Monthly Archives: May 2010

Credit Scores and Looking for A Business Loan

As has been one of the topics discussed throughout these articles, credit scores are extremely important when applying for business loans. With lending standards tightening among all banks and financial institutions, it is imperative that you have a credit score that implies that you are a worthy credit risk. A credit score is calculated based on a number of factors including your past payment history, your current debts, how long you have had credit, and whether or not you have any delinquent accounts. Today, most lenders want to see a credit score above 680 if they are going to grant you a business loan.

 

When looking for business loan, you should pull all three of your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian). Each bureau maintains its own records so it is important to ensure that the information on each of your reports is correct. Most banks now look at all three different reports to make sure that there are no discrepancies.

 

If your current credit is not in a good state then you may want to talk to your accountant or a properly licensed credit counselor before applying for a business loan. They will be able to assist you in making appropriate decisions regarding how you can improve your credit score so that when you do apply for a business loan – you will have no issues pertaining to your credit.

 

As we have discussed earlier, if you have an outstanding business project that needs financing but you do not have an appropriate credit score then you may want to seek alternative methods of finance. This can include bootstrapping your business or seeking equity investments from private investors. You may also want to go to familiar sources such as family and friends as potential lenders/investors in your business venture.

Setting Up Your Home Business with Small Business Loans

More and more people are setting up home businesses these days. Some of them may have been laid off from work. Others may have found difficulty finding employment. Still others may have chosen to change careers midstream after finding their true passion and deciding to make a living out of it.

Setting up a home business gives you much more freedom than regular employment. You are now your own boss. It gives you more time with your family and for yourself. It eliminates the stresses of the workplace and the fatigue of commuting to and from work. This redounds to better physiological, psychological and emotional health and greater productivity. It is also a good way to start going into business because of the lower start up costs. You save a lot on overhead expenses by having your office in your own home.

Despite the low start up costs of a home business, it is not a free ride. You will definitely still need some additional capital as you go along. The good news is that you can start very small and, because of this, you need not approach those intimidating banks and financial institutions for small business loans. After all, it is common knowledge that not only is the process of applying for small business loans lengthy and complicated, but approval is also mostly withheld anyway.

What you should do is approach a merchant service, instead, and apply for credit card services. What has this got to do with your need for small business loans? A lot. Through the same merchant service from whom you get your credit card services, you can get cash advances that are just like small business loans, albeit with lower ceilings. That would not be a problem given your smaller capital needs.

But what are credit card services? Is this the same as applying for a credit card? No. It is actually the other end of the equation. Credit card services allow you to accept payments through credit or debit cards in person, through the internet, by phone and by fax. The merchant service provides you with terminal equipment for physically swiping the cards and the software and high speed IP solutions necessary for all kinds of transactions.

Having credit card services is actually necessary for practically any home business that is involved with sales. The ability to accept debit and credit card payments will boost your income. Having multiple payment options, such as person-to-person, online, phone and fax payments, will further attract more customers.

Most merchant services require only a short minimum period to determine your business’ capability to generate credit card and debit card sales. Your average monthly income through your credit card services will be the basis for the amount of cash advances you will be allowed to make. You will not be required to put up any collateral at all. It is like getting pre-approved small business loans. But there’s more good news. You need not scrimp and save to muster enough cash for loan repayment every month. All you need to do is attend to your business and its profitability. As your credit and debit card payments roll in every month, a certain percentage is automatically paid to the merchant service for your loan. You need not worry about it since you will always be able to afford your payments. Your customers will ensure that.

As your business grows and your sales multiply, you may qualify for bigger and bigger cash advances that you can use to further expand your home business. And you’re on your way to the big time.

Advanced Merchant Services
Contact Name: Roger Inman
P.O. Box 1475 Safety Harbor, FL 34691
Bus: 727-642-3606
Bus Fax: 877-413-6067
E-mail: rinman3@tampabay.rr.com
Website: www.bankcardprocess.com

Secured Business Loans – An Opportunity To Showcase One’s Entrepreneur Skills

Publilius Syrus’s statement, “Money alone sets the entire world in motion” holds true to the world of business. Starting a new business involves huge investments. You may have big plans for the business but they won’t work if you don’t have the money to finance them. There are different sources to finance the business. But the best and cheap alternative available in the finance market is the secured business loan.

Secured business loans require borrowers to put a security against the loan. Borrower’s commercial properties, machines or equipments can work as collateral. Secured business loans can be used to start up a new business or to enlarge the existing one. An entrepreneur can also utilize secured business loan to finance the working capital, which can be used to purchase raw material, paying the labour charges etc.

Borrowers can enjoy various benefits with secured business loans. A borrower gets the freedom to use the property which is kept as a security against the loan, to ensure smooth running of the business. Secured business loans are offered at low interest rate as the loan is secured against the loan.

With a secured business loan, borrowers get the option to pay either a fixed interest rate loan or a flexible interest rate loan. In a fixed rate loan, the interest rate is fixed in the beginning of the loan term and it remains constant throughout the loan period. While, a flexible rate loan implies that the rate of interest varies with fluctuations in the market rate of interest. A borrower can choose the interest rate according to his or her convenience.

Running a business is very risky, filled with uncertainty. You may get huge profits one month and big losses next month. Thus, returns are unpredictable. In such circumstances, flexible repayment option offered by secured business loans can be helpful.

Secured business loan providers can finance small as well as big businesses. You can borrow any amount ranging from £25000 to £10 millions. Few lenders can provide you business loan for a higher amount too. Amount of loan you can borrow depends on the value of the collateral and the lender you select. Repayment term of a secured business loans can be extended up to 30 years.

You need to stay prepared with some documents and business plan to apply for the business loan. A borrower needs to submit following documents with the lender to get a secured business loan:

oBusiness financial statements

oBusiness tax returns

oPersonal financial statements and tax returns

The next thing you need to work on will be the business plan. Your business plan must include information regarding the product you produce or plan to produce. Give details about your present and future marketing strategies, what are other sources of finance you have employed in your business, your management structure and the risk involved in the business. So highlight your financial performance both in the past and in the future. You will be more impressive if you have carefully thought-out and become familiar with your plan. A good business plan can brighten up the possibility of getting a fast and cheap secured business loans.

A borrower needs to concentrate on one more area, that is, his or her credit score. This will be an important aspect on which the lender will be looking at. So try to improve it by paying out old debts and it will be easier for you to grab good rates in the market.

Secured business loans are offered by commercial lender as well as financial institutions. Now, you can apply for a secured business loans online too. Browse through various loan websites and collect loan quotes from them. Compare loan quotes and find the one which you find the best satisfying your needs and expectations.

Starting up a new business or expanding the existing one may require huge investments. Secured business loans can serve this purpose in the most efficient and effective manner by offering low and flexible loan repayment options.

Author: Natasha Anderson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The Beauty of a Contingency Plan for Small Business Loans

Getting a small business loan for the first time can be a stressful experience, especially during these hard times. Getting a loan from the bank, especially now has also fallen into hard times. So here are plans A and B to help you start your own small business. Plan A is for acquiring a small business loan from the bank, and plan B is your contingency plan, so take notes,

PLAN A

Know yourself. Before approaching a bank or any other lender, be sure you know your own history in terms of personal credit. Is your credit history good or bad? Due to the current recession, you can be sure to see that banks have become more strict in reviewing records before making any decision for business loans. You can obtain your credit history from companies like TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax via fax, mail or online.  Also, be sure to check if the records are right. Companies with credit card services sometimes make errors in logging cancellations or adjustments to your credit limit. These misreported transactions in the past  may appear as available credit to the bank.

Prepare a competitive business presentation. A good presentation should initially be able to make the bank understand what you plan to do with the money and not simply WHY you need the money. Remain objective in your explanations and try not to attach too much personal reasons in your answer. The bank’s concern is not with you, but with the money they will give you. A cash flow projection will be of good help during your presentation because the bank can quickly assess the benefits and risks for them. However, a cash flow projection is different with a cash flow statement. The projection is an expectation on how money will come in and out, while a statement shows how money arrives and leaves the business. You can make a projection on a monthly basis over one year for a better outlook of your expectations for the business.

