Many small businesses are not prepared to handle a cyber incident. Here are answers to the most important cyber insurance questions.
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Introducing the first-time homebuyer’s handbook
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Download our first-time homebuyer’s handbook to learn what’s involved.
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A succession planning checklist for passing the torch
Whether you own a family-run business or a growing enterprise that deliberates in a fancy boardroom, you need a succession plan for your business.
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Is life insurance right for you?
Don’t wait to start thinking about life insurance. The sooner you consider your options, the more choices you’ll have available to you. Bank Midwest Insurance can help you
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How to navigate changes in your business cash flow
Business leaders come to expect the unexpected when it comes to cash flow – especially new businesses that are new to ebbs and flows of commerce. When challenging situations arise, use these pointers to help resolve common cashflow issues.
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Employment Practices Liability Insurance: a crash course
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) can help reduce damage to a business when the legal rights of employees are violated. Learn the basics of EPLI, such as which lawsuits it protects you against and how much it may cost.
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Tips for scaling a small business effectively
Scaling a small business is a delicate balancing act that demands careful planning. The goal should be to increase revenue faster than you increase spending to sustain that new revenue. Simple, right? Well, not exactly. When your business starts showing signs of growth, consider these tips for scaling responsibly.
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What you should look for in a business checking account
What you should look for when choosing a business checking account depends on your needs. Whether it’s your first business account or are switching to a new financial institution, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
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3 simple steps every business can take to improve cybersecurity
Small and medium-sized businesses should never presume that they’re safe from cyberthreats. In fact, SMBs are a prime target. We don’t say this to scare you but to encourage vigilance to protect yourself.
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Buying A Home In The Off-Season Can Have Its Advantages
With the exception of a few sun belt states, shopping for a house in the winter just seems off. The traditional time to go from listing to listing is spring and summer. But while things slow down this time of year, there are some hidden advantages to choosing it as your buying season. In fact,…
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Benefits of health savings accounts for businesses and their employees
Healthcare costs in the U.S. have never been higher, and that means businesses and employees need to be strategic about how they fund medical expenses.
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Building a House vs. Buying: What is Right for You?
Building a house vs. buying. It’s a question that faces many who enter the housing market. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’re looking for something that better fits your family’s needs, it’s a question that you’ll likely have to consider. Whatever direction you decide to go, it’s important to compare the positives and negatives…
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7 Tips for Farmers to Develop a Strong Marketing Plan
One of the keys to success for today’s agricultural producers is a strong marketing plan which includes knowing break-even costs, having a solid action plan and keeping emotions out of it, according to tips released by the American Bankers Association at the ABA National Agricultural Bankers conference in Omaha, Neb. Members of the ABA Agricultural…
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How to Have the Life Insurance Talk
There are some tips to keep in mind to begin the conversation about life insurance.
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What Not To Do Yourself Before Selling Your House
It’s not all that uncommon. You tried to fix something in your house using all the analytic skills you apply to other parts of your life, inspired by how easy it looks on HGTV. With all the best of intentions, however, what seemed simple turned into an obviously less-than-expert job. In fact, even your Realtor…
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Why Should I Use a VA Loan
The VA loan is one of the best mortgage loans there is. Here are some reasons why. First, VA guarantees the loan for 100% of the appraised value of the property (technically, the loan is for the Notice Of Value amount, which in most cases is the same thing). This guarantee means that the lender…
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Is Buying a Home With a 20% Down Payment Standard?
A 20% down payment is anything but standard. Making a smaller down payment does involve some form of mortgage insurance (MI). Conventional loans are available with as little as 3% down.
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First Time Homebuyer Reality Check
Many first-time homebuyers have stars in their eyes when they first begun house-hunting. Their ideal is a house that is move-in-ready, offers the number of bedrooms/baths/square footage they’re looking for, is in a great neighborhood and, of course, is within their budget. Matching all that criteria is often a tall order, especially the move-in-ready aspect of…
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Saving for your house
Moving into your own house can be exciting and frightening at the same time. Before transitioning from renting to owning a home, you’ll need to create a savings plan that not includes your down payment (typically 5 to 20 percent of the home’s value) but also a reserve fund to cover unexpected emergencies. Saving for…
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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
Paying down your mortgage early may be possible, but is it smart?
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