Monday, February 28, 2011

Shaw Capital Guide ‘Easy’ Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons: Warning

Shaw Capital Management and Financing – Warning Advance-Fee Loan Scams: ‘Easy’ Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons

Looking for a loan or credit card but don’t think you’ll qualify? Turned down by a bank because of your poor credit history?
You may be tempted by ads and websites that guarantee loans or credit cards, regardless of your credit history. The catch comes when you apply for the loan or credit card and find out you have to pay a fee in advance. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, that could be a tip-off to a rip-off. If you’re asked to pay a fee for the promise of a loan or credit card, you can count on the fact that you’re dealing with a scam artist. More than likely, you’ll get an application, or a stored value or debit card, instead of the loan or credit card.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing – Advance-Fee Loan Scams: The Signs of an Advance-Fee Loan Scam Warning

The FTC says some red flags can tip you off to scam artists’ tricks. For example:
  • A lender who isn’t interested in your credit history. A lender may offer loans or credit cards for many purposes — for example, so a borrower can start a business or consolidate bill payments. But one who doesn’t care about your credit record should give you cause for concern. Ads that say “Bad credit? No problem” or “We don’t care about your past. You deserve a loan” or “Get money fast” or even “No hassle — guaranteed” often indicate a scam.
  • Banks and other legitimate lenders generally evaluate creditworthiness and confirm the information in an application before they guarantee firm offers of credit — even to creditworthy consumers.
  • Fees that are not disclosed clearly or prominently. Scam lenders may say you’ve been approved for a loan, then call or email demanding a fee before you can get the money. Any up-front fee that the lender wants to collect before granting the loan is a cue to walk away, especially if you’re told it’s for “insurance,” “processing,” or just “paperwork.”

    Legitimate lenders often charge application, appraisal, or credit report fees. The differences? They disclose their fees clearly and prominently; they take their fees from the amount you borrow; and the fees usually are paid to the lender or broker after the loan is approved.

    It’s also a warning sign if a lender says they won’t check your credit history, yet asks for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number. They may use your information to debit your bank account to pay a fee they’re hiding.
  • A loan that is offered by phone. It is illegal for companies doing business in the U.S. by phone to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver.
  • A lender who uses a copy-cat or wanna-be name. Crooks give their companies names that sound like well-known or respected organizations and create websites that look slick. Some scam artists have pretended to be the Better Business Bureau or another reputable organization, and some even produce forged paperwork or pay people to pretend to be references. Always get a company’s phone number from the phone book or directory assistance, and call to check they are who they say they are. Get a physical address, too: a company that advertises a PO Box as its address is one to check out with the appropriate authorities.
  • A lender who is not registered in your state. Lenders and loan brokers are required to register in the states where they do business. To check registration, call your state Attorney General’s office or your state’s Department of Banking or Financial Regulation. Checking registration does not guarantee that you will be happy with a lender, but it helps weed out the crooks.
    A lender who asks you to wire money or pay an individual. Don’t make a payment for a loan or credit card directly to an individual; legitimate lenders don’t ask anyone to do that. In addition, don’t use a wire transfer service or send money orders for a loan. You have little recourse if there’s a problem with a wire transaction, and legitimate lenders don’t pressure their customers to wire funds.

    Finally, just because you’ve received a slick promotion, seen an ad for a loan in a prominent place in your neighborhood or in your newspaper, on television or on the Internet, or heard one on the radio, don’t assume it’s a good deal — or even legitimate. Scam artists like to operate on the premise of legitimacy by association, so it’s really important to do your homework.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing – Advance-Fee Loan Scams: Finding Low-Cost Help for Credit Problems

If you have debt problems, try to solve them with your creditors as soon as you realize you won’t be able to make your payments. If you can’t resolve the problems yourself or need help to do it, you may want to contact a credit counseling service. Nonprofit organizations in every state counsel and educate people and families on debt problems, budgeting, and using credit wisely. Often, these services are low- or no-cost. Universities, military bases, credit unions, and housing authorities also may offer low- or no-cost credit counseling programs. To learn more about dealing with debt, including how to select a credit counseling service, visit ftc.gov/credit.


