Holiday hazards: Tips to avoid fraud scams this season

While the holidays are filled with celebrations and relaxation with family and friends, they also pose cybersecurity risks from fraudsters hoping to take advantage of these distractions. Signature, a division of Esquire Bank, hopes to help you avoid holiday hazards by sharing some tips for handling potential scams.

Phishing and smishing scams

Cybercriminals use email (phishing) and text/SMS (smishing), posing as trusted vendors, partners or financial institutions. Typically, these messages inspire fear or panic and push for immediate action, with subjects such as the detection of “unusual activity” on your account or the need to address an unpaid invoice or undeliverable package.

Tips to stay safe: Be sure to verify any suspicious messages independently (before clicking on links) and use tools such as spam filters as a first layer of defense against unwanted emails. Additionally, consider enabling multifactor authentication (MFA) on your banking and financial apps to add an extra layer of protection.

Holiday charity scams

Scammers impersonating charities can play on your goodwill during this time of year. Practice caution with unsolicited donation requests from charities with little or suspicious details.

Tips to stay safe: Always verify charities through trusted resources like the Better Business Bureau before contributing, and direct all donations through official channels.

Gift card scams

Gift cards are an easy, untraceable way to steal money from unsuspecting businesses. Fraudsters may impersonate company executives or business partners asking for the purchase of gift cards.

Tips to stay safe: Be wary of emails, phone calls or texts demanding payment via gift cards. If the request appears to come from someone you know, take the time to verify the source before making the purchase. Only purchase cards from trusted retailers, and check the card’s packaging for signs of tampering.

Package delivery scams

Fake delivery notifications have become a popular way to trick people into sharing sensitive information. With the sheer volume of deliveries during the holiday season, these scams can catch people off guard. 

Tips to stay safe: Verify shipment details directly with carriers. 

Fake public Wi-Fi scams

It’s typical for many to use Wi-Fi networks while traveling. During this time of year, cybercriminalscount on people unknowingly connecting to fake public Wi-Fi networks, risking personal and business data.

Tips to stay safe: Be vigilant about checking unsecured or unusually named Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels or other public locations. 

Fake e-commerce sites and social media ads

Fake e-commerce sites have become more sophisticated and are now easily promoted by social media ads designed to lure shoppers to purchase. These sites then capture payment information and other personal data.

Tips to stay safe: Research online retailers thoroughly, check reviews and verify the website’s URL for signs of authenticity. Also, be sure to use secure payment methods that offer fraud protection.

Travel scams

With many people traveling through the holiday season scammers have become experts at exploiting fake travel deals, bogus accommodation listings and fraudulent ticket sales.

Tips to stay safe: Always use well-known booking sites and verify the website’s URL before making any payments. Also, be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true, and significantly cheaper than the market rate.

Overpayment scams

Overpayment has become another popular way for scammers to make money. This is when someone overpays for products or services and then requests a refund before the original payment is reversed.

Tips to stay safe: If you receive payment for more than the agreed-upon amount, send it back or cancel the order and ask for another payment in the correct amount. In case the sale has already concluded, try to cancel it, and do not agree to return any overpayment.

Heading into the new year is a great time to review passwords and password storage to avoid potential security risks. Strong passwords serve as the first line of defense against hackers gaining access to personal or work accounts. Using the same password across multiple accounts can increase vulnerability, if one password is compromised it can lead to a domino effect, enabling access to all linked accounts.

Did you know that 88% of breached passwords are 12 characters or less?

Consider using strong, unique passwords for each account and a reputable password manager with strong encryption for safe storage of your passwords. Characteristics of a secure and strong password are listed below:

  • At least 12 characters long or more
  • Combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols
  • Not a familiar name, person, character or product
  • Is not based on your personal information
  • Passwords are unique for each account you have
  • Significantly different from your previously used passwords

Can you spot a phishing scam?

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts, and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. The Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $10 billion to phishing scams and other fraud in 2023—an increase of 13.6% over 2022!

It’s time to put scammers in their place.

Fraudsters aren’t so scary when you know what to look for. And at Signature, a division of Esquire Bank, we’re committed to helping you spot them as an extra layer of protection for your account. We’ve joined with the American Bankers Association and banks across the country in a nationwide effort to fight phishing—one scam at a time.

