Financial Services Franchise Industry News & Announcements

May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // Jacksonville, FL - After the devastating fire at New Berlin Road Church in Jacksonville, Fla., Paul Davis National, large loss specialists and part of the Paul Davis Restoration franchise network, provided emergency services and disaster response along with demolition, fire damage clean-up, drying and stabilization. The Baptist church congregation was originally established more than 100 years ago on Main Street in north Jacksonville. The newer 25,000-square-foot metal frame church building was erected at 2351 New Berlin Road in 2005.
On the evening of March 1, a motorist was passing by the church and noticed smoke pouring from the building. Inside, flames from an electrical fire had engulfed the sanctuary and parts of the fellowship hall, kitchen and offices...

KANSAS CITY, MO, May 23, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), the world's largest tax services provider, today named Gregory J. Macfarlane as the company's Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Macfarlane will lead all aspects of the company's finance and reporting functions, effective June 4, 2012.
"The Board and I are extremely pleased to have a finance executive of Greg's caliber complete our senior management team. We are confident that he will be a major contributor to our success as we focus on creating value for our clients and shareholders," said Bill Cobb, H&R Block's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Greg brings a wealth of experience from his years of managing corporate finance for multi-billion-dollar corporations and he has an impressive track record of leadership and results both domestically and abroad...

May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // Toronto, ON - Liquid Capital has been ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
The country’s only full-service franchised factoring company’s newest franchisee is Terry Campbell, a West Point graduate and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. Liquid Capital honors military veterans year round by offering service members a 10 percent—or $5,000 — discount off the franchise fee and in-house financing, allowing veterans to use their training and operational skills in a new civilian career.
“We are honored to have Terry Campbell on the Liquid Capital team,” said Brian Birnbaum, president of Liquid Capital of America Corp...

May 21, 2012 // Franchising.com // Highland, Ind. - Highland-area residents have another option for purchasing used cars now that J.D. Byrider has opened a store at 9301 Indianapolis Blvd. The location is the 13th J.D. Byrider dealership in Indiana.
In his new location, franchisee Roger Swierbut and his team will provide dependable automobiles to customers who may not have optimal credit histories. “We look forward to serving Highland-area residents who are in need of quality cars with affordable financing,” said Swierbut. “With our 24-month/24,000-mile warranty and exceptional customer service center, we will strive to meet the needs of this great market."
In addition to the new Highland location, J.D. Byrider opened new stores in Richmond, Va...

May 14, 2012 // Franchising.com // Bethesda, Md - The nation’s returning veterans faced a world where stress, danger, fatigue, and life-and-death decisions were a constant fact of daily life. But now these veterans are returning home and having a difficult time finding their way through a safer but equally difficult landscape: the job market. The jobless rate for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is 7.6%.
That’s why The Interface Financial Group, a 40 year old international franchise, is offering special terms and conditions in franchise and maintenance fees to veterans with an honorable discharge from the United State or Canadian armed forces looking to open an Interface franchise.
“The Interface Financial Group franchise is uniquely suited to returning veterans who bring with them a host of special skills, leadership training and discipline,” says David Banfield, president of The Interface Financial Group...

KANSAS CITY, MO, May 10, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents per share, payable July 2, 2012, to shareholders of record as of June 11, 2012.
The July 2 payment marks the company's 199th consecutive quarterly dividend.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) has prepared more than 575 million tax returns worldwide since 1955, making it the country's largest tax services provider. In fiscal 2011, H&R Block had annual revenues of nearly $3 billion and prepared more than 24.5 million tax returns worldwide, including Canada and Australia. Tax return preparation services are provided in company-owned and franchise retail tax offices by approximately 100,000 professional tax preparers, and through H&R Block At Home(TM) digital products...

