What is a home equity line of credit (HELOC), and how does it work? Is a home equity line of credit the same as a home equity loan or a mortgage? How can I obtain a home equity line of credit*? And finally, what are the best ways to use a home equity line of credit? Though it all may sound confusing, a home equity line of credit is actually quite simple and it can be a powerful tool to have in your financial toolbox.

In this episode of Financial Cents, Brent Cannon, executive vice president and director of community banking, sits down with Ana Ochoa, vice president and private banking relationship manager, to discuss HELOCs. According to Ana, “a home equity line of credit is a line of credit that you use based on the equity you have in your home, whether it’s a primary home, second home or vacation home*”. She goes on to explain that unlike a home equity loan, “you can borrow and pay it off, and still have the credit available after you pay it off.”

This makes a home equity line of credit a great financial tool, especially since there is no origination cost, no appraisal fees and no title fees. 

“It’s really a great source for a cash reserve based on the inexpensive nature of getting into a home equity line of credit,” Brent adds.

For most folks, a home equity line of credit is commonly used for home improvement projects that ultimately increase the value of the home, consolidating debt or to have in case of unexpected emergencies or opportunities. According to Brent, home equity lines of credit are great for debt consolidation because the interest rates are so low.

To conclude the discussion, Ana talks about the idea the home equity lines of credit are great to have in case of emergencies. “It's such an advantage because there are so many things that could happen, that it almost feels like the home equity line of credit could be a safety net for certain financial responsibilities that you may have,” she said.

Financial Cents is hosted by Brent Cannon, executive vice president and director of community banking, and features real answers to the real questions that Arizona businesses and individuals have about money. With each episode featuring veteran bankers from National Bank of Arizona, Financial Cents provides the insights you can only get from a friend in the business.

Subscribe from your favorite podcast platform by visiting nbaz.com/financial-cents.

A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC.

*Subject to credit approval and property evaluation. Terms and conditions apply. Contact a banker for details. NMLS #467014

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What does a business need to do if they want to import goods from another country or export goods they produce? How can a bank facilitate imports and exports for Arizona businesses? And finally, who are Arizona’s largest trading partners, and how can businesses leverage that? While doing business across international borders may seem complicated, it doesn’t have to be. 

In this episode of Financial Cents, Brent Cannon, executive vice president and director of community banking, is joined by Marcos Garay, executive vice president and director of multicultural banking, and Mark Garfield, senior vice president and international banking regional manager, to discuss the ins and outs of international trade in Arizona – from how businesses can trade between countries to what it all means for Arizona communities.

At its most basic level, international trade is simply the exchange of goods or services between countries. As Marcos explains, international trade can be as simple as a business in Arizona selling Canadian maple syrup that they purchase from a Canadian distributor. Despite that simplicity, however, the transaction can still have a lot of moving parts: for example, the business’s US dollars must be exchanged for Canadian dollars and all international trade agreements must be adhered to.

That’s where a bank like National Bank of Arizona comes into play. Backed by Zions Bancorporation, National Bank of Arizona has the resources and know-how to both facilitate these international transactions and finance them. As Mark explains, “the bank is required to take care of the transaction and to finance the transaction.”

Finally, Brent, Mark and Marcos discuss Arizona’s proximity to Mexico and how that impacts international trade in Arizona and ultimately, what that means for Arizona communities. “Mexico is Arizona’s largest trading partner, and some of the industries that are very important to Arizona’s international trade are mining, manufacturing of all types, technology and agriculture.”

Financial Cents is hosted by Brent Cannon and features real answers to the real questions that Arizona businesses and individuals have about money. With each episode featuring veteran bankers from National Bank of Arizona, Financial Cents provides the insights you can only get from a friend in the business. Subscribe from your favorite podcast platform by visiting nbaz.com/financial-cents.

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How can small businesses obtain Paycheck Protection Program loans? How are 2021 PPP loans different than last year’s round of loans? And perhaps most importantly, what can small businesses do after they obtain funding to ensure PPP loan forgiveness? With a new round of PPP funding available to eligible businesses, many small businesses likely have lots of questions about how the program works.

That's why Brent Cannon, director of community banking, invited John Lewis, business banking manager, and Laura Schaeffer, director of operations and technology, to discuss some of these frequently asked questions. All three are veterans of the first round of Paycheck Protection Program funding that happened in the spring of 2020, and each offers a unique insight into how the program works.

In this episode of Financial Cents, Brent, John and Laura take a look at the key differences between the initial round of funding made available in the spring of 2020 and this year’s round of funding, while delving into what we learned last year and how businesses can apply those lessons today. Along the way, they’ll walk listeners through the process of applying for a loan and explain what happens in between the initial application and receiving funds.

In addition, they’ll discuss some of the expanded provisions of the program which allow small business owners to use some of the funding to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and necessary business upgrades that allow employees to continue working safely.

