First Bank of the Lake logo watermark
504 loans with one of the top 504 lenders - First Bank of the Lake

Articles


Franchise financing and veteran's financing from First Bank of the Lake
SBA Lending
2024-08-12

SBA Loans for Specific Industries and Businesses

Learn about franchise financing, veterans financing and more from top SBA lender Fir...
ICBA: Independent Community Bankers of America
News
2024-07-24

First Bank of the Lake Named ICBA’s Top Commercial Lender

Independent Banker, the award-winning magazine of the Independent Community Bankers ...
SBA Franchise Loans from First Bank of the Lake
Franchise Loans
2024-07-18

SBA Franchise Loans

Learn about SBA franchise loans from the experts at FBOL. Call today at 888.828.5689...
Get your SBA working capital loan from First Bank of the Lake
Working Capital
2024-07-03

Working Capital Loans

Learn about SBA working capital loans which are a great way to fund your growing sma...
504 loans with one of the top 504 lenders - First Bank of the Lake
SBA 504 Loans
2024-06-24

SBA 504 Loans: 504 Loan Rates and SBA 504 Loan Requirements

Learn about SBA 504 Loans, SBA 504 Lenders and SBA 504 Loan Rates from the SBA loan ...
7a loans with one of the top 7a lenders from First Bank of the Lake
SBA 7a Loans
2024-06-24

SBA 7A Loans: 7A Loan Rates and SBA 7A Loan Requirements

Learn about SBA 7a Loans, SBA 7a Lenders and 7a Loan requirements from the experts a...
A retirement-aged father business owner with his younger daughter
SBA Lending
2024-06-20

Passing the Torch

As a business owner, you've dedicated countless hours and immense effort into buildi...
Black Muslim woman standing in an office
SBA Lending
2024-06-19

Overcoming Challenges for Black Entrepreneurs

As we celebrate this Juneteenth, a day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Af...
two cafe owners looking over a laptop and taking notes while behind the cafe counter
SBA Lending
2024-05-30

Navigating SBA Loans and Insurance Requirements

While SBA loans offer significant advantages, they also come with certain obligation...
two floral shop owners looking at a laptop
SBA Lending
2024-05-04

Celebrating Small Business Week

As National Small Business Week draws to a close, communities around the country hav...
business woman looking at the camera
Women-Owned Business
2024-04-19

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

In the world of business, entrepreneurship transcends gender boundaries. Yet, the pa...
Photo of a young woman holding packages, using her laptop.
Working Capital
2024-03-20

SBA 7(a) Working Capital Loans and First Bank of the Lake

In the ever-shifting landscape of business, securing a reliable financial lifeline i...
an Asian couple excitedly sign paperwork
SBA Lending
2024-01-30

Fueling Small Business Growth: First Bank of the Lake's SBA Solutions

In the dynamic landscape of small businesses, securing financing is often the key to...
mature woman working at laptop
Business Finances
2023-12-08

Year-End Financial Tips for Small Businesses

With the holiday season around the corner, small business owners are not only gearin...
handshake between a man wearing a military camouflage and someone wearing a suit
Veteran Lending
2023-11-28

Proudly Supporting Veteran Borrowers through SBA Programs

First Bank of the Lake is deeply committed to serving the financial needs of veteran...
woman and younger man standing in the doorway of a business
Business Tax Tips
2023-11-23

Tax Benefits of Hiring Family Members

If you own a small business, hiring a family member is the same as hiring any other...
Businessman and woman looking at a tablet happily
Business Finances
2023-11-02

How To Build Credit For Your Business

One crucial element that can significantly impact your business's financial standing...
Asian woman doing inventory in a warehouse with a tablet computer
Business Tips
2023-11-02

Inventory Management 101

In the world of small business, one crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is inv...
African American male building something on a table
Veteran Lending
2023-11-02

Why Veterans Thrive with SBA Loans

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be an intimidating experien...
jack-o-lantern with the First Bank of the Lake logo carved into it
SBA Lending
2023-10-31

Spooky Tips for Entrepreneurial Thrills

Here are 5 key components of SBA business loans that will send shivers down your ent...
Business Tax Tips
2023-10-26

Tips for Lowering Commercial Property Taxes

A net effect of the pandemic has been large increases in property value, including c...
two young girls with shopping bags looking excited
Business Tips
2023-10-02

