Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC Reorganizes for Nationwide Expansion

Posted by Lindsay Dicks on Apr 6th, 2009

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC, the six-year-old Altamonte Springs firm that ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, has reorganized and refocused its efforts on a nationwide expansion. 

Geof Longstaff, chairman of the firm, said the expansion will substantially enhance the firm’s volume and its impact on the national economy. 

“We have developed a highly successful strategy to deliver commercial financing to growing small business enterprises that are creating job growth in the economy,” Longstaff said. 

“Our objective is to take our strategy nationwide and we have reorganized our senior management staff in order to achieve this goal.  In addition, we are significantly expanding our capital base to support this new initiative,” Longstaff said. 

Longstaff said the firm has rebranded itself Mercantile Capital Corporation, with a nationwide sales effort to be based in Altamonte Springs. 

Longstaff said plans are under way now to expand Mercantile’s sales nationally and to take advantage of the lack of active lending capacity presently in the marketplace. 

Christopher G. Hurn, co-founder and president of the firm, has been appointed chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation. Hurn, who created the firm’s highly successful marketing and communications strategy and guided it since its inception, will focus his efforts on expanding the company’s nationwide scope. 

Shannon Marks, who is a graduate of Notre Dame University and has over 19 years of commercial banking experience, has been appointed president and chief operating officer at Mercantile Capital Corporation, Longstaff said. 

Over the past six years Mercantile has provided commercial loans valued at more than $346 million and currently ranks as the largest provider of SBA-504 loans in the southeast region. 

“All of us are proud of the success we have enjoyed and excited about our new direction and the opportunity to have a real and positive impact on the national economy,” Longstaff said. 

For more information contactGeof Longstaff, Chairman Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040Shannon D. Marks, COO Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

http://www.504Experts.com

Virginia Personal Injury Attorney, James Parrish, Named to America’s PremierExperts™ Class of 2009

Posted by Lindsay Dicks on Apr 6th, 2009

James Parrish, author and personal injury attorney has recently been named to America’s PremierExperts™ Class of 2009 and will participate in The Ultimate Celebrity Branding Experience™.

Manassas, Va. – April 6, 2009 – America’s PremierExperts™ LLC is an organization that honors an exclusive group of celebrity experts who are dedicated to spreading knowledge and awareness in their field of expertise and making significant contributions to their industry and the marketplace as a whole.  Upon acceptance into America’s PremiereExperts™, members are invited to apply to participate in a 12-month innovative and extremely exclusive program, The Ultimate Celebrity Branding Experience™, for highly motivated entrepreneurs and professionals, launched by Nick Nanton, Esq., The Celebrity Lawyer and J.W. Dicks, Esq., The Business Growth Lawyer, authors of the book, “Celebrity Branding You™.” 

James Parrish, of The Parrish Law Firm based in Manassas and serving the Commonwealth of Virginia, is one of only a handful of participants selected for America’s PremierExperts™ class of 2009 and participating in The Ultimate Celebrity Branding Experience™. James Parrish is a former insurance defense lawyer who now represents injured persons against the insurance industry.  He uses the “Inside Information” he learned while defending insurance companies to the advantage of his clients and has recovered millions of dollars in judgments and settlements on their behalves.  Parrish will be participating with other selected celebrity experts across various industries in multiple initiatives over the course of the year and will be weighing in on key subjects to consumers and businesses alike. 

The participants selected to participate in this year’s program are forward-thinking business owners, authors, speakers, entrepreneurs and corporate CEOs looking to separate their brand, increase revenues, lock out their competition and capture a distinct advantage over competitors in their market. 

About his participation in America’s PremierExperts™, James Parrish said, “I am extremely pleased to have been named as one of America’s PremierExperts™.  The opportunities to be had from the program, its organizers and participants are limitless.  It is my sincere belief that the exposure from this endeavor will launch my practice ‘out of this world’ and allow me the greatest benefit available to any legal professional-serving the people most in need of my skill and experience.” 

“We are very proud to honor James Parrish as one of America’s PremierExperts™.  He is an extremely successful personal injury lawyer, with the experience and business knowledge we’ve come to expect from our honorees.  We know he will be a great addition to America’s PremierExperts™ Class of 2009,” Nick Nanton, Esq. co-founder of the organization said. 

For more information please visit http://www.theparrishlawfirm.com or call (571) 229 1800.