As an SBA preferred lender, National Bank of Arizona has created a streamlined process that makes the application quick and simple. To get started with a PPP loan* application, eligible first- and second-time borrowers can simply go to NBAZ.com/cares to complete their online application in as few as 10 to 15 minutes.

Financial Cents is hosted by Brent Cannon and features insightful conversations with bankers at National Bank of Arizona about real-world financial topics that matter to you. Leveraging decades of banking experience, Financial Cents provides the insights you can only get from a friend in the business.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or view full episodes at nbaz.com/financial-cents.

*PPP loans subject to SBA approval. Restrictions may apply. See banker for details.

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How much should small businesses borrow? How much business debt is too much? Borrowing may not be the best option for you or your small business. In this episode, two long-time bankers who have worked with numerous small businesses throughout Arizona explain that just because you can borrow, doesn’t mean you should. Business loans don't always lead to business growth, and in this episode, John and Brent explain why with real stories from their experiences.

“That may sound crazy coming from a banker, but too often in my career, I’ve watched businesses with the ability and compacity to borrow… turned out that in the long run, they probably shouldn’t have borrowed. Or they should have been more selective in their borrowing,” says Brent Cannon.

Brent Cannon, EVP, director of community banking at National Bank of Arizona is your host for Financial Cents, Arizona’s Financial Podcast. On this podcast, Brent and real bankers give insights that viewers could only get if they had a friend in the business. John Lewis, SVP, business banking manager at National Bank of Arizona, returns as guest. Tune into episode two as we address the common questions business owners ask and the common concerns bankers have before applying for a business loan. 

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or view full episodes at nbaz.com/financial-cents.
A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC

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What is an SBA loan? Who can apply for one? Is an SBA loan more expensive than other options? National Bank of Arizona is highly ranked by the Small Business Administration and proud to be an SBA preferred lender, increasing SBA Loans 272% in 2018.  We sit down with John Lewis, SVP, business banking regional manager at National Bank of Arizona, and ask him what is fact and what is a myth when it comes to SBA loans. 

“Over the years, I’ve talked to a lot of people and say, ‘Hey how about an SBA loan?’ and they get this scared look on their face… and really the process and the opportunity to obtain an SBA loan isn’t as painful as people might think” says John Lewis

Brent Cannon, EVP, director of community banking at National Bank of Arizona is your host for Financial Cents, Arizona’s Financial Podcast. Join us for episode four as Brent and real bankers give insights that viewers could only get if they had a friend in the business. 

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or view the full episodes of Financial Cents at nbaz.com/financial-cents.

A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC

Check out more content Financial Cents content by visiting: https://www.nbarizona.com/financial-cents/

How do I sell my business? What steps do I need to take to retire from my small business? We’ve got three tips for you to consider. Our guest this episode is Jason Gove, vice president at National Bank of Arizona. He gives three tips to business owners looking to sell, exit or retire from their business. Brent Cannon, EVP, director of community banking is your host for Financial Cents, Arizona’s Financial Podcast.  

On this podcast, Brent and his guests give insights that viewers could only get if they had a friend in the business. Jason Gove answers the top three questions every business owner should ask themselves before selling their business. 

1) How do I get ready to sell the business?
2) How do I diversify my family’s income? 
3) Why should I prioritize a full risk audit?  

Brent Cannon and real local bankers answering questions and providing insights as to what is happening in the Arizona market. You can't Google these answers folks. Find out why National Bank of Arizona is The Only Bank You Need.  

Subscribe to watch or listen to the full episode to get all of Jason’s insights at nbaz.com/financial-cents. 

A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC 

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What is commercial real estate, and how is different than residential real estate? What kind of properties can be financed with commercial real estate loans? What types of commercial real estate loans are available? How do you get started with investing in commercial real estate? For those looking to start their real estate investment journey, commercial real estate offers a wide array of property types and sizes, from the single-tenant office building to large, multi-family residential properties. And it’s this wide variety of property types that can be appealing to investors as it allows you to create a truly diverse portfolio of investments over time.

In this episode of Financial Cents, Mark Stebbings, executive vice president and director of specialty lending, and Jeff Melsek, real estate commercial portfolio manager, join guest host John Lewis, senior vice president and business banking regional manager, to discuss tips and strategies for those looking to purchase or refinance existing commercial real estate. 

Since even the best commercial real estate property needs the right financing to be successful, leveraging your relationship with your banker is a must. As Mark explains, “there’s no ‘one size fits all’ for a transaction.” And it’s in working with your banker where you can find a customizable solution for your specific transaction.

With that in mind, Jeff goes on to discuss National Bank of Arizona’s new program for first-time or newer commercial real estate investors. “We’ve put together a program for commercial real estate financing but tailored it to meet the needs of these first-time or maybe newer commercial real estate investors,” said Jeff. “We pride ourselves on the fact that we are a smaller community bank and a relationship bank, so we are more than willing to help anybody who wants to get started in commercial real estate.”