We want every bank customer to become a pro at spotting a phishing scam—and stop bank impostors in their tracks. It starts with these four words: Banks Never Ask That. Because when you know something sounds suspicious, you’re less likely to be fooled.

These four phishing scams are full of red flags:

  • Text Message: If you receive a text message from someone claiming to be your bank asking you to sign in, or offer up your personal information, it’s a scam. Banks Never Ask That.
  • Email: Watch out for emails that ask you to click a suspicious link or provide personal information. The sender may claim to be someone from your bank, but it’s a scam. Banks Never Ask That.
  • Phone Call: Would your bank ever call you to verify your account number? No! Banks Never Ask That. If ever in doubt that the caller is legitimate, just hang up and call the bank directly at a number you trust.
  • Payment Apps: Beware of text messages from someone claiming to be your bank saying your account has been hacked. The scammer may ask you to send money to a new account they’ve created for you, but that’s a scam! Banks Never Ask That.

You’ve probably seen some of these scams before. But that doesn’t stop a scammer from trying. For tips, videos, and an interactive quiz to help you keep phishing criminals at bay, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com. And be sure to share the webpage with your friends and family.

Financial fraud: Leveraging technology to protect your business

In today’s digital age, fraud is an ever-present threat to businesses of all sizes. In addition to financial losses, fraud can lead to reputational damage, regulatory fines and legal consequences and operational disruption. 

Unfortunately, it’s no longer a matter of “if” you’ll be affected by fraud, but “when.” According to the 2025 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report, 79% of organizations were victims of payments fraud attacks or attempted attacks in 2024. This spans all types of businesses, from large corporations to small nonprofits, underscoring the necessity for every business to implement comprehensive fraud protection strategies.

Banks employ a variety of robust protections to fight fraud, but businesses must also invest in their own anti-fraud efforts. This dual approach is essential because vulnerabilities unique to the business’s operations can still pose significant risks that banks’ measures alone cannot fully mitigate. 

Automate electronic payments 

Check fraud affected 63% of surveyed businesses in 2024. The U.S. Postal Service has become a common target for check fraud with checks being intercepted and altered by fraudsters and then deposited via mobile apps or cashed by unsuspecting bank employees. If you can switch from checks to electronic payments, here are a couple options: 

  • Automated Clearing House (ACH):  is a way to electronically move money between banks. 
  • Automated Account Payable solutions: Leveraging a payment app, such as Finrails AP from Signature, a division of Esquire Bank, offering one central, secure platform where authorized users can securely manage and monitor payments of all types, including virtual card payments to reduce the use of paper checks. 

If you must use checks, ensure they are traceable. Positive Pay is a service offered by banks, which flags and reports suspicious checks before they are paid. It is alarmingly underused by businesses, thinking they have the same fraud protections as consumers, which they do not. 

Enhance digital controls 

Fraud is often a result of employees or customers sending sensitive information through unsecured channels. Ensure payments and information are secure by using digital controls such as:

  • Strong passwords and secure links: Ensure that sensitive information is sent securely and passwords are strong and frequently updated
  • Encryption: converting data into a secure format and ensuring it remains encrypted during transmission to prevent unauthorized access  
  • Multi-factor authentication and dual controls: requiring two forms of authentication, such as a password and a one-time code sent to an email or mobile device (yes, this can be annoying, but it’s effective) 
  • Biometric authentication: using biological traits, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, to verify identity 

Leverage real-time monitoring and alerts

Real-time monitoring systems can track transactions and other activities as they happen, flagging suspicious behavior immediately. These systems often use predefined rules and machine learning models to evaluate the legitimacy of each transaction. When potential fraud is detected, automated alerts are sent to the relevant personnel, enabling a quick response to mitigate any potential damage.

Educate employees 

While technology and data play a critical role in fraud prevention, human awareness remains vital. Educating staff on the latest fraud tactics and the importance of adhering to security protocols can significantly reduce the risk of insider fraud and phishing attacks. Employees should be on the lookout for fraudulent behavior and know what to do if they spot potential fraud. 

