With More Bankers Laid Off, What Can Small Business Franchises Offer?

Everyone has been hit by the recession, butmore. Because some of these services are so
perhaps none more than the banking industry.hard for businesses to come by in the current
Banks have seen a great variety of troubles ineconomy, this business is in high demand, and as
2008, mostly resulting from outrageoussuch, a franchisee's earning potential is through the
over-lending to homebuyers who would neverroof. Some brokers begin on a part-time basis,
have the resources to make their mortgages.but when they find what they could be earning,
This year saw Washington Mutual all but collapsethey quickly advance to fulltime brokering.
on itself before being bought out by JP MorganBlue Coast Financial Group
Chase Manhattan; then Wachovia was consumedAnother great franchise option for someone with
by Citigroup in September; and only a montha background in banking is Blue Coast Financial
later, in October, Goldman Sachs had to makeGroup, which specializes in providing expense
cutbacks, which resulted in a layoff that left overrecovery cost-saving services to businesses of all
3000 employees without work. In total, at leastshapes and sizes. Whether a franchisee has past
110,000 banking jobs have been lost so far inexperience in financial work or not, the franchisors
2008.can train new Blue Coast Financial Group advisors
A Fortune Magazine article printed just after thein all aspects of providing specific services including
Goldman Sachs fallout asked a very importantworkers compensation recovery, cost
question in the midst of all this banking turmoil:segregation studies, energy deregulation, and
where are all these laid-off bankers supposed toequipment leasing. In all areas, this home based
go? The answers they listed included smallerbusiness is dead set on saving clients money in
investment firms, government agencies, businessany and every way possible, which, backed by
consultancies, and foreign investment markets.smart marketing systems and pre-set
Of course, what they failed to mention as a viableappointments, can exponentially increase your
work option was franchise business. Though manyincome, even in recession.
people overlook the possibility of owning andCredit CRM
operating a franchised small business, it is a greatKnowing a thing or two about the banking
potential source of income that comes with anindustry, lending, and particularly mortgages can
established track record and often involves veryonly add to a person's success as a Credit CRM
little overhead cost. If you are an ex-bankercredit repair agent. Each day, more and more
looking for work, and purchasing a business forpeople are finding it virtually impossible to find a
sale sounds like a viable option in your givenlender that will let them purchase a home, all
conditions, here are a few franchise ideas thatbecause lenders are increasingly picky about the
benefit from a franchisee with a financialcredit scores of their loan recipients. Work from
background.home as a Credit CRM franchisee and help these
Roni Deutch Tax Centerpeople fix their credit scores. It's a great way to
In 2006, 62% of American personal tax returnshelp others while taking advantage of a strong
were professionally prepared and filed, andbusiness opportunity.
according to research, tax preparation is still onePadgett Business Services
of the most fragmented industries that exist.When a business owner can't manage the
What all that means is that there is unrivaledfinances or simply doesn't want to, Padgett
demand for tax preparation and accountingBusiness Services steps into view as an excellent
services, and so far, there is no single companychoice for out-sourced financial services. Each
dominating the market. Therefore, thefranchisee is fully trained, given support when a
opportunity to get in on this industry's successclient has issues that are over his head, and even
with an up-and-coming franchise like Roni Deutchprovided with support for further accounting
Tax Center is a great one. Though havingeducation. And if anyone has any concerns about
previous financial industry knowledge helps, it isthe validity of this accounting franchise, Franchise
not necessary, as the franchisor can teach youBusiness Review has recognized Padgett Business
everything you need to know. And with a variableServices as one of the 50 top franchises, and
business model that can be operated eitherAccounting Today touts it as one of the 100 best
seasonally or year-round, with other financialaccounting firms, which puts it a neck above
services as well, there is room here for anyonevirtually every other accounting business and
to put taxes to work for them.franchise out there.
Global Broker SystemsThough losing a job can leave a person feeling
Knowledge of banking is directly applicable torather destitute, there is no reason to fear for
franchisees in this financial brokerage homethe future. Even if there is no employment
business. Franchisees work with various loanopportunity on the horizon, franchises offer great
agencies to give clients access to all kinds ofbusiness opportunities for just about anyone,
financial support, like lease financing, debtincluding those hailing from the banking sector.
restructuring, accounts receivable loans, and much