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The Value of Third-Party Data

We trust the experts in numerous areas of our lives. If you need a major car…


Why Trusted Advisors Should Be Their Town’s Local Economist

Did you know that the United States has a total area of 3,809,525 square miles,…


Inforum: The Secret Sauce in Vertical IQ’s Industry Forecasts

There are any number of scenarios where it would be incredibly helpful to have a…


Is AI the Future of the Insurance Industry?

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating the evolution of…


Industry Spotlight: Garden Center Industry Cultivates Future Growth

Gardeners rejoice – your favorite time of year has arrived! Spring and summer are…


Why I Created Local Market Monitor

Ingo Winzer is the founder of Local Market Monitor, a Vertical IQ product, which…


Investing in Vertical IQ at the Local Level with Local Market Monitor

Hopefully, you saw our recent press release announcing Vertical IQ’s acquisition…


Does the Resurgence in US Manufacturing Match the Hype?

The resurgence of American manufacturing is a frequent subject of headlines,…


Cryptocurrency 201: What’s In Crypto’s Future?

In this second installment in our two-part blog series on cryptocurrency, we…


Cryptocurrency 101: The Essential Facts About Crypto

This is the first installment in our two-part blog series examining the rise of…


Holiday Shopping Season Shaping Up to Be Especially Jolly for Retailers

The U.S. retail sector is enjoying a prosperous holiday season. The National Retail…


Computer chip

The Long Game: CHIPS Act to Boost Domestic Production, Address Supply Chain Woes

The $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act (also called the Creating Helpful Incentives…


Harvesting at night

A Look at the Agricultural Sector on National Farmers Day

Happy National Farmers Day! We want to start by saying “thank you” to the…


Solar panels

Will the Inflation Reduction Act Unleash a Wave of Green Building?

1 On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA),…


Industrial smoke

Proposed SEC Climate Disclosure Rule: There’s a Lot to Unpack

In March 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a proposal that…


steel aluminum tariffs

How New Steel, Aluminum Tariff Reductions Will Impact US Producers

Remember studying the Stamp Act and Tea Act in high school history class? That was…


Lady writing notes at work

You Know It: Keeping Your Finger on the Pulse of Relevant Industries

The idiom, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another” has felt especially on the nose…


Top 25 Industry Profiles for 2021 fireworks

A Look Back at 2021’s Top 25 Industry Profiles

You probably recall thinking at the end of 2020 that things would be getting back…


Introducing Our New VP of Strategic Partnerships, Paul Hock

Introducing Our New VP of Strategic Partnerships, Paul Hock

We are very excited to welcome the newest member of the Vertical IQ team, Paul…


infrastructure roadway overpass

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Could Be a Boon for Certain Industries

The $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (also called the Infrastructure…


inflation image; cash in a trolley

How Industries Are Impacted by Supply, Demand and Inflation

It’s definitely not your imagination: Prices are going up — in some cases, rather…


retail sales rebound; shopping bag

As States Reopen, Retail Is Looking for a Rebound

Seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims for the week ending June 12 were…


retail sales food services; store window withcoats

Retail and Food Services Sales Numbers Show Promise

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released their January 2021 Advance Monthly Sales…


open sign on the door of a business

Final Small Business Pulse Survey of 2020 a Mixed Bag

The week 26 results from phase three of the Census Bureau’s Small Business Pulse…


female with mask comparing clothes

Some Retail and Food Services Sales Gaining, Others Continue to Slump

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released data on estimated retail and food services…


forex chart on computer

Latest Small Business Pulse Survey Shows Improvements

Final results from phase two of the Census Bureau’s Small Business Pulse Survey…


containers stacked

How Supply Chains Have Been Affected by COVID-19

In addition to millions of people becoming ill, the COVID-19 pandemic has had…


female holding office supplies

Jobless Claims Remain Steady, Though Elevated

The latest jobs report from the Department of Labor (DOL) showed that for the week…


chart on a table

August Retail Sales: Are the Winners and Losers Starting to Plateau?

The Census Bureau released the Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services,…


US dollar bills

Service Sectors Struggle to Regain Past Quarters’ Revenue Levels

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released the selected services estimates for the…


for hire sign

Jobs Numbers Improving…But Will the Trend Continue?