Freight Bill Factoring – Right or Warning for Your Business

Shaw Capital Factoring and Management of Loans Freight Bill factoring Tips - One of the most difficult aspects of managing a trucking company – especially a small trucking company – is the cash flow. Cash flow is all about how money moves through your company. Unfortunately, when you have clients that pay 30 to 60 days after you have shipped for them, the cash flow can become a little strained. This is because, even though your customers have not paid yet, you still have daily expenses: truck maintenance, pay checks to personnel, fuel costs and more. So how do you cover these expenses when you do not have the ready capital to hand? One solution can be freight bill factoring.
Freight bill factoring v. traditional loan financing
Shaw Capital Management and Factoring, Right or Warning for Your Business - If you are a small trucking company (and maybe even a medium sized or large one), you know that sometimes it can be tough to get traditional loan financing. Often, especially if you are start up, or if you are going through a rapid period of expansion, you just do not have the available credit for traditional loan financing – and you still have the need for cash.
In such cases, freight bill factoring can help you obtain the capital you need. In freight bill factoring, a financing company – called a factor – basically buys the freight bill from you and advances you the cash. Often, the factor will in turn collect from the customer, meaning that once you turn the invoice over, it is also no longer something you need to worry about.
Basics of freight bill factoring - Freight Bill Factoring – Right or Warning for Your Business
Even thought there is not the same approval process that you would have to go through with the bank, the factor will still want to make sure that payment from your customers is likely. Your customer list may be scrutinized, and those that pass muster can provide the freight bills for factoring. It is possible to set up a regular arrangement with the factor so that cash flow remains regular. Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind about freight bill factoring:
Documentation. Proper documentation will be needed when you present a freight bill for factoring. You will need an original bill of lading, as well as other documents that the factor may request.
Fees. Be aware that you will be charge a fee for the advance. This is typically between three percent and five percent of the total. The fee depends on how reliable your customers are, and sometimes can depend on how quickly they pay their invoices.
Reserve. Sometimes, a factor will hold a reserve from the advance on the invoice. In such cases, many of them will pay between 85 and 90 percent of the freight bill up front. This is the advance. The rest is held in reserve, just in case the invoice is not paid, or if other fees need to be collected. When the invoice is paid, the rest of the freight bill (minus the fee) is paid. For example, if you have a bill for $1,000, the company may only advance you $900 on the spot. (Remember, though, this is better than the $0 you be getting otherwise.) If the fee is three percent of the total, $30 would be subtracted from the remaining $100 when the customer pays the invoice, leaving you with an additional $70.
Recourse v. non-recourse. It is very important to determine whether or not the factor you are working with offers a recourse or a non-recourse agreement. This is because it can make a very big difference in the rights the factor has in collecting on an invoice that is not paid. In a recourse agreement, the factor can require this article has all rights reserved and is copyright by 100 Best you to pay some or all of a freight bill if the customer does not pay. In a non-recourse factoring agreement, once freight bill is turned over to the factor, it is solely the factor’s responsibility. You are in the clear if the customer does not pay – you can keep your money (although you may not get the reserve back).
Getting your money from the factor. You need to find out how the factor will pay your advance. With freight bill factoring, the most common methods are wire transfer, ACH transfer and check. It is important to note that the funds may not be available for immediate withdrawal from your account. In same cases it may take 24 to 48 hours for the money to become available to you.
Freight bill factoring can be very beneficial to trucking companies. It allows you almost immediate access to capital, and can keep the cash flow in your company more liquid.

Shaw Capital Business Asset Based Loan Financing - The Perfect Solution For Cash Flow

