Shell companies are used by many—especially small and mid-sized business owners—to help them access the public market and safeguard intangible assets. While these corporations can be used for grey and black market transactions, they go through a registration and monitoring process by the U.S. Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC).

Businesses are created, succeed or fail, and then either consume or are consumed as they work their way up. Most of these mergers or acquisitions, conducted by the owners of the businesses or a board of directors, can come to an equitable agreement that benefits both parties. If neither side will settle, the acquiring company might try a hostile takeover, forcefully getting what it wants.

Welcome to the How to Finance a Business series! This series explores different ways to get the financing your for business, regardless if you’re financing your own startup or buying a business already on the market. Last week we talked about two of the most conventional methods people use to buy and start-up businesses: credit cards and conventional bank loans. Today we’re looking at one of the most sought-after loans, a Small Business Administration loan.