From the desk of Wayne Jones at Amagf: A Letter to Veterans.

July 24, 2011 - PRLog -- Like many of you, I have always had the entrepreneurial spirit.  I am a veteran and have been self employed since being discharged from the Army.  I found in the early days of my journey that “I would obtain the business experience I needed, right after I needed it”.

That is not the case in today’s world. When I set out on my journey there wasn’t the abundance of franchise opportunities that exist today.  Today you can become a part of a proven and tested Franchise and have the assistance you need to be successful. The Franchisor will guide you through the bumps and curves on the road to success and mentor you in the tried and proven methods to succeed.

AMAGF is an integral part of the business process for a wide range of entrepreneurs. The financial foundation  for the most important part of your efforts, the financial health of your start up venture, franchise purchase, purchase of an existing business or the further development of your existing  business. There are many reasons that make it necessary to obtain outside financing. You might want to buyout a partner, expand to other locations or purchase additional inventory. Whatever the reason there is most likely a government guaranteed finance program available.

AMAGF offers a variety of training programs that can assist in sorting out the Small Business Administration (SBA) process and procedures for participating in the SBA financial guaranteed programs available to small business today. Once you have made a decision to move forward, AMAGF can produce the SBA Loan Package that will conform to the requirements outlined by the SBA in there Standard Operating Procedures.

I read an article published in July 2011 by Inside Banking. The article was produced and is directed at Commercial Lenders and outlines the opportunities for the Commercial Banks to participate in the SBA loan programs. It states that one of the pitfalls that many banks confront as outlined in the article was that the SBA requires that all forms for approving, closing and reporting loans must be filled out accurately and completely.  That incomplete paperwork will seriously delay SBA’s approval of the loans and can cause frustration for lenders, borrowers and the SBA.

AMAGF completes your loan package in compliance and conformity to the SBA requirements so you can present the bank a complete loan package that will expedite the approval process.  We work with you to make your loan application easy for the bank to process the application in compliance to the SBA requirements. Don’t get caught up in the process that can end in frustration and in many cases the abandonment of your goals.  Bankers do not have the time or the resources to work with you on a full time basis to prepare the proper loan package.  The bankers leave it up to you.  They will give you a list of documentation they need and a limited amount of guidance.  You are now investing your time to learn and do something that our association can do for you and get it right before the lenders are presented with your financial needs.

CNN June 22, 2011 aired a new program dedicated to a 100 event Veterans job fair that was to be held throughout the country to assist unemployed veterans in finding jobs.  The statistics of unemployed veterans tops the unemployment list.  It was reported that unemployed veterans are in the 12% range for the unemployed.

Why don’t more veterans seek small business opportunities?  There are many franchise opportunities available today that would afford the entrepreneurial veteran an opportunity to create jobs for other veterans.  The Small Business Administration has developed the Patriot Express loan for veterans to cut out the red tape in applying for a Government Guaranteed Loan. The SBA guarantees 85% of the loan for Veterans.  The maximum loan amount is $500,000.  If you are currently in the military and will be discharged within one year you can start the loan process. If you are going to retire from the military within two years there are programs available to assist you in making plans for your future.

AMAGF has special programs available for Veterans that can assist you with your future goals. We offer a membership in our Association to all veterans without charge. As a Veteran I have experienced many of the road blocks that are encountered by Veterans after being discharged. I didn’t have anywhere to go for assistance to prepare for my future, I made progress as I mentioned in the second paragraph, I got the experience I needed by trial and error.  The error at times proved to be costly and I learned that time is money and the errors cost me valuable time. AMAGF can provide the experience that will eliminate the trial and error.
Our website will provide further information, go to www.amagf.org.
Wayne Jones
Executive  Director .

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American Association of Government Finance (AmAGF) specializes in SBA loan packaging & loan placement to help our members complete the process of getting the financing they need for their business. Start-ups and established businesses are eligible!