Small Business Essentials Articles

Set your small business up for success with these banking basics.

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From startup loans to banking tools to small business finance tips, learn the ins and outs of running your company with these helpful articles.

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Four Tips Before Starting Your Business According to research from the SBA.gov in a 2020 report of small businesses, North Carolina had a total of 934,604 small businesses. And despite everything the last year threw at us, the number of new businesses in the state continues to grow as many have been tapping into their creativity\, making the leap from side business or unemployment to self-employment. If you’re exploring the idea of starting a business, you should know that in the first two years of a business’ life, an average of 68% survive. Then after five years, 49% of those are in business, and 34% make it to that 10-year mark. The trick to being one of those survivors? Be well prepared with the right financial tools. To help, we collected the following 4 tips to help you start your business off on the right foot. Consider where you want your business to go. Before you start, think about your daily life and understand your market. Why do you want to start your own business? Do you understand your industry or your customer base? What is your daily activity like? Do you have extra income? Think about your long-term goals. What risks are you willing to take? Then, think about your business idea. Do you have a business plan? How will you purchase necessities you will need to start out? Do you have a plan for growth? Answers to these questions will be different for every potential business owner, but making a decision on these topics may lead you to tip number two. 2. Get your finances in order. Start by making a budget for your business. Things to include might be the cost of supplies, equipment, rental fees for your storefront, travel, or anything else that is a requirement for your startup. Next, consider your initial financial goals for your new business. Establishing financial goals (annual, monthly, weekly, and even daily) can keep you on track if you are planning to open or accept customers in the near future. Need help sticking to the plan? Take our financial course on creating a budget, which teaches you strategies and tips to help you stay on track. 3. Consider how you will fund your business. Once you 5 min read

Bank Accounts for North Carolina Businesses If you’re running a business, you want to make sure your finances are in good order. First Bank* offers North Carolina businesses the bank accounts and merchant services tools needed for success. Financial Services at First Bank First Bank is headquartered in North Carolina and boasts over 80 locations across the Tar Heel State. We got our start in the town of Troy, NC, back in 1935. With an array of business bank accounts and other services, we make it our business to help yours. First Bank has multiple business checking options and business savings accounts. A First Bank account was named one of the “Best Bank Accounts for Small Businesses” in 2019. North Carolina businesses utilize First Bank merchant services for operations including online payments, payroll direct deposit, and more. Put your business in the hands of First Bank can increase efficiency, satisfy customers, streamline operations and elevate your bottom line. Start by comparing our business bank account offerings, and contact your nearest First Bank location for more information. First Bank’s Business Bank Accounts Not all businesses are alike, nor are all business bank accounts. At First Bank, we are proud to offer multiple types of business checking and savings accounts so every company can find the financial foundation it needs. Business Checking Accounts in North Carolina Business Essentials If you are self-employed or own a small business, a Business Essentials account may be right for you. This basic account was named one of the “Best Bank Accounts for Small Businesses” by WalletHub in 2019. Business Interest Why not get a little more out of your business earnings? Our Business Interest account offers all of the same features as the basic Business Essentials, while also allowing you to accrue interest on your account. Business Advantage If your business processes a higher volume of transactions, the Business Advantage account might be a good fit for you. Commercial Analysis Larger organizations need more financial resources and that’s where our Commercial Analysis account comes in. In addition to the basic features of Business Essentials, you’ll also have access to custom programs for your large business needs and can offset service fees with a monthly credit that is earned on your balance. Business Savings Accounts in 12 min read

