MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bank of America today announced that it has hired more than 130 small business bankers throughout Florida to provide guidance to local small business owners. The additions are part of the company’s previously announced plan to hire approximately 1,000 small business bankers nationwide.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local and national economy,” said Robb Hilson, Miami-based Small Business executive for Bank of America. “In today’s uncertain environment, it is crucial that a small business owner’s banking relationship is with someone who is knowledgeable about their local community. Bank of America small business bankers are engrained in the communities they serve, and have a real understanding of the needs of Florida businesses.”
Through a relationship with a Bank of America small business banker, clients will have greater access to local small business expertise and a dedicated resource who understands their business. Small business bankers will consult with small business owners at their place of business and assess their deposit, credit and cash management needs.
These new small business banker hires will support the unique needs of small business owners across the following regions:
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South Florida – 58 hires, including:
- Miami-Dade County (24 hires).
- Broward County (20 hires).
- Palm Beach County (14 hires).
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Gulf Coast – 28 hires, including:
-Saint Petersburg/Tampa area (15 hires).
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Central Florida – 34 hires, including:
-Orlando area (21 hires).
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North Florida – 18 hires, including:
-Jacksonville (six hires).
Findings from the May 2012 Bank of America Small Business Owner Report, a semi-annual study exploring the concerns, aspirations and perspectives of small business owners across the country, revealed that only 27 percent of Miami area small business owners consider themselves to be very financially savvy. The remaining respondents admitted to needing occasional or ongoing expert help.
“Small business owners have complex financial needs that are unique to each industry and business,” said Steve Turner, Southeast region sales executive for Bank of America. “Our small business bankers in South Florida and across the state are here to work with small business owners and offer them financial guidance that helps them operate their businesses with greater efficiency.”
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are more than 2 million small businesses in Florida. These businesses represent more than 98 percent of all employers, more than 40 percent of the private-sector workforce and more than 75 percent of the state’s gross domestic product.
Bank of America has continued to actively lend to small businesses in Florida. In the first half of 2012, Bank of America extended $813.8 million in credit to small businesses across Florida. This number includes $361 million in new originations, which is a 39 percent increase over the first half of 2011.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 56 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,600 retail banking offices and approximately 16,200 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
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