All community banks want to grow, and their small business customers want to grow too. What if you helped them grow internationally? Some of you may already be doing this. But, for others that aren't, you may want to think about this - already back in 2016, an OFX study found that 58% of small businesses had international customers. The key driver for this trend is technology, of course. International business is easier to access with the internet and expedited payment systems.
You still may not be convinced that your business customers are ready to expand into international commerce. But, remember, our neighbor, Canada, is the top US goods export market. Not only that, almost two thirds of Canadian small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reported importing goods or services from the US, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business's latest survey. This could be a ripe opportunity.
To assist your business customers with considerations in connecting with these Canadian businesses, here are a few areas to explore with them:
Current International Business
Ask your business customers first and foremost if they already have customers in Canada. If so, are they all in one specific market? If that is the case, it could be easier to extend their current business there than enter a new market. This can be an overlooked option sometimes.
Research the Market
Before any of your customers do business in a particular Canadian market, they should talk to the locals, as part of their research. Are there unfulfilled needs? Are there specific ordinances or rules that could make business there challenging? If they can provide you with a meaningful and complete report of the market, they have done their research. If not, you may want to guide them accordingly before they take the plunge.
Confirm with Data
Once your business customer has chosen a market in Canada, advise them to look at the economic indicators for growth in their specific industry. Both short term and long term projections should be reviewed. It is better for your bank, of course, if your business customer makes this leap a successful one. So, providing some additional guidance could go a long way for both of you.
International Services
Once you have firmed up the above, and your business customer is ready to go, you will want to be able to assist them with the necessary tools to succeed. This could include wire transfers, exchange services, and now Canadian check imaging. It is more streamlined than ever to support your business customers with digital Canadian check processing. Your bank receives provisional credit within 24 hours, along with more operational efficiency and faster fraud notification.
Whether your business customers go global with Canada tomorrow or not, you are now well equipped with some ways to assist, if and when they do. If you need any additional services to supply your customers for their international growth, we are here to help. Contact us today.
