Equipment Leasing Companies

Leasing is a form of financing where the firm signs a contract with the lender for using the equipment or the plant for its business for certain time duration. It is becoming a popular mode of financing as it cuts down the cost on buying of the equipment. Also the lease financing is readily available than the other financial options.

There are many companies which are lending the equipments on lease. But to make sure that the financing is according to the needs and is hassle free, one should consider certain aspects regarding the deal with the leasing company.

1. First analyze your equipment requirements and the budget for the equipment.
2. Make a list of the various leasing companies.
3. Compare them and make a choice.

There are different types of leasing companies. They may either specialize in the leasing of the equipments for a particular industry, some may be leasing the particular type of equipments, or there may be companies specializing in particular type of lease. Make sure what you want and then approach them.

There are specialized leasing companies, like the banks and financial service providers, and, small and independent lease houses. The specialists provide various expert services related to different aspects of the leasing process, to their clients. The small and independent leasing companies may specialize in certain specific field of financing so for the other services; you again have to hunt on your own.

The independent leasing companies provide more of the customized services and you can again take the advantage of the negotiation with them. While the banks providing the leasing facilities may have fixed laid down conditions and terms which they will not negotiate and the borrowers will have to accept. Although the banks have their resource though which they can guide you with the leasing process and provide you with the advices from their expert in the field of finance.

The thing is that you have to first lay down your priorities. Consider all the aspects related to the leasing: the term of leasing, your priorities, type of lease that suits you, the equipment that you want to lease, whether it will be available on lease or not, what can be your responsibilities in the leasing period, and your budget.

Then make a list of the leasing companies. Make sure the company which you are approaching is the member of any leasing association look into their terms and conditions and the facilities they are providing, their expertise in the field.

What Is Identity Theft

It is the condition when the person uses you identity to commit a fraud. The person may use your identity to take loans from the bank using your details, or, may use your credit card details to use your credit without paying the bills.

It can be of different types which are financial identity theft, criminal identity theft, synthetic identity theft, identity cloning and concealment.

Financial identity theft can be in the form of credit card fraud, banking or loans fraud, taking some kind of utilities in your name and not paying the bills.

The credit card fraud is the most common of all the types of financial identity thefts. In this the person committing the fraud using your identity details and the credit card to commit the crime. The thief uses your name and first makes a new mailing address. It then conveys this new mailing address to the credit card company and gets the address changed. But the credit card account details remain the same. The credit card is then used by the thief. As the bills are sent to the new address so the victim does not realize the fraud that is committed on their name until they check their credit card details.

In the second form of credit card fraud the thief may open a new credit card account giving the details of the victim to the credit card company and continues to use the account in the name of the victim.

Another type of financial identity theft is when the thief opens a depository account in the name of victim and uses this account for electronic fund transfers and makes payment through checks to their creditors.

A loan fraud is also committed by the thief by using the name and details of the victim to get loans from the banks. The thief may also file tax return on the name of the victim called as tax refund fraud.

The thief uses the personal security number, the name, date of birth, bank account number and employer contact of the victim to commit such frauds.

Things that can be done to avoid and protect yourself from such frauds:

1. Check your account details regularly.
2. Avoid lending of your social security number to the companies seeking details on such things, or, any other person unless this is extremely necessary.
3. Destroy the slips containing your personal details and the details of your account, after any signing of check or deposition of the money in your account.
4. Contact your credit card company to prevent them to lend your details to the companies, this maintains your privacy and prevent you from getting those credit card offers.

Tips for Home Loans

Home loans are available in different forms. The types are:

1. Home extension loan
2. Home purchase loan
3. House bridge loan
4. Home construction loans
5. Balance transfer loans

If you are going to apply to finance your home then you should first consider the different aspects associated with the process.

1. First find out the various types of home loans available. Some of the types as mentioned above are there with the financial companies. Find out which one will be right for you. This you have to decide on the basis of your requirements and the amount you want in addition to your personal savings. If you are planning for construction then the obvious choice for you will be construction loans. If you have sold your old home and want some money to purchase your new home but still you have not received sales installment of your old home then you can apply for bridge finance. This is also a good option if you are searching for the source that can provide you with fast cash.
2. After finalizing the amount you need and the type of loan you will be taking then search the market. Find out the financers giving the loans, the loaning conditions that they lay for the applicants, the interest rates they have for the amount, the documents they require and the duration in which they will finally sanction your loan. Generally the financers look into your credit history and your ability to pay off their installments in time. If you are opting for bridge finance then they may ask for the property as collateral for the loan they are giving you.
3. Compare them on the basis of the interest rates, annual percentage rates (APR) and all the conditions they have attached with the process of loaning. The bank or the company will provide you with two options of interest rates: fixed and adjustable rates. In first one the rate of interest remains fixed for the whole term of the loan while in the adjustable one the interest rates may vary according to the market trends.
4. The APR is the total of the interest, the main or the principal amount and the fees and charges of the bank. Consider this while comparing the loans of different companies and banks.
5. Some banks offer the redraw facility. Find all abut such facilities and decide accordingly.
6. Consult an expert in finance for their guidance.
7. There are online loaning facilities provided by the banks. This is a convenient option and thus should not be ignored while applying for home loans.