Avoid scam, learn about Asset Based Financing. Shaw Capital Management and Financing tips on Why A Business Asset Based Loan Financing Is The Perfect Solution For Cash Flow In Canada
Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet your cashflow needs immediately without entering into a long term factoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full. You are a Canadian business owner and financial manager looking for info and guidance on a business asset based loan. What is asset based loan financing, sometimes called cash flow factoring - how does it work, and why could it be the best solution for your firm's working capital challenges.
Let's cover off the basics and find out how you can benefit form this relatively speaking new form of asset financing in Canada.
A good start is to always understand and cover off some basics around what this type of financing is. Simply speaking the facility is a loan arrangement that is drawn down and repaid regularly based on your receivables, inventory, and, if required, equipment and real estate should your firm possess those assets also.
By collateralizing your assets you in effect create an ongoing borrowing base for all your assets - this feasibility then fluctuate on a daily basis based on invoices you generate, inventory you move, and cash you collect from customers. When you need more working capital you simply draw down on initial funds as covered under your asset base.
Your probably can already see the advantage, which is simply that if you have assets you have cash. Your receivables and inventory, as they grow, in effect provide you with unlimited financing.
Unlike a Canadian chartered bank financing your business asset based loan financing in effect has no cap. The alternative facility for this type of working capital financing is of course a Canadian chartered bank line of credit - that facility always comes with a cap and stringent requirements re your balance sheet and income statement quality and ratios, as well as performance covenants and personal guarantees and outside collateral. So there is a big difference in the non bank financing we have table for your consideration.
Your asset based lender works with you to manage the facility - and you are required to regularly report on your levels of A/R and inventory, which are the prime underpinnings of the financing.
Smaller firms use a particular subset of this financing, often called factoring or cash flow factoring. This specific type of financing is less transparent to your customers, as the cash flow factor might insist on verifying your invoices with customers, etc. A true asset based loan financing is usually transparent to your customers, which is the way you want it to be - You bill and collect our own invoices.
If our facility provides you with unlimited working capital then why have you potentially not heard of it and why aren't your competitors using it. Our clients always can be forgiven for asking that question. The reality is that in the U.S. this type of financing is a multi billion dollar industry, it has gained traction in Canada, even more so after the financial meltdown of 2008. Some of Canada's largest corporations use the financing. And if your firm has working capital assets anywhere from 250k and up you are a candidate. Larger facilities are of course in the many millions of dollars.
The Canadian asset based financing market is very fragmented and has a combo of U.S., international and Canadian asset finance lenders. They have varying appetites for deal size, how the facility works on a daily basis, and pricing, which can be competitive to banks or significantly higher.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced business financing advisor and determine if the advantages of business asset based loan financing work for your firm. They have the potential of accelerating cash flow, giving you cash all the time when you need it ( assuming you have assets ) and essentially liquefying and monetizing your current assets to provide constant cash flow, and that's what its all about. Stan Prokop is founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Shaw Capital Management - Investment Innovation & Excellence

Our goal is to provide consistent quality investment advice to our clients.

Although the stock market provides many facets of opportunity for today's investor, there are always just a few stellar markets or niche companies at any given time. It is true that in a healthy market, investments yield favourable returns in a given growth area. The key is to pick those investments that are driving the trends and will become tomorrow's brightest stars.
One problem is proper allocation of research resources. It is true there is power in numbers, and teams of researchers will generally spot and confirm trends that the individual investor would miss. But on the other hand, too broad of an effort will squander research resources and loose sight of those special investments in an overwhelming sea.

Developing Strategic Research Capital

By having broad and robust resources, then viewing and deploying those resources in a multi-dimensional fashion, a balanced research model is created yielding greater and more focused results. In short, Research Capital. To achieve this result, research is targeted to different dynamics of the market rather than a flat view of just general market trends.
Market trends are viewed across a broad spectrum for change and interaction with associated segments, and then for life and duration of changes.
From this initial analysis comes the ability to focus resources on those segments and opportunities that will shine brightest and meet your investment goals. This is the result of a properly developed research program yielding the greatest return of Research Capital, in short a wealth of specific focused knowledge to provide the depth of advice you need to make the right decision.
At Shaw Capital Asset Management your investment is important to us. That same care in managing our Market Analysis Research Strategy provides you with the information you need to make the right choice.
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Advisory

Built on time-tested institutional practices and up to date methodologies, the Shaw Capital Asset Management Advisory Professionals will help you organize and simplify your investments, build a stronger portfolio, and protect your investment while helping you achieve your investment goals.
Using a comprehensive set of investment guidelines, our platform strategy will cover nearly every facet of your investment needs.
Through personalized forecasts, analysis and advice, you build and expand your investment for more profitable realizations.
Ongoing monitoring of your portfolio and comparison to original program design and performance expectations are critical to keeping your investments properly tuned to current business and market conditions. By watching for changing trends and positions, your portfolio is constantly monitored for required changes in structure to maintain your original investment goals.
Having a portfolio you feel comfortable with and which can be monitored in a timely fashion while meeting your financial goals is our primary objective.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing

