Nonprofit Blog

Earlier this month, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Georgia has been named the number-one state in the U.S. in which to do business by Site Selection Magazine.

As the dust settles from President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory and the accompanying Republican sweep of the U.S. House and Senate, it is possible Americans could see significant tax cuts as early as 2017. The tax cuts proposed by President-elect Trump are among the largest proposed since the days of President Ronald Reagan. If his tax proposals are passed as originally set forth during the campaign, we can expect to see major changes for individuals and businesses. As proposed, those changes include:

In order to avoid costly penalties and administratively burdensome correction procedures, plan sponsors must remain up-to-date with respect to applicable Health and Welfare plan limits. On October 26, 2016, the IRS announced cost-of-living adjustments affecting 2017 dollar limitations for Health and Welfare plans and other related Health and Welfare Benefits items. Some of the most commonly used business benefits are below, and the entire IRS publication can be found by clicking here. While some limits remain the same, there have been a number of adjustments.

Turning receivables into cash is among the most important things a business must do. Of course, it’s easier said than done. Here are five ways to speed up collections:

Georgia’s Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) — a reading of economic activity in the state’s manufacturing sector — increased by 4.1 points in October, to 53.5. Gains in new orders and employment offset the drop in production. The Southeast and National PMI remain above the 50 point threshold.

With the 2016 General Election around the corner, it’s a fitting time to take a close look at the issues that will define the manufacturing industry’s long-term health and economic growth. As employers of more than 12 million Americans, manufacturers are uniquely positioned to advocate for policies and initiatives that will spur economic development—and fuel the industry’s comeback. We’re not here to tell you who to vote for, but we do believe manufacturers’ voices need to be heard in this election.

The rising cost of health care is on the minds of employers across the country, and the manufacturing industry is no exception. As manufacturers seek options to reduce costs, they are feeling uncertain about what the future holds, especially in light of the upcoming election and recently released news from the White House about pending increases.

Before reviewing a borrower’s financial statements, consider the industry in which it operates to determine what’s most relevant. Doing so will help frame your due diligence efforts and credit risk assessment.

Borrowers often provide bankers with forecasts and budgets. It’s especially common when they’re asking for additional money to start or expand business operations — or when they’ve been experiencing financial distress. But how much can you trust estimates that are prepared in-house?

When Mark, an experienced banker, received the 2015 year-end financial statements for Amped Up, an electrical subcontractor, he felt like something wasn’t quite right. Inventory had grown substantially over the last three years and the company’s profit margin had deteriorated. Additionally, the borrower had nearly maxed out its $1 million line of credit.