We have to find glimmers of hope where we can lately, and the most recent jobs…


aerial view of new homes

Shiny and New: New Home Sales Continue Upward Trajectory

The housing market offers one of the few bright spots in the U.S. economy with…


Retail store with clothes on a rack

The Mixed Bag Continues for Retail and Food Services Sales Numbers

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released their July 2020 Advance Monthly Sales for…


Retail and Food Services Sales Reveals Mixed Picture

On Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released their latest data on estimated retail…


Insights from the Census Bureau Pulse Survey

The Census Bureau’s Small Business Pulse Survey reveals some interesting first-hand…


Jobs Numbers Improving… But Still a Long Way to Go

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released their May employment data on Friday, June…


April Gloom: U.S. Import and Export Numbers Continue to Fall

On May 29, the U.S. Census Bureau released their advance Economic Indicators Report…


The Far-Reaching Cost of Government Budget Cutbacks

I recently shared the ways in which declining tax revenue is taking a toll on state…


Building Anxiety: Housing Starts Plummet

On Tuesday morning, new data was released by the Census Bureau on housing starts in…


Even Better Than a Handshake: Financial Focus

Connect as a Proxy CFO to Help Guide Small Business Owners Face-to-face meetings…


Honing the Human Element

We’ve all heard the phrase, “I’m only human.” There was even a hit song from ‘80s…


Battle of the Century: Banking Bots vs. Human Business Bankers

I’m continually amazed by what you can do with new technology, applications,…


Hit the Mark with These Arrows in Your Quiver of Prospecting Tools

As a client success manager, I love talking with people about ways to get the most…


Industry Spotlight: Candy Manufacturers

The sweet smell of love is in the air…oh wait, no…that’s candy that I smell! The…


The Power of Personalization and Advice in B2B Banking

Our Vertical IQ co-founder and CEO, Bobby Martin, recently co-hosted a webinar with…


Who Are the Winners and Losers in the USMCA?

The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) was signed by the namesake…


Using Vertical IQ to Support Your Workplace Banking Program

Thanks to the increased use of technology like ATMs, online banking, and direct…


The Secret Sauce: Enabling Bankers with Industry-Specific Content

Written by Shaalin Parekh, Senior Market Development Manager at Seismic It’s no…


12 Ways to Use Industry Research to Win More in 2020

The new year is a good time to start new, better habits, from improving our diets…


Podcast Recap: 7 Secrets for Bankers To Become the Trusted Advisor for Small Businesses in 2020

Small business banking is being disrupted. Those cliché, predictable conversations…


Industry Spotlight: Jewelry Stores

December is the month when the nation’s 15,200 jewelry stores really shine! Indeed,…


Key Takeaways From 2019 Small Business Banking Conference

Members of the Vertical IQ team recently attended the American Banker Small…


Webinar Recap: High-Touch Coaching in a High-Tech World

The final installment in Vertical IQ’s free fall webinar series was last week—a…


Leadership Spotlight: Vertical IQ’s New CMO, David Buffaloe

David Buffaloe recently joined Vertical IQ as chief marketing officer (CMO). David…


Webinar Recap: Playing Offense and Defense to Prepare for the Future

The second installment in Vertical IQ’s free fall webinar series was last week—a…


Building SMB Client Relationships with Insight and Foresight

Of course every business services firm that calls on small- to mid-sized businesses…


Helping Change How SMB Owners Think About Cash Flow

“If I had to run a company on three measures, those measures would be customer…


3 Motivations to Become a Better Value-Added Advisor

A value-added advisor is someone whose ideas and advice you respect enough to…


How to Help Small Businesses Compare Their Financials to Their Industry

“Are we keeping up with the Joneses?” Owners of small and mid-sized businesses…


Webinar Recap: Red Ocean vs. Blue Ocean Sales Strategies

Last week, we hosted the first installment in Vertical IQ’s free fall webinar…


Adding Industry Knowledge into Your Contact Strategy

When it comes to gaining trust with small to mid-sized business (SMB) owners,…


Upgrade Your Prospect Presentations with These 3 Tips

You’re pulling together a presentation for a new small to mid-size business (SMB)…


