Virgin Money’s Post

Yesterday, Ladies Who Launch completed the pilot of our 2023 #FUNDBootcamp in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 💚 25+ women and non-binary business owners, representing products and services, came together for a day of learning, growing, and sharing in community, with the ultimate goal of becoming loan-ready and bankable. We’re so grateful for our host, Invest Northern Ireland, and the great Karen Finlay, and our partners, AwakenHub and AwakenAngels (Mary McKenna, MBE & Clare McGee), and Women in Business NI (Lorraine Acheson and Roisin McDermott) for helping us assemble an incredible cohort, and an expert speaker line-up of small business champions, including: 💡 Bianca McGee, MSBA of Plan Profit Grow™ for facilitating our kick-off session on the Emotions Behind Money. 💡 Chris McClelland of Broadstone for providing an overview on how to fund your business, including crucial topics like how much funding one needs for their business, and where to spend funds. 💡 TS Anil of Monzo Bank and Grainne Kelly of BubbleBum UK Limited for sharing their entrepreneurial journeys, lessons learned, and guidance around growth. 💡Angela Reavey of Kinsetsu for walking the group through the power and importance of financial statements and forecasting. 💡Susan McKane of British Business Bank and Amy Junkin of Enterprise Northern Ireland for sharing more about the varying pathways to capital, and specifically how the BBB partners with entities like Enterprise NI to disseminate small business loans. 💡 Mary McKenna, MBE of AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, Julie-Ann Halliday of Invest Northern Ireland, Claudine Owens of Clarendon Fund Managers, Sinead McKeown and Carmel Morris of Irish League of Credit Unions, for talking about funding opportunities in your backyard (in Belfast and across NI) to secure grants, loans, angel investors and beyond. In Summary: There are so many funding opportunities for women and non-binary small business owners to access in NI and beyond, and to start in a place where each of you feels comfortable and confident! #womenownedbusinesses #smallbusiness #accesstocapital #financialliteracy #loans #partnerships

Business Bank Launches Market-Leading Savings Bond Jessica Darrah, Savings Senior Product Manager, said: “This latest product release showcases Redwood Bank as a smart choice for SMEs and charities, offering real value to our customers and allowing them to make their money work harder for their business and communities. “With leading market rates across our product suite, organisations have a choice across a range of products, offering flexibility to suit their savings needs without compromising on return.” https://lnkd.in/eFHvKUbY #fintech #finance #banking #paytech #payments #fintechnews #paymentsnews

10 Impactful Ways Kansas City G.I.F.T. is Transforming Black-Owned Businesses 1. Empowering Through Grants Kansas City G.I.F.T. provides substantial financial support to Black-owned businesses in economically disadvantaged areas. By offering 2 growth grants of $25,000 every quarter to enable businesses to expand, create jobs, and thrive. 2. Business Center Resources The G.I.F.T. Business Center offers a comprehensive suite of free services, including business coaching, accounting, marketing, and legal assistance. This support system ensures that businesses have the tools they need to succeed long-term. 3. Black Business Market The Black Business Market showcases local Black-owned businesses, providing them with increased visibility and consumer access. This platform has helped 256 businesses generate approximately $82,000 in sales in one fiscal year. 4. Job Creation By supporting local businesses, Kansas City G.I.F.T. has helped create 108 new jobs with an average hourly wage of $16.06. This job creation not only supports families but also stimulates the local economy. 5. Community Investment Investing in Black-owned businesses boosts the local economy by recirculating 48% of small business purchases locally, compared to only 14% by chain stores. This investment fosters a robust, self-sustaining community. 6. Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Kansas City G.I.F.T. is dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap by empowering Black entrepreneurs and providing them with the resources they need to build generational wealth. 7. Educational Workshops The Business Center offers practical workshops and networking events that connect entrepreneurs with like-minded individuals and industry experts, fostering a supportive and knowledgeable community. 8. Transparent Reporting Transparency is a cornerstone of Kansas City G.I.F.T. They provide detailed reports on the impact of donations, ensuring contributors see the tangible results of their support. 9. Reducing Crime Through Economic Growth By creating jobs and stimulating local economies, Kansas City G.I.F.T. helps reduce poverty-related crime, contributing to safer neighborhoods. 10. Promoting Social Justice Kansas City G.I.F.T. addresses systemic racism by ensuring Black-owned businesses in underserved areas receive equitable support, fostering social justice and economic equity. Join the Movement Your support can drive substantial, measurable change in Kansas City. By donating to Kansas City G.I.F.T., you're not just giving money; you're investing in a brighter, more equitable future for all. What tools do you find most useful for supporting local businesses? For more information and to get involved, visit KansasCityGIFT.org

The cost of living is really hurting so many at the moment and it can be hard to stay positive with everything constantly raising. We see the money going out as fast as it comes in, sometimes living pay cheque to pay cheque and sometimes going out faster then coming in. In the moments when I need to renember not to get trapped in scarcity, I created this little reframe for when you are paying bills and money out. Every time we spend with another business, we are helping to keep people employed and helping them to feed their families. I remember my parents used to always say to me don't hire anyone for what you can do yourself and things like meals out were a 'waste'. Now I get excited when I spend, when we earn more we help others to earn more in our communities. Now we are helping noone to go hungry. That small mindset shift made me happy with paying the bills and thankful that I had money to do it, even in the old days when it was week to week. This is why I am so passionate about all of us earning more. Together we can help make sure more businesses succeed and noone goes hungry. #costoflivingcrisis #earnmoremoney #mindsetchange #abundance

FHLBanks made $6.7 billion this year, making it their most profitable year on record! But rather than devoting this money to affordable housing, they are paying most out as #dividends to their members. What are #FHLBanks and why aren’t they doing more to support #AffordableHousing? Watch our new video!