Commercial Development Finance

Such finances are for the commercial properties and for its development. The commercial development loans are either for the acquisition of the land and the development of the site, or, in the form of refurbishment loan or as conversion loans. You can take refurbishment loan if you want to renovate or redesign your property that may be your merchandise store, or the warehouse faculty that you require for business or for any of any commercial purposes while the conversion loans are the choice if you want to use your existing property for any commercial purposes.

Thus the commercial development loans are available for both the small projects as well as the large projects like site acquisition or undertaking large construction.

The basic requirement for the finance is that you have to be prepared with the project for which you need finances. Whether you are planning to buy a site for business expansion, or for construction of any retail store market, you need to be clear about all the aspect of it ranging from the investment that you will be making to the profitability of the project and the risks associated with your projects. The financers will lend you the money after they are satisfied with all these points about your project.

100% commercial development finance is available if the risk with your project is low the profitability or feasibility of the project is enough and project has an outline planning approval. The banks generally lend such loans to the developers who are experienced in their area and have previous record of such successful construction or development. In other case the banks finance about 70% of the needs of the borrows.

Banks lend the residential development finance generally on the pre sale conditions as this reduces the risk for the bank and is advantageous to the borrower in the form of more loan amount.

To get such finances first find out the various banks lending such loans. Compare them on their conditions and terms. The interest rate is generally same through various lenders and a common base rate is generally followed. But first thing is the project that you are getting financed. Make a detailed list of its profitability, expenses, what you are planning with this project, different phases of the project, how you will be investing and all such aspects this will help you to plan the budget required and also make a detailed report. Also consult the financial expert for their advises related to such finances.

Cheap motorbike insurance

Insurance is providing a financial cover when there is any mis happening, and when it comes to insuring your motorbike it becomes equally important due to rising four wheelers on the road and occasional accidents happening.

Getting a cheap insurance cover requires some researching of the market. Finding out the various insurance providers and comparing them.

The premium that you pay for the insurance depends upon certain factors. Some of them are:

1. Your age, if you are taking the insurance for your bike. More experience of driving and higher age qualify you for lower premiums. But if you are a starter then you have to pay a standard level of premium. Generally bikers with less than 25 years of age qualify for standard premium. And above pay a lower sum.
2. The place of parking also makes the difference to the premium. If you are keeping your bike at safer place where the damages are likely to occur less like in a garage or a common parking place then you can save some on the premium amount.
3. The miles you have run you bike. If the mileage is within certain limits then the premium can be lesser.
4. The model of the bike. If the bike is new or an older one.
5. The gender also plays the part. If you are a female then you can secure to pay less premium than males as the insurance companies go by the surveys that females are less likely to meet road accidents and are more cautious drivers than the males.
   

There are various types of insurance covers available ranging from the third party insurance policy to comprehensive insurance policy. Third party theft and fire bike insurance policy gives you a cover for the theft of the bike or any kind of damage from fire. But you will have to arrange for the medical expenses. In comprehensive insurance cover the policy ensures you for the damages as well as the medical expenses. The comprehensive insurance policy is costly than the third party insurance policy. Depending upon your requirement and the budget, take the policy that best suits you.

There is a lot of information on the internet. Research the various insurers and their terms and conditions; calculate your premium depending on the age, your bike model, the miles you run your bike and other factors which the companies consider. Find what type of policy best suits your requirements and your pocket and then consult with the insurance advisers to finally take up the policy for your motorbike.

Business Finance Loan

Financial decisions are important for business as finance is the back bone of any business. The business require funds to fuel in the production process, pay to the employees, pay to the suppliers and many such activities that require cash on daily basis. This short term capital which is required for the business to keep it running is called as working capital. Also the business require long term funds for future plans which it has for expansion or for investing in the purchase of new plant or equipment.

The options are available for the firm to raise capital from either equity or debt, or, a combination of both. Loan is the simplest form of debt which is most common form of raising the capital.