Prepare other documents. You may need to present other documents like a credit rating report. Though this is not an actual requirement, it will still be useful for the bank to know your loan payment history and other dealings with other credit card services. After all, most banks only approve businesses that are able to accept credit cards.

Get to know the bank. It is also important to do a little research on your lender’s point of view. Again, the first question in the bank’s mind is, “what are you going to do with our money?” The second question would be, “Why should we risk our money for your business?” Providing the bank with the right answer boosts your chances of getting that business loan by more than 50% of the time.

Bear important facts. You need to be honest to the bank on certain areas like, how much money are you willing to put in to the business, the collateral you currently have, and how much do you really know about the industry you’re planning to venture in. Enduring the bank that you’re not completely in the dark on your planned business will somehow put their minds at ease with regards to the loan they will be giving you.

PLAN B

If all else fails with the bank, do not despair. There are other means of acquiring small business loans for yourself. Many business cash advance companies are now available to serve you. Borrowing money from these companies are relatively easier than getting one from a bank. They will review your credit record but they are less strict in terms of seeing a few bad records on your history. With a business cash advance, you will be able to start your own small business, expand, pay off debt or taxes, and get emergency funding. However, make sure that the company you will be applying to is legitimate with negotiable terms with payment.

Good luck!

Advanced Merchant Services
Contact Name: Roger Inman
P.O. Box 1475 Safety Harbor, FL 34691
Bus: 727-642-3606
Bus Fax: 877-413-6067
E-mail: rinman3@tampabay.rr.com
Website: www.bankcardprocess.com

Get Fast and Easy Business Cash Advance Instead of A Small Business Loan

Today’s economy and high unemployment rates are pushing most of us to explore the option of putting up our own small businesses. You will get to handle your own money, there is no risk of lay-offs, and it is a great opportunity to explore your skills on handling your own business and company. However, more banks nowadays are enforcing stricter rules and guidelines for giving out business loans.  A bad credit history may be one of your concerns for getting rejected for a loan, and this makes it difficult for us to get the financial help few need to get started. Like every other bank or lending institution, risk factors have to be taken into consideration before they hand you their money. The credit card services you have availed and how you paid these services are very important information for these companies because it will be their basis on the approval (or disapproval) of your request, and the rate of interest they can give you. All in all, it is a tedious and stressful ordeal to go through.

Fortunately, there is now an easier way to get a  small business loan without the fear of your own credit card history. Getting a business cash advance is a faster and less stressful way of getting and paying off a business loan. A business cash advance is a lending service offered to business owners who accept credit cards as payment for their goods or services. It has a shorter processing time and you can even do the transaction online. This is ideal for those time-dependent money problems you naturally experience with your business. It usually only takes a few days to a week to have your request processed and approved, with the money transferred to your own account. All you need to do is fill out their forms (available online) and qualify for their basic requirements.

The requirements are quite similar to those of most lending institutions, but your credit history would not be put under too strict reviews. In fact, unlike business loans from the bank, bad credit history is not that big of a deal for cash advance providers. You only need to be of legal age; have a registered business in the US; have a small business that processes credit cards for payment; and have been in business for at least a year. You can use the money to start or franchise your own business, refinance a business debt, buy new equipment or purchase goods, and pay of f debt or taxes.

The payment terms for a business cash advance is, of course, different from that of a business loan from the bank. But in general, the payment terms for this lending service will greatly depend on the amount of money you will be borrowing. The higher the amount, the longer the term period. For banks and other big lenders, payment terms for business loans can be paid off in long term or short term. Small business loan payment in banks usually does not exceed five years.

Payment terms for business cash advance canbe instant or can be done on a monthly basis, it all depends on your capability to pay, and the amount of money you borrowed. The payment terms will usually require you to pay the cash advance company each month and you will get the payment structure with the amount that they expect you to pay every month. If you can afford to pay it off all at once, then the better.

A business cash advance is a great way to fund your small business because it is convenient and easy to apply for. All you need now is to choose a legitimate cash advance lender to get started.

