Does Character Count?
Bankers' reactions to proposals giving lenders more leeway to make small-business loans based on character. Read story
Bruce G. Posner
Where Sellers Can Spot Buyers
Resource list of published and on-line listings to use when buying or selling a business. Read story
What the VC Crowd Wants Now
The venture capital industry is healthy, but VCs are more choosy than ever. Here's what they're looking for. Read story
Proof of Bonding, Please
How to prepare for setting up a bonding line. Read story
Credit-Repair Kits
Ordering information for The Ultimate Credit Book by Gerry Detweiler and Downsize Your Debt by Andrew Feinberg. Read story
Security for Bank Deposits
New insurance for bank deposits picks up where FDIC coverage leaves off. Read story
Finding the Right Lenders
In considering a loan application, the SBA will scrutinize your experience, cash flow, capital, and collateral. Read story
Talking to the Money Club
Group distributes information on socially responsible businesses to investors. Read story
Planning Your Exit
Management considerations that will help prepare your company for sale. Read story
Equity from Likely Employees
Company founders raised start-up capital by offering stock to their former colleagues and future employees. Read story
AAA to D on Private Companies
Standard Poor now offers debt ratings to private businesses to help them in financial negotiations. Read story
What Foreign Buyers Like
Chart showing the number of acquisition deals by foreign companies in various industries from 1988-1992. Read story
Zooming In on Government Money
Ordering information for two guidebooks to tapping sources of capital from federal and state governments. Read story
Why Companies Fail
Judgment calls, reality tests and mistakes of the heart that doom companies to failure. Read story
Tapping Your Product's Fans
A start-up received needed capital from an enthusiastic customer. Read story
The Lexicon of Loot
Ordering information for Dictionary of Banking by Jerry M. Rosenberg. Read story
Removing the Cleanup Risk
The advantages for real estate owners of environmental cleanup coverage and the process of obtaining it. Read story
Spending Gets a Boost
Chart comparing the 1991 and 1992 investment plans of growth companies. Read story
Beware the Breathless Banker
Issues to consider before doing business with a new bank. Read story
Refinancing May Be Tougher
The IRS has proposed new guidelines for determining whether a debt modification has tax consequences. Read story
Customers Can Also Fund You
Customers financed development of new technology in exchange for short-term exclusive use of the product. Read story
S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g Loan Life
Negotiate loans with longer maturity and less frequent principal payments so you can use more of the money longer. Read story
Selling Loans to the Public
Closed-end mutual fund allows small companies to borrow directly from pools of private investors. Read story
Earning Back Your Equity
By inviting venture capitalists to bet on their ability to perform, company owners raise capital without losing equity. Read story
Fast Trading with Computers
Company computerizes barter technology to allow tens of thousands of small companies to barter goods and services. Read story
Selling Off Notes
Company buys mortgages at lower rates than local investors, allowing sellers to become liquid faster. Read story
The Future of Banking
Ordering information for Banking on the Brink and how to assess the health of a bank. Read story
The 'Good' Banker
Determining a bank's willingness to lend to local small businesses. Read story
Beware of Credit Reports
The importance of checking personal credit reports before applying for a business loan. Read story
The ABCs of Valuation
A new booklet examines the fundamentals of business valuation using five case studies. Read story
Who Goes Public?
Charts examine general trends in the initial public offering market from 1989 to mid-1992. Read story
Doing a Small Offering
Guidelines for choosing an underwriter for a small initial public offering. Read story
How to Finance Anything
A comprehensive guide to financing a start-up or rapidly growing small business in the '90s. Read story
Getting Clients To Bankroll Products
The Root Group convinces a client company to finance the development of a new product. Read story
Avoiding Clashes With Angels
How to maintain control of your company while keeping investors happy. Read story
Getting Cash to Retailers
Retailers look to specialty finance companies for cash. Read story
Tracking Borrowing Costs
A new book traces the performance of more than 30 key money rates over the past decade. Read story
Off-Loading Equipment-Leasing Headaches
A CEO finds that equipment-leasing has some clear advantages. Read story
Tapping a Credit Union
Some advice on borrowing from credit unions. Read story
Taking Advantage of Low Rates
Refinancing debts with new, lower borrowing rates. Read story