Dos and Don’ts of Customer Retention

A healthy business must have a thriving customer base that provides stability as a m...
group of businessmen and women around a conference table
SBA Lending
2023-10-02

Buy-Sell Agreements

Successfully owning and operating a business comes down to preparation and follow-th...
hand with pen pointing at pie chart
Business Finances
2023-09-01

Why Revenue Isn’t the Best Measure for Startup Success

In the world of startups and entrepreneurial ventures, success is often equated with...
business woman working on a tablet
Women-Owned Business
2023-08-31

How to Become a Certified Woman-Owned Business

When your company is a Certified Woman-Owned Business, you’ll have access to contrac...
looking down at a table with printouts of charts and graphs while holding a tablet and calculator
Business Finances
2023-08-01

Smoothing Out Business Cash Flow

Of all the important measurable metrics, a business can live and die on cash flow as...
person in background calculating with dollar bills and stacks of change in the foreground
Business Finances
2023-08-01

What to Know About Profit and Loss Statements

Profit and loss statements, also called income statements, are a key indicator of yo...
two women working in a florist shop
SBA Lending
2023-06-30

What Is the SBA and What Does It Do?

If you’ve considered starting a small business, you’ve almost certainly heard of the...
two people in suits handing off a relay race baton
Business Tips
2023-06-30

Best Practices for Establishing a Succession Plan

The concept of business succession is having a unique moment of public interest than...
hand with pen pointing at pie chart
SBA Lending
2023-06-15

What Lenders are Looking for in a Soft Economy

As business activities slow down, lenders shift their focus toward specific aspects ...
young son sitting on counter helping dad straighten tie
SBA Lending
2023-06-06

Growing Community Impact Through SBA Lending

At First Bank of the Lake, we believe small businesses are the cornerstone of our co...
hand making checkmarks in the air with pen
SBA Lending
2023-06-02

Speed Up Your Business Acquisition Loan Closing

It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, but getting a business acquisition loan is a ...
group of young people on devices in front of wall that says Digital Marketing with illustrations
Business Tips
2023-05-31

Digital Advertising Platforms

The simple fact of the matter is that if you run a business in 2023, you need some f...
calculator with Error readout
Business Finances
2023-05-31

Common Accounting Mistakes That Small Businesses Make

Managing the way money flows into and out of your business is critical to set yourse...
young woman with box of flowers inside a greenhouse
Business Finances
2023-04-24

Money Management Tips for Entrepreneurs

As an entrepreneur, managing your money can be challenging. It’s essential to unders...
two businessmen having a conversation over notebook and laptop
Business Tax Tips
2023-04-24

Tax Implications of Incorporating Your Business

Incorporation is a serious step, and it comes with major implications for every aspe...
phone with FDIC logo in front of FDIC seal
Business Finances
2023-04-04

Is the Money in My Account Safe?

Your financial institution is one of the safest places to store your hard-earned ca...
young man at desk looking stressed while manager talks to him with clipboard
Business Tips
2023-03-31

Burnout in the Workplace

When your employees are experiencing burnout on the job, it’s not just a problem for...
group of workers standing in warehouse
Business Finances
2023-03-31

Should You Offer an Employee Stock Ownership or Profit-Sharing Plan?

When you’re building a business, having the right people on your team is critical. B...
mature businessman with hand on head looking worried
Business Finances
2023-02-24

Financial Trouble for Your Business

Every entrepreneur wants their business to flourish — and to achieve that goal, it’s...
double exposed image of clock and dollar bills
SBA Lending
2023-02-24

Short-Term Vs Long-Term Loans

As implied by their names, the main difference between short-term and long-term loan...
Post-it note that says
Business Tax Tips
2023-01-25

Understanding the Section 179 Deduction

When used properly, this deduction can promote growth by lowering tax bills and help...
putting stacks of coins in a glass jar
Business Finances
2023-01-25

Business Debt Consolidation

Managing your company’s debt can quickly become complicated. One way to simplify the...
African American man working at a laptop with statistics on the screen
Business Tax Tips
2023-01-04

Tax Benefits of Employee Stock Ownership Plans

As an entrepreneur, an employee stock ownership plan can be an appealing way to give...
putting coins in a glass jar labeled
Business Finances
2023-01-04

Tips for Building a Business Emergency Fund

An emergency fund for your small business is a smart investment. By having some savi...
woman standing in front of a cafe bakery case with drinks
Franchise Lending
2022-12-02

What Are the Most Common Franchised Industries?