6 Steps to Starting a Small Business in North Carolina First, you had an idea for a small business. Now, you want to set that idea in motion. If you are looking to start a small business in North Carolina, here are the first steps you can take to make your idea a profitable reality. Steps to Starting a Small Business in North Carolina Small businesses account for the majority of new job creation in North Carolina. They are an integral feature of the state economy and can be easily established in a few steps. Create a business plan — Clearly identify the objectives of your business and why it will be successful. Search out examples of business plans if you are unfamiliar with the process. Decide on your business structure and register your business name — Register the name of your business and the type of business (nonprofit, private corporations, LLCs, etc.) In order to operate legally, you will need to be registered as a business in the State of North Carolina. Get license requirements — Obtain any necessary licenses required for operation. Be sure to adhere to county and federal requirements, as well. Obtain the necessary tax information — In order to move forward with opening a business, you must be registered with the State and Federal taxation departments. Once you have your tax ID number, you are one step closer to opening for business. You can use this business tax information to identify your requirements. Identify sources of financing (apply for small business loans) — If you are starting a small business in North Carolina, you may need financial backing to support your first or second year of operation. This money will cover expenses such as property leasing, salaries and product stock. Find a bank that will lend to your business with a reasonable interest rate and a short repayment term to minimize the cost. Learn about employer reporting requirements and responsibilities — You’ll need to register as an employer, and for unemployment insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. You’ll also need to apply for federal and state withholding numbers. The Right Bank for Your Small Business Needs First Bank* offers the comprehensive range of financial services you need to start a small business in North Carolina. With dedicated service to our community since 1935, 3 min read

Community Bank for Small Business Since 1935, First Bank has been the go-to community bank for small business owners. Our first branch opened in Troy, NC, where we helped farmers and local business owners manage their funds. We have continued to evolve to meet the needs of our customers, and today we are the top choice for businesses across North Carolina and South Carolina. A Community Bank That Cares About Small Businesses Not all businesses are the same, and we are a community bank with community values that strives to anticipate and meet your needs. Small business owners will find that we offer multiple banking options to fit their needs. Banking: Our checking and savings accounts are designed to accommodate businesses at any level. They range from the most basic Business Essentials plan, to our most advanced Business Advantage Plus plan. Online & Mobile Banking: A business account with First Bank gives you access to our free online and mobile banking services. Quickly and easily manage your funds from your computer or mobile device. Loans & Credit: Whether you are just getting started or constructing your second office, we have options to fit your needs. We offer loans, mortgages, and lines of credit with flexible terms and competitive rates. Merchant Services: With state-of-the-art transaction processing services, we make processing credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and electronic checks easy for your business. Treasury Services: From deposit services to payroll direct deposit, we offer a wide range of cash management services to enhance your business. SBA Loans: This government-sponsored small business loan features flexible terms and competitive rates when traditional bank financing isn’t an option. We are a community bank for small business owners, so we understand that growing a business takes work. FitSmallBusiness recently rated us as one of the best SBA lenders in the nation. Let us handle the money so you can get down to business. Click here to find a branch near you. Account service fees may apply as described in the Account Services Fee Schedule or at your local branch. Sources: FitSmallBusiness.com:https://fitsmallbusiness.com/best-sba-lender/ 2 min read

Where to Get Payroll Services If you are wondering where to get payroll services, consider First Bank. With First Bank’s payroll services, you can: Reduce expenses associated with paper-based payment systems like printing and storing of checks. Manage risks by reducing check fraud losses. Submit transaction information directly through our online banking system. Handle direct deposits into employee accounts without having to write checks. Payroll Services from First Bank If you want to cut business costs and start saving money, switching to a payroll service is a great way to begin. Payroll services enable you to maintain control of your funds until you need them, all while eliminating the need to buy paper excess paper or to hire a bookkeeper. With First Bank, you don’t have to wonder where to get payroll services anymore. Our Payroll Direct Deposit service can be used to disburse funds such as:* Direct deposit of payroll Expense reimbursement Royalty payments Vendor payments Our electronic disbursement payments give you control of your funds until the moment you need them to cover disbursements. You can also reduce the time and expense or writing, processing, and reconciling checks when you provide information electronically. If your company uses payroll, pensions, expense reimbursements, annuities, dividends, interest, or royalties and has vendors interested in electronic payments—First Bank’s payroll solutions might be a great solution for your business. Visit a branch near you for a free small business financial consultation or more information. *Subject to credit approval. ——— Sources: Business News Daily: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7477-choosing-payroll-service.html Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/disbursement.asp 2 min read