For more information about America’s PremierExperts™ please visit http://www.AmericasPremierExperts.com

 

About James Parrish: 

James Parrish is a former insurance defense lawyer who now represents injured persons against the insurance industry.  He uses the “Inside Information” he learned while working for insurance companies to the advantage of his clients and has recovered millions of dollars in judgments and settlements on their behalves.Mr. Parrish is also the author of The Virginia Car Accident Guide and The Insider’s Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia.  Both  consumers’ guides were written to educate and assist  the unfortunate people who have suffered injuries in a car accident or who have been injured due to the fault or negligence of another.  These books will help injured persons and their families to understand and avoid the tricks and schemes that are regularly utilized by insurance professionals, which are intended to take advantage of them.For more information please visit http://www.theparrishlawfirm.com or call (571) 229 1800.

For more information on James Parish books, please visit http://www.thevirginiadogbitebook.com/ and http://www.thevirginiacaraccidentguide.com/ 

About America’s PremierExperts™ LLC:

America’s PremierExperts™ is an organization that recognizes celebrity experts in their field of business and offers business owners, entrepreneurs, professional speakers, authors, professionals and corporate CEOs exclusive, invitation-only, opportunities for further exposure and growth in the marketplace.  JW Dicks, Esq. & Nick Nanton, Esq., attorneys by trade and entrepreneurs by choice, founded America’s PremierExperts™ and The Ultimate Celebrity Branding Experience™ to honor entrepreneurs, CEOs, authors, professional speakers and business people who are dedicated to spreading knowledge and awareness in their field of expertise and making significant contributions to their industry and the marketplace as a whole.  For more information about America’s PremierExperts™ LLC visit www.AmericasPremierExperts.com.

 

REO Specialist, Frank Patrick, Announces The American Society of REO Specialists Surpasses 600 members

Posted by Lindsay Dicks on Apr 6th, 2009

Frank Patrick, Property Preservation and REO Specialist, announces that over 600 members have now joined the REO organization, The American Society of REO Specialists. 

Orlando, Fla. – April 6, 2009 – Frank Patrick is one of the country’s top property preservation and REO (Real Estate Owned) specialists, and is the founder of The American Society of REO Specialists (ASREOS).  This week, Patrick announced that The American Society of REO Specialists has surpassed 600 members.  Frank Patrick is also at the helm of The Association of REO Specialists, a.k.a. ASREOS, website http://www.ASREOS.com, which is dedicated to assisting REO Brokers, Agents and Property Preservation Contractors in building and expanding their businesses. 

The American Society of REO Specialists was founded in 2008 and is guided by the following four goals. First, to assist ASREOS members in making contact with banks, lenders, asset management companies and property preservation companies that need competent REO professionals to service their REO properties.  Second, to enable ASREOS members to network in a professional and supportive environment. Third, to offer ongoing dynamic cutting-edge REO resources to help members grow their business and their own personal performance in the REO marketplace, and finally, to provide a comprehensive directory of REO professionals for banks, lenders, asset management companies and property preservation companies. 

Frank Patrick said, “Although most agents join the ASREOS to get access to the database of over 600 Banks, Lenders and Asset Management Companies, they continue their membership because of the discussion forums.  The information that is shared in the REO forums is invaluable to anyone trying to build their REO listing inventory.  It’s great to see agents helping each other to succeed in the REO business.” 

Frank Patrick is also currently at the helm of a nationally franchised property preservation company, REO ResQ™.  REO ResQ™ provides renovation, cleanup and maintenance of bank owned real estate properties.  REO ResQ™ provides these companies with contractors to keep the properties in “sellable” shape, and in some cases, make the necessary renovations needed to bring these REO homes back to market value.  REO Resq franchises are currently available in all 50 states. 

For more information about Frank Patrick and The American Society of REO Specialists please visit http://www.ASREOS.com

 

About Frank Patrick: 

Frank Patrick began his real estate career in 2000 after a 12-year stint in corporate America as a sales manager.  As a new real estate agent Frank knew that he wanted to find a niche within the real estate industry.  After months of research Frank decided to specialize in REO, an acronym for bank owned foreclosed homes.  Frank quickly became one of the top REO agents in the nation averaging over 100 transactions per year for the last 8 years.  In 2007 Frank’s production soared to over 214 sales.  

In 2004 Frank and his brother Scott Patrick started a property preservation company to offer maintenance and repair services to banks with foreclosed homes.  Frank’s solid understanding of the REO industry and Scott’s 20+ years in the construction business was a recipe for success.  This year their property preservation business is on track to gross over one million dollars in revenue.  Today Frank manages his REO Real Estate Brokerage, REO Renegades an REO agent training business, his trade association The American Society of REO Specialists and is developing a national Franchise Property Preservation company, REO ResQ.

 

For more information please visit http://www.ASREOS.com

 

Barbershop Franchise Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club’s™ Signature Cut and Straight Razor Shaves Attract Celebrities

Posted by Lindsay Dicks on Apr 6th, 2009

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™, a reinvented old-world style barbershop franchise, is the barbershop of choice for Courtney Lee as well as other members of the Orlando Magic. 

 

Orlando, Fla. –April 6, 2009 –Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™, a barbershop franchise concept that uses a patent-pending membership-based system to add recurring revenue opportunities for its franchisees, was recently featured on an episode of the Magic Overtime Show with Dante and Galante.  One of the segments featuring an interview with the Orlando Magic’s 2008 first round draft pick, Courtney Lee, took place at the Dr. Phillips location of Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™.  

Lee was interviewed while getting groomed for a black tie charity function with a Kennedy’s signature haircut and straight-razor shave.  While commenting on his experience at Kennedy’s, Courtney mentioned that fellow teammates Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson also frequent Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™. 

The attraction to Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ by businessmen, celebrities and discerning gentlemen from all walks of life can be attributed to Kennedy’s emphasis on just men — much like the old-world style barbershops that were staples for men of previous generations.  Kennedy’s is one of the only barbershop franchises that offer gentlemen signature haircuts, straight-razor shaves, men’s grooming products, as well as complimentary cold beverages for its members. 

Kennedy’s CEO Chris Hurn said, “We are happy to serve as a place for gentlemen to gather and receive the grooming services that our parents enjoyed.  We’re not surprised that some of our local celebrities and sports stars would choose Kennedy’s as the place to keep them in top form.  Our aim is to offer all of our members a celebrity experience with impeccable haircuts and the unmatched experience of a Kennedy’s Signature straight razor shave.” 

 

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) as well as VetFran.  Along with offering franchises to the general public, VetFran allows Kennedy’s to give special franchising opportunities to American Veterans who have been honorably discharged. 

To view the segment of The Magic Overtime Show featuring Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EohjDrmqzd8

Learn more about Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ by visiting http://www.KennedysBarberClub.com 

 

About Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™: 

 

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a Franchise Concept for discerning gentlemen who are looking for an experience that is the polar opposite of your everyday haircut from the “big chains.” Like most gentlemen, the founders felt out of place at the salons frequented by their wives and the local strip-mall walk-in “chop shops,” so they decided to create a place where they would ENJOY getting the grooming services they need . . . rather than dreading it. While most hair salons cater to women and children, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ caters to discerning gentlemen looking for a fine grooming experience with the old-world charm of your father’s barbershop. Offering the finest in haircuts for men, the lost art of straight-razor shaves, and a modern selection of grooming products, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is sure to be your favorite sanctuary to relax and enjoy The Best Haircut and Straight-Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had, or it’s Free™! 

 

Learn more about Kennedy’s by visiting http://www.KennedysBarberClub.com

 

Real Estate Expert For First-Time Homebuyers, Jennifer Myers, Named to America’s PremierExperts™ Class of 2009

Posted by Lindsay Dicks on Apr 2nd, 2009

Jennifer Myers, author and real estate expert, has recently been named to America’s PremierExperts™ Class of 2009 and will participate in The Ultimate Celebrity Branding Experience™.

Washington, DC. – April 2, 2009 – America’s PremierExperts™ LLC is an organization that honors an exclusive group of celebrity experts who are dedicated to spreading knowledge and awareness in their field of expertise and making significant contributions to their industry and the marketplace as a whole.  Upon acceptance into America’s PremiereExperts™, members are invited to apply to participate in a 12-month innovative and extremely exclusive program, The Ultimate Celebrity Branding Experience™, for highly motivated entrepreneurs and professionals, launched by Nick Nanton, Esq., The Celebrity Lawyer and J.W. Dicks, Esq., The Business Growth Lawyer, authors of the book, “Celebrity Branding You™.” 

Jennifer Myers, one of the country’s leading real estate experts focusing on first-time homebuyers, is one of only a handful of participants selected for America’s PremierExperts™ class of 2009 and participating in The Ultimate Celebrity Branding Experience™.  She is an advocate and recognized expert for first-time homebuyers.  Her new book chronicles a step-by-step formula that first-time buyers can use to receive grant money and other resources to help make their first home purchase more affordable.  Myers will be participating with other selected celebrity experts across various industries in multiple initiatives over the course of the year and will be weighing in on key subjects to consumers and businesses alike. 

The participants selected to participate in this year’s program are forward-thinking business owners, authors, speakers, entrepreneurs and corporate CEOs looking to separate their brand, increase revenues, lock out their competition and capture a distinct advantage over competitors in their market. 

About her participation in America’s PremierExperts™, Jennifer Myers said, “I’m honored to be chosen as one of America’s PremierExperts™. By working with this organization, I know first-time homebuyers throughout the country now will learn about the great resources available only to them to help finance their first home purchase and make their dreams of homeownership a reality.” “There are so many financing programs specifically for first-time homebuyers in every city, county, and state that I will now be able to reach these buyers and help them open the door to a more affordable home than they ever thought possible,” continued Myers.�

“We are proud to honor Jennifer Myers as one of America’s PremierExperts™.  She has been extremely successful in helping those who are new to the real estate market…firsttime homebuyers, and we know she will be a great addition to America’s PremierExperts™ Class of 2009,” Nick Nanton, Esq. co-founder of the organization said. 

You can learn more about Jennifer, how to work with her, her books, courses, programs and services at http://www.JenniferMyers.com

For more information about America’s PremierExperts™ please visit http://www.AmericasPremierExperts.com 

About Jennifer Myers: 

Jennifer Myers is undeniably an advocate and recognized expert for first-time homebuyers.  Her new book chronicles a step-by-step formula first-time buyers can use to receive grant money and other resources to help make their first home purchase more affordable.  

Jennifer first became passionate about real estate in 2002 after buying her first home and later realizing she could have saved $50,000 through a housing assistance program. Ever since then, her mission has been to help others avoid that same mistake. She is the real estate agent that goes the extra step to inform her clients on how to find this money. A first-time buyer has only one time to take advantage of these opportunities and Jennifer leads them through this process. 

Jennifer has worked with hundreds of clients.  In fact, she was the top producer in her area during her first year as an agent.  Her energetic determination and thirst for knowledge of the real estate market enables her to keep abreast of the latest housing information and keeps her on the front lines of the industry. 

She also knows that owning your first home can be the largest financial investment you will make. She encourages responsible homeownership and works with her clients so that they find a home that meets both their needs and their pocketbooks. That first home is a stepping-stone to your next home; so she truly believes you want to make it right the first time. 

As a young homeowner herself, Jennifer knows first-hand the benefits of owning your own place. She wants to share that excitement and pride with others and relates to the concerns that young, first-time buyers may have. She believes that owning a home is not only a financial investment but also a personal investment that will bring the owner many happy returns. 

Jennifer Myers lives and works in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  

You can learn more about Jennifer, how to work with her, her books, courses, programs and services at http://www.JenniferMyers.com.

About America’s PremierExperts™ LLC:America’s PremierExperts™ is an organization that recognizes celebrity experts in their field of business and offers business owners, entrepreneurs, professional speakers, authors, professionals and corporate CEOs exclusive, invitation-only, opportunities for further exposure and growth in the marketplace.  JW Dicks, Esq. & Nick Nanton, Esq., attorneys by trade and entrepreneurs by choice, founded America’s PremierExperts™ and The Ultimate Celebrity Branding Experience™ to honor entrepreneurs, CEOs, authors, professional speakers and business people who are dedicated to spreading knowledge and awareness in their field of expertise and making significant contributions to their industry and the marketplace as a whole.  For more information about America’s PremierExperts™ LLC visit www.AmericasPremierExperts.com.

 

Mercantile Capital Corporation Retracts Earlier SBA 504 Announcement

Posted by Lindsay Dicks on Apr 2nd, 2009

“Just an April Fool’s Day Prank to Release Some Tension,” says CEO 

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Mercantile Capital Corporation (formerly known as Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC) has retracted an earlier story about its new public-private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Treasury.  

“Often times it’s better to laugh, than cry,” said Chris Hurn, Chief Executive Officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation.  “There’s been so much tension, anxiety and uncertainty over the past several months in the financial services industry, that we played an innocent practical joke.  This is the very first time we’ve ever fabricated something, and we would never do so on any other date.” 

There are several things Mercantile wishes to recant:

·      There have been no closed-door sessions with the Obama Administration and Mercantile officials, nor has Mercantile paid the Treasury an “undisclosed sum” of money for a portfolio purchase of SBA 504 loans or for naming rights to the program.

·      To the best of Mercantile’s knowledge, Bear Stearns never originated or held a portfolio of SBA 504 loans.

·      Lehman Brothers, while originating tens of millions of SBA 504 loans, did not sell these assets to Mercantile, nor were Mercantile officials aware of any of Lehman’s SBA 504 loans being considered “toxic.”

·      Mercantile is not in the business of assuming and/or servicing loan portfolios – they only originate SBA 504 loans nationally, one small business owner at a time.

·      The U.S. Government, the Treasury Department, nor the SBA have granted any exclusivity or other “preferential status” to Mercantile in regard to being the only private-sector lender making SBA 504 first mortgages, much to Mercantile officials chagrin.

·      Mercantile does not have license to rename the SBA 504 loan program, despite its re-positioning of the program as “The SmartChoice commercial loan” over the past year.

·      Acting SBA Administrator Hairston and soon-to-be confirmed SBA Administrator Mills have not been in contact with Mr. Hurn regarding a name change for the SBA 504 loan program… but perhaps they should.

·      Messrs. Hurn and Longstaff did not travel to the G-20 Summit this morning – in fact, Mr. Hurn traveled to Cleveland, a far cry from London.

·      While Messrs. Hurn and Longstaff would be happy to educate governmental officials (both domestically and internationally) about small business growth and small business wealth creation through smart commercial property ownership, neither men have been contacted by the Administration to do so.

·      Dr. Lopo Flairs is a fictional Treasury spokesperson with a name that is an anagram, spelling out “April Fool’s.” 

“We hope this joke did not cause anyone too much heartburn.  Anyone who knows us, knows that we take our work very seriously and believe we really are the best at providing SBA 504 loans to America’s small business community… but occasionally we like to be a little irreverent.  Life is much too short to always be serious,” said Hurn.   

“If the Administration wants to seriously consider any of the provisions in this morning’s press release to thaw-out the small business lending environment, we would be happy to do our part,” said Geof Longstaff, Chairman of Mercantile. 

Mercantile officials are reportedly working on giving all of the hundreds of people who went out of their way to call in and/or email in to congratulate them on their “fake” news some gift of appreciation for being such good sports. 

SBA 504 loans offer small business owners up to 90 percent financing at substantially reduced rates to develop, acquire, and remodel commercial facilities.  Really, it’s true!           

Mercantile Capital Corporation, formerly Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC, really does rank as the one of the most active providers of SBA 504 financing in the nation and really has become quite well-known and decorated in their industry with such honors as being a member of the Inc. 500 list of America’s fastest-growing companies, being named “Banker of the Year,” and just last year, being named “Best Small Company in Central Florida.”  Who else could have pulled an April Fool’s stunt like this anyway?!?

* * * 

For more information contact

Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Shannon D. Marks, President/COO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

 

Visit www.504Experts.com or www.504blog.com for more information.

 

MERCANTILE CAPITAL CORPORATION PROVIDES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOAN TO FAMILY LAW PRACTICE INTAMPA WORTH MORE THAN 500 THOUSAND

Posted by Lindsay Dicks on Apr 1st, 2009

Altamonte Springs, Fla. – 1 April 2009 – Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, closed a commercial loan for The DivorceCenter on January 28, 2009 for $580,000 in total project costs.

The Divorce Center, based in Tampa, Florida, works with individuals needing help with family law and divorce. The law firm addresses issues of child support, alimony, custody issues, property settlements and other areas pertaining to family law. They provide clients with both the resources to help ease difficult transitions and an accurate education to avoid any surprises.  

“Working with Mercantile Capital Corporation made the loan process easy and efficient. The staff was able to answer any and all of my questions, and due to their specialization in the SBA 504 loan, I knew that the answers they provided were accurate,” said Howard Iken, President of The Divorce Center. “The staff certainly knows what they’re doing, and throughout the process kept things as simple as possible allowing me to do what I do best — run my business.” 

Mercantile Capital Coportation’s SmartChoice Commercial Loan Program helps owners of small to mid-sized businesses, like Mr. Iken, have an opportunity to increase their net-worth through Commercial property ownership.  Mercantile’s specialization in SmartChoiceCommercial Loans, also known as SBA 504’s, allows their borrowers to own their Commercial property with one-third to half the down payment required by ordinary banks, while getting the least expensive capital available in the marketplace.  This enables business owners to reduce their risk and stay more liquid, while gaining all the benefits of Commercial real estate ownership. 

 

For more information, visit www.TheSmartChoiceLoan.com and www.504Blog.com 

Contacts:

Chris Hurn, Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC 407-786-5040Robin Lashley, Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC 407-786-5040

 

Mercantile Capital Corporation Announces New Public-Private Partnership with Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Treasury Dept.

Posted by Lindsay Dicks on Apr 1st, 2009

Firm Set to Rename SBA 504 Loan Program as Part of Transaction 

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Mercantile Capital Corporation (formerly known as Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC) chose its first operating day as a new entity to announce a landmark new federal program for the nation’s small business owners.  

After months of closed-door negotiations with government officials, the Orlando-area based commercial lender has agreed to assume and service the small business loan portfolios of now defunct Wall Street firms, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns – both of which originated hundreds of millions of SBA 504 loans over the past decade.  Moreover, for an undisclosed sum, Mercantile will be granted “preferential status” in providing SBA 504 loans nationwide and given “naming rights” for the SBA 504 loan program.  In a unique “swap-arrangement” that demonstrates the Obama Administration’s creative spirit in working with the private sector and a need to raise revenues for the Treasury, Mercantile will maintain the servicing for these 504 loans, while the SBA confers to Mercantile the option to provide all SBA 504 first mortgages for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 and all of fiscal year 2010.  Along with this groundbreaking exclusivity, Mercantile has 30 days in which to change the poorly named “504” moniker.   

“This is obviously a very big day for Mercantile,” said Chris Hurn, Chief Executive Officer of Mercantile.  “We spent a considerable amount of time and capital to negotiate this deal – to service what may turn out to be ‘toxic’ assets from failed financial institutions, but in exchange we’ll become the SBA’s exclusive provider of 504 first mortgages and get to rename the program for the next 18 months,” Hurn stated. 

Hurn’s business partner and the Chairman of Mercantile, Geof Longstaff, was equally effusive, “Our standing as one of the nation’s leading 504 lenders positioned us as the ‘go-to players’ to get this deal hammered out.  The government wanted experts like us to take care of these specialized loans and was willing to let us take the lead in thawing-out the frozen small business lending industry.” 

“The fact that we’ll get to rename the SBA 504 within the next 30 days was simply icing on the cake for us,” said Hurn. 

Treasury spokesman, Dr. Lopo Flairs, commented, “The new Administration has chosen to be more creative – to throw the proverbial box out the window.  This deal with Mercantile is a good example, as it accomplished our administrative needs while raising needed funds.  The fact that the 504 loan program will get a new name for a few years is actually a plus for all parties involved.  No one really knows why it was ever called that in the first place.  This situation is really not unlike naming rights to a professional sports stadium, NASCAR sponsorships on their cars, or European soccer players with logos on their jerseys.  We believe this is a good deal for America’s taxpayers.” 

Hurn said he hasn’t yet decided on a new name for the 504 loan program, but since the program champions America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs with the smartest financing available when purchasing commercial property, he is said to be leaning toward calling these loans “The SmartChoice commercial loans.”  Acting SBA Administrator Daryl Hairston and the soon-to-be confirmed SBA Administrator, Karen Gordon Mills, are also working with Hurn to appropriately rename the program. 

Hurn and Longstaff will be leaving early today to join the leaders of the G-20 Summit in a just-added presentation on international small business growth.  President Obama invited these two small business loan experts to London to educate this illustrious group about successful small business wealth creation.  Both men are expected back in Orlando by early Saturday.           

SBA 504 loans offer small business owners up to 90 percent financing at substantially reduced rates to develop, acquire, and remodel commercial facilities.           

Mercantile Capital Corporation, formerly Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC, ranks as the one of the most active providers of SBA 504 financing in the nation and has become quite well-known and decorated in their industry with such honors as being a member of the Inc. 500 list of America’s fastest-growing companies, being named “Banker of the Year,” and just last year, being named “Best Small Company in Central Florida.” 

 Visit www.504Experts.com or www.504blog.com for more information. 

* * *

 

For more information contact

Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Shannon D. Marks, President/COO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

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