Shaw Capital Management and Financing provides export trade financing to clients in every major world market and can convert accounts receivable finance transactions in 17 currencies. Avoid scams and other fraudulent transactions. Deal with the best financing companies only. No registration fee needed.
We have no minimum or maximum monthly volume requirements. Other factoring companies require a financial commitment for the amount of freight bills you factor each month.
Our highly skilled team provides full administrative support - including credit management, invoicing, collections, account reporting, expense reporting, fuel card management and much more!
With Shaw Capital Management and Financing, you get paid in full minus our fee the day we receive your freight bills. Other factoring companies holdback 10 to 15 percent of your money or more for each invoice in a reserve account. That reserve amount is not immediately provided to your company. In the end, you receive part of that percentage back, depending on how long it takes the factoring company to receive payment on the invoice.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing factoring process works: 1. Contact us to become Shaw Capital Management and Financing client and be a member, just fillup form available online; 2. You must submit a factoring application for each load you want to factor at least 24 hours before your freight bills arrive in our office. Please request for an Online Application Form If you are on the road without Internet access, a fax version is available upon request; 3. Deliver the shipment, and then send us your freight bills, rate confirmation sheet and all paperwork and; 4. Get paid. We provide same-day-funding when your freight bills arrive.
We prepare all invoices on our behalf, submit them and collect payment directly.  Avoid scams and other fraudulent transactions. Deal with the best financing companies only. No registration fee needed, secure your money.
At Shaw Capital Management - providing a fast, simple and affordable solution to bridge the gap between billing and collections ...
Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet your cashflow needs immediately without entering into a long term factoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer a complete line of factoring services, purchase order funding, asset based financing, accounts receivable management, and other related financial services.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer funding for a wide range of industries and flexible funding requirements that most businesses can easily qualify for.
Based in Baltimore, Maryland. Importing into the tri-state area mostly from the far east such as China, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea.
For your convenience, we have associate offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei and Seoul in S Korea.
At Shaw Capital Management - No financials needed  and with Flexible terms. Value of great service... Help grow your business...
Shaw Capital Management and Financing - Whether your item is big, small, fragile, difficult or oversize, no shipping assignment is too big for us.
Get in touch with us today for a no obligation quote or estimate, we're here to help.
Our estimates include all fees and we take care of everything with a team made up of experienced professionals.
No hidden shipping costs. Let us blow away the smoke! We’re open, up-front, and we include all costs in our prices.
We take care everything. We handle every step of the shipping process. If a problem comes up at any stage, we have the experience to solve it.
We’re passionate about what we do, and we’re here to help you in any way we can.