Small Business Bank – North Carolina First Bank has become the small business bank in North Carolina for owners across the state. We were named one of the best banks in North Carolina by Forbes. We provide the diverse selection of services you expect from a national bank, with the personalized care of a community bank. North Carolina’s Small Business Bank As a local bank with several locations in North Carolina, we go out of our way to lend a helping hand to small businesses. Here’s how we can serve your small business needs: Loans Business Loans: Receive a lump sum of cash to finance everything you need to get your business off and running. Use the money to buy vehicles, inventory, equipment, or supplies. Credit Line: Use a business line of credit to make purchases as needed. The flexibility of this loan allows you to borrow and repay regularly. Business Credit Card: Take advantage of low rates, no annual fees, and a rewards program for eligible cards to back your small business needs. Use the card as often as you wish. Commercial Mortgages: Finance your place of business with First Bank’s competitive lending. Consult with our commercial mortgage experts for market area expertise and industry knowledge. Construction Loans: Use this option to pay for new construction, remodeling, or expansion of your building. Business Checking and Savings Accounts We offer 5 business checking accounts, 3 business savings accounts, and a group banking account. Our checking accounts are: Business Essentials — Great for small businesses with basic banking needs. Business Interest — An interest-earning business checking account. Business Advantage — Good for established businesses with higher transaction volumes. Community Checking — Best for nonprofits and community organizations. Commercial Analysis — For business that need comprehensive management services. Our savings accounts are: Business Savings — A basic account with a low minimum balance. Money Market — Offers higher rates and a high level of liquidity. CDs — Offers a guaranteed return with a fixed rate and choice of terms. Our group banking account offers banking benefits for you and your coworkers, including: Free online and mobile banking* Credit and Debit Cards With a First Bank business debit or credit card you can enjoy many benefits, such as: Zero liability Worldwide acceptance Purchase assurance MasterCard Global 3 min read

Creating a Competitive Employee Benefits Plan Employee benefits plans are an important part of any business owner’s company structure. Part of attracting and retaining talented employees is offering them a competitive benefits package. Some benefits are required by law, while others can be offered simply to boost your company’s appeal. Creating a competitive benefits package is about finding the balance between what is required, what you can afford and what will make your employees happy. Employee Benefits Requirements and Extras The law requires that employers provide their employees with certain benefits, including: Social Security taxes Unemployment insurance Workers compensation Disability insurance Leave benefits (required by the Family and Medical Leave Act) Optional employee benefits and incentives include health insurance plans, retirement plans and pensions, flex time, free financial wellness programs, and corporate memberships. However, most companies offer at least a few of these benefits given that many job seekers feel that they must have them in order to apply for a job. To create an employee benefits plan that works well for your company and your employees, start by including all of the benefits required by law, then add from there. Most employees feel that they must at least have health insurance, and many others desire a retirement plan, disability insurance, and more. Add in the benefits that have become standard in most companies, such as health and life insurance, and consider adding other benefits based on your budget. It may also be beneficial to survey your employees about what benefits they desire, or you may try to find out what benefits your competitors offer. *Investment and Insurance Products are NOT Bank Deposits, NOT FDIC-Insured, HAVE NO Bank Guarantee, NOT Insured by any Federal Government Agency, May Go Down in Value. ——— Sources: SBA: https://www.sba.gov/content/required-employee-benefits 2 min read