When fraud occurs, prompt action is critical. When unauthorized transactions happen, an organization’s bank should be notified immediately because liability shifts to the business after just 24 hours. This will also help prevent further fraudulent transactions.

Technology is essential for businesses to protect themselves from fraud threats 

Fraud poses a significant financial threat that businesses must proactively address. By implementing multiple layers of protection—ranging from enhanced cybersecurity and employee education to digital payment solutions and vigilant monitoring—businesses can significantly reduce their vulnerability to fraud. Preparing for the inevitability of fraud with a robust prevention plan is essential to safeguarding your business’s financial health and integrity.

About Signature, a division of Esquire Bank 

Signature is focused on serving the needs of privately owned businesses and their owners. If you’re looking to partner with a relationship-driven financial institution in the fight against fraud, visit Signature online or contact Jason Chess at (847) 268-1032.

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Banking solutions for attorneys: What to prioritize in a financial relationship

While it’s a given that a career as an attorney demands expertise in the practice of law, the business side of the legal industry also requires a high level of savviness and should not be overlooked or viewed as secondary. The stakes are high when large sums of money are flowing in and out of a firm, with client fees and settlements coming in, and legal team payroll, case expenses and firm overhead payments going out. It’s crucial for legal firms to have a trusted banking partner – one that knows the legal industry and its nuances and regulations – to guide and manage cash flow, particularly if they are a litigation law firm working with large settlements. 

Benefits of an Attorney-Bank Relationship

Law firms should establish a relationship with a banking partner they can trust – and it’s crucial to ensure the bank has a track record of successfully working within the legal industry. There are many advantages to a secure partnership between a law firm and bank, and following are five key areas that can benefit attorneys: 

Establishing a new practice: Whether an attorney is right out of law school or is an experienced lawyer branching out on their own, launching a business requires capital. It’s expensive to get a business up and running and a banking partner can open deposit accounts for new firms and help with items like securing letters of credit for office leases. 

Financing case expenses: Financing court cases can be challenging, and the process requires the legal team to have working capital available up front to pay for expenses such as expert witnesses, background research and creation of courtroom exhibits. Generally, the costs and expenses needed to get a case to a resolution is a fraction of the payout, but cases can take time to resolve and having the right banking partner can help a firm finance its expenses and manage cash flow.  A firm with an established banking partner has the advantage of the bank’s trust and is therefore more likely to be successful with securing a loan.  

Managing trust accounts: It’s imperative that legal firms have a trustworthy partner to manage its trust accounts so they can focus on litigating and let their bank handle the finances. A firm’s banking partner should have expertise and experience handling trusts for law firms and their clients and be sensitive to the unique needs of these accounts. There are a lot of nuances to consider, as money paid out can have strings attached, such as if a minor is to be the recipient, or if an estate is involved. These cases need to be handled carefully and expertly, and the right banking partner will be equipped to do so. 

Securing financing for onboarding new partners: For many law firms, bringing on new partners is a strategic path for growing the firm and for expanding revenue opportunities. But adding partners to the roster can be complex and expensive. Working with your bank to find financial solutions for onboarding new senior team members is a creative way to pursue the firm’s plans for growth while keeping the financial needs of your new partners in mind.

Setting up corporate credit cards: A firm may opt to work with their bank to set up a corporate credit card to finance up front expenses. A typical card has a credit line of $100,000 and offers several advantages. Firms that use a credit card, such as the Signature Corporate Credit Card, rather than paper checks significantly lower their chances of fraud – they eliminate the risk of mailing paper checks to experts, witnesses and vendors. They also can have zero-liability fraud protection for unauthorized purchases, significantly reduce time for payment, and save on administration and processing costs. Furthermore, an online dashboard can provide a quick snapshot of spending patterns and status of payments.   

Find a banking partner you can trust

All law firms, but particularly those on the litigation side, should establish a relationship with a bank that has a proven track record specializing in handling the financial aspects of the legal industry. Getting a new firm up and running, financing case expenses and managing trust accounts are all ways a banking partner can help. Does your firm have a trusted banking partner?