Which Industries Should I Target?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was developed as the…


4 Ways to Help SMBs Manage Cash Flow

You may have heard the platitude, “Cash is the most important, yet least…


The 3 Local Economic Indicators Every SMB Advisor Should Know

The economy is a hot topic lately, with pundits arguing over whether we are or…


2 Simple Ways to Wow Prospects at a Networking Event

Speaking with people you don’t know at a networking event can be a tricky…


Turn Industry News into Valuable Content for SMB Owners

There is arguably no one busier than a small to mid-sized business (SMB) owner.…


5 Organizations You Need to Know to Know Small Business

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of niches that small businesses…


Helping Small Business Owners Understand What Their Company is Worth

For most small to mid-sized business (SMB) owners, their company is their most…


Ready for Change: Addressing Trigger Events with Small Business Owners

“Trigger events” are major changes that affect a business. They can be milestones…


5 Steps to Improve Your Client Meeting Quality by 50 Percent

As a busy professional, you likely find yourself burning the candle at both ends…


How Generalists Can Develop Niche Industry Specialties

In 2017, River Cities Capital Funds, a growth equity fund focused on healthcare and…


Webinar Recap: Building Prospecting Momentum

Last week, we hosted the final installment in Vertical IQ’s free spring webinar…


Industry Spotlight: Hotels & Motels

It’s summertime, and the 41,000 hotels and motels in the U.S. are rolling out the…


Using Industry Research to Address Succession Planning

This week, I read an article that got me thinking about the importance of…


Webinar Recap: Save Me! Save Me Now!

Last week, we hosted the second installment in Vertical IQ’s free spring webinar…


How “Purpose” Can Drive A Bank’s Success

As the senior sales associate at Vertical IQ, I am always interested in learning…


Webinar Recap: What a Beer Cart Driver and Boutique Hotel Can Teach Us About Welcoming New Clients

Vertical IQ kicked off our free spring webinar series a few weeks ago with a great…


Industry Focus: A Clean Perspective on Janitorial Services Companies

It’s spring cleaning time! And the nation’s 53,000 janitorial service providers are…


The Value of Anticipation

As a mom of soccer players, I hear my kids’ coaches reiterating the importance of…


What’s Your Story? Paint a Clearer Picture Using Financial Data

Accounting Today published an article a few weeks ago entitled, “Why accountants…


In a Tech-Driven World, Stand Out with Expert Advice

A recent Wall Street Journal article entitled “The Problem for Small-Town Banks:…


The Most Valuable Advice Financial Pros Can Offer to Business Owners

If you are an accountant or financial advisor, it’s a busy time of year for you as…


Feeling the Pinch: Industries Hit by Government Shutdowns

Last month’s partial government shutdown cost the nation’s economy an estimated $11…


3 Reasons Why Your Industry Knowledge Matters to Small Business Owners

When studying economics—or marketing for that matter—one of the first concepts that…


Personalization, Partnerships, and Payments Top Small Business Banking Conference Agenda

“It’s like the question, ‘Do you prefer your toothbrush or your dentist?’,”…


What Consumer Debt Means for the State of the U.S. Economy

In order to have industry expertise, one must also have solid knowledge on the…


Survey of Small Businesses Explores What Owners Really Want

At Vertical IQ, we often talk about how industry research can help build…


New Smartphone App Offers Industry Insights on the Go!

Vertical IQ’s cofounders are former financial professionals, so we understand what…


The How and Why of Industry Structure

One of the fascinating things about working for Vertical IQ is learning about the…


How Bankers Can Help Business Owners Plan Exit Strategies

Two members of the Vertical IQ team and I attended the 2018 Exit Planning Summit in…


3 Trends Bankers Should Key In On When Meeting with Computer Programming Firms

It seems that just about everything today relies upon computers, and as a result,…


A Healthy Environment for the Medical Device Industry

We noticed an interesting article in the August 15 issue of American Banker…


Industry Spotlight: Commercial Equipment Rental and Leasing

Despite the credit risks inherent to commercial equipment rental and leasing…


Tariffs & Trade Wars: Should Your Bank Client Worry?