Wondering Where to Get Mobile Merchant Services? Wondering where to get mobile merchant services for your business? First Bank can help you with all of your business needs, including in-store and mobile merchant services such as payment processing, reporting, and check collection. Find your nearest First Bank location today to find out how doing business can get a whole lot easier. Mobile Credit Card Processing Services at First Bank The ability to accept and process credit and debit card transactions is essential to doing business in today’s market. With an estimated 176 million credit card users in the United States, it’s important to make sure that your business is able to accommodate your customers. By providing a selection of payment options for your customers, you can simplify your business operations and increase your revenue. First Bank’s merchant services can help your business accept several different payment options in-store and mobile, including credit cards, debit cards, electronic checks, gift cards, and more. Our credit card processing can: Reducing payment risks Creating purchasing mobility Expanding your customer base Improving revenue capture Types of Merchant Services Available Here are a variety of merchant services that First Bank offers: Payment Processing & Management These payment processing and management services provide a pricing advantage with equipment and software that allow business owners to process payments through point-of-sale terminals, Internet, wireless, mobile, and integrated solutions. This includes products such as: Credit Card Processing: In-Store & Mobile Reconciliation & Reporting Streamline your payment processing operations with a user-friendly, online management and reporting system. This includes: Comprehensive activity reports that allow access to all your business payment card transactions. User controls that help to create your own reports based on needed required information. The ability to respond online to chargebacks and retrievals, including exporting reports to Excel for further analysis. Reports for adjustment history, authorizations, and merchant statements when you need it. Check Collection With a two-step verification process, you can increase the profitability of your business by reducing liability, get protected against losses, and increase your sales by securely and quickly accepting checks through our verification and guarantee. Get Mobile Merchant Services Today at Your Nearest First Bank Since 1935, First Bank has been helping businesses succeed in an increasingly competitive market. Visit your nearest branch today and see what our friendly staff 2 min read

ACH Positive Pay If you are a business owner, you should spend your time worrying about growing a successful business, not worrying about fraudulent transactions. That’s where ACH Positive Pay comes in. What is ACH Positive Pay? We’re glad you asked. What is ACH Positive Pay? ACH Positive Pay helps guard your business against unauthorized electronic activity. ACH stands for Automated Clearing House, which is a network that processes electronic payments. There are multiple benefits to using ACH Positive pay, such as: Payments are credited to your account so you won’t need to take checks to the bank ACH processing typically comes with fewer errors than collecting and depositing paper checks You can automate attempts to collect bad checks, so you won’t have to deal with the same check twice ACH Positive Pay at First Bank First Bank provides ACH Positive Pay that allows business to collect payments from their customers, make payments to their vendors, and deposit payroll funds into their employees’ bank accounts. We can provide full ACH Positive Pay, which means any transaction that does not meet your requirements would require your approval. Or we will send you an email each time an ACH transaction posts to your account. ACH Positive Pay is very user-friendly. Instead of having to go online to approve a payment or transaction, the system will call your phone and all you have to do is enter an authorization code to approve the payment. You’ll no longer have to go to the post office to mail checks, which will save you time and money. If your company has experienced check fraud loss and wants to reduce exposure to fraudulent transactions, First Bank’s ACH Positive Pay could be a smart investment for your company. Visit Your Local First Bank Today To learn more about ACH Positive Pay or see a demo of how it works, visit a First Bank branch near you. ——— Sources: NACHA: https://www.nacha.org/news/what-ach-quick-facts-about-automated-clearing-house-ach-network 2 min read

Best Small Business Bank – North Carolina If you’re looking for the best small business bank in North Carolina, the search ends with First Bank. First Bank’s doors first opened in 1935 to serve farmers and local businesses when the small town of Troy, NC, lost its local bank. Since then, we have continued to help small businesses thrive all over North Carolina. Small Business Options at First Bank In fact, First Bank was one of five institutions to receive a cash infusion from the U.S. Treasury’s Small Business Lending Fund in an effort to further increase small business loan offerings. “Not all businesses are the same, and we are a community bank with community values that strives to anticipate and meet your needs. Small business owners will find that we offer multiple banking options to fit their needs.“ There are a number of reasons why First Bank is among the best small business banks in North Carolina. With locations throughout the state, your business can count on us for: Business loans. Get a lump-sum business loan for equipment, supplies, inventory, vehicles, or anything else you need.* Credit lines. Open a line of credit to borrow and repay as needed or utilize a First Bank business credit card to be used at any time.* Commercial mortgages. First Bank can offer you a competitive mortgage for your place of business. Construction loans. We’ll give you a helping hand in our construction and professional loans program to build new construction, remodel, renovate or expand.* Merchant services. First Bank can help with accepting credit cards for payment, check collection, and more. Checking and savings accounts. We offer several business checking accounts and 3 business savings accounts, each designed to meet the unique needs of a variety of businesses. Credit cards. The First Bank Mastercard Business Card with Rewards provides you with the freedom to make business purchases as needed and pay them off in a convenient and secure way. Online & mobile banking. With a First Bank business account you can quickly and easily manage your funds from your computer or mobile device with our online and mobile banking services.* Treasury services. We offer a wide range of solutions to reach your optimal cash flow efficiency. Find a First Bank Near You Small businesses make 4 min read