Signature, a division of Esquire Bank, focuses on serving the needs of privately-owned businesses and their owners. Contact Nate Dinger for more information at 312-386-6904.

What to look for in a commercial banking partner

As a business owner you are faced with numerous decisions each day that impact your bottom line, your employees and your clients. Whether you are just starting out, or you have an established mid-sized business, one of the most important choices you will make is the selection of a commercial banking partner that will help your business grow and mature. As you evaluate your options, think about what you value in a banking relationship. Are you seeking a true partner who can help guide your financial path? Is location important? What kinds of banking services are a priority for your business?

Following are three criteria to consider when choosing a banking partner.

  1. A Relationship You Can Trust: One of the most valuable assets a commercial banking partner can offer is trust. You want a partner who will be by your side as a confidential advisor, laser-focused on helping you succeed. A benefit of a mid-size bank versus a larger bank can be one-on-one service and quick, personal responses from a live person rather than an automated system or offshore call center.  It’s important to look for a banker who pays attention to the day-to-day transactions of your business and who is available to talk with you regularly – someone who will call you with ideas or if they see an issue. For some businesses, the bank’s location is a priority for easy in-person meetings or simply because the bank has a unique familiarity with the market. When was the last time you spoke directly with your banker?
  1. Knowledge of Your Business and Industry: A banking partner should not only be a financial expert, but also should be an expert on your industry. To provide reliable guidance that will help you achieve your business goals, your banker should deeply understand your business’ nuances, regulations and best practices. Certain industries particularly benefit from having a partner with industry expertise, including law firms, professional service firms, manufacturing companies, technology firms and insurance agencies among others.  A banker who knows your business and industry can respond quickly to your loan requests and provide you certainty of execution so you can focus on the big picture. How well does your commercial banker know your business?
  1. Offerings Catered to Your Business Needs: Every business has a unique set of needs, and your vetting process should include an evaluation of how a bank’s products and services line up with your needs. Can services be customized or are they one size fits all? Perhaps your accounting department would find efficiencies by using file formats that work seamlessly with your bank – so you can reduce the times you need to create reports or research transaction items. Or maybe you need flexible deposit limits and lending thresholds. In today’s environment it’s also important to understand how potential banking partners help you prepare for and manage fraud risks, because if attempted fraud has not yet impacted your business, it likely will at some point. Is your business bank able to offer a breadth of services that fit your needs? Does it provide the best technology combined with personal service?

Whether you are choosing your first banking partner or contemplating a change, make a list of priorities you can measure against in your search. Take time to meet with several potential partners; ask hard questions; and look for someone you can trust with your assets who knows your industry and who offers the customized, hands-on service you deserve.

Looking for a banking partner? Signature, a division of Esquire Bank, highly values customer relationships and can help you reach your business and personal financial goals. Signature focuses on serving the needs of privately-owned businesses and their owners. Contact Pete Olsen at 773-467-5630 for more information.

Five ways to help protect your business from check fraud

Check fraud continues to pose a significant threat to businesses of all sizes, and bad actors are getting more creative and aggressive.

From check washing to email scams, these criminals have numerous tools to alter checks and it is imperative to have strategies in place to provide maximum protection.

Following are five ways to guard against fraud.

  1. Eliminate issuing and printing paper checks: With check washing on the rise (thieves steal checks from mailboxes then “wash” or remove the original ink, rewriting and altering the payee to themselves), companies should evaluate the way they exchange money with vendors and stop writing and mailing checks. In one recent case, a Chicago-area small business owner deposited $25,000 in vendor checks in a USPS mailbox that subsequently was broken into. Fortunately, the company’s checks were not compromised but the business owner had to contact each vendor to confirm receipt.

    Using electronic payments, such as ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments, virtual credit cards that exist for only one transaction, or an online, automated solution like Finrails AP that facilitates business-to-business payments, can help. If you must write checks, experts suggest using a gel pen that cannot be erased with chemicals and enrolling for services like Positive Pay that help catch altered checks and prevent losses from fraudulent check cashing.