The entrepreneur can raise the loan depending upon his short term and long term requirement. Such loans can be short term, intermediate term and long term loans and depending on the nature of the loan, the payment may be on the quarterly, monthly or yearly basis.

The financial institutions lending such loans charge a fixed interest for the money borrowed which may differ from one financial company to another on the basis of their terms and conditions.

The short term loans are taken for short term financial needs of the company and are raised by the business generally for a year. The intermediate loans are for up to three years and the payment mode may be quarterly or monthly. The long term loans are raised for meeting the long term business objectives of the firm and are for more than three years that may go up to twenty years.

The financial institutions have their conditions for lending the sum. They generally define margins for the amount, that is, if any entrepreneur has to raise certain sum then the bank will lend 70-75% of that sum and the rest of the amount has to be managed by the firm.

The banks also ask for security or third party guarantee and fix the repayment of the cash as installment on the basis of the cash flow of the firm.

Before lending, the bank looks for the past records of the firm, its creditors and debtors, scrutinize the financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the firm, and also completely review the project for which the loans are taken, where in the cash generation capacity and profitability of the project is generally assessed.

Best Ways To Finance Your Franchise Business Opportunity

Financing the franchise business is the decision that has to be taken with some caution. Financial decisions taken are important as they make your business start without any hiccups and thus should be taken considering certain points:

1. First look into the fund which you have and then the amount which you require from the sources outside.
2. Make a list of all the financial companies offering financial lending to the start ups.
3. Find out how reliable they are.
4. Compare the interest rats and the term and conditions associated with the finances that you are taking form them.
5. Different lenders and financial companies have their own terms and conditions, so approach the lender that best suits you. But first decide whether you are willing to take a long term or a short term loan. Depending upon the amount of loan that you are asking them to lend you, the future profitably of the franchise, the installments that you are willing to pay, the terms and conditions vary from one lender to another lender.
6. The Small Business Administration loan guarantee programs should also be considered while searching for the lender. The banks generally lend to the companies with a previous history of existence.
7. These are applicable to both the new franchise option and the one that has previously existed.
   

But in the existing business franchise the sales sum provided by the seller can also add as the start up cash for continuing or improving on the franchise and the amount to be raised from the outside sources can go down. Then in such situations loans with low interest rates and from reliable lenders can be raised for the short term. But again in such situations the lender will look into the previous records of the franchise, its profit records, financial statements, cash flows, balance sheets and all such documents that determine the viability of the franchise and assure them that the future cash flows will be sufficient enough for the paying off the installments of the loans you are taking from them.

The various sources are there that provide for the finances of the franchise that can be summed up as:

1. Family, friends.
2. Bank and financial companies.
3. Companies in venture financing.
4. The associates of the business who can be the suppliers who have the credit schemes available for the new partners.
5. The amount given by the seller of the business.
6. The initial cash which you have saved for starting the business.

All such sources analyzed and then approached to finance the business franchise.

Best Online Car Finance

Looking for e-loans to finance your new car, so, browse through the websites of all the companies before applying. The online financing is lot more easier than taking loans by approaching the bank as the e-loans are much more convenient and faster way of financing your car.

But some points should be considered before applying for the loans. These are:

1. First browse through the internet and get the detail of all the financiers giving e-loans.
2. Check out their terms and condition for lending loans.
3. Check their reliability, whether they are having the office where you can reach out in case of any query or inquiry, and also they are disclosing their full contact details and other relevant details about themselves. There are consumer sites which give you the information regarding the reliability of the companies offering such facilities. Go through such information carefully.
4. Find out their interest rates for the loan which you want to apply. Compare the rates of the different companies and then reach to any conclusion.
5. The rate of interest differs from fixed interest rate to variable interest rates. Find out the terms and conditions associated with both and take the one that best fits your finances.
6. Some financial companies may charge the rate according to your financial and credit situations. Look into such conditions before applying.
7. Find out the hidden fees and penalties with the loans which you are applying. There may be some early repayment fees charged by the company which is associated with taking a loan with low interest rate.

Finally take an expert advice form the professionals before finalizing for the loans.

The car loan application can be filled on line or you can also give the on line quotes. Once you leave the information on the website of the company, the employees of the companies contact you and give their details regarding the loans structure, mode of payment, the rate of interest on the loan applied and the installments for easy payments according to your credit situation.

But they will ask for some details regarding your credit card and other modes through which you are comfortable paying them the installments.

Applying for e- loans may be simple but a cautious approach is needed so as to enjoy the benefits of this facility. There are many companies offering the e- loan but sift through them and find out the reliable one so that you enjoy the drive on weekend with your family with all the comfort.