Advanced Merchant Services
Contact Name: Roger Inman
P.O. Box 1475 Safety Harbor, FL 34691
Bus: 727-642-3606
Bus Fax: 877-413-6067
E-mail: rinman3@tampabay.rr.com
Website: www.bankcardprocess.com

Unsecured Business Loans – Earn Finance Without a Clause of Collateral

Running a business is a risky task, filled with uncertainty. Despite of cautions taken by entrepreneurs, crisis may occur anytime. Entrepreneurs may need urgent cash at that time. How can they get that instant money? Unsecured business loans help them meet their urgent cash needs.

Unsecured business loan is one of the most popular and easiest ways to get the funds you need to start up or to expand the business. A borrower can use an unsecured business loan for a variety of commercial purposes, ranging from real estate acquisition and refinance to business acquisition and working capital.

The most significant feature of an Unsecured business loans from the point of view of a borrower is that it is not secured by a collateral or property of the borrower. A borrower is on the safer side, as his property is not at risk.

With an unsecured business loan, a borrower can borrow any amount ranging from £30,000 to £250,000. The repayment period of the loan can vary from 1 to 20 years depending on the amount of loan the borrower wants, and his or her credit history. The loan provider will be interested in the creditworthiness of the borrower because of absence of security. The lender can rely on the credit score and business plan of the borrower for lending purposes.

Unsecured business loan carries higher rate of interest because the loan is not secured against any collateral of the borrower. If a borrower knows about his credit score, he or she can use this knowledge to get good rates.

Unsecured business loan borrowers can get their credit report from any of the credit rating agencies namely Equifax, Experian or Transunion. FICO score reflects credit worthiness of the borrower. FICO score ranges from 365 to 850. The score evaluates a borrower’s overall credit balances, credit history, and public records such as judgments. Generally, a credit score of 680 and above is considered a good score. With such a credit score, a borrower can expect a positive response from the lender.

People with bad credit history or poor credit score can also apply for an unsecured business loan but they need to work hard on their business plan, to make it more impressive.
UK finance market present a large number of unsecured business loan options to borrowers. Unsecured business loan providers, such as banks, financial institutions and online lenders, offer various loan packages, each with particular set of terms and conditions.

A borrower can either take a loan at fixed or variable rate of interest. Fixed interest rate denotes that interest rate remains constant throughout the loan period, while a variable interest rate implies that the interest rate will vary with the change in the market interest rate.

The benefit of taking unsecured business loan is that it facilitates borrowers with the option of flexible monthly payments, depending on the lender’s policy. An entrepreneur may earn huge profits one month and big losses next month. Thus, there is uncertainty of returns in business. The facility of flexible repayment provides entrepreneur with the flexibility to pay more when he earns good profits and pay less or do not pay any payment if he suffers loss during some period.

A borrower can increase his chances of getting unsecured business loans by refining one’s business plan. Borrowers are required to make a business plan if they want loan to start-up or expand the business, which involves huge investment. One should always give industry-specific details in the business plan, so that the lender is able to know in-depth about the business you want to start or how your present business is performing and what market trends affect it. In addition, talk about your management team and their expertise in several fields. Focus on the quality of your business plan, for this is one of the primary documents that lenders use to judge the stability and future of your business. A borrower’s business plan can help in building trust and confidence in the mind of the lender. Consequently, it ensures that borrowers will make monthly payments on time.

Unsecured business loan are specifically designed to meet diverse needs of UK residents. Borrowers are not required to put their property as a security against the loan with the lender. A borrower can enjoy the benefits of flexible monthly payments option offered by unsecured business loan lender.

Author: Pamella Scott
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Alternatives to Traditional Business Loans

 

If you find that you are having difficult when looking for a business loan then there are a number of different potential funding avenues that you may want to investigate. In fact, you may want to investigate these alternative financing methods even prior to beginning the business loan application process.

 

In regards to obtaining debt financing, the alternative to this in general is that you could seek to raise capital from angel investors or a venture capital firm. These companies specialize in making equity investments into companies that have substantial growth potential. However, unlike a business loan, an equity investor will require that you sell shares of your business to the individual or investment firm. Additionally, many professional investors will want a substantial say in regards to the direction of the company, and they will want to sit on the board of directors.

 

Another alternative to a traditional business loan is a business line of credit, which much like a business loan, can be secured by real property that you already own. If you do not require one lump sum of capital in order to launch of expand your operations then it may be in your best interest to secure a line of credit that you can drawn down as needed. Much like a business loan, a formal business plan, personal financial statements, credit checks, and collateral checks will be required to secure this type of financing.

