Guest columns

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., along with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve, and the National Credit Union Administration worked together to update, reinforce, and build on existing supervisory guidance calling for financial institutions to work prudently and constructively with creditworthy borrowers during times of financial stress. The updated policy…

At times, Southwest Florida can feel like Cheers – a place “where everybody knows your name.” Even in a community of familiar faces, businesses cannot expect name recognition alone to continue generating foot traffic and sales. An effective strategic marketing campaign places just as much emphasis on connecting with well-known customers and clients who have…

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. –  Local Realtors and Brokers suggest that now may be a good time to buy a home and here are a few reasons why. There were 803 active listings in May of 2023 which was a 59.3% increase from May of 2022. This represents a 106.3% increase of months of supply over…

(Naples, Fla.) – A real “Champ” in the business world sets course for a new venture in South Florida next week. Michael “Champ” Champer opens Brightway, The Michael Champer Insurance Agency on Monday. A transplant to the Sunshine State from Ohio, Champer brings 30 years of sales experience to the Naples market by way of his…

QUESTION: As a small business owner I need to have a better understanding of my financial statements, especially my cash position at any given time. What do you consider the most important documents? ANSWER: With all the responsibilities of ownership, running a small business can consume an inordinate amount of time. Making time to manage…

Corporate executives, successful entrepreneurs and wealthy retirees frequently use Naples Airport when traveling to and from Southwest Florida. It is convenient, easy to navigate and accommodates a range of small- and mid-sized jets. As community leaders continue exploring solutions to resolve noise concerns from residents living near the airport, it is easy to blame those…

By Chase Mayhugh, SIOR, CCIM My interest in the business of Property Management began around the same time I acquired my first investment property. Shortly thereafter, Mayhugh Commercial Management was born.  At present, the firm manages assets from Jacksonville to Naples, with a heavy focus on Southwest Florida. The owner’s approach to property management is…

A joint federal and state program, unemployment insurance provides short-term benefits to the jobless while they search for new employment. Your company and other businesses fund unemployment programs through FUTA (Federal Unemployment Tax Act) and SUTA (State Unemployment Tax Act) tax payments. In Florida, the maximum pre-tax unemployment benefit is $275 weekly. Claimants must show…

As the demand for home improvement projects increases in Florida, homeowners must be cautious when hiring a contractor. The state requires contractors to be licensed and insured, but not all contractors adhere to these regulations. Hiring an unlicensed contractor can put homeowners at risk for subpar work, financial loss, and legal trouble. As part of…

A month into the new year, the fact that the Sanibel Causeway has been repaired and is again open to the public is a positive sign of Southwest Florida’s continuing recovery from Hurricane Ian’s devastation and the effects of the pandemic before that. But the fact that visitors are still discouraged as the community rebuilds…