Kate started writing on business topics in 1996, working for groundbreaking B2B newsletters Communication Briefings and The Competitive Advantage. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2020 and is an expert in business banking, insurance, and eCommerce. She has been featured on NBC TODAY, Yahoo News, GoBankingRates, Scripps News Syndicate, and CBS Radio. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Lewis & Clark College and lives in Canby, Oregon.
There is a wide array of banks and financial services companies eager to take you on as a customer. But how can you tell which offers are legitimate, let alone find the best bank for small businesses? We'll walk you through the fees you can expect to pay, what kind of customer support you can expect, and more, so you can compare the best business bank accounts available and choose the one that will work best for you.
When it comes to running a business, you can never be too prepared. In the end, choosing the perfect type of business insurance can protect your business from claims, property damage, and other disasters, and can give you peace of mind, so you can stop worrying and get back to business.
A corporate credit card policy protects your organization, its financial security, and its employees. But what should a corporate credit policy include? Are there corporate credit card policy best practices you can learn from?
Same-day deposits are nearly identical to Square's Instant Transfer feature. It comes with the same notice that some may have limits, and you may start out with a smaller transfer amount per day and work your way up.
Google Business Profile is easy to use, makes it easier for customers to find you and learn about what you have to offer, and can improve your customer experience and relations.
Banking expert Kate Hoots talks with the San Francisco Chronicle about interest rates.
Banking expert Kate Hoots weighs-in about whether or not you need a bank with GOBankingRates.
eCommerce expert Kate Hoots sits down with NBC Today to discuss holiday shipping.
eCommerce expert Kate Hoots discusses holiday shipping with WRTV ABC Indianapolis.
Banking expert Kate Hoots discusses with Yahoo Finance what to look for in an online bank.
Commercial truck insurance is a type of commercial auto insurance. More specifically, it’s a bundle of insurance policies that offer comprehensive protection for trucking businesses and independent owner-operators. The exact combination of insurance your business needs depends on the specifics of your operation.
The best business savings accounts are easy to apply for, offer an interest rate or APY at or above the national average for savings accounts, and offer features aimed at small businesses. We think Live Oak, First Internet Bank, BlueVine, LendingClub, NBKC, U.S. Bank Platinum Money Market, Lili, Grasshopper, and Prime Alliance meet those requirements.
Johnson’s independent children’s bookstore is seriously thriving, and now, thanks to a $10,000 opportunity grant from Merchant Maverick, she can continue following her small business dreams and building her bookstore.
Opening a business bank account for your LLC can be done quickly and easily. You can even apply online. What you need to open a business bank account will depend on how your business is structured and what the bank you choose requires. Expect to provide government-issued identification, an EIN or Social Security number, your business license, and your incorporation documents.
Thimble is business insurance. You can purchase the most common kinds of business insurance, general liability and commercial property, from Thimble. Thimble insurance can be purchased by the hour, day, week, month, or year, making it perfect for anyone who does not need ongoing insurance for their business.
A business bank account doesn’t have to cost you anything. You can find online accounts for your business that have $0 minimum deposits, $0 monthly fees, and $0 minimum balance requirements.
Business property insurance usually covers some but not all natural disasters. Certain types of natural disasters are almost always excluded from standard policies, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. If you live in an area that’s vulnerable to those types of disasters, speak with your insurance provider to learn your options.
FDIC insurance is a government-run insurance program. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation protects deposits made with regulated institutions such as banks. In the unlikely event that your bank goes out of business, the government will step in and make sure that none of the bank’s customers lose their money.
The most important kind of insurance for most small businesses is general liability insurance. Commercial property insurance is also important. You may be able to combine these two types of coverage into one policy, known as a business owner’s policy or BOP that lets you obtain coverage at a discount.
Most commercial renters insurance will cover damages to your business inventory, computers and electronic equipments, furnishings, and damages to the building caused by your business operations. Personal property is generally not covered. Damage from natural disasters or from faulty utilities may not be covered.
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Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
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