A hot topic in the news lately has been tariffs and the resulting “trade wars” they…


Industry Focus: The Financial Health of Fitness Centers

They say that beach bodies are made during the winter, and most fitness centers DO…


Should Banks Make a Move in the Self-Storage Industry?

Americans have a lot of STUFF. For many people, they have more than can be…


Industry Spotlight: Child Care Centers

School may be out for the next few months, but thankfully for America’s working…


Key Lessons from Interactions with Business Bankers

As the founder and owner of several businesses, I get my fair share of calls from…


Industry Focus: All Eyes on Optometry Practices

Given recent industry growth and their relatively safe credit risk, optometry…


5 Essential Trusted Strategies for Business Banking Success

It wasn’t so long ago that a business banker could get by based on their…


7 Ways to Use Vertical IQ for the Credit Underwriting Process

I truly enjoyed my job as a business banker. I relished the opportunity to meet new…


How to Avoid Cliché Questions Bankers Ask Business Owners

As the director of client success at Vertical IQ, I communicate with bankers on a…


Industry Spotlight: Convenience Stores

In the late 1990s, as a banker in Wilmington, North Carolina, one of my best…


7 Things You Can Do to Get the Most Out of Vertical IQ

Your bank leadership is telling you that you need to be using Vertical IQ to…


Why It’s Worth Convincing Skilled Bankers to Use Vertical IQ

Experienced bankers—people who have been in the financial industry for 10, 20, even…


How to Make CPAs an Ongoing Source of Bank Referrals

”Centers of influence”(COIs) are a select group of people who can help to increase…


The 10 Most Popular Vertical IQ Industry Profiles

Now that we are in full swing with the new year, it’s a perfect time to think about…


5 Tips for Upping Your Bank’s Vertical IQ Usage

We all remember the ghostly voice from Field of Dreams telling Ray (Kevin Costner),…


Industry Spotlight: Restaurants

There’s no doubt about it: Americans LOVE to eat! And we have the restaurants to…


Key Takeaways From the 2017 Small Business Banking Conference

Members of the Vertical IQ team recently attended the American Banker Small…


Industry Spotlight: Physician Practices

As cold and flu season kicks into high gear around the holidays, a lot of folks…


Industry Spotlight: Machine Shops

Look around your office: Every chair, lamp, pen, and coffee mug likely was made…


Industry Spotlight: Breweries

Are you a beer aficionado? There’s no doubt that people in the U.S. enjoy knocking…


A 5-Minute Summary of The ABA Bank Marketing Conference

The annual ABA Bank Marketing Conference was held in New Orleans on Sept. 24–26…


Finding Opportunity in Small Business Transitions

As the Baby Boomers reach retirement age, you can expect to see more ownership…


A More Tailored Sales Approach for the Seasoned Banker

You’ve been a banker for years, working your way up in the ranks and gaining…


Identify Your Next Industry Niche? Go Where There’s Profits

In my January blog “5 Reasons Every Business Banker Should Have Industry Niches,” I…


Industry Spotlight: Calling on Law Offices

When I was a private banker in the late ‘90s in Wilmington, North Carolina, I found…


Why Bankers & FAs Need a “Wealth” of Industry Knowledge

As a private banker, you are tasked with understanding the “big picture” of your…


What I Learned at The Barlow Research Conference

Why Keeping Up with Your Banking Competition Keeps Getting Tougher What I learned…


Become Your Clients’ “Mini-Economist” in 5 Minutes

When I was a banker calling on businesses, company owners frequently would ask me,…


Developing a Contact Strategy That Wins Over Business Owners

Having been a banker for 13 years and a relationship manager for five, I found that…


Vertical IQ is the Busy Branch Manager’s Life-Line

In March 2005, I was promoted to the branch manager position for one of the local…


Cashing In: Consider These Niches for Growing Deposits

Driving home from work recently, I saw a new “For Sale” sign in the yard of a…


What’s the Big Deal About Dental Practices?

Dental practices and other privately-owned medical practices have long been…


5 Reasons Every Business Banker Should Have Industry Niches

Knowing a little bit about a lot of things increases your odds of winning at Trivia…