 

If you are already in business, you can also obtain a cash advance on your accounts receivables or credit card receivables based on your monthly volume. However, these business loans usually carry very high interest rates as they are secured ultimately by your customers’ ongoing ability to you. This is often referred to as factoring, and this method of obtaining a business loan or line of credit is really only appropriate if you operate a capital intensive business.

LookingforBusinessLoan.com is a specialty website that provides content that focuses on the needs of small business owners and people seeking start up business loans. We encourage you to visit our website if you are looking a for business loan.

Incorporation and Business Loans

There is a common misconception that simply having a corporation can absolve you from liability regarding business loans acquired for your business. This could not be less true. In today’s lending environment, most banks and finance companies will require a full personal guarantee before providing you with a business loan or other type of business credit facility. In fact, most SBA loans (as well as conventional business loans) require that the small business owner provide a personal guarantee for any credit undertaken by business that is closely held to the owner.

 

As your business continues to expand with a profitable operating history, the demand among banks for personal guarantees will lessen. However, this is not always the case. Many established entrepreneurs that have sought business loans have also come across the issue of having to put up personal assets (primarily residences) in order to secure business loans and business lines of credit for their companies. This trend is expected to continue for sometime as banks and finance companies have tightened lending standards in the wake of substantial losses incurred due to the poor housing market over the past three years.

 

With this in mind, it is important to select a corporate entity that will assist you in developing the business credit that you will need in the future for securing a business loan solely in the name of your business. There are many different forms of business entities to chose from including corporations (both C and S corporations), limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships.

 

Prior to incorporating your business, you should speak to a duly licensed attorney and a certified public accountant to determine which corporate structure works best with your personal financial situation. When looking for business loan, it is important to note that the corporate structure you chose will most likely flow onto your personal income statement in regards to tax filing matters. As such, proper advice should always be sought when making this very important decision.

LookingforBusinessLoan.com is a specialty website that provides content that focuses on the needs of small business owners and people seeking start up business loans. We encourage you to visit our website if you are looking a for business loan.

Finding Alternatives to Small Business Loans

In the midst of the global economic crisis, many small businesses are on the brink of closing down if not enough capital infusion is found. It is now even more difficult to get small business loans from banks, though. Ironically, the exact reasons why small businesses need such small business loans – the fact that business has slowed down and profitability has plummeted – are the same reasons why banks turn them down for loans.

Small businesses now have to be more resourceful in finding alternatives to small business loans.

Government Grants and Contracts Instead of Small Business Loans

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama in February 2009 caused the pumping of billions of dollars for the revitalization of the economy. Because of it, there are plenty of government grants and contracts available to small businesses. These can be alternatives to small business loans.

But how can small businesses avail of the stimulus program?

The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) has the responsibility for helping small businesses obtain and perform federal, state and local government contracts. It has Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) throughout the country, ready to help small business owners to get registered and find opportunities in the area of government grants and contracts. Counselors assist small businesses in filling out bids, proposals and quotations.

The PTAC holds seminars teaching small business owners all the ins and outs of government legalese, including acronyms and registries. A one-day seminar with PTAC covers what small business owners may take months to learn on their own.

The PTAC then helps small businesses with Central Contractor Registration (CCR), a requirement for doing business with the federal government. This registration can be so complicated that some companies take two days to do it when the PTAC counselor can help them get through it in 15 minutes.

Local PTACs will be of help in acquiring state and municipal contracts.

Other resources that small business owners should consult include the Small Business Administration (SBA) which also coordinates with the APTAC; the General Services Administration (GSA) which acts as the government’s purchasing department and provides information on becoming an approved vendor; the Federal Business Opportunities website (fbo.gov) where federal contract opportunities currently available are posted; and the Small Business Innovation Research website (sbir.gov) where grant and funded research opportunities for small businesses are listed.

Cash Advances from Credit Card Services Instead of Small Business Loans

Another alternative to small business loans are cash advances from credit card services. This option is much easier than winning government grants and contracts.