Deal is Key to Strategic Growth of the Franchise
May 03, 2012 // Franchising.com // INDIANAPOLIS - J.D. Byrider, the nation’s leading used car sales and finance enterprise, closed its first asset-backed securitization today. “Entering the securitization market has been our focus for almost a year, and this deal allows us to access a much larger pool of capital to fund our growth,” said Steve Wedding, CEO of J.D. Byrider. “With 20 company-owned stores, we now have the critical mass needed to take advantage of this opportunity. As we continue to develop and acquire additional stores, regularly accessing the securitization market will be essential.”
The $145 million deal was led by RBS Securities Inc...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - Most entrepreneurs work hard for every dollar earned. Business owners know all too well that business growth often goes hand-in-hand with a growth in operating expenses. As National Small Business Week approaches (May 21st), Brian Miller, president and COO of Expense Reduction Coaching® (ERC), wants business owners to know that, typically, the gradual increase in operating costs stems primarily from inadequate oversight.
"To ensure growth, business owners need to work 'on' the business and not 'in' the business," says Miller. "By focusing on profit-making efforts, they should leave the day-to-day operational support to staff and other experts. Having a cost-cutting expert on staff or as a coach is one very effective way to manage operating costs and positively affect the bottom line...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - When you stop to think about the characteristics that typify the entrepreneur in today's oftentimes unpredictable, ever changing world, risk taking, decisiveness, creativity, and most of all perseverance are just a few traits that come to mind. With the National Small Business Week beginning on May 21st, Brian Miller, COO and president of AdviCoach®, says, "With more and more people choosing business ownership as a means to make a living and secure their financial future, let's all look for ways to invest in making our community service providers succeed."
"AdviCoaches work with many small business owners who are hard-working, community-conscience people who enjoy contributing to their community by providing a well-needed product or service," says Miller...

KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwire - Apr 25, 2012) - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB)

22.2 million total U.S. tax returns prepared, up 962,000 or 4.5 percent
Total online1 returns prepared grow more than 20 percent; total digital returns increase 12.3 percent
Total U.S. retail returns prepared up 1.0 percent; aggregate net U.S. retail tax preparation fees up 1.1 percent
Total H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard® units grow 24 percent to 2.9 million

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today reported that total U.S. tax returns prepared fiscal year-to-date through April 18 reached a record 22.2 million, up 4.5 percent compared to the prior year period. The company reported client growth for the second consecutive year in both its U...

KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 25, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB)

Strategic realignment expected to realize net annualized savings of $85 to $100 million by end of fiscal year 2013
Company to record fourth quarter pretax charge for lease termination, severance and related costs of approximately $30 million, or $0.06 per share
Company expects fiscal 2012 total revenues of approximately $2.9 billion and GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.09 to $1.15

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today announced a broad strategic realignment to create a more cohesive end-to-end client experience, to drive better efficiency and accountability throughout the organization, and to align its resources to balance long-term client and revenue growth...

April 18, 2012 // Franchising.com // OPELIKA, Ala. — Opelika-area residents have another option for purchasing used cars now that a new J.D. Byrider is open at 505 Columbus Pkwy. The 20,000 square-foot location offers used car sales, financing, eight service bays and a customer service center. The store is the fourth J.D. Byrider dealership in Alabama.
The new location is the first for franchisee Paul Sanders. “In times of economic need, J.D. Byrider has the best financing options available for people who do not have optimal credit histories,” said Sanders. “We'll ensure each of our customers in the Opelika-Auburn area are equipped with a good car, affordable payments and superior customer service, not to mention our36-month/36,000-mile warranty...

Inaccuracies Could Lead to Refund Delays or Correspondence From IRS
KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 13, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --One in 5 tax filers may be feeling the tax time crunch with a few days remaining until the April 17 filing deadline. Last year, between April 9 and 29, the IRS received more than 32 million returns.
H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) reminds taxpayers feeling pressured to hurry that while meeting the deadline is important, making sure they file an accurate tax return can save them time and money, and spare them an IRS tax audit.
"Making errors while rushing to make the tax filing deadline can be minimized if taxpayers understand how changes in their lives over the past year impact the tax breaks they are entitled," said Elaine Smith, master tax advisor and enrolled agent at H&R Block...