Commodity Markets - Shaw Capital Management Korea Investment

(PRWEB) February 23, 2011
The general improvement in sentiment in the financial markets over the past month has also been evident in the commodity markets.
There has been further evidence that the global economic recovery in continuing, there has been more support for the view that the pressures resulting from the sovereign debt crisis in Europe may be easing.
As a result, base metals are generally lower over the month, even after the rally on the latest Chinese announcement about the renminbi; most soft commodity prices are slightly lower, although there have been sharp rises in beverage prices on concerns about future supplies; precious metal prices have moved higher as investors have continued to seek “safe havens in the storm”; and there has been a strong recovery in oil prices, helped by optimistic signs of a pick up in US demand.
Base metal prices are ending the past month well above recent low levels, but still slightly lower overall, and there has been an additional boost to confidence in the announcement of a “more flexible” policy towards the renminbi.
It is assumed that even a modest appreciation of the Chinese currency will boost the purchasing power of Chinese buyers, and increase still further China’s position as the world’s largest importer of a broad range of global commodities.
But there is clearly a risk that the importance of this fairly modest move is being exaggerated; and the extent of the earlier reaction should be a powerful warning of the degree of speculative activity in the markets, and the vulnerability of prices. Chinese demand clearly remains a critical factor, and the evidence suggests that it will remain reasonably strong.
Soft commodity markets have again produced a more mixed performance.
Movements in grain prices have been fairly modest, although there has been some support from a recent report by the US Department of Agriculture that the increasing importance of ethanol production will continue to draw down stock levels and help to offset the effects of what is expected to be a bumper grain crop this year.
Most price movements elsewhere have been fairly small; but there have been two significant exceptions. Cocoa prices have been pushed to their highest levels for more than 30 years because of disappointing crop levels in West Africa, and particularly in the Ivory Coast, and the warning that the fall in production will continue unless there is significant investment in new trees and in fertilisers.
There are fears that demand will outstrip supply for the fifth successive year in the 2010/2011 season, and this has forced cocoa buyers to push up prices to cover their requirements, and has exposed the position of banks and others that sold call options in the expectation that prices would fall. The second significant exception has been coffee prices, which have increased by almost 20% during the past month.
The indications are that one commodity-trading house has accumulated a very large number of futures contracts and has indicated that it intends to take delivery of the coffee.
Other funds that had sold futures contracts short have been unable to obtain the coffee to honour those contracts, and so have been forced to scramble to close them and have suffered considerable losses as prices have moved higher.
It is not yet clear whether this technical position has now been cleared; but the fundamentals do not appear to justify the price action, since Brazilian production is expected to be very high in the current season, and so, once the technical position had been cleared, prices could fall fairly sharply.
Oil prices have also been affected by the improvement in market sentiment, and have recovered very sharply over the past month.
Speculative activity has been an important factor; but there has also been an encouraging report from the US Department of Energy indicating strong demand for oil products in the US, and a larger-than-expected reduction in crude oil inventories.
There has also been evidence of continuing strong demand from China; and a warning of the onset of the hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico, and its possible effects on production levels.
So far however the dramatic oil spill at the BP production well in the Gulf does not appear to have had a noticeable effect on market prices, although the possible consequences, especially for deep-water drilling operations in the future, could clearly become a very significant factor.
The recovery in prices has been very impressive; but it may not be sustainable. OPEC itself has recently issued a very cautious monthly report which argues that “recent developments have moved oil prices out of equilibrium”, and which emphasises that increasing supplies from non-OPEC countries are keeping downward pressure on prices.
It concludes, that “although demand has seen some improvement recently, it has been more than overwhelmed by the higher growth in supply”. It seems likely therefore that the present rally will lose momentum unless there is a serious deterioration in the political situation in the Middle East. Precious metal prices have also moved higher over the past month; investors are clearly still seeking “safe havens in the storm” despite the improvement in sentiment about prospects that has pushed some other commodity prices higher.
Gold prices have reached $1250 per ounce, and silver prices have also moved significantly higher, with exchange-traded funds aggressive buyers of both metals.
The World Gold Council, in its recent quarterly report, indicated that demand for gold was “exceptionally strong”, and that it was expected to remain so for the rest of year, “driven by jewellery demand in India and China, and investment demand in the US and in Europe”.
However it is clear that investment demand is the more important factor, with EFT gold holdings now above 2000 tons, and central banks also adding to their holdings again.
There is an obvious risk that the latest surge in prices will lead to some profit taking. But given the present situation, and particularly the risk of sovereign debt defaults, it would be unwise to assume that the improvement in precious metal prices in over.
At Shaw Capital Management we give you the information and insight you need to make the right investment choices.

Shaw Capital Management: South Korea's Economy

South Koreas output is continuing to accelerate, and the government needs to exit from its accommodative economic policies earlier than anticipated. The HSBC Koreas purchasing managers index (PMI) rose from 55.6 in January to 58.2 in February the highest since December 2007. New orders are coming in, and there are rising backlogs of unfulfilled orders.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - Employment too is rising suggesting that the current pace of growth will be sustained for the next several months. Inflation paced a little with consumer prices up 3.1% in January from a year earlier. But inflation in Korea is likely to remain stable for some months.

The central bank is expected to tighten its monetary policy by starting to raise interest rates from the current record low of 2% in the later part of the second quarter as the government retains its focus on job creation and growth.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - Exports expanded 31% year on year, better than Reuters forecast of 22.7%. South Korea posted a much larger-than-expected
trade surplus of $2.33 billion in February as ship deliveries boosted exports, while imports fell as holidays reduced crude oil and natural gas demand.

The government expects a monthly trade surplus of more than $1 billion from March as demand improves. The current-account surplus is most likely to dwindle to around $17 billion this year from $42.7 billion in 2009 as imports rise. A new Bank of Korea governor, widely expected to be a more pro-government figure, will not rush to raise rates after taking office
in April.