  2. Use Out-of-Band Authentication: Be aware of schemes that suggest a change in payment instructions and follow up on requests with another method of outreach. Out-of-Band Authentication (OOBA) enhances cyber security by using a secondary method of verification that is different from the original. For example, a vendor can request payment in an email sent via the internet and send a text message to a mobile device with a one-time verification code to confirm authentication. Secondarily, urge employees to confirm an email payment request with a phone call to the vendor, or verify a payment request made via phone with an email.

  3. Scrutinize the fine print: Emails from criminals look convincing but have errors that can be detected if examined more closely. Train employees to check for misspelled words, typos, and extensions that don’t match that of the legitimate company (e.g. .com vs. .org). The differences can be subtle, but the consequences of providing confidential information in a response can be significant. Also, be aware of emails that use phrases like “code to admin expenses” and “urgent wire transfer.”

  4. Get analyzed: IT firms and insurance companies provide wellness checks to evaluate cyber security. This proactive assessment identifies and eliminates threats and sets policies to prevent fraud.

  5. Be discreet with automated out-of-office replies: Automated out-of-office replies leave businesses vulnerable to criminals. If an employee must set an autoreply, they should not direct recipients to a specific colleague – that invites scammers to impersonate them and have a better chance at success with fraudulent monetary requests. Also, avoid announcing travel plans on social media outlets.

Guarding against check fraud is imperative for protecting businesses from savvy criminals. By proactively taking advantage of new banking technologies and providing employees with defensive strategies, companies will be less vulnerable to financial threats.

Business fraud protection – banking best practices

By: Penny Foust, First Vice President, Signature, a division of Esquire Bank 

If your business has not yet been a victim of fraud, there is a high probability it will. According to the  2023 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report, 65% of organizations experienced payment fraud attacks/attempts in 2022. This holds true for all companies regardless of size or type, from large corporations with deep pockets to the smallest, least-prepared nonprofits. 

Companies that have not experienced fraud often think it won’t happen to them; unfortunately, it is no longer “if” but “when.”  It can be daunting to consider the fallout, and overwhelming to think about establishing fraud preventative measures, but creating a business fraud prevention plan is necessary to reduce risk. 

Business owners may assume they have the same fraud protection afforded to consumers by the Federal Reserve Board, allowing 60 days to report unauthorized electronic payments. The truth is, Regulation E, which implements the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), is only a consumer protection law that does not provide businesses with the same safety net. Businesses need to notify their banks immediately to dispute unauthorized transactions, as after 24 hours the liability shifts from the bank to the business.   

Now more than ever, it is imperative companies proactively work with their financial institutions to combat savvy, ever-evolving fraudsters. When companies sign bank documents, there are agreements to follow certain security protocols and bank disclosures that outline best practices for fraud protection. Dual control, which creates two layers of approvals for transactions by two users on two different devices, is a prime example. Businesses must accept and implement banks’ security offerings and not waive the right or ability to establish crucial checks and balances. If a company waives these options, the liability falls on them, emphasizing the need to have a plan in place to minimize losses when fraud occurs. 

The following are tips to minimize risks associated with commercial fraud: 

Keep Checks Out of the Mail and Implement Positive Pay  

Checks are one of the most vulnerable payment methods businesses still use today. In fact, the 2023 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report revealed that 63% of companies surveyed say their organization experienced fraud through check use. Check fraud often begins with paper checks being stolen from the mail, like from a postal service mailbox or mail containing checks left out for postal worker pickup. 

One way to minimize check fraud is to go digital. Fraud-conscious companies can keep paper checks out of the mail by automating payments through a trusted banking provider. For example, Signature offers Finrails AP, which is a fully integrated payments platform that automates business-to-business payments in a seamless and secure online dashboard. 

If a criminal intercepts a check, there are ways to fight fraud before it’s too late. Positive Pay is a standard, time-tested tool offered by banks to catch check fraud but it has been alarmingly underutilized by businesses. Positive pay matches the account number, check number and dollar amount of each check presented for payment against a list of checks previously authorized and issued by the company. Suspicious checks are reported to the customer for a pay/no pay decision before it becomes a loss. 