Local Entrepreneurial Couple Opens Massachusetts’s First BookKeeping Express Office; Expands to Offer Boston’s Small Businesses Professional Bookkeeping Services
BOSTON, Mass. – BookKeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, recently opened its first office in Massachusetts, serving businesses throughout Boston’s North Shore and Innovation District. These two areas include Swampscott, Chelsea, Lynn, East Boston, Everett, Revere, Salem, Beverly, South Boston and Fort Point.
BookKeeping Express offers a much-needed service to small businesses, so they can get back to doing what they do best.
“Our service helps to alleviate a void that exists locally for skilled bookkeeping services that are specifically focused on the small business community,” said Arturo Cueva, who co-owns the new BookKeeping Express office with his wife Amy...

Not Filing on Time Can Add Penalties and Interest That Exceed 25 Percent of Balance Due
KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 11, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) advises the more than 20 percent of taxpayers who owe taxes to be sure to file a tax return or extension to file by April 17 to limit penalties assessed. The penalty for not paying in full is 0.5 percent of the unpaid balance per month, whereas the monthly penalty for not filing a tax return is 10 times that amount (5 percent). Interest also accrues on the unpaid tax and the penalties assessed.
"With less than a week remaining to file a 2011 tax return or an extension, the best option for taxpayers short on cash is clear: file," said Elaine Smith, enrolled agent and master tax advisor for H&R Block...

Millions of Taxpayers Expected to File Returns in Last Week of Season
PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Time is running out for taxpayers who have yet to file their 2011 income tax returns, as the April 17 deadline is now just one week away. To assist late filers with their returns, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® today announced that many of its offices and Walmart kiosks across the country will offer extended hours through Tax Day.
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), millions of taxpayers will file their returns during the final week of the season (with roughly 20 to 25 percent of all taxpayers filing over the final 14 days of the tax season). For those who have yet to file and are now feeling hurried, the key is to be prepared and focused to ensure that the last minute rush does not result in mistakes, penalties or delays on their return...

KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 09, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --On average, more than 10 million taxpayers applied for a tax filing extension each of the past few years, avoiding the 5 percent monthly penalty for failure to file. This year, participating H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) offices are offering free tax extension filing now through the April 17 tax filing deadline.
"Filing a tax return when in a rush can lead to taxpayers making mistakes that may cause them to pay more in taxes than they actually owe," said Elaine Smith, H&R Block tax professional and enrolled agent. "H&R Block can help ensure taxpayers file an accurate tax return that claims all the tax credits and deductions they are entitled."
This extension gives taxpayers an extra six months to file a tax return, making the new filing deadline Oct...

Time Is Dwindling, but Resources Ready for Taxpayers Needing to File by April 17 Deadline
KANSAS CITY, MO, Apr 05, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --More than 1 in 4 taxpayers waits until April to file their tax return. Typically, as time runs out for completing important tasks, so do the options of how to get those tasks completed. This isn't true with tax returns: With less than two weeks remaining until the April 17 tax filing deadline, taxpayers still have four primary filing options with H&R Block (NYSE: HRB). Plus, all the options come with accuracy guarantees and some options are free.
"Depending on a taxpayer's individual needs and comfort level with their finances, they elect to come to a tax office for assisted preparation or they do their taxes themselves," said Elaine Smith, master tax advisor and enrolled agent at H&R Block...

Qualified taxpayers can receive as much as $1,000 per child.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Having a child is a significant milestone, and during tax season, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® is reminding parents that there are many valuable tax benefits available to taxpayers with children.
"Parents know that having children can be expensive, but come tax time they can also be money savers," said Mark Steber, chief tax officer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Services Inc. "For many hard working American families, child-related tax credits can bring back significant, and much needed, refund dollars. The first step is to make sure your children meet the qualifying criteria, which include age, relationship, support, dependent status, citizenship and residence...

Filing an Extension May Provide More Time to File - But Not to Pay
PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With just about two weeks left until the April 17 deadline, it is getting down to crunch time for taxpayers who have yet to file their 2011 tax returns. As Tax Day approaches, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® is reminding last minute filers of the most common mistakes to avoid when filing their tax returns, as well as what they need to know about filing a six-month extension.
"Each year, there are many who wait until the final days to file their taxes," said Mark Steber, chief tax officer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. "With the last minute rush, it is important to carefully check your tax return prior to filing because even the simplest of mistakes can cause delays in the issuance of a refund...