Asset Based Finance

In asset based financing you place your asset as collateral with the bank or the financial company to raise money as loan so as to meet your business financial requirements.

The financiers thus look that:

1. You have a proper credit history.
2. The asset that you are placing with them can be liquidated easily when such conditions arise.
3. And your business history, that is, how long you have been in your business.
   

The assets that you can place as collateral:

1. Accounts receivable
2. Inventory
3. Or any other assets like the trademark, intellectual property.
   

Here although you do not transfer the ownership of your asset to the bank but in case of default payment the bank can take your asset and liquidate it to realize the money that it has given you as loan.

The inventory and the account receivable are the two most common type of asset used to take such finances. When placing account receivable the bank lends you around 70-75% of the value. While in inventory as collateral you can get about 35-80% of the value of the inventory. The amount differs with the different lenders and this you need to compare when you have decided to raise some finance through your assets.

By asset based financing you can raise for your business working requirements, or for investing in any activity to improve the profitability of the business.

Both the small and big enterprises can raise capital through asset financing. Most common type of such financing is mortgages. The company can gain by getting a certain amount of ready cash available to meet its business needs. Besides, the lending bank may also provide with some services such as processing of the accounts receivable, and collection facility of the accounts which are as collateral. But the mode of financing can become expensive to the company under certain situations. Thus the company should weight all the conditions before opting for such methods of finance.

The companies or individuals with bad credit history can also take such finances but for them the interest rates are slightly higher than those with sound credit scores.

There are financiers which are giving asset based loans by online mode. Such facility makes it much easier for you to apply for the loan. But again you need to check all the terms and conditions, the interest rates at which they are extending you the money and above all they are the registered financiers, are genuine and not a fraud financial company.

The Role of Finance Manager

The role of finance manager in the company is an important one. The function of the finance manager is not confined to the management and making of the accounts but it also plays a major role in dividend decisions, capital budgeting decisions, capital structure outlay of the firm, decision related to the merger and acquisitions, and all the investment decisions of the firm. Thus the finance manager plays an important role in any business enterprise.

The different decisions can be classified into:

1. The routine working capital and cash management decisions.
2. Dividend decisions
3. Investment decisions
4. Financial forecasting
5. International financial decisions
6. Portfolio management
7. Risk management
8. Cash management

while the dividend decisions are related to deciding the amount that is to be distributed to the shareholders, the investment decisions relate to the investment that the company makes in different projects so as to expand the business and improve its profitability. The finance manager here appraises the various projects and judges their profitability. The manager also decides how much capital should be employed in the project and which sources are the best for financing the project. Such decision also extends to the investments in the foreign and the local market which requires a thorough knowledge of the market trends thus the role becomes important.

The top management takes the advice of the finance manager for the capital structure outlay of the firm.

On the monthly and yearly basis the manager looks into the inventory requirements, daily cash requirements, and the objectives of the firm and then plans a budget accordingly for different departments so that they receive optimum amount to carry out the activities and achieve the business objectives.

On the basis of the previous year budget utilization, different reviews and study reports prepared by the research department, finance manager prepares a budget and allocate the recourses for the coming year.

With globalization the role of finance manager is not confined to the regional boundaries but has spread to the activities involving taking the decisions regarding mergers and acquisitions, establishing of the subsidiaries and investing in the foreign markets. Here the finance manager looks into the profits that the business can generate from establishing the subsidiary, what should be the capital outlay of the firm, what tax benefits the firm can avail by establishing and expanding into the foreign market?

A finance manager thus not only acts as a person maintaining the accounts but also plays a major role in the management of portfolio, risk, cash and capital.

Online Banking Services

With the growth in the technology the banks are also growing. They are working towards providing their valuable customers all the facilities so as to retain them as their loyal customers. The online services are a step towards such facilities so as to make their customers more comfortable in performing the banking transactions from any place and any time.

Different online services
The online banking services help you to perform all the banking transactions and work from your own place without visiting the banks.

1. You can check your account balances and get the statements of your account.
2. Pay all your bills by performing the transaction online.
3. Transfer the money between the different accounts.
4. Make a fixed deposit investment.
5. Pay checks and request for the demand drafts.
   

Thus you can perform different online transactions as e-checks, e transfers, and online payments.

The e- checks are the electronic version of the existing paper checks that we all sign to pay our lenders. In e-checks you will fill the entries just like the paper checks and it is transferred to the receiver directly. The receiver can thus deposit the e-check and receive the credit in their account. This thus makes the mode of payment much faster and also convenient.