Exports grew 31% from a year earlier to $33.27 billion, faster than the expected rise of 21%, while imports climbed 36.9% to $30.94 billion, exceeding a forecast of an expansion of 34.0%.

South Korea, which is heading the G20 group of leading economies wants to leave an imprint of its presidency.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - It is trying to introduce a system of international currency swaps which it hopes will reduce global imbalances by lessening the need for countries to accumulate reserves, seen as one of the causes of last years financial and
economic crisis.

Shaw Capital Management - Every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.
Our philosophy is simple: almost every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.

Before Shaw Capital launched the open architecture revolution, investors had to make the unhappy choice between selecting an advisor who was independent, but unsophisticated (the traditional pension and endowment consulting firms), or selecting an advisor who was sophisticated but had conflicting interests (global banks, trust companies, money management firms).

Today, virtually all investors faced with the challenge of managing a significant pool of capital can access open architecture advice.

A true open architecture firm is completely independent of the rest of the financial services industry and accepts compensation only from its clients.

In addition, open architecture firms must make the financial commitment to hire only the most experienced advisors, and those advisors must apply their experience to the issues that will most affect their clients' wealth.

Matters like asset allocation and manager search are simply too important to be left in the hands of young analysts.

We are proud of our role in leading the open architecture revolution, and look forward to introducing you to its benefits

Shaw Capital Management Scam Tips

For Canada, UK and beyond - On this challenging economy you are looking into new territories, markets and industry channels, some of those may be based outside the US. Unlike most purchase order financing companies, we work with businesses seeking growth in foreign markets such as Canada, Mexico UK and Asia. Whether you are looking for PO financing in Canada, purchase order financing in Mexico or PO funding throughout the EU, our international PO financing program is designed to assist your busi...

Dec 15, 2010 – The North American Securities Administrators Association management estimates that unwary investors lose billions a year to investment fraud. Self-employment scams and high-tech schemes are among investments most recently heavily promoted by online.

Shaw Capital Guide to Business Loans from Family & Friends
Shaw Capital Management and Financing – The key to successful financing is structuring loans right.

Shaw Capital Management Newsletter August: Financial Markets Focus on Europe

Shaw Capital Management, Korea - Innovation & Investment Excellence. We provide information, insight and expertise you need to make the right investment choices.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) - February 2, 2011 - The great fall of the euro in recent months is clearly having a significant impact on the performance of the area Theeuro economy http://garageheatersshop.com/mr-heater-propane.html.Shaw Capital Management, Korea - investing in innovation and excellence. We provide information, insight and expertise you need to make the right investment choices.Shaw Capital Management Korea usually provides its customers with services such as asset allocation and portfolio design; manager review and non-traditional and selection, portfolio implementation, portfolio monitoring and reporting consolidated performance, and other wealth management services, including property, tax, trust and insurance planning, custody of assets, closely held business issues related to creating or expanding a family office, the formation of investment partnerships or limited liability company of family, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generational issues, production etc.Factory grew at a record pace in April, helped by capital expenditures associated with the export effort, and overseas demand for European goods, and the trend seems to continue.The main beneficiaries were Germany, but other countries are also members of the North involved.However the situation is less encouraging in Greece, Spain and Portugal, because they are less competitive in export markets, and are obliged to introduce austerity measures to reduce their budget request deficits.Domestic in the euro area remains low overall, and so despite the export performance of some countries, it seems unlikely that the rate of overall growth of the area this year will reach 2%.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Shaw Capital Guide to Business Loans from Family & Friends


Shaw Capital Management and Financing – The key to successful financing is structuring loans right. Avoid Debt Management Scams.

An estimated half of all small businesses depend on private investments from family and friends for startup or expansion. Shipping giant UPS was launched when 19-year-old entrepreneur Jim Casey borrowed $100 from a friend to start the company nearly 100 years ago in Seattle. And when teenager Fred DeLuca open a sandwich shop in 1965 with a $1,000 check from a family friend, Subway (now 25,000 restaurants) was born. Friends and family are the single most important outside funding source for small business in America. But there are risks, and "F&F" money must be approached carefully.

