The Bancorp Bank Approves $4 Million Expansion Funding Program for New FASTSIGNS Centers
The program will provide potential FASTSIGNS franchisees with financing and allow existing owners make strategic reinvestments to strengthen and expand the FASTSIGNS brand.
CARROLLTON, TX, August 25, 2010
FASTSIGNSÂ , the worldâEUR s premier business-to-business marketing solution, sign, and graphics franchise, announced today that it has been approved for a new franchisee lending program created by The Bancorp Bank (âEURœBancorpâEUR), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK), and Franchise America Financeâ„ .Bancorp has agreed to provide up to $4 million to start-up and expanding franchisees for new center development. This capital allows FASTSIGNS to continue its franchise growth momentum and stimulate the economy by creating new permanent and sustainable jobs. FASTSIGNS is the second franchisor that has been approved by The Bancorp Bank for its new lending program thus far.
âEURœWith over 350 markets ready and approved for development, this program provides the necessary capital for franchise candidates that will allow us to continue building upon the strength of our brand,âEUR said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. âEURœThis is extremely positive news for potential franchisees who want to grow with the FASTSIGNS system.âEUR
This national franchise lending program is the only one of its kind, founded on a collaborative effort between the lender and franchisor to provide a predictable model for franchise financing. Specifically created for start-up and expanding franchise businesses, the program is limited to top performing franchise systems. Funding is available nationally for new and existing franchisees (of approved franchisors) who meet predetermined standards set by The Bancorp Bank.
âEURœWe are thrilled to have FASTSIGNS as our second approved franchise system in our strategic alliance with The Bancorp Bank,âEUR said Ronald Feldman, CEO of Franchise America Finance, the exclusive franchise program manager for Bancorp. âEURœFASTSIGNSâEUR s metrics, especially their strong unit economics, fit our goals in providing capital to franchisees to start their businesses.âEUR He added; âEURœWe anticipate adding a number of additional franchise systems in the coming weeks.âEUR
âEURœThe Bancorp Bank is pleased to offer a streamlined approach to franchise lending. We see our franchise program as a great source for job creation to stimulate the US economy,âEUR said Diane Gallion, SVP of Government Guaranteed Lending for Bancorp.
For franchise information, contact Mark Jameson or Brian Wieters at mark.jameson@fastsigns.com and brian.wieters@fastsigns.com. Mark and Brian can also be contacted by calling (800) 827-7446.
About FASTSIGNSÂ
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor for the more than 530 FASTSIGNSÂ sign and graphic centers located in the US, Canada, the UK, Brazil, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVEÂ ). FASTSIGNSÂ sign and graphics centers leverage sign and marketing knowledge, state-of-the-art technology and innovative thinking to solve customersâEUR marketing and communications challengesâEUR"from the simpleâEUR¦ to the simply impossibleâ„ . Centers provide consulting, project management, file transfer, design, production, delivery and installation for a full range of custom sign and graphic solutions. For information about the franchise opportunity, visit http://www.fastsigns.com or call (800) 827-7446.
About Franchise America Financeâ„
Franchise America Finance, LLC (FAF) was formed by a group of franchising professionals to address the void in the capital markets for franchising. FAFâEUR s services are in addition to the core franchise finance services that are performed by Siegel Financial Groupâ„ . FAF can provide senior and subordinated debt, mezzanine financing, and equity for franchisors and franchisees. Franchisors interested in participating in this program should contact: Ronald Feldman or Nate Greenberg at (610) 668-9780.
About Bancorp
The Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company that operates The Bancorp Bank, an FDIC-insured commercial bank that delivers a full array of financial services and products both directly and through private-label affinity programs nationwide. These programs enable members, employees, and customers of Bancorp and its affinity clients to access tailored online-banking services. To learn more, please visit http://www.thebancorp.com.
The Government Guaranteed Lending division of The Bancorp Bank specializes in business loans and franchise financing through programs available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Our team focuses on government guaranteed lending and has more than 50 years of combined experience in the field.
Contacts:
FASTSIGNSÂ
Mark Jameson
214-346-5679
mark.jameson@fastsigns.com
Franchise America Finance
Ronald Feldman or Nate Greenberg
610-668-9780
rfeldman@siegelfg.com
ngreenberg@siegelfg.com
The Bancorp Bank
Andres Viroslav
215-861-7990
andres.viroslav@thebancorp.com