I've always wanted to be Mark Cuban.
No, I won't ever own a professional basketball team. I've just always enjoyed watching him on that TV show, you know the one where a bunch of “sharks” help small businesses make their dreams come true?
I love that show because it's what our Commercial Lending team does every day here at Apple Federal Credit Union. We're providing local small businesses with the financing they need to grow and expand.
Our lending team may never make it to television, but we're always looking for new and exciting ways to do more. This is why we're launching a new contest this month, one that's designed to lift up businesses in our community.
In celebration of Small Business Month, I'm excited to help kick off Apple Federal Credit Union's FinTastic Funding!
$50,000 FinTastic Funding
FinTastic Funding provides local small businesses with a chance to win money and tell their story.
When applying for FinTastic Funding, businesses will submit a video that demonstrates how they are helping families in our community. A panel of judges will select the top entries from those submissions.
That's when we'll open up voting to the public. You'll get the chance to select your favorite entry, with the first-place winner receiving a $25,000 cash prize! Second place will get $15,000, and third place will receive $10,000.
We're excited about FinTastic Funding because it's a chance for small businesses to tell their story. It also lets us provide financing opportunities, a responsibility which we take seriously here at Apple Federal Credit Union.
Meeting the Need
Every small business faces two great challenges— speed and service. Northern Virginia is a unique market, with giant corporations rubbing shoulders with local mom-and-pop shops. To succeed here, you need a lender like Apple FCU who truly understands the landscape.
Speed is an area of focus for our credit union. Businesses deserve fast decisions from a financial institution who doesn't view them as only a number on a spreadsheet. I'm incredibly proud of Apple FCU's new Rapid Request process, which has completely changed the way we lend to small businesses.
Rapid Request allows business owners to apply for up to $100,000 with select Apple FCU Commercial Loans in 15 minutes and receive a decision in 48 hours or less1. Apple FCU still provides the same great competitive rates, but with no prepayment penalty and quicker processing times. Businesses are securing the financing they need faster than ever.
Money Management
Growth depends on more than a loan. Apple Federal Credit Union also offers high-rate savings Money Market accounts that put your money to work.
We're here to support your goals, whether through one of our many Bonus Certificates or our Core Checking Accounts. With no monthly fees or minimum monthly balances, Core Checking can help simplify your business's operations.
Apple FCU also connects your business with payment processing and business management solutions that provide highly competitive rates, personalized customer service and everything you need in one place. This includes account origination, training, equipment and supplies, reporting, and service.
At Apple, we want to take care of all of your business needs. It's what drives us and what helped us get recognized by the Washington Business Journal for having the second-largest commercial portfolio growth among credit unions in the Greater Washington area last year!
Why It Matters
The needs of businesses in our community— no matter how small— are at the heart of what we do.
Actions speak louder than words, which is why we'll share the stories of the businesses who apply for FinTastic Funding on social media this summer. Remember, you'll get the chance to vote on who should win the cash prizes!
FinTastic Funding is open to both Apple members and non-Apple account holders— we're looking to reach any small business in the Northern Virginia area that could use additional support. Applications are due by Tuesday, July 1, with the finalists announced on Friday, August 15.
Feel free to reach out to a Commercial Services Expert at 703-788-4800 if you have any questions about the contest, and thank you for your support of our small business community.
Happy Small Business Month!
1 Excluding holidays or weekends.
