Impress Loan OfficersBanking insider shares key things that make for an impressive loan applicant.

Regional and community banks are quickly becoming the primary source of loans for small-business owners. With that in mind, we asked Jonathan F. Dolphin, chief commercial lender for 21st Century Bank, for three things that impress him in a loan applicant--and three things that turn him off.

Dos and Don'ts of Getting an Investor Looking around for investors? Here are some tips to keep in mind: Doget publicity for your business in local publications or business journals. Investors will be much more impressed if they hear of you before you ever contact them. Dotry to build up a personal relationship with potential investors before you ask them for money. Doask your accountant or attorney for people who might want to invest. Dofind out if your prospects have invested in other businesses and talk to those people about their experiences. Dopersuade investors that others are very close to signing on so you don't find yourself in the position where no one wants to take the first plunge. Don'tmake the future of your business sound too rosy; investors will assume you're being naive. Don't害怕你太小了:大约2 thirds of the companies getting angel funding are worth less than $1 million when they receive the investment. Don'thide the size of your own investment from potential investors. Don'tforget to ask employees if they'd like to invest. Don'tassume that an investor will necessarily be an advisor or that you'll want him to be an advisor; they're two different roles. -Tom Nawrocki

The dos:

1. Come to the meeting equipped with a well-prepared financing package.餐巾笔记不给银行留下深刻印象。
2. Be able to explain the historical operating numbers and assumptions made in your projection.The more factually you can speak about your business, the more confidence the lender will have.
3. Pay down your credit balances prior to your meeting with the bank.If you cannot handle your own personal finances, he'll question whether you can run a company.

The don'ts: