"This is a great recognition and we are pleased to be included," said Jon Harkins, site manager for First Union's Small Business Banking Center in Tampa. "This recognition underlines our commitment to helping small businesses meet their lending needs and achieve their financial goals."
In Florida, First Union closed 3,238 small business loans in 1996 totaling $301.5 million, up nearly 40 percent from $216.9 million in 1995. Corporate-wide, First Union closed approximately 12,000 small business loans totaling $1.1 billion last year, up 35 percent from $814.7 million in 1995.
First Union formed its Small Business Banking unit three years ago to concentrate on the small business market. First Union's Tampa small business center serves the Florida and Georgia markets. The center can be reached by calling 800-282-1410. Callers have the option of talking to a Spanish-speaking lender.
Among the services that First Union offers its small business customers in addition to business checking, savings and loan products:
I. 24-hour turnaround time on loan approval decisions.
II. Up-to-date account information through Business Fax, a daily service that provides customers their previous day's account activity and balance information via fax by 8 a.m. each morning.
III.Commercial CAP Account, an asset management account which combines the company's everyday banking and investment services into one consolidated account.
IV.A wide array of specialized products and services, including cash management, insurance, business and personal investment expertise and retirement services.
V. Visa Business Card, which offers small-business owners flexibility and convenience and the ability to earn credit towards air travel each time they use the card.
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