Thinking about next downturn?
Northwest Indiana banking leaders stress the importance of setting up a rainy day fund for businesses as they reflect on the past year during a pandemic.
Finance
First Merchants buys investment management firm Hoosier Trust Co.
First Merchants is expanding its investment services division.
First Merchants buys investment management firm Hoosier Trust Co. Read More »
Financially Fit
Choosing a financial advisor Whether you have already filed your taxes or are preparing to file, taxes, finances and overall financial health are always on our mind. While some people will make most of their financial decisions on their own, once they start accumulating more than they need for the simple necessities, many will seek
Banking on Success
Build your banker into a trusted entrepreneurial adviser. by Lesly Bailey Creating a connection with bankers is more than just crunching the numbers, according to banking professionals in the region who detail how entrepreneurs can launch and maintain productive relationships that endure throughout the years and economic changes. Michael Schneider, Northwest Indiana market president at
Borrowing Online
Choose carefully when deciding on a lending source. In today’s world, small business owners have increasing demands put on their time from customers, employees and suppliers. Because of this, they are constantly in search of ways to be efficient with their time to accomplish more each workday. One way that business owners save time and
Buzz Points
Loyalty program benefits financial institutions, merchants, members. by Phil Britt Financial institutions and local retailers and restaurants alike find themselves competing with much larger national companies for customers. For the local financial institutions, the need to attract and retain customers has never been more critical. The largest banks in the country control half of the
Keying Into Customer Needs
High-touch meets high-tech–personalization with less human interaction is keying into customer needs. by Phil Britt Over the past few years, banks have added mobile banking, enabling customers to deposit checks by taking pictures of them with smartphones. Banks have also extended their online banking offerings, so that customers can have more convenience to bank when
Rising Interest Rates
The Fed is expected to make a move soon; what will the impact be? by Phil Britt The Federal Reserve is expected by many economic experts to hike interest rates as soon as September and perhaps again in December. The Fed took a pass on increasing the Federal funds rate at its June meeting, with
New Ways to Pay
Mobile payment technologies nearly ready for prime time. by Phil Britt Consumers enter 2015 with a new payment option at some retailers–a mobile wallet that enables users to pay with their phone rather than swiping a credit or debit card, writing a check or using cash–but this alternate payment method is still in its very
Playing It Safe
Protecting your business from cybercrime and scams. by Shari Held Target. Home Depot. UPS. JP Morgan Chase. They’ve all made the headlines lately–and not in a good way. They’ve been hacked! And confidential information was compromised. “The threat is very real, and pretty much a weekly occurrence,” says Tanya Buerger, senior vice president and chief