Shaw Capital Guide to Business Loans from Family & Friends - Action Steps. The best contacts and resources to help you get it done.

Put a financing facilitator to work. Small business loans from friends and family often go awry because they haven't been properly structured and administered. Sign up a service that will prepare documents, create repayment schedules, bill, collect payments and provide year-end tax statements.
I recommend: Virgin Money (formerly CircleLending) has been a pioneer in private loan administration. The firm helps manage transactions such as small business loans between private parties — especially family and friends.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing – The key to successful financing is structuring loans right. Avoid Debt Management Scams - Offer equity in your business. If your business is a corporation or LLC, your funding source can become an equity investor, buying shares in your business.
I recommend: At Intuit's MyCorporation.com web site, you can incorporate a business or form an LLC online for as little as $149, plus state filing fees.

Put your plan in writing. Even with family and friends, you need to put a business plan and request for funding in writing. Make it as detailed, professional and realistic as you can. Aim for full disclosure of all potential risks.
I recommend: A terrific place to find help writing your plan is Bplans.com.

Arm yourself with finance facts. The better you understand the intricacies of financing, the more likely you are to succeed.

I recommend: "Financing Your Small Business: How to Borrow Money from People Your Know," is a helpful booklet produced jointly by SCORE and CircleLending.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing Guide to Business Loans from Family & Friends - Tips & Tactics . Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide. Plan your approach in advance. Think about your ideal loan and how it would work, and have those details at hand. Be yourself when you approach people for money. Don't try to suddenly come off like a big corporate executive. That's likely to be a turnoff. Don't borrow more than your friend or relative can afford to lose. Let them name the final amount. You don't have to get it all from one person. Agree on terms and formalize the agreement in writing. If it's a loan, this should specify an interest rate, repayment schedule and whether the loan is secured or not.

Shaw Capital Guide to Interest-Free SBA ARC Loans for Debt Relief


Shaw Capital Management and Financing – Avoid debt and interest scams. Recovery Act Emergency Loans to $35,000 for Small Business. If your small business is struggling to pay debts, you may qualify for a new type of interest-free loan in amounts up to $35,000, guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The temporary emergency program, called America’s Recovery Capital, or ARC, was authorized under the economic stimulus law passed earlier in the year and is now being launched by the SBA. 

For borrowers, ARC loans will be interest-free, and with no SBA fees attached. But as with all SBA financing programs, the ARC loans will be made by private, commercial lenders, not SBA directly. Lenders, of course, won’t make loans for free, so the SBA will pay lenders monthly interest on the ARC loans on your behalf. And that’s basically free money for you and a good chance to get a little breathing room if you’re facing burdensome debt payments.

ARC loans are deferred-payment loans available to established, viable, for-profit small businesses that are suffering hardship right now and need short-term help to make principal and interest payments on existing debt.  These loans are interest-free to the borrower (you), and 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing - Here’s How it Works. In addition to the loans being zero interest and fully guaranteed by the government, you don't have to make any payments until a year after you receive the last of the funds, which will be disbursed within a period of up to six months. After the initial 12-month payment-free grace period, you'll have five years to pay it off. 

Banks and other financial institutions that make small business loans should have information on the program available soon, and it will be up to them whether or not to participate. Meanwhile, details and updates on the program will be available at the SBA’s special Economic Recovery Act website at www.sba.gov/recovery. Keep in mind that proceeds from an ARC loan must be used specifically to make payments of principal and interest on existing business debt. But that includes a wide range of different types of loans, leases and lines that you might have.

Here are the types of debt that will qualify:
1.      Commercial mortgages on a building or property that your business owns.
2.      Conventional term loans, including secured and unsecured.
3.      Revolving lines of credit.
4.      Capital leases.
5.      Credit card debt.
6.      Notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities.
7.      First mortgages loans under SBA’s 504 Development Company Loan Program.
8.      Any SBA guaranteed loans made after Feb. 17, 2009 (but not SBA-backed loans made prior to that date).

For many business owners, paying down high-interest credit card debt would be the best use of ARC funds. But you will have to prove that the debt was incurred for specific business purposes, and the documentation requirements to use ARC funds for credit card debt could be stringent.