Starting your own business from scratch can be daunting if you lack experience or kn...
Santa with present and a handful of $100 bills
Business Tax Tips
2022-12-02

Giving to Charity

Donating to a charitable cause has a wealth of benefits. In addition to strengthenin...
Business Tips
2022-10-26

Ways to Minimize Excessive Employee Downtime

Excessive downtime at work can have negative effects for both employers and employee...
Business Tips
2022-09-29

Why You Need to Update Your Business Plan

Your company’s business plan is a living document that can act as a guiding light. I...
worker helping wrap a bandage around a coworker's arm
Business Tips
2022-09-29

Steps for Addressing Workplace Injuries

When workplace injuries occur, there’s a lot for a business owner to manage. In addi...
business owner looking at credit card while online shopping on a laptop
Business Finances
2022-09-07

Navigating the Proper Use of Your Business Credit Card

You’re holding the bill as you reach for the business credit card in your wallet. Do...
business deal ending with a handshake between owners over a conference table
SBA Lending
2022-09-07

Benefits and Drawbacks to Selling Part of Your Business

Owning your own business presents new challenges every day. Some challenges may requ...
iPad with augmented reality view of a warehouse shelf with inventory
Business Tips
2022-08-01

Strategies to Secure Your Supply Chain

The pandemic has and continues to put significant strain on the global supply chain,...
increasing stacks of coins with mini figurines atop each, ranging from workers in jumpsuits to businessmen in suits
Business Tips
2022-08-01

Determining a Fair Salary Range for Employees

It’s no secret that your small business relies heavily on the hard work, dedication,...
pen laying on top of spreadsheets
Business Finances
2022-06-29

Accrual Accounting vs. Cash Basis Accounting

Whether you’re doing your own accounting or leaving it in the hands of a professiona...
business owners looking at tablet
Business Tips
2022-06-20

What to Look For in a Third-Party Vendor

As an entrepreneur with a growing business, you may reach the point where it’s more ...
post-it notes with the words risk, ignore, accept, reduce and avoid written on them
Business Tips
2022-05-27

Financial Risk vs. Business Risk

Just like everything else in life, owning and operating a small business can be risk...
illustration of skyline with a copyright symbol
Business Tips
2022-05-27

Ways You Can Protect Your Company's Intellectual Property

Your business thrives on your ideas and the products and services they give life to....
closeup of businessman using calculator and laptop
Business Tax Tips
2022-05-03

How to Properly Handle a Business Tax Audit

Receiving a letter from the Internal Revenue Service informing you that your busines...
Female African American business owner holding an OPEN sign
SBA Lending
2022-05-03

Should You Get a Startup Business Loan for Your Entrepreneurial Venture?

You’ve had a dream of going into business for yourself, and now you have the can’t-m...
African American male lounging on couch with cellphone
Business Tips
2022-04-01

Does Your Business Need an App?

As an entrepreneur, you know the importance of having an online presence — and an ap...
closeup of couple of business owners' hands looking at spreadsheets and laptop
Business Finances
2022-04-01

How Your Company Can Make a Financial Fresh Start

Undoubtedly, it’s a trying time for businesses across all different industries. From...
closeup of business owner's hands using calculator
Business Tax Tips
2022-02-25

Tax Aspects of Selling Your Business

If you’ve decided to sell your business, you’ve got a lot of decisions to make — and...
adult helping children kayak on a lake
Business Finances
2022-02-25

Financial Advice for Seasonal Businesses

Running a seasonal business presents unique advantages as well as challenges. One of...
airplane preparing for landing while in air
Business Tips
2022-01-26

Is Your Business Ready to Go Overseas?

If your business is ready for new markets, new horizons, and new challenges, an over...
woman swiping credit card at point of sale
Business Tax Tips
2022-01-26

Collecting Sales Tax: It's Complicated

The majority of U.S.-based businesses that sell products or services must collect, r...
Article Image
Business Tips
2021-12-28

Setting Up a Work-From-Home Policy

Remote work has seen an exponential rise in popularity among employees in part due t...
Business owner standing near a display of coffee bags in a cafe
Franchise Lending
2021-12-27

Should You Buy a Franchise?

It might seem like buying a franchise associated with an established brand and busin...