Companies also should be aware of endorsement fraud, which happens when a legitimate check is intercepted and endorsed by someone other than the intended recipient. Unfortunately, positive pay does not thwart this type of fraud because nothing on the front of the check has changed. Companies can catch endorsement fraud by daily or weekly spot checking the backs of checks. 

Implement Cyber Security  

Cyber fraud is a growing threat, largely due to customers sending personal information, such as drivers licenses, social security numbers and account numbers through unsecured channels. Customers should set up strong passwords and only send confidential information via secure links banks provide. Additionally, businesses should use multi-factor authentication, such as key fobs and security tokens, and set up dual controls. 

Educate and Engage Employees   

Businesses should educate and engage their employees about fraud prevention, which could include daily monitoring and creating a plan for when fraud occurs. It also is important to ensure employees who access company finances have particularly secure systems, not just when they are in banking portals, but with all systems and applications, including social media, that they access from their work computer. 

Fraud is an ongoing financial threat that all businesses must acknowledge and anticipate. When a business does experience fraud or an email breach it is critical to notify their bank immediately, as the bank could receive fraudulent emails that appear to be from the customer. Businesses should always report fraud to FTC.gov and, in cases of cyber fraud, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov). 

Signature highly values customer relationships and can help your business with strategies to prevent and respond to fraud and cyberthreats. We focus on serving the needs of privately-owned businesses and their owners. Learn more on our website, or contact Penny Foust at 773.499.7157.

Beyond rewards—the real value of your corporate credit card

A business credit card is a powerful cash management tool that can help businesses minimize borrowing costs, protect their finances, and manage expenses more efficiently. But some midsize businesses are hesitant, often because they are simply unaware of the many operational benefits that come with business credit cards.  And while many banks offer corporate and business credit cards with the usual teaser rates and rewards, the real value to consider in a business credit card lies in extra features and benefits that are assets to your business’s bottom line.

Four overlooked business credit card benefits 

Business owners are strapped for time and spend a lot of it thinking about the financial details that keep the business running smoothly. And when questions come up, especially about finances, the answer often needs to be “now.” Business credit cards can take away some of those worrisome details by offering more control over cash flow and day-to-day expenses and streamlining working capital, but that’s just the beginning.  Here are four often-overlooked benefits to consider when selecting the right business card:

#1 Real-time visibility over business expenses 

One often overlooked credit card feature is account management tools. The right card grants transparency into where expenses are going along with the ability to integrate third-party travel and expense reporting and reimbursement solutions.

#2 Flexible control over employee spending 

When cards are issued to employees, there are tools and parameters to control where the employee is using the card and what they are purchasing. According to Penny Foust, CTP who leads the Treasury Management team for Signature, a division of Esquire Bank, “If you have the right card, you should be able to adjust the spending limits as well as the categories where a card can be used.   For instance, allow purchases for fuel, office supplies, or hotels, but restrict purchases in other categories like casinos.”

#3 An added level of security online

Employee credit cards can also offer a level of fraud protection that check-writing just can’t provide and many offer zero-liability fraud protection for unauthorized purchases.  But beyond that, some provide virtual credit cards. Virtual credit cards allow companies to make online payments by generating a virtual, single-use account number that protects the original account information in the event of a data breach or hack.

#4 Personal service from a trusted advisor

When companies and cardholders need help with their business credit cards, it is critical to have a quick response and not get stuck waiting on hold with an 800 number for help. 

Penny gives an example of a Chicago attorney who was stuck at the airport on a Friday afternoon in need of help with a business credit card issue in minutes, not days or weeks. His corporate card account, which was jointly used by 10 other employees, was maxed out. 

“Normally the decision to raise a credit limit could take weeks, and involve phone calls to an outsourced call center,” relates Penny. “Because he held a Signature card, he called our bank, and we were able to immediately increase his limit. He was able to board the plane, get to his meeting and get the deal done.” 

Explore all the perks of plastic for your business

Finding the right corporate credit card is an important decision. It can help you streamline payment systems, reduce processing costs, and improve overall efficiencies within your business. You’re also able to minimize risk to personal credit, freeing your personal credit from business obligations.

Signature focuses on serving the needs of privately-owned businesses and their owners. Learn more on our website, or contact Penny Foust at 773-499-7157.

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