It’s usually not the end of the world when your surety company says “no,” but certainly this is a position you should try to avoid. However, when a surety does surprise you by denying your bond request, there is a disconnect somewhere between the surety, the broker, the client, or…

You know when you turn on the television or radio and hear the ads for affordable life insurance from different instant-issue life insurance companies? Have you ever looked at the websites of those firms and seen what they offer? Ever wonder if all of it sounds too good to be…

Gone are the days of writing physical checks and handing them off to a known banker for deposit or putting them in the mail for payment to a personal contact. Now, nearly all transactions are completed electronically without conversation between the parties involved. While convenient, this can leave you at…

Putting together a surety program can range from a simple project to a complex undertaking, depending on the variables involved. The key is to identify the specific variables, steps and level of complexity in advance, so the proper approach can be taken from the start. The more complex and potentially difficult…

Most surety deals for privately held companies require the personal guarantee of business owners, similar to bank credit.  When a business gets larger and stronger financially, personal guarantees may be eliminated at some point.  Keep in mind, however, that a surety is also an unsecured creditor, so the surety is…

Cyberattacks are on the rise, with individuals being targeted by digital criminals who threaten to hack into personal information. While we all prefer to think it won’t happen to us, everyone is a potential target. Below are some tips to protect your personal online presence, including social media accounts, use…

Employers could receive significantly higher civil penalties for violations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), due to a new directive that allows compliance officers to levy penalties for each violation, rather than grouping them together. As of March 26, OSHA compliance officers will be able to use the…

We have all seen the ads for designer drugs, promising to fix serious illnesses and even issues that may not be life threatening but can impact our quality of life. Some may even help you lose weight. Those drugs sound great but they come at a price – and employers…

We might as well admit that many companies look at surety bonds as a necessary evil. This is because it’s a product that usually requires a personal guarantee and may also impede a business owner from success if bonds cannot be obtained under reasonable terms and conditions. On the flip side,…

The holidays are the giving season but now that the celebration is over, make sure you have adequate coverage to protect your valuables from damage, loss and theft. Perhaps you received a beautiful piece of jewelry or art, a valuable watch, book or bottle of wine. Maybe you even found…