BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Prudential says no to bailout, prefers to raise cash instead]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/01/prudential-says-no-to-bailout-prefers-to-raise-cash-instead/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/01/prudential-says-no-to-bailout-prefers-to-raise-cash-instead/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/01/prudential-says-no-to-bailout-prefers-to-raise-cash-instead/#commentsFiled under: ,

Perhaps lost in all of the General Motors fallout is an announcement from Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU) that it will not take any cash from the government's financial rescue program. Instead, the firm will raise $1.25 billion on its own by offering common stock.

Last month, Prudential and five other major insurers were given permission by the Treasury Department to use some TARP funds, but PRU has decided not to participate, joining the decision by Allstate and Ameriprise, which were among the other five banks.

Continue reading Prudential says no to bailout, prefers to raise cash instead

Prudential says no to bailout, prefers to raise cash instead originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsPRUPrudential FinancialPrudentialFinancialraising capitalRaisingCapitaltarp fundstarp repaymentTarpFundsTarpRepaymentMon, 01 Jun 2009 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Citigroup may turn to private investors]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/04/citigroup-may-turn-to-private-investors/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/04/citigroup-may-turn-to-private-investors/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/04/citigroup-may-turn-to-private-investors/#commentsFiled under:

Days ahead of the release of the bank stress test results, reports have surfaced that Citigroup (NYSE: C) may attempt to raise capital from private investors rather than take more U.S. bailout funds. Such a move could strengthen the firm's equity without giving the government more control.

Although the results of the test haven't been released, it is widely known that Citigroup is considered one of the banks that will need to raise cash to continue (some reports state more than $10 billion).

Continue reading Citigroup may turn to private investors

Citigroup may turn to private investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 May 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bank bailoutBankBailoutcapital infusionCapitalInfusiongovernment bailoutGovernmentBailoutinthenewsraising capitalRaisingCapitalstress testsStressTestsMon, 04 May 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Entrepreneur's Journal: Raise money from friends, family and fools?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/03/entrepreneurs-journal-raise-money-from-friends-family-and-foo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/03/entrepreneurs-journal-raise-money-from-friends-family-and-foo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/03/entrepreneurs-journal-raise-money-from-friends-family-and-foo/#commentsFiled under:

Like many others, a friend of mine is having troubles with her business. And, to keep going, she needs an infusion of capital. However, because of the credit crunch, she can't get a loan.

So what are the alternatives? Well, she is thinking of raising money from friends and family (F&F). In fact, she thinks she can get about $100,000 or so -- which is enough for her current needs.

But, of course, she's concerned about the process. What if she is late paying back the loan? What if the economy suffers for a long period of time?

Well, here are some things to consider:

Act as if you're preparing a pitch to a venture capitalist: No doubt, you can get into a lot of trouble if you get F&F funds on an informal basis. Simply put, you are vulnerable to misunderstandings.

Take Tony Seba, who started PrintNation.com. To launch the business, he raised $500,000 from his mother and brothers.

However, he pitched his deal in a professional way. For example, he put together a business plan and investor presentation (which took several months). He also assembled the necessary legal documents.

Continue reading Entrepreneur's Journal: Raise money from friends, family and fools?

Entrepreneur's Journal: Raise money from friends, family and fools? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Raising CapitalRaisingCapitalSun, 03 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Entrepreneur's Journal: Grabbing investors' attention ... and wallets]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/15/entrepreneurs-journal-grabbing-investors-attention-and-wa/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/15/entrepreneurs-journal-grabbing-investors-attention-and-wa/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/15/entrepreneurs-journal-grabbing-investors-attention-and-wa/#commentsFiled under:

I recently reviewed a business plan (for a school). It was well written and had lots of supporting financials.

The problem? It didn't have the kinds of things that investors look for. That is, when I read the one-page overview, there wasn't much talk about why investors should shell out big bucks. Instead, there was a focus on the quality of the school and the importance of education.

As should be no surprise, the plan got little momentum.

So, here were some of my recommendations:

Proof Points: What kind of traction does the business have? Are there more customers? Revenue growth? New partnerships?

Basically, show evidence of growth - using a variety of metrics. For example, in the case of the school, there was an investment in advertising, which produced strong growth in student enrollment. Clearly, the school has formulated useful marketing strategies.

De-Risk: Investors also want to limit their downside. In other words, what kinds of things protect your business? Is the customer churn rate low? Do you have patents? Long-term contracts?

I also look for owners who have committed their own money to the venture. This shows "skin in the game."

Strong business model: Investors like to see multiple revenue streams. It shows that the business model is powerful and, more important, there are opportunities for growth.

So, in the school example, some of the new revenue stream possibilities included: dorm fees, book and yearbook fees, technology usage fees and application fees.

Helpful Resources: Checking out the web, you can find some real-life examples of good investor overviews.

One approach is to check out IPOHome.com, which has recently filed IPOs (that is, companies raising capital). If you find a company that is in your sector, you can then click to the prospectus. In it, you'll get an executive summary, which can be a great reference point.

Entrepreneur's Journal: Grabbing investors' attention ... and wallets originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Raising CapitalRaisingCapitalSun, 15 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST