KBRA

KBRA has quickly become a major player in the credit rating industry since its launch in 2010. Known for being a global, full-service rating firm, they focus on developing new standards for risk evaluation while improving existing ones. Key features and solutions:

• KBRA Analytics offers deep data analysis for investment and debt decisions
• The KBRA Credit Profile (KCP) specializes in commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) analysis. According to Statista, Citibank, Wells Fargo Bank, and Goldman Sachs were the three biggest CMBS lenders in the U.S. in the first half of 2023, with Citibank leading at 20% of issued CMBS.
• KBRA DLD and KFI focus on private credit markets
• KBRA Credit Assessment provides confidential creditworthiness evaluations
• KBRA Fund Ratings assess investment fund quality
• KBRA’s Indicative Rating offers theoretical analysis for borrowing requests

With over 77,290 ratings and $3.79 trillion in rated issuance, KBRA maintains a strong presence in both U.S. and European markets through offices in New York, Chicago, Dublin, London, and other major cities. Their commitment to transparency and client-focused solutions has earned them trust among businesses dealing with complex credit risks.

S&P Global

S&P Global’s market presence is impressive, with over 1 million outstanding credit ratings and over 1,500 credit analysts worldwide. The financial analysis firm’s coverage extends across over 150 countries, making it a global force in credit rating services. Its ability to maintain consistent quality across such a broad spectrum of ratings has merited the trust of 95% of the world’s top institutional investors.

S&P Global’s offerings deliver sophisticated credit rating options tailored to different needs. Public ratings provide broad market exposure, while private ratings offer more discrete financial communication to up to 150 specified parties. If your organization upholds internal standards, this CRA’s confidential scoring system delivers practical insights without public disclosure.

A 150-year legacy in the financial markets has given S&P Global the unique experience that comes with age to recognize market cycles and trends. Its analytical excellence is evidenced in its forward-looking analysis, which combines historical data with predictive modeling to provide nuanced views of credit risk. This approach has made it especially valuable for businesses seeking to understand their position in rapidly evolving markets.

Moody’s

With over 115 years of experience, Moody’s is among the top names in the credit rating sector. The highly rated CRA has acquired the title “Agency of Choice” following accreditation by Extel, previously Institutional Investor, thanks to a 13-year consecutive winning streak as the “Best Credit Rating Agency.”

Moody’s comprehensive approach to market analysis sets it apart in the industry. Its database of over 450 million companies provides unparalleled depth analysis, enabling it to offer contextual insights beyond simple credit estimates. Integrating cloud-based SaaS solutions for banking, insurance, and KYC workflows demonstrates Moody’s commitment to technological innovation while maintaining its traditional analytical rigor.

The firm’s focus on offering exponential risk is relevant in today’s interconnected global markets. It has developed sophisticated methodologies for analyzing cross-border risks, environmental impacts, and emerging market dynamics. This comprehensive approach makes Moody’s particularly valuable for businesses operating in complex, multinational environments.

Fitch Ratings

Drawing from a century’s worth of experience, Fitch Ratings has carved out a niche in the transnational rating industry. The agency continues to be recognized as one of the best credit rating firms by international and regional organizations. The highly accredited CRA has been awarded numerous accolades, reflecting its mission to provide expert analysis to capital market participants.

Fitch’s Credit Opinions (COs) provide detailed analyses of predefined scenarios to inform specific transactions or internal assessments. While more limited in scope than full ratings, COs provide industry-specific insights that help streamline even the most complex borrower profiles. Its credit appraisal technique considers the following criteria to define the creditworthiness of any size business:

• Credit behavior
• Potential outcomes of debt repayment
• The latest credit market research
• Historical observations of middle market dynamics

This CRA’s analytical rating strategy, commitment to ongoing service-delivery improvement, transparent systems, and customizable market-leading products make its services particularly valuable for middle-market companies and professional financing structures. Fitch’s widespread presence, spread over 28 international locations, is evidence of the agency’s growing familiarity with this evolving sector.

AM Best

AM Best is among the few transnational CRAs that offer services designed exclusively to promote financial stability, solvency, and sustainability in the insurance industry. The highly accredited rating company leverages data-driven insights, market trends, thought leadership, and industry-specific expertise to compile thorough assessments of an insurer’s solvency and stability. What makes AM Best a top-rated credit assessment agency?

• Accurate industry ratings: AM Best offers tailored evaluations of financial health and detailed reports and insights on insurance market trends.
• Comprehensive data analysis tools: It measures insurance-related risk to gauge the capability to settle claims, debts, and other financial obligations.
• Localized support: It provides expert guidance through regional offices in New Jersey, Mexico City, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
• Global reach: AM Best is familiar with key insurance-specific markets and regulatory frameworks, enabling the CRA to provide local market insights while maintaining global analytical standards.

The agency has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1899. It’s grown into the globally recognized rating firm known today with an established network of offices in the U.S., Europe, and beyond. This makes it particularly valuable for insurance companies operating across multiple jurisdictions. The CAR was most recently crowned “Rating Agency of the Year 2024” by Insurance Insider U.S. Honors, asserting its continued leadership in this competitive sector.

Which credit rating agency is the best for your business?

The best rating agency is ultimately the one that:

• Aligns most closely with your business objectives.
• Provides the level of support you require.
• Is easily accessible.

Regular reassessment of your rating agency relationships ensures they continue to serve your evolving business needs effectively.

Can I work with more than one rating agency?

Yes, you can. The benefits of partnering with more than one CRA include broader access to diverse perspectives from different firms on creditworthiness, eliminating bias in risk estimates. Plus, leveraging multiple credit scoring systems may give you a competitive advantage should the lenders apply the most favorable credit score.

Most importantly, a collaboration discourages rating shopping, where competing CRAs turn to unscrupulous “solutions” to land high-value clients, such as overlooking past default flags or inflating credit rates.

This can be observed in 1939. With the Great Depression in its final leg, the Ford Motor Co. was looking forward to successfully adopting what was to be one of America’s budget-friendly luxury cars, the Mercury 8. Unfortunately, World War II began soon after it was launched, and production was suspended. Inevitably, it fell into an economically induced coma and Ford was unable to resuscitate the brand.

Conclusion

The best credit rating agency for your business ultimately depends on your specific needs, industry focus, and strategic objectives. These top-rated credit rating powerhouses excel in their domains.

How to cope with seasonal bandwidth demand

Load testing, caching, compression, and a reliable hosting plan can help e-commerce sites manage increasing bandwidth demands. Load testing ensures infrastructure can handle peak demand without failures while caching and compression reduce data transfer for faster page loads. The most suitable web hosting plan for an e-commerce platform would be scalable, adjusting resources based on traffic. The web hosting provider you choose affects your customers’ experience with your site. The provider manages page loading speeds, credit card information security, and a lot more.

Consider elements like 99.99%, which is the gold standard in the industry, and a Content Delivery Network with multiple servers to ensure people worldwide can access your ecommerce site as quickly as possible regardless of its growth rate. Other powerful and scalable features include free SSL certificates, a free domain name, and unlimited bandwidth.

What does unlimited bandwidth mean?

Bandwidth is the volume of data that one can transfer from one location to another over a specific time period. It’s normally measured in units per second. This is the speed at which the data can travel from its starting point to its destination and back. For example, a standard T1 business connection offers a speed of about 1.5 megabits per second at most. 

When your hosting provider claims you have unlimited bandwidth, it basically means that they won’t throttle the speed below capacity, and your e-commerce site can take full advantage of the provider’s connection’s natural speed. This could be one gigabit per second or higher. It might also mean that the web host enables its customers to avail themselves of unlimited monthly transfers.

Bandwidth usage increases during holiday seasons

Events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, and New Year see a surge in online shoppers, leading to increased bandwidth usage. This is because promotions, discounts and special offers during these times attract more visitors, contributing to higher data transfer and server load.

New or limited-edition products result in traffic surges

Announcing new products or limited-edition items often results in short-term but intense traffic surges. Bandwidth usage increases correspondingly.

Summer sales or back-to-school season’s role in bandwidth use

Periods like back-to-school season or summer sales might generate moderate but consistent traffic increases. These require scalable bandwidth solutions.

Limited-time discounts create traffic spikes

Limited-time discounts might create sudden spikes in traffic, necessitating robust bandwidth management to prevent slowdowns or crashes.

Mobile shopping is on the rise

During seasonal peaks, mobile shopping sees a significant surge, putting extra pressure on website bandwidth. With smartphones becoming the go-to shopping device for most consumers, e-commerce sites need to be prepared for the growing mobile traffic. Shoppers today expect fast, smooth experiences on their phones, whether they’re browsing during their lunch break or making late-night purchases from their couch. 

Plus, with mobile data usage climbing year after year, websites need to be optimized not just for desktop users but also for customers shopping on the go. Popular browsers like Google Chrome have become the standard for mobile shopping, making mobile optimization more crucial than ever.

Regional trends and increased media use

Different regions have unique shopping habits influenced by cultural events, requiring tailored bandwidth allocation.

Seasonal campaigns often feature high-quality videos, images, and interactive features, which require higher bandwidth to load smoothly.

Conclusion

Smart bandwidth management it’s about understanding patterns, preparing for peaks, and ensuring your customers never have to think twice about whether your site will work when they need it. After all, in the world of online retail, a smooth shopping experience is just as important as the products you sell.

Separating personal and business finances

The fix is straightforward. Get a business bank account and use it only for your business spending and income. Grab a business credit card too, it makes tracking expenses easier and builds up your business credit score, which comes in handy when you need loans later. Instead of dipping into business funds whenever you need cash, set yourself a regular monthly salary and use a reliable paycheck stub generator to keep proper documentation. This keeps both your personal budget and business cash flow healthy and predictable.

Here’s a tip that’s helped many busy business owners grow their personal savings while running their company: robo advisors. Think of them as smart investment managers that work 24/7, adjusting your investment mix based on your goals and how much risk you’re comfortable with. They handle the heavy lifting of investing while you focus on growing your business.

As you work on stabilizing your business finances, it’s also important to think about personal wealth management. Entrepreneurs often struggle to balance business growth with personal investments due to time constraints. One solution is robo advisors, which use algorithms to manage investment portfolios automatically. If you’re wondering how robo advisors work, they analyze financial goals, risk tolerance, and market trends to create a diversified investment strategy. This hands-off approach allows busy business owners to grow their wealth without constantly monitoring the stock market, making it a convenient tool for long-term financial security.

Budgeting for growth without overspending

Scaling a business requires strategic spending. Investing in marketing, hiring, and technology is necessary, but without a clear budget, costs can spiral out of control.

A well-structured budget outlines fixed costs (rent, utilities, payroll) and variable expenses (marketing, raw materials, software). Reviewing financial statements regularly helps identify spending trends and areas for cost optimization. Using accounting software can automate this process and provide real-time insights into cash flow.

Entrepreneurs should also plan for unexpected expenses. A sudden equipment breakdown or regulatory fee can disrupt operations. Having a contingency budget ensures the business remains stable even when unplanned costs arise.

Managing business debt smartly

Business loans can fuel growth, but they need a game plan. First, tackle those profit-eating credit card balances and consider combining multiple loans to get better rates. Keep your monthly debt payments in check compared to your income – this keeps your business healthy and makes sure you can still borrow when real opportunities come up. Remember, good debt helps you grow, bad debt holds you back.

Tax planning to maximize savings

Taxes can take a significant portion of business earnings, but strategic planning can reduce liabilities. Entrepreneurs should stay informed about tax deductions and credits available to their business category.

Common deductions include office rent, business travel, marketing expenses, and software subscriptions. Maintaining detailed records of these expenses can lead to substantial tax savings. Hiring a tax professional can further optimize tax strategies and ensure compliance with regulations.

Business owners should also plan for quarterly tax payments. Unlike employees who have taxes deducted automatically, entrepreneurs must pay estimated taxes throughout the year. Setting aside funds for this purpose prevents cash flow disruptions when tax deadlines approach.

Investing in long-term financial security

Running a successful business is great, but relying on it as your only source of wealth is dangerous. Smart owners spread their money across different investments, stocks, real estate, or retirement accounts that offer tax breaks. Balance is key, some money in safe spots, some in growth opportunities, so you’re covered no matter what happens.

Building an emergency fund for business stability

Late payments and slow seasons can squeeze any business dry. Smart move? Keep three to six months of expenses saved up for those rough patches. Start small with automatic monthly savings – you’ll build a safety net without thinking about it. When tough times hit, you’ll thank yourself for planning ahead.

Planning for retirement as a business owner

Business owners face a unique challenge – no company retirement plan to fall back on. You need to build that safety net yourself through accounts like Solo 401(k)s or SEP IRAs, which offer nice tax breaks while securing your future. Smart planning now means you won’t have to rely just on selling your business to fund retirement.

Having a solid exit plan matters too. Whether you want to sell your business, hand it to family, or slowly step back, you need options beyond your business value. That’s why spreading your retirement money across different investments makes sense – it protects you if market conditions shift.

The bottom line? Start with the basics – separate your business and personal money, save smartly, and invest regularly. This way, you can grow your business while building personal wealth that lasts.

Conclusion

Building a successful business and personal wealth isn’t an either-or game – you can and should do both. While your business drives today’s income, smart financial planning secures your tomorrow. Remember, the most successful entrepreneurs aren’t just good at growing their companies; they’re masters at growing their personal wealth alongside it. The time to start is now.

What are the top-rated packaging solutions for e-commerce businesses?

Getting the best packaging services is crucial for your business’s success. Here are ten leading e-commerce packaging companies to choose from.

Great Northern Packaging

Great Northern Packaging specializes in innovative packaging solutions made from recycled materials. It has earned and maintained certifications from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which guarantee safety, quality and environmentally friendly practices during production. 

The company uses a state-of-the-art ISTA 6® test lab to design packaging materials and ensure damage-free deliveries. Its notable clients include Byrdie, Flikr, Pork Barrel BBQ and Microchip ID Systems, making it one of the best packaging companies on this list.

Best known for: 

• Sustainable boxes
• Custom printing solutions
• Shipping coolers
• Consumer packaging items

International Paper

International Paper offers more than 100 years of manufacturing and packaging expertise, providing businesses with solutions that protect and promote goods. The company aims to provide premium and safe packaging materials globally using advanced machines and high-quality materials. International Paper works with food, health care, e-commerce and pharmaceutical brands.

Best known for: 

• Corrugated packaging
• Solid fiber
• Printing
• Bulk packaging
• Paper bags

U.S. Continental Packaging

U.S. Continental is a full-service packaging partner specializing in product formulation, liquid filling, packaging design, and distribution—all under one roof. Its 100,000-sq-ft solar-powered facility in Corona, California streamlines production for mid- to high-volume programs, ensuring efficiency and consistency from raw ingredients to shelf-ready products.

U.S. Continental emphasizes flexibility and speed, offering tailored solutions for brands seeking turnkey liquid filling services that align with national rollouts or private-label launches. With a single accountability point, clients gain reliability across the entire workflow—from filling to packaging to logistics.

They serve a wide range of markets, including personal care, beauty & cosmetics, health & wellness, food & beverage, and household products.

Best known for:

• Contract liquid filling and turnkey packaging solutions.
  
• In-house formulation, filling, and kit assembly.
  
• Mid- to high-volume production with rapid timelines.
  
• Sustainable operations (solar-powered facility).
  
• End-to-end accountability from product to shelf-ready packs.

Smurfit Westrock

Smurfit Westrock is an excellent supplier of packaging solutions for your growing business. This company operates in 40 countries and has more than 500 production facilities worldwide. It aims to create 100% recyclable, compostable, or reusable products to promote a more circular economy. Smurfit Westrock provides e-commerce, commercial, and industrial packaging solutions to various markets, including beverage, health care, and beauty.

Best known for: 

• Packaging automation
• Paper materials
• Merchandising display
• Specialty cartons
• Corrugated packaging

Zenpack

Zenpack is an end-to-end packaging partner offering strategy, design, engineering, manufacturing, and global logistics. Its teams are based in San Jose, New York, Taipei, and Southern China, with operations and fulfillment across North America, China, and Taiwan and partner networks worldwide.
Zenpack emphasizes sustainable packaging—providing FSC-certified options and holding both FSC Chain of Custody and the Butterfly Mark certifications.
They serve a wide range of markets, including consumer electronics, beauty & cosmetics, test kits, cannabis, e-commerce, and more. 

Best known for:

• Custom luxury packaging design & branding (structural + graphic).
  
• Packaging engineering and rapid prototyping.
  
• Global manufacturing, fulfillment, and logistics.
  
• Sustainable materials and third-party certifications (FSC, Butterfly Mark).
  
• Industry-specific solutions for electronics, beauty, health/testing, cannabis, and e-commerce.

Refine Packaging

If you’re looking for speed and reliability, you’ll appreciate Refine Packaging’s offerings. The free quotes, low minimums, and excellent customer service set them apart from their competitors. Moreover, the Refine Packaging website has a live chat with 24/7 customer support, so you can talk to a packaging expert and get an instant quote. Some of its notable clients include Marriot Hotels, T-Mobile, Old Spic,e and Adidas. 

Best known for: 

• Corrugated cartons
• Eco-friendly shipping boxes
• Mailer boxes
• Product boxes 
• Cosmetics packaging

Arka

Arka is one of the top-rated packaging solutions for e-commerce businesses, guaranteeing easy customization and eco-friendly choices. It provides durable packaging solutions and a flexible design process through an intuitive 3D design tool. With compostable options, Arka’s dedication to sustainability is ideal for businesses promoting green practices. New customers can also get a free sample by signing up on the company website.

Best known for: 

• Mailer boxes
• Folding carton
• Tissue paper
• Shipper boxes
• Customized boxes

Sealed Air

Business owners looking for Bubble Wrap products can trust Sealed Air, which provides protective and e-commerce packaging solutions. This company enables businesses to boost their efficiency and supply chain. It utilizes a comprehensive, end-to-end approach to increase efficiency, meet rising consumer demands, and ensure damage-free shipments. Sealed Air’s main clientele includes brands from the food, manufacturing, consumer goods, electronic,s and e-commerce industries.

Best known for: 

• Compostable trays
• Sustainable mono-material packaging
• Barrier bags
• Bubble Wrap products

Veritiv

As North America’s premier packaging solutions provider, Veritiv can address your most complicated supply chain requirements. With 95 distribution centers, 14 design centers, and 4,500 employees from the United States and Asia, Veritiv ensures prompt customer service and delivery of goods. Aside from providing core e-commerce packaging services, the company also provides top-notch after-sales and custom solutions to meet your organization’s needs.

Best known for: 

• Stretch and shrink-wrap
• Boxes and shipping supplies
• Paper towels and toilet paper
• Adhesives
• Mailers
• Paper and print media

Packwire

Packwire brings your packaging requests to life, making your brand stand out. They work with various businesses, ranging from startups to large corporations. What sets Packwire apart from other e-commerce packaging solutions providers is that they offer an online design tool where you can customize box packaging in any size, shape or material. Access the live chat through the company website to create your layout and get an instant quote. 

Best known for: 

• Custom mailer boxes
• Shipping boxes
• Folding cartons

Blue Box Packaging

Blue Box Packaging specializes in custom boxes, making this company ideal for businesses that want to boost brand awareness and recognition. Blue Box Packaging provides quality products at reasonable prices, ensuring the utmost satisfaction. The company also aims to convert first-time clients into long-term partners through after-sale services. Aside from e-commerce companies, Blue Box Packaging also serves industries like food, games, cosmetics, and technology.

Best known for: 

• Custom jewelry boxes
• Rigid boxes
• Magnetic closure boxes
• Cosmetic packaging
• Corrugated boxes

What businesses should look for in a packaging supplier?

Finding the right packaging supplier is a critical business decision that goes beyond just boxes and tape. Your product’s packaging is often the first physical touchpoint customers have with your brand, making it crucial to get it right. Whether you’re shipping delicate items or everyday products, your choice of packaging supplier can impact everything from product safety to customer satisfaction.

Quality packaging protects your products, builds trust, and enhances the unboxing experience. Here’s what to consider when choosing a packaging supplier that matches your business needs.

Quality

Poor packaging solutions often lead to a higher risk of product damage during transit, leading to lost sales or product replacements. This is why quality packaging is crucial — it ensures customer satisfaction and sales. Choose a provider that emphasizes premium materials and manufacturing processes.

Customizable packaging

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to packaging. Look for a supplier that can understand and deliver your specific needs. Search for companies offering package testing benefits, as this service often demonstrates dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.

Expertise

The company’s industry experience speaks a lot about its ability to provide top-notch services. Read customer reviews and identify recurring positive and negative comments. Additionally, check for certifications and clientele to understand their previous work. These details should show how the provider can keep up with industry trends and tackle challenges effectively.

Excellent customer service

Top-notch customer service ensures that your inquiries are addressed and your orders are processed quickly. The right packaging solutions company responds immediately and troubleshoots issues effectively. They should provide proper support to ensure your business operations run smoothly.

Conclusion

Securing the right packaging supplier is a significant step toward business success. It ensures your products arrive safely and securely in your customers’ hands. This choice minimizes damage during transit and helps prevent lost sales. Investing wisely in quality packaging will enhance customer satisfaction and long-term business success.