business owners funding their dreams out of their own pockets, personal finances and work finances are becoming increasingly intertwined and difficult to keep track of. If you are using your personal funds to grow your business, it might be time to ask yourself if a business bank account is right for you.
At Landmark National Bank, we know the drive, commitment, and hard work it takes to get your small business up and running, which is why our friendly associates are here to answer a common question new business owners ask: Do I need a business bank account for my startup?
What is a business bank account?
Business bank accounts are like personal accounts, but they allow you to separate your finances and keep track of business-related expenses and transactions. These accounts let you take control of business’ cash flow, showcase your professionalism when customers pay you, and ensure you stay protected and legally compliant.
Am I legally required to open a business bank account?
Depending on what type of business you have, you might not be able to have a combined account for personal and business finances. If your business operates under a Doing Business As (DBA) name (a name that’s different from your name or from the legal name of the partnership, LLC, or corporation) you are legally required to open a business bank account (e.g., if your legal name is John Smith and your business operates under the name Smith Plumbing). Additionally, if you operate as a limited liability company (LLC), you must open a separate business bank account.
If you are in a partnership with a DBA or a sole proprietorship, you are not legally required to have a separate business bank account.
What are the benefits of business checking and savings accounts?
When it comes to separating your business and personal finances, there are many benefits that positively affect your business’ bottom line. Regardless if you are legally required to open a business bank account, having one will ensure you stay on top of your expenditures and payments received. Other key benefits include:
Precise accounting records
Accurate tax filings
Detailed records and receipts
Better business budgeting
Clear growth opportunities
In addition, some business bank accounts are interest-bearing, meaning you can earn passive income at competitive rates.
What is required to open a bank account for my business?
Unlike opening a personal bank account, business accounts normally require a few additional documents. Common documentation requirements include:
Social Security Number (SSN) if you are a sole proprietor or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
State-issued Driver’s License or ID
Business license
SS4 IRS Notification Letter
Article of Organization (for an LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (for corporations)
Open Your Business Bank Account at Landmark National Bank
At Landmark National Bank, we want to help you and your business succeed. No matter what your dreams are, our selection of business bank accounts will help you separate your personal finances, focus on the growth of your startup, and plan ahead for business opportunities. Plus, with our online and mobile business banking tools, you can view your statements, transfer funds, and pay business-related expenses all from your smartphone or tablet.
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