October / November

Showing 401–416 of 453 results

  • Asset vs. stock sales – Let’s make a deal

    October / November 2010
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 575

    Abstract: When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, the selling price takes center stage. But how the deal is structured can make or break the sale. The structure affects not only how much cash the seller receives, but also the business’s future profits, liabilities and banking relationships. This article explores the different effects of asset vs. stock sales for buyers and sellers.

    Read More

  • Lend to win – Score big with an approach that exceeds profit and loss

    October / November 2010
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 816

    Abstract: Instead of considering only a business’s credit scores and end results, savvy lenders look at the full range of quantitative and qualitative factors when approving credit. This article offers a fictitious example of a company that was denied a loan by a bank that emphasized profits over other indicators. But the loan was approved by a different bank that had a long-term relationship with the client and took a more sophisticated look at its overall situation. A sidebar discusses the pros and cons of factoring as a way to access instant cash.

    Read More

  • News for nonprofits – Politcal activity

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 413

    Abstract: Items in this issue address the danger of charities indulging in political activity; an extended deadline for putting in place a written plan to satisfy IRS regulations for a 403(b) plan; and how many smaller nonprofits might lose their tax-exempt status if they don’t file a Form 990-N.

    Read More

  • Set your sights on planned giving

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 662

    Abstract: In this down economy, smart charities are focusing their efforts to bring in major gifts from their wealthiest donors. That’s because these donors have long planned to leave part of their estate to a favorite organization, and most will follow through on their intentions. There are three planned giving arrangements that are especially popular, and board members and other staff members should be able to discuss their characteristics with prospective donors. To assist them, there are software products that do everything from creating elaborate marketing presentations and illustrating gift scenarios to crunching numbers and generating contracts.

    Read More

  • Doing the right thing – Avoid excess benefit transactions

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 762

    Abstract: One way to lose tax-exempt status is to ignore the private benefit and private inurement — also known as excess benefit — provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These rules prohibit an individual inside or outside a nonprofit from reaping an excess benefit from a transaction by the organization. Excess benefits can take many forms, such as excessive compensation, favorable sales of assets, below-market property rental and lending money. Being knowledgeable about such transactions involves understanding such concepts as private benefit and private inurement, and knowing board members’ duty of care and the consequences of violations.

    Read More

  • Board manuals – A guide to your galaxy

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 624

    Abstract: Like an employee handbook, a board manual familiarizes readers with an organization’s policies and procedures, giving them information at their fingertips. A manual can introduce board members to the nonprofit’s reason for being and way of doing things. It can detail who has particular responsibilities, and prepare board members to be effective spokespeople for the nonprofit. This article describes what’s essential to include in a manual, and what is simply desirable.

    Read More

  • Ask the Advisor – Q. Should I sell my company in an auction?

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 434

    Abstract: To attract substantial buyer interest when putting a business up for sale, sellers might want to consider an auction. This competitive sale process is designed to get the best possible price and most attractive terms. Advantages include speed, higher prices, and the presence of backup bidders.

    Read More

  • How to sell your sale to employees

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 604

    Abstract: Just because selling owners are thrilled to have found a good buyer doesn’t mean their employees will greet the news with the same enthusiasm. In fact, there may be negative reactions and even strong resistance. Left unchecked, employee dissatisfaction can depress a deal’s ultimate value — and in extreme cases even cause its collapse. So it’s important to plan how to sell the sale of the company to these critical stakeholders, which includes communicating with candor and introducing high-performing individuals to their new managers so they can initiate a working relationship before the deal closes.

    Read More

  • Performance anxiety? Earnouts can help

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 713

    Abstract: Given the current state of the U.S. economy, it’s not surprising that both business buyers and sellers are entering M&A transactions with increased trepidation. One way to get the deal done is by using an earnout, which sets a company’s purchase price according to how well it performs after it’s sold. It can be especially useful in bridging valuation gaps or overcoming negotiation stalemates in which the parties disagree about the company’s future profitability. But there are potential pitfalls, so participants need to ensure the agreement protects their interests and anticipates potential conflict.

    Read More

  • Manage risk the right way

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 750

    Abstract: Risk management has become a big concern for both business buyers and sellers during the recent economic downturn. More than ever, companies pursuing an M&A transaction need to adequately account for the possibility that their deal will fall through before it’s complete or fail to meet postmerger objectives. There are many different kinds of risks, but this article shows that there are also a number of strategies buyers and sellers can take to minimize the risk of catastrophe. A sidebar looks at two ways to prevent stock market volatility from destroying a deal between public companies.

    Read More

  • Estate Planning Pitfall – You haven’t named backup beneficiaries for your life insurance policies

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 286

    Abstract: A life insurance policy’s beneficiary designation is extremely important but easily overlooked. Many people make the mistake of naming their estate as beneficiary, which can result in needless expense and delay. As this short article explains, the solution is to designate at least two backup (or contingent) beneficiaries.

    Read More

  • You, your noncitizen spouse and your estate plan – Use a QDOT to preserve marital deduction benefits

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 620

    Abstract: For married couples, the unlimited marital deduction is a powerful estate planning tool that allows an unlimited amount of assets to pass (through lifetime gifts or bequests at death) to a spouse free of gift and estate taxes — if the spouse is a U.S. citizen. If not, however, one can have assets transferred estate-tax free at death to a qualified domestic trust (QDOT), with the noncitizen spouse receiving the trust income during his or her lifetime. But there are pros and cons to be considered, along with international treaties that address estate taxes.

    Read More

  • For a healthy estate plan, know the HIPAA privacy rules

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 795

    Abstract: Health issues play an important role in a variety of estate planning situations. Typically, many estate planning documents and document provisions are triggered by a physician’s certification that a person lacks the capacity to make decisions. But this requirement may be at odds with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA privacy rules prohibit physicians, hospitals and other health care providers from discussing a patient’s condition or releasing his or her medical records to third parties without the patient’s written consent. To ensure timely acquisition of the necessary information, it’s important to ensure that estate plan documents are written with HIPAA requirements in mind.

    Read More

  • GRATs: The long and short of it

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 932

    Abstract: The grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) can be a powerful estate planning tool. But the appropriate length of a GRAT’s term is at times a source of confusion among people planning their estates and a subject of debate among experts. There are important differences between short-term and long-term GRATs; to decide which is best, a person needs to factor in his or her age, health, and risk tolerance, along with the IRS’ Section 7520 rate of return, the nature and projected performance of the assets being contributed, and the availability of valuation discounts (which this article discusses in a sidebar).

    Read More

  • First-time homebuyer tax credit set to expire Dec. 1

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Focus

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 268

    Abstract: Those who are ready to purchase their first home should consider doing so before Dec. 1. Why? Because that’s when a refundable “first-time” homebuyer tax credit equal to 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence is set to expire. This short article looks at details of the credit.

    Read More

  • Don’t let family matters interfere with business matters

    October / November 2009
    Newsletter: Focus

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 670

    Abstract: Even though knowing family members are watching the shop can be reassuring, the requirements of running a business can strain even the strongest family ties. The stresses can become further exacerbated when sibling rivalry exists or when one’s spouse is involved. But there are ways to address these issues, including treating siblings equally and dividing responsibilities between spouses.

    Read More