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504 Loan Helps Insure Title Agency's Success

Feb 2015

The Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Loan Program was created to help stimulate economic development by providing small businesses with low-cost, long-term fixed rate financing for the purchase of capital fixed assets. Among the many thousands of small businesses across Florida and the nation, one of the most common scenarios is a growing and thriving business that had previously rented their real estate and is now ready to take the step into ownership.

As is the case with Amelia Title Agency, Inc. of Fernandina Beach. Jennifer Panke established Amelia Title Agency in 2008 and is the 100% owner and closing agent at the company. Panke began her search for the best financing where most small business owners look first, their bank.

“This deal is a standard SBA 504 loan on the surface - a local title agency buying the building they lease. However, Ms. Panke's local bank used the SBA 504 1st Mortgages Program through Morgan Stanley so they could her offer a comprehensive and competitive long-term financing package,” said Kristen Tackett, Florida First Capital Vice President and Business Development Officer for Northeast Florida.

The Morgan Stanley program provides banks with access to 100% direct funding or purchases of SBA 504 1st Mortgages. With direct funding, Morgan Stanley books the first mortgage loan on its balance sheet. On purchases, the selling bank books the first mortgage loan on its balance sheet, then sells it to Morgan Stanley.

Banks are often able to offer more competitive rates and terms as well as benefit from regulatory relief through the minimization of commercial real estate loans plus receive premium income generated from the sale of the loan.

Through innovative industry partnerships like that of Morgan Stanley's SBA 504 1st Mortgages Program, any lending institution has the ability to participate in the SBA 504 Loan Program and enhance their depository relationships with their small business clients.

For more information about the Morgan Stanley SBA 504 1st Mortgages Program,contact a Florida First Capital Loan Officer hereor email us atinfo@ffcfc.com. Phone: 850.681.3601 or toll-free at 888.320.5504.