Business & Finance

Increase your knowledge and skills in finance and investing, and find local small business resources.

COVID-19 Business and Finance Information Portals

City of Bellingham – Find information on how to conduct business in Bellingham or with the City of Bellingham. Community resources are also listed.

Bellingham SCORE – A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.

WWU Small Business Development Center – Identify and understand new financial tools and resources made available by local, state, and federal agencies, including local lenders. Web based small business consulting is available, and access to informative webinars. Set up an appointment by completing a client profile.

Washington State Department of Commerce – Crisis Planning Tools and Resources – Comprehensive list of resources available to small business owners

Washington State Department of Financial Institutions – Coronavirus Resources and Assistance – Collection of links to financial resources for Washington residents

Washington State Library – Economic impact resources for workers and businesses during COVID-19 – Annotated list of all types of COVID-19 relief and information for workers, families, and businesses.

Other Business and Finance Links

Gale Business: Insights
Research global companies and industries with in-depth analysis through current news, statistical data, and comprehensive reports.

Gale Business: Entrepreneurship
Learn how to start, finance, or manage your small business. Includes sample business plans, how to guides, articles, and more.

Gale OneFile: Business
Understand the activities of companies and industries worldwide through leading business and trade publications. Updated daily.

Gale OneFile: Economics and Theory
Discover content useful for starting a business, marketing a product, developing policy, analyzing trends, and more.

Gale OneFile: Entrepreneurship
Analyze business insights, tips, strategies, and success stories. Updated daily. Best for business schools and entrepreneurs.

Gale OneFile: Insurance and Liability
Discover information about physical and intellectual asset protection, from individuals to multinational corporations.

Gale OneFile: Leadership and Management
Search authoritative periodical content covering topics like organizational dynamics, adult learning, and more. Updated daily.

Reference Solutions
Business and residential contact information for over 25 million U.S. and Canadian businesses, organizations, agencies and over 267 million consumers. Pick one of the databases in the directory, and then use the “Custom Search” options to modify your searches.

Weiss Financial Ratings
Independent evaluations for tens of thousands of financial institutions and investments, including stocks, bonds, banks, credit unions, and life insurers. Also includes Consumer Guides on a variety of financial topics such as Medicare Supplement insurance and Variable Annuities, and several financial planning tools including a Medicare Prescription Drug Primer.

Nov. 22, 2024 – Temporary access method for Weiss

Temp. URL: https://greyhouse.weissratings.com/account/sign-in

“Email Address”: bellingham.public.library

Password: ratings2024

Annual Credit Reports
Free annual credit reports accessible through this website.

BigCharts
Owned by Dow Jones and Company, this is a comprehensive investment research website. Includes historical securities performance.

Morningstar
Mutual funds and stock information and ratings.

Mymoney.gov
Government guidance on how to find financial security.

U.S. Census Bureau – NAICS lookup
Search the North American Industry Classification System for codes that may apply to your business.

U.S. Small Business Administration
An independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy.

Veterans Business Outreach Program (VBOP)
Provides entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.

Whatcom Asset Building Coalition
On our website you will find information and resources on managing your money and improving your quality of life.

Are you an entrepreneur? The library has outlined resources in Bellingham and Whatcom County that offer assistance to small business owners. Download or print our Small Business Resource Guide.

See the Table of Contents below:

Find out what the library catalog has on the topics listed below by clicking on the topic:

An introductory video that shows how to login and how to find the databases with a focus on business.

Quick tips on how to use a database designed for small business owners who are getting started.