Archive for June, 2011

23 JunFranchise Business Financing

Finance is the most important aspect of any business and the field of franchising is no exception. Apart from home-based franchises, which may not require additional finance, most other franchise concerns require financial backing before starting their business.

Finance is important as it makes up for the difference between the cash advancement and expenses incurred until the franchise starts making a profit.
Some people may also settle on how much they can personally contribute towards the expenses, and then need to look at ways of financing the rest. Lenders require people to maintain enough cash holding to cover at least 30% of the total expenses. They also expect people to use only up to 75% of the cash reserve.

The best source for information concerning funding options is the prospective franchiser. Generally they are capable of answering all the necessary questions about the costs and chances of getting different types of financing from various sources. There are times when franchisers can also offer their own financing or can also get into agreements with lenders to facilitate rapid funding of their franchisees.

Businesses become franchises for two main reasons, either to expand the business or to raise capital. One of the ways of funding a franchise is through debt financing. This means the franchiser carries part of the expense burden. It is very important to include this information, along with any other terms and conditions for franchiser financing in the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC).

Even though a franchiser offers the option of funding, it is advisable for people to analyze the other alternatives available. When a bank or other lender gives a loan, they are investing in the business. Hence, the prospective franchisee should be well informed about the business and also possess the required resources and skill sets. It is advisable to have a complete franchise business plan that includes all relevant financial records.

It is very important for people to choose a lender that specializes in franchise loans because they will be more approachable to such business needs. Online sites are available that give information about financing of a franchise.

07 JunReasons for Which People Ask PPI Refund

Over the past 30 years millions of PPI policies have been sold to people. But recently it has come to the notice of the authorities that a majority of these policies were sold to the customers on wrong grounds even when the companies knew they were not eligible for the cover. Now law has been formulated and passed to help a person who has taken these PPI policies in the past 10 years to get refund for the amount they have paid. The customers who have taken these PPI policies go for PPI claims for a variety of reasons. A person can go for refund if he thinks that the PPI policy amount was added on to their bills or installments without their knowledge. They can place a claim if they think that the terms and regulations of the policy clearly.

A person can go reclaiming PPI policy refund if the person thinks that they have been made to believe that the policy was unavoidable while taking credit cards or loans. There have been cases where the banks gave the PPI policies to people even when they were not eligible to claim the policy cover mentioned under the PPI policies. In some cases the banks or the agents did not even tell the customers the whole amount they will have to pay in the due course for the policy. If the person was having an existing health problem while taking the policy then he will not be covered under the policy if he takes leave from work due to that health condition. In all the above cases the person can go ahead and place a claim to get refund.