Small Business Payroll Services If you’re like many small business owners, it’s likely that you wear many hats and are always on the go. From managing to accounting, there are multiple tasks you have to manage each day. Simplify your to-do list with payroll services for small businesses from First Bank. Outsourcing Your Payroll Services Many small businesses outsource services to compete with larger companies. Payroll services are one of the primary aspects of conducting business that new entrepreneurs outsource, and the benefits can add up. Instead of spending a significant amount of time providing management reports, calculating payroll, and preparing checks, owners and their employees can focus on the rest of their work priorities. The Houston Chronicle named its top 4 advantages of outsourcing payroll as part of your business’ financial management. “Accountability”—With constantly changing tax regulations, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll make an error in your calculations. Many payroll providers “offer services to file state and federal payroll taxes for your business.” This saves you time that might have been lost in calculating taxes and potentially refiling them later. “Tax Expertise”—The IRS states that “40 percent of small businesses pay penalties each year for late or incorrect filings and payments.” How can you avoid this? A tax guarantee. This is something that many payroll providers offer that may cover you financially if any penalties are incurred when taxes are filed. “Productivity”—This can’t be emphasized enough: outsourcing payroll services saves you time (a lot of it). Managing your own payroll system takes up a lot of your time and prevents you and your employees from pursuing “more important value-added and revenue-generating activities.” It can also save your employees a trip to the bank. “Financial Reporting”—Drafting and finalizing financial reports for your small business is also extremely time-consuming. Many outsource providers offer a variety of report services, including “summaries on earning statements, payroll by departments, timesheets, expenses,” and more. This helps you to keep detailed records of your business’ financial history. A Payroll Service Provider You Can Trust for Your Small Business When you’re outsourcing a service, particularly a financial one, it’s important for you to not only have confidence in that provider’s abilities but in its trustworthiness as well. As your community bank, we’ve 3 min read

What You Need to Open a Business Banking Account Once you’ve started a business, the money is going to be coming in. You will need a business banking account to keep finances in order and manage cash flow. But, before you head down to your local First Bank,* grab these key documents so your application goes smoothly. Bring These Documents to Open a Business Banking Account Every financial institution has a procedure for business owners who want to open a bank account. Because businesses make more withdrawals and deposits than the average customer, there are a few documents that a financial advisor will need to see during the application process. Business Licenses Bring along your official license to practice your profession or skill. This extends from everything from law to construction. If your license is in process, ask for an official document stating so from the licensing source. Registration of Business Before opening your business, you probably had to register with the city or state. Be sure to bring the official name and registration information along with you to the bank. This will improve your credibility during the application process. Documentation of Account Holders If your business banking account will be accessed by more than one person, thorough identification will be required of each party. For most applications, a driver’s license, passport or other government picture ID will suffice. It is helpful for all account owners to be present during the application process. Deposit Amount Business banking accounts usually require an initial deposit to be opened. Deposits should be made in cash or in money order form and should meet or exceed the minimum required. Once you have gathered the necessary documents and banknotes, you can arrive fully prepared for a business banking account application. Choosing a Business Banking Institution First Bank business banking solutions are designed for convenience and security. We offer a comprehensive range of business banking accounts designed to meet the unique needs of your company. Contact us today to learn more. *Member FDIC. ——— Sources: Business News Daily: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6477-business-bank-account-documentation.html 2 min read

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