Most small businesses are already availing of credit card services that enable them to accept payments by credit cards or debit cards. This is practically a requirement to doing business these days, with people hardly paying cash for goods and services. Many small business owners do not know that they could avail of cash advances from these credit card services, though, and that such advances can actually equal small business loans.

The amount that a small business can borrow is based on its average monthly income from credit card sales. This is so because the cash advance does not require collateral and future sales receivables from credit cards stand as the collateral. Payment will also be done through automatic deductions from those future credit card sales. There will be no set monthly amortizations. Instead, a certain percentage of the sales will be allotted as payment. The small business owner, therefore, need not worry over where to find cash for loan payments.

Cash advances from credit card services are the best bet of small business owners as alternatives to small business loans.

Advanced Merchant Services
Contact Name: Roger Inman
P.O. Box 1475 Safety Harbor, FL 34691
Bus: 727-642-3606
Bus Fax: 877-413-6067
E-mail: rinman3@tampabay.rr.com
Website: www.bankcardprocess.com

Benefits of Unsecured Business Loans

Secured business loans, used as a source of business capital, are disadvantageous not only because they can lead to repossession of asset if repayments are not made. Secured business loans come with many restrictions imposed by the loan provider. The loan provider, for instance, will insist on a particular debt-equity ratio in order to safeguard the amount lent. This limits the entrepreneur’s control over major decisions on business.

An unsecured business loan, on the other hand, presents no such restrictions. The enterprise has to pledge no asset for repossession in case of non-payment. The assets are thus free of any charge, and can be disposed off as one desires.

The prime customer group employing Unsecured business loans constitutes of entrepreneurs who prefer not to attach the business assets to any obligation. Businesspersons, who have undergone bad credit history, also make use of this category of loans. Such businesspersons and enterprises are known as problem cases. Failure to pay certain debts in the past leads to county court judgements, and bankruptcy, which in turn leads to bad credit history. Such businesspersons are disadvantaged in secured loan deals. Unsecured business loans however, present immense financial opportunities before borrowers; particularly where the loan amount desired is small.

The amount received through unsecured business loans will be used for business commencement or expansion purposes, assets and equipment purchase and refinance, and to restructure finances. Some businesses use the loan proceeds as a working capital. Still others would use the unsecured business loan to finance a particular consignment. The repayment of this type of loan will be due immediately after the entrepreneur gets payment from the consignee, or any date decided.

As part of an agreement between loan provider and the businessperson, cash will be transferred for use by the business. The terms and conditions of the unsecured business loan will have to be drawn through consultations between the borrower and the loan provider.

APR is an important issue and needs to be discussed in detail. Being unsecured, the unsecured business loan is more expensive. The interest rate charged will be on the higher side. Risk is a matter of perception. Different lenders may look into a particular case differently. APR would be decided on the basis lender perceive risk involved in a particular loan request.

The principal issues you need to watch out for during the decision making process have been illustrated below:

o Fees:
This is the amount charged by loan providers as a compensation for the service rendered. This is referred to as points. Points, in some cases, are deemed to be investments. The borrower agrees to pay increased points in exchange of a better rate of interest. However, a comparison with the fees charged by other competitive lenders is a must. Fees constitute a major part of the cost. Hence, fees will be an important selection criteria.

o Prepayment:
Most lenders will not agree to a prepayment for the first 3-5 years. After the conclusion of the period, the entrepreneur can seek premature settlement of the loan account. This will enable borrowers to get rid of the loan without incurring any redemption penalty.

o Grace period:
This is the period for which loan providers will allow borrowers to extend monthly repayments. For instance, if the monthly repayment is due on the first of every month, late payments up to the fifteenth of the same month will not be deemed late. Entrepreneurs must negotiate a better grace period from the loan provider.

o Late charges:
Late charges constitute the penalty for delayed payments. These are open to negotiation.

o Solicitors’ fees:
Borrowers can demand reasonable solicitors’ fees. Solicitors’ fee implies that the borrower is required to refund the lender’s fees and costs that were incurred on enforcing or recovering loan. This will become due when the borrower does not repay unsecured business loan in full.

Unsecured business loans help garner the much needed resources for business growth. The organisations where the need for finance is urgent will find unsecured business loans the best available option.

Author: Andrew Baker
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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