Business tips and insights
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Recent insights

What is a Business Checking Account
A business checking account helps business owners accept different types of payments and manage cash flow. Learn more about them and how to choose an account.

Understanding SBA Loans
From SBA loan requirements to application tips, learn all you need to know about SBA loans in this comprehensive guide to help you make informed decisions.

Opening a Business Bank Account? Here's What You’ll Need and How to Apply
A business bank account can make life easier by separating personal and business finances. Find out what documents you'll need and how to apply for an account successfully.

What is a business line of credit? Understanding BLOCs
A business line of credit has many benefits, such as flexibility and accessibility. Learn about what a business line of credit is, and how it can benefit you.

Merchant services explained: What you need to know to make payment processing easy
Discover what merchant services are and how they can benefit your business. Learn about payment processing, costs and fees, how to choose a provider, and more.

Business plan template
Creating and regularly revisiting your business plan can help you stay ahead of market trends and competition. Use this template as a guide to create a clear, compelling, and concise business plan.
Helping your business succeed at every stage

How to help prevent business email compromise scams
Business email compromise scams are one of the most prevalent types of fraud targeting businesses and organizations. Learn how to help protect your business.

Getting ready to sell your business
When it comes time to sell your business, here are a few things to keep in mind to help you plan.

Tips to recession proof your business
Use these strategies and tips to get your business ready for a possible recession – keep money coming in and make a plan to rebuild when conditions improve.

How to find more customers and alternate suppliers
Sales may suddenly drop when current customers are no longer able to buy from you and vendors may be facing a supply challenge. Keep your business going with these tips to add customers and find back-up suppliers.

Crisis planning workbook
Revisiting your SWOT analysis as part of your strategic planning may help you find a new path forward.

Burn rate calculator
(PDF, 96 KB, download recommended)
Your burn rate is a key measure of sustainability and will reveal how long your business can stay afloat until sales rise.

Crisis action guide for businesses
(PDF, 1.82 MB)
Prepare for “go time” by implementing these top strategies and practical tips to keep your business moving forward.

Creative marketing workbook
(Microsoft Word, 3.51 MB)
Assess customers or markets that are no longer viable and new possibilities to promote your business.

Opening a Business Bank Account? Here's What You’ll Need and How to Apply
A business bank account can make life easier by separating personal and business finances. Find out what documents you'll need and how to apply for an account successfully.

What is a Business Checking Account
A business checking account helps business owners accept different types of payments and manage cash flow. Learn more about them and how to choose an account.

Understanding business savings accounts
Optimize your business growth with a business savings account. Learn everything about account types and benefits, and how to choose the best account.

How to start a business
Turning your big idea into a big success is an ambitious journey. Learn the steps to take to start your business off on the right track.

How to choose a business name
What’s in a name? If you’re starting a business, a lot. Your business name can help make or break your new venture – which means you’ll want to choose wisely.

Benefits of a business bank account
It might seem easier to use your personal bank account for business transactions, but there are plenty of benefits to opening a business account. Check them out.

Business plan template
(Microsoft Word, 49.3 KB)
Use this professional template to help you structure your business ideas, define clear goals and plan for the future.

Starting a business? First, you need a structure
Choosing the right structure for your business is important. Learn about the different business structures so you can pick the best one for you.

Business start-up costs calculator
A helpful tool for entrepreneurs, this calculator lets you input your business expenses to see how much capital you’ll need to start your company.

Easy ways to organize business records and track business finances
Tracking your finances can improve your business performance. Here’s how to organize your records.

Startup success tool
Use our health check tool to quickly assess how prepared you are to start your new business and areas where you should take action.

How to Write and Prepare a Business Plan
Writing a business plan requires you to think about your business from different angles to help focus your goals. Check out our tips for preparing your own plan.

How Business Owners Can Use AI To Save Time and Money
Learn how AI can help small to medium-sized businesses through automating repetitive, small tasks.

Tax time checklist for business owners
Filing taxes can be stressful. To make your tax season easier, we’ve put together a checklist for business owners to help organize your tax preparation process.

Owner’s guide to maximizing seasonal sales
The holiday season is your time to shine! Download this guide for creative ways to give your seasonal sales a boost and help your business achieve more throughout the holidays.

7 tips for growing a business that will stand out in the crowd
Businesses can sometimes struggle to differentiate themselves from the competition. Use these helpful tips to make sure your company stands apart.

Business plan template
(Microsoft Word, 49.3 KB)
Use this professional template to help you structure your business ideas, define clear goals and plan for the future.

How to increase profit without adding sales
It can be difficult and expensive to bring new customers into your business. Instead, you can use our tips for increasing your profit through other means.

Growing your business checklist
(PDF, 2.3 MB)
Growing a business is different from launching a business because you’ve got experience on your side. Use this checklist for ideas you can use right now to help grow your business.

Grow your business online tool
Assess the health of your online marketing activities and see what critical areas can be improved – and how.

What is a business line of credit? Understanding BLOCs
A business line of credit has many benefits, such as flexibility and accessibility. Learn about what a business line of credit is, and how it can benefit you.

Understanding SBA Loans
From SBA loan requirements to application tips, learn all you need to know about SBA loans in this comprehensive guide to help you make informed decisions.

How to Get A Business Loan In 5 Easy Steps
There are many types of business loans available in the US. Find out how to get a business loan in five tangible steps and what factors to consider.

Start building business credit today with these 6 tips
Establishing a strong business credit history is imperative to having a successful business and ensuring funding opportunities are available to you.

Business loan estimator
Get an estimate of the total costs you’ll pay on your business loan, including principal and interest payments.

Side-by-side loan comparison tool
Not sure what loan is best for your business? This handy loan comparison tool can help you decide which option is the best bet for you.

Business Loan Calculator
Do you know how much you’d like to borrow? Use our business loan calculator to crunch the numbers and find out what your business loan payments could be.

Loan versus line of credit calculator
Not sure whether a loan or a line of credit is best for your business? Use our handy calculator to see which option will cost less in the long term.

Demystifying Lending Guide: A closer look at business loan approvals (PDF)
Lending decisions are based on a number of different factors, such as credit scores and performance history. Download this guide to uncover the loan approval process.

Merchant services explained: What you need to know to make payment processing easy
Discover what merchant services are and how they can benefit your business. Learn about payment processing, costs and fees, how to choose a provider, and more.

7 Tips to Demystify Financial Forecasting and Strengthen Your Business
Use these financial forecasting tips to help you plan for the future of your business.

How to manage a cash flow crisis
Experiencing a disruption in your cash flow is common. Here are a few actionable tips and solutions to help you overcome a cash flow crunch.

How to increase your sales in 90 days
With the right plan in place, you can quickly boost your sales and earn more revenue. Here’s how.

Profit improvement calculator
Discover how small improvements to key business metrics can help you turn a bigger profit fast.

Cash flow forecasting template
(PDF, 1.4 MB, download recommended)
Use this forecasting tool to prepare for successful cash management and positive cash flow.

Break-even calculator
Use this helpful calculator to figure out what your break-even point is and adjust your business plan accordingly.

Burn rate calculator
(PDF, 96 KB, download recommended)
Your burn rate is a key measure of sustainability and will reveal how long your business can stay afloat until sales rise.
Supporting your digital transformation
Access resources to facilitate business growth in the digital era with Mastercard Digital Doors® footnote 11. Establish a strong online presence, protect against cyber threats and manage operations efficiently.

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