In e-fund transfer you move your money from the account in one bank to the account in other bank. Here also no paper is involved. This is the mode by which your salary arrives in your account; you receive the loan amount from the bank. The ATMs and the POS (Point of sale) are the more common ways of the electronic fund transfer. Thus it is advantageous as the funds are transferred fast; the method is more convenient as it saves time visiting the bank, and it can be performed any time and from any place. Also most importantly it provide for the secured transfer of the money.

Online payments are the most common modes of money transactions between the business persons and their clients. It includes e-check payments among the customers the online credit cards.

So, how is it advantageous?

• The method is convenient
• You can make direct transactions with the clients you are dealing with
• You receive a receipt in your mail that you can use as a document for your transactions
• It is real time process and saves time visiting the bank branch nearby
• Hassle free process and you can perform transaction from anywhere and at any time according to your own convenience.

Business Tactical Planning

The business organization can broadly be distinguished into three level viz. strategic, tactical and operational level. The tactical planning takes place at the middle management level of the organization. Tactical planning is laying down short term plans so as to achieve the long term objectives of the organization.

It all starts at the top level of the organization with the strategic planning, where the top management first defines the mission. The mission defines the very existence of the organization, and what the business wants to be or achieve in the years to come. This is followed by the analyzing the weaknesses and strengths of the organization, the external factors affecting the business, the threats to the business, the competitors, and what are the opportunities which the business can tap. This leads to the identification of the opportunities, the resources of the firm and its core competencies which can be utilized to achieve the mission of the organization. This is strategic planning and it lays down the long term plans for the organization.

These long term plans are then broken down into short term plans at the middle management level of the organization and this is tactical planning. Thus strategic and tactical plans differ but they have one common goal which is to achieve the mission of the organization and take it to greater heights.

The planning involves following steps:

1. Identify the objectives on the basis of the strategic plan
2. Identify the possible actions that can be taken to achieve the objective.
3. The resources needed to carry out the action required.
4. Any possible constraints and adverse situations that might be faced when the tactics are implemented.
5. Plan some possible actions under the situation of constraints.
6. Finalizing the tactics and implementing it.
7. Reviewing and evaluating them so as to find out whether the objectives are being achieved.
   

The management must clearly understand the objectives of the strategic plan before laying out the tactical plan. An effective plan leads to an efficient use of the resources. This is only possible when the planner understands the strategy of the organization and follows tactics that are best suited to make the strategy successful.

Thus tactic planners should be very clear as to what the objectives are. While planning, analyze the resources available, the possible hindrances and the adverse situations that may be faced while execution and how these situations can be handled.

Advices For Car Insurance

Car insurance is important in the sense that it provides the risk cover in conditions of accidents, or, the compensation claims due to such accidents. Besides it is mandatory to have auto insurance.

The person looking for auto insurance should first go into certain details before finalizing the insurance policy from any insurance company.

1. Research out: the various companies providing the vehicle insurance, their previous record that will highlight their reliability as an insurer. This is important so as to finally arrive at the reliable insurer which can guide you for the policy and provide you with an agent on whom you can rely upon when the conditions of the claim arise.

2. Calculate your premium: This is calculated on the basis of the risk factors. These factors can be the miles your car runs, that is, the use to which it is put to, the age, gender, occupation and the driving experience of the driver, the model of the car, size of its engine, the security features, and the availability of the car parts under damage conditions.
If the factors are more, then the premium will also be high. Generally the combination of such factors are taken and the amount arrived is then discounted on the basis of the past claims and the likewise conditions such as the place where you keep your car when not in use, or, where you park your car before going to sleep.

The common method applied to arrive at the premium is generally taking the combination of the various factors. These factors are given rating by the various companies providing insurance. The premium is then calculated. To this amount either a certain sum is added or deducted on the basis of the factors such as past claims, or, the place where you keep your car when not in use, or, where you park your car before going to sleep. The adding of the sum is called as loading and the deduction of the sum is discounting.

This job in the company is performed by the underwriters who calculate the premium on their statistical software. Generally a basis percentage rate is applied so as to get an overview picture of the premium which is to be paid. Although the exact premium is calculated considering all the factors related to your car.

There are number of companies providing the insurance cover for your car but the thing is to find a reliable one. You can search out the companies online and go through their claim commitment history, their past record of reliability, consider their agents and their commitment to their customers, the percentage rate which the companies have for the factors and the amount of premium they are asking for. Discuss them with your friends and then go for the company and the policy according to what your basic requirements are, and, of course your pocket.