What exactly is a Credit Union? This question is commonly asked. Let me share some insights. 😊 ✒️ Credit unions are financial cooperatives owned by their members, operating on a non-profit basis, which sets them apart from banks. Profits are reinvested back into members through educational programs, affordable fees, competitive loan rates, and attractive savings opportunities. ❣ ✒️ Credit unions also benefit business owners by offering a diverse range of financial products and services. By managing their finances locally, business owners support community growth and sustainability. 💫 ✒️ Credit unions provide tools such as budgeting aids and business plans to help their members effectively manage finances. Compared to larger banks, credit unions often have more flexible lending criteria. ✒️ Additionally, credit unions are deeply ingrained in local communities, actively supporting initiatives and focusing on member financial wellness. At St. Cloud Financial Credit Union our team collaborates closely with small businesses, nonprofits, and local chambers of commerce to promote community projects and enhance member prosperity. Your success is our success.🤩 If you are looking to become a member, apply for a loan, inquire about a mortgage, need financing for your business, want to build your credit through a credit card, or just learn how to better budget your monthly expenses… 🧐 swing into any of our five branches or give us a call 320-252-2634 📞 #creditunion #community #memberfocused #financingpartner #financialwellness #mortgages #loans #budgetingtools #business #smallbusiness #credituniondifference #whatisacreditunion

I and Brian got into a deep conversation on How to Make Money to achieve his Goals. While conversing, He told me about his aspirations, and goals, how he wants to impact the world, alleviate poverty in his society, how he has always desired to relocate from the country he currently resides. "Ephraim all these goals, aspirations, and dreams can only be sponsored by Money". And then He asked the intriguing question. “How do I raise the Money?” I had to observe a minute silence for that question. Like Brian, we all have aspirations for our lives, Goals we have mapped out for the Year, and for some of us, these goals need finance for them to be achieved. But here is what a renowned author said in his book (Name Withheld) “Money of itself is nothing but inert matter. It cannot move, think nor talk, but it can HEAR when a man who desires it calls it to come.” Read that again. “So how do I call Money?” That is probably your question right now, but here is what you should know too. Money won’t come to you because you need it. Money won’t come to you because you are broke. Money won’t come to you because you fasted and prayed for it. Money won’t come to you because you deserve to be wealthy. Money can only be attracted to one thing, which is no other but VALUE. Just a few days ago I came across a post on a friend’s Whatsapp status that says: “Business was created to help society curb some pressing challenges and then, in turn, make money”. But what are these Businesses offering to make money, it is VALUE (either a good or service). So to the big question, "How do I call, attract, and Make Money?" You call, attract, and make money by becoming Valuable. You become Valuable, by rendering service to someone who needs it. Providing goods in a way of starting a business, your time, and for some individuals your gifts and talent. So if you want to make money, then you should think about what can I offer in exchange for Money. For money is not made, money is exchanged, and in exchange for money, you provide VALUE. If hope you found this helpful repost, so others can learn and stay inspired. __________________________________________ Smash the "Follow" button, for more content like this. By the way, My name is Ephraim Chigboa Your Billionaire friend leveraging on the internet to build a 7-figure cash-flow system, and I talk more on personal development. Connect with me via the link on my bio. #linkedin #moneymindset #linkedinlearning #digitalbusiness #linkedinpost #learnandgrow #ephraimchigboa

The rise of the credit union: Credit unions are member-owned, non-profit financial cooperatives that provide a wide range of financial services, including everyday banking, and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, and investment products. According to the latest statistics from the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (Abcul), there were 246 credit unions in the UK. This number has been steadily increasing over the past few years, as more and more people are choosing to bank with credit unions instead of traditional banks. Read More: https://lnkd.in/ehAFbbR8

BNPL users charged late payment fees   In January 2024, it was reported that a survey carried out for the education charity the Centre for Financial Capability had established that the use of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) has soared in recent years, with a third of UK adults having now used the services and 40% of 18-34-year-olds.   Read our blog to find out how unregulated interest-free, Buy Now Pay Later, lending may affect young users' credit scores, if they miss repayments and incur late payment fees: https://lnkd.in/gEzbbMM4   If you require assistance with your BNPL compliance arrangements, call our expert team to schedule a free consultation at 0207 436 0630 or send an email to info@thistleinitiatives.co.uk.   #buynowpaylater #creditscore #regulatorycompliance #financialservices #regulation #compliance