The loan application process, however, is designed to be rather quick. Once lenders submit the application, SBA is promising turnaround within 5-10 business days.

The “Viable” Business Standard
The key to qualifying for and receiving an ARC loan is whether your business is considered "viable" and is facing “immediate financial hardship.”   While the standards don’t seem to present a major hurdle for existing businesses that have had success in the past, the viability measure might rule out newer businesses that haven’t turned a profit. And ARC loans are specifically not intended for startups.

Here's how the SBA defines “viable” for getting one of these loans:

"A viable small business is one that has been profitable in the past, but is just beginning to struggle with making loan payments, and can reasonably project that it can get back on track with the infusion of ARC loan funds and the benefit of deferred payments."

Examples of financial hardship offered by the SBA include declining sales or revenues, or difficulties in paying the operating expenses of the business. ARC loans will be available through SBA-approved lenders as long as the money holds out, or through September 30, 2010.  Daniel Kehrer is Editor and Director of Content Development for Business.com, and write the What Works for Business blog.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Factoring and Accounts Receivable Financing Expert Tips

Shaw Capital Management and Financing sharing information, tips and advice on factoring and accounts receivable financing and factoring to avoid scams and other fraudulent transactions. Information focus on the importance of choosing the right firm and understanding the intricacies of this financing alternative and what pitfalls to avoid.
There probably isn't a day when Canadian business owners and financial managers don't hear about factoring and accounts receivable financing as a method of financing their business in Canada. Despite its growing popularity and, we can say, relative importance in the Canadian business financing marketplace this financing mechanism is still somewhat understood.
What information do business owners need to know in order to assess if factoring, also known as invoice discounting, is a viable transaction? Also, are there mistakes and pitfalls to be avoided when considering this financing strategy?
Let's examine the answers to some of those questions. You can be forgiven for trying to figure out why factoring has increased in prominence from a time when no one had almost ever heard of it! The answer to that popularity is more simply and obvious than you might think, and its simply that Canadian chartered banks are finding it increasingly more difficult to fund accounts receivable (and inventory of course) to the extent that their customers need this financing.
When you have a situation where the actual need for financing is acute, and the benefits and flexibility seems significant it is not hard to see the rise in popularity of such a financing mechanism.
First of all, 99% of the time, factoring provides your firm with a greater level of borrowing based on your accounts receivable levels. Quite of 90-100% of you're A/R under 90 days can be financed.
So is it all good news? Not necessarily, as we are always meeting with clients that have chosen the wrong type of funding or factoring, and, even worse, find them locked into contracts they cannot get out of. That is uncomfortable for any size firm as you can imagine.
As with any newer type of financing the playing field is complex. You can be forgiven for not knowing how many factor firms are out there, how they run, what their own limitations are, and, even to a certain extent, do they in fact themselves have the funding to survive, let along finance your firm. For that reason we cannot over emphasize the need to work with a credible, experienced and trusted professional in this area.
Lets talk about some of the nuances, we can call them potential 'pitfalls 'also, of picking the wrong factoring partner. For a starter if you choose a firm who itself is not well capitalized, as we said, you might find that the financing commitments made to you cannot be honored. Canadian business has never had to think that the Canadian chartered banks could be 'out of money 'but the Canadian landscape is somewhat littered with small and medium sized factor firms that do not have the financial wherewithal to support their funding commitments in all places. That just re - enforces our idea that a trusted industry expert will guide you to the best partner for your firm.
Other issues, again, we can call them pitfalls, to look for include:
- being locked into a contract
- having the total factoring cost, or pricing, not reflected properly in your term sheet
- advance rates which don't make sense relative to the price you are paying for discounting invoices
- excessive notification and intrusion with your customers, which is very prevalent in the U.S. model of factoring (Many Canadian factor firms are branches of U.S. firms)
So let's recap. It's simply that factoring is growing in popularity. It works because it is providing funding where banks often cannot. If you don't understand who you are dealing with and the various nuances of this type of financing it becomes a burden, not a solution. Investigate this great financing mechanism, but ensure you know what you are getting into. Talking to an expert always helps - that's just common sense
Stan Prokop is founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial. Originating financing for Canadian companies, specializing in working capital, cash flow, and asset based financing, the 6 year old firm has completed in excess of 45 Million $ of financing for companies of all size.