Is there any hope for small businesses?
Small business owners desperately seeking funding might want to consider asking their mates before heading for a meeting with a bank manager. They could have more chance of raising the money they need ...

The rise of payday loans replaces one debt bubble with another, nastier one | Deborah Orr
Wonga's move into the business loans market shows the banks are not providing a service that they exist to provide Every crisis brings its opportunities. It's paradoxical, but not surprising, that the credit crisis has provided an opportunity for the "alternative credit industry". Not many new businesses are opening in the nation's high streets. But payday loan companies have never had it so ...

High funding costs threaten Spain's robust exports
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's small and medium-sized exporters are struggling to compete with European rivals due to high borrowing costs, as fallout from the country's banking crisis hurts one of the few bright spots in a contracting economy. From ceramic tile makers to chemicals producers and conveyor belt manufacturers, they say credit is too expensive or simply unavailable, even though ...

Banks' first quarter profits up
Largest local bank, First Bank, returns to profitability

Obama Holds Small Business Roundtable, Urges Congress to Act on ‘To-Do’ List
President Obama Wednesday called upon Congress to take action on the “To Do List” of small business legislation. Ahead of National Small Business week, the president also held a roundtable discussion on his proposed legislation with U.S. entrepreneurs and Small Business Administrator and president Karen Mills.

Recession a Hurdle for Small-business Owners Seeking Credit to Operate
The Great Recession, which technically ended in mid-2009, still haunts small businesses, making it tough to almost impossible for many of them to get credit from a bank.

Evanston Kitchen Remodel Company Announces Strategies for Homeowners Looking to Finance Home Improvements
All Quality, Inc. offers five ways homeowners can finance a home remodeling project.Chicago, IL (PRWEB) May 17, 2012 Homeowners are fueling a post-recession interest in remodeling. Earlier this year, the National Association of Home Builders’ remodeling market index hit its highest level in five years. However, many homeowners wanting to jump on the kitchen remodeling bandwagon are finding it ...

Payday lender Wonga launches business loans
The controversial payday loan provider has begun targeting cash-strapped businesses.

Joe Chillura of USAmeriBank plots big growth by thinking locally
By Jeff Harrington, Times Staff Writer Friday, May 18, 2012 For someone who runs a bank that sounds like it has a national footprint, USAmeriBank CEO Joe Chillura clearly relishes being the consummate local. At 45, Chillura hasn't strayed far from his South Tampa roots as he's maneuvered through the banking world. At Clearwater-based USAmeriBank, he likes to hire employees closely tied to the ...

7 Weird Ways to Hurt Your Credit Score
The FICO credit score equation might be a black box, but there have been thousands of articles written about what you should and shouldn't do when it comes to your credit score. Most of them are pretty obvious--pay your credit card bills on time, don't apply for a lot of credit, and keep your nose clean. There are, however, a lot of weird ways you can hurt your score without you even realizing it.