Fremont Bank

It's October, which means it's also Cybersecurity Awareness Month. We know your time is valuable, so let us cut right to the chase: cyber threats are here to stay. And while our experts are constantly working to keep your accounts and personal information safe, the X factor sometimes falls to your own personal interactions in the online world. That’s why we created the newly updated Definitive Guide to Account Security & Banking Fraud Prevention, so you can quickly and easily understand the information you need to keep cyber threats at bay. Read it here: https://bit.ly/3BoycRa

The art of negotiation Every leader knows the value of solid communication skills, and in a negotiation, communication plays a heightened role. Follow these steps to better articulate your position and understand others during a negotiation. Step 1: Fine-tune both your speaking and writing skills. Step 2: Practice active listening by removing distractions like your phone during conversations. Step 3: Ask open-ended questions, like "How do you intend to achieve this goal?" Step 4: Ensure understanding on both sides. Reiterate what was said and confirm with a follow-up in writing. While these may seem like a given, the art of negotiation requires consistent practice. Mastering negotiation reflects and enhances your leadership capabilities, inspires your team, and ultimately contributes to business success. Ready to enhance your negotiation skills? Read on for more ways to build your negotiation tool kit. https://bit.ly/4dGL9Es

Is figuring out SBA 7(a), SBA 504, funding sources, and business lines of credit leaving you feeling a little like this? Good news! We're breaking down all of your top business loan questions on our blog, and we promise it will feel more like a walk in the park than a calculus lesson. Hop on over, and get those small business loan questions debunked: https://bit.ly/3YZPA8O

At the Jackson Hole Symposium in August, Federal Reserve Chair Powell made it clear that “the time has come for policy to adjust.” Thereafter, we got “Fed Speak”—the process whereby various federal reserve Presidents and Board of Governors publicly comment on their views on policy. These Fed talks are designed to provide rate direction to help traders adjust their expectations, thus reducing volatility in the market. Heading into Wednesday's FOMC meeting, there was no question whether the Fed would lower rates; the debate from Jackson Hole until now was not “if” but “by how much.” Read more:

Mastering negotiation isn't just about securing the best deal—it's about creating value for all parties involved and building lasting relationships. Whether you're closing a business deal or resolving a team conflict, effective negotiation fosters collaboration and drives success. Embrace the mindset of a win-win outcome, and watch how it transforms your professional and personal interactions. Ready to enhance your negotiation skills? Read on for seven ideas to build your negotiation tool kit. https://bit.ly/4dGL9Es

Fact: People love zoos. In 2023 alone, nearly one million people made a day of visiting your community staple Oakland Zoo. All of that traffic plus over 100 years in business can put quite a wear on facilities, and it was time for a brand-new, all-electric locomotive to arrive into Oakland Zoo station. With the help of Fremont Bank Foundation, that train is now ready to roll, transporting you deep into the wonders of the Australian Outback. Take a ride yourself by enjoying a day at the Zoo, and learn more about the grant that made it all possible. https://bit.ly/474wAbb

Balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements offer incredible insights into your business, if you know how to use them. You can see if you're generating a profit, how your business as a whole is performing, and learn a ton about operations costs. Every business should have them, but there's no shame if you need a little more help on when to use them and how to create them. Here is a primer on these three financial statements to get you started: https://bit.ly/3WQXGPB

Community banking is all about relationships, and no one knows that better than Personal Banker "Kaye" Katharina May Villaros, who brings trust, understanding, and strong communication skills to her client relationships. From making complex financial information accessible to ensuring proper handling of your accounts, Kaye is all about building and maintaining great client relationships. Learn more about Kaye in this month’s Associate Spotlight: https://bit.ly/3Xc70MT

Let's face it, small business loans can leave you asking a lot of questions, even if you already have one. That's why we're shedding some light to debunk all of the rumors, hearsay, and misinformation you may have learned from an overeager acquaintance or the internet. After all, we are small business loan experts, so who better to help you get it right? Head over to our blog to have your burning business loan questions answered or get in touch with our experts if you're eager to get started: https://bit.ly/3YZPA8O

There are certainly long-term savings for businesses in embracing more eco-friendly operations, but who do you call when your outdated equipment isn't working and you can't readily afford a replacement? Our "wild" friends over at Oakland Zoo called on their longtime relationship with us to tap into a grant from the Fremont Bank Foundation to get their engines running again—quite literally! The train is a staple in the zoo-going experience, and the Zoo now has a new, all-electric upgrade to its previous diesel locomotive. We're proud to have powered Oakland Zoo to help keep its visitors moving. Read more about our partnership here: https://bit.ly/474wAbb