From going over the different types of commercial real estate loans to leveraging your relationship with your bank to get started, Jeff and Mark draw on their decades of experience in the industry to offer the types of insights and strategies that you could only get from a friend in the business.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or view full episodes at https://www.nbarizona.com/financial-cents/.

Check out more content Financial Cents content by visiting: https://www.nbarizona.com/financial-cents/

What is cash flow, and why is it so important to any small business? What are some cash flow management techniques? How do cash flow problems arise? What is treasury management and how can it help? For most small business owners, these can be very important questions, though may not always get the attention they deserve. Because the truth is, most small businesses don’t have the benefit of a chief financial officer, treasurer or an operations manager on the payroll. And with the sheer number of responsibilities a small business owner must attend to, they simply may not have the time to manage their cash flow the way they want. 

In this episode of Financial Cents, Zak Wagner, senior vice president and treasury management manager, joins guest host John Lewis, senior vice president and business banking regional manager, to discuss cash flow management for small businesses. 

As Zak explains, cash flow, in its most simple form, is the money coming in and the money going out for a business. Depending on the type of business, there could be hundreds of transactions a day – customers paying for products and services and the business paying vendors and suppliers. And keeping track of all of this is a vital part of keeping businesses solvent. 

The ideal cash flow strategy, according to Zak, is making things as simple and efficient as possible. Business banking should never be an afterthought, but it should be something a business owner can manage quickly and efficiently, with little interruption to their busy schedule. 

And that’s where leveraging the relationship you have with your banker can really help. If they know the ins and outs of your business and your processes for receiving or paying money, they can help identify treasury management products and solutions to simplify the process, giving you more time to spend doing what you love. 

Financial Cents features bankers from around National Bank of Arizona using their knowledge and experience to offer the kinds of insights and strategies that individuals and businesses could only get if they had a friend in the business. 

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or view full episodes at nbaz.com/financial-cents. 

A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC. 

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If you’ve been dreaming of building or remodeling your dream home, there can be a lot of financial considerations: what’s the best way to secure a construction loan? What do you do if you’re looking to sell the property you currently live in before moving into the new home being built? What happens with your construction loan once the new home is built and you’re ready to move in? There’s a lot to consider, and we’d certainly understand if you felt overwhelmed about building a home.

In this episode of Financial Cents, Greg Geis, senior vice president and retail mortgage production manager, returns to chat with host Brent Cannon about how simple it can be – for you, your builder and your realtor – to finance or remodel your dream home with National Bank of Arizona.

As Greg explains in this episode, our One-Time Close Construction Loan allows the client to lock in today’s interest rates even though the home may not be completed for another one to two years. Once construction is complete, the loan is then converted to a permanent home loan. And if you’re concerned about potentially having two loans at once – the home you’re building or remodeling and the home you currently own – we can accommodate that, too, since it’s likely you’ll be selling your current home at the end of construction.

But it’s not just the client who can benefit from this type of construction loan – the builder and realtor do, too. With our local construction servicing group located in Phoenix, builders can get funds in as few as 3-5 business days from the time they submit a draw request. For realtors, they can refer clients who may not have identified a property, allow their client to get started in the process earlier.

Hosted by Brent Cannon, executive vice president and director of community banking at National Bank of Arizona, Financial Cents features bankers from around National Bank of Arizona who share the kind of tips and strategies you could only get from a friend in the business.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or view full episodes at nbaz.com/financial-cents.

A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC.

Loans subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply. See a banker for details.

Check out more content Financial Cents content by visiting: https://www.nbarizona.com/financial-cents/

How much home can you afford? How do you get started with securing a home loan? What loan programs are available? While looking for homes, attending open houses and negotiating offers and counteroffers can be an exhilarating experience, there’s a lot of prep and paperwork that must happen first – before you even start the process of making offers. In short, it can all feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the types of home loans available regardless of if you’re a first time homebuyer.

In this episode of Financial Cents, Greg Geis, senior vice president and retail mortgage production manager, sits down with host Brent Cannon to go over tips for homebuyers and walk you through the process of buying a home from mortgage pre-qualification to finishing the deal.

According to Greg, the simplest way to begin is by completing our easy-to-use online mortgage application. This application helps you get your financials in order, determine how much home you can afford and help you decide which loan program may be best, including conventional, FSA, jumbo, or one-time close. Of particular interest is our one-time close loan, which allows those looking to build or remodel a home to save on closing costs with simplified one-time close construction that includes the lot for the home.

Financial Cents is hosted by Brent Cannon, executive vice president and director of community banking at National Bank of Arizona. In each episode, Brent invites bankers from around National Bank of Arizona like Greg Geis to discuss financial tips and strategies.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or view full episodes at nbaz.com/financial-cents.

A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC.

Terms and conditions apply. See banker for details. Equal Housing Lender NMLS #467014

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