Press Releases

Gainesville, Florida  – March 8, 2018 – Lendio, the nation’s leading marketplace for small business loans, today announced the opening of a new Lendio franchise in the Gainesville-Ocala Florida region. Through the Lendio franchise program, Luis Salazar will help local businesses in the community apply for loans, review their options and secure funding, easing the financial hurdles for small business owners.

Lendio is an online service that helps business owners find the working capital they need to grow their business through the company’s network of over 75 lenders. Funding options include SBA loans, startup loans, equipment loans, commercial real estate loans and more. In the last fiscal year alone, Lendio facilitated more than $300 million in funding.

Since 2008, accessing financial capital for small business owners has been difficult. According to Edelman Intelligence, more than 40 percent of small business owners need additional funding for their business each year. Roughly 70 percent of small business owners aren’t aware that alternative lending sources exists.

The Lendio franchise program makes business loans easy by helping small business owners skip the legwork of looking for a small business loan. Franchisees understand the needs of local business owners and can guide them through the lending process. By bridging that gap between the online lending marketplace and the small business owners, Salazar will help open a world of funding opportunities for business owners in the Gainesville-Ocala region’s diversified local economy.

As a former small business owner and veteran, Salazar is passionate about the American dream of business ownership. “Born outside of the U.S., I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is to grow a business in other parts of the world,” said Salazar, Lendio Gainesville-Ocala Franchise Owner. “I’m inspired by small business owners who are working hard to make it on their own. I don’t want to just approve or reject loans; I want to help small business owners succeed in their community and share what I know, one-on-one.”

Known for its talent, innovation and opportunity, the Gainesville-Ocala region is a thriving hub for businesses in multiple sectors—from IT and software to manufacturing to restaurants. Salazar is equipped to facilitate financing for all of the area’s growing industries. In addition to being backed by the number one lending platform in the country, Salazar’s Lendio Gainesville-Ocala franchise will benefit from Lendio’s strong, built-in supports, marketing campaigns and extensive hands-on training with a wide array of financing options and loan products.

“Eighty percent of small business loan applications are being rejected by traditional banks,” said Ben Davis, Chief Franchising Officer at Lendio. “Lendio’s core value is to give small businesses better access to capital, and we’re excited to expand our franchise program with Luis. We share a passion to see small businesses grow and make a positive impact on the U.S. economy, and the local community.”

For more information on how to join the Lendio franchise program, visit: https://www.lendio.com/franchise.