In addition to the expert online and over the phone support offered by a Griffin Capital Funding loan officer, small or mega churches can now benefit from the expertise of a local company representative in a face-to-face meeting

Fredericksburg, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/08/2013 -- Church needs throughout the U.S. are diversifying as more projects, from small renovations to full-on expansions, arise. Most religious organizations require a loan in order to successfully complete their project. To meet these growing demands, leading church financing provider, Griffin Capital Funding, has expanded the company's reach by employing a large number of local experts who will be able to provide direct assistance and meet with churches or their representatives in person.

"There are, in fact, very few lenders who are willing to provide loans for churches. Our company, however, believes in this market and we think that people of faith need better places of worship, hence our desire to help churches expand and find the right financing for it," Scott Obenhein, company loan officer said.

Griffin Capital Funding, whose information can be found at http://www.churchloan.net/, provides a full range of financial services for religious organizations. These include church loans to purchase property, church refinancing, financing for construction or renovation needs, and many more.

"Our loan programs are quite diverse, and many times they do not apply in certain areas or they are subject to change. Our loan officers and local Church Loan Experts can certainly offer assistance. Some individual situations can be better solved by using a local expert who will meet with the church in person," Obenhein explained.

Aside from a growing network of expert church loan advisers, the company, which was recently named among the top 50 fastest-growing financial service providers in the U.S., now provides support in Korean and Spanish. This will help foreign church officials who own a religious center in the United States get access to financing.

Griffin Capital Funding experts analyze thousands of transactions each year, adding to an average of $100,000,000 in loans. "These have been helpful in small to medium projects for hundreds of churches nationwide," Obenhein said. "There has never been a better time to apply for a loan, with interest rates still at record lows." The company services loans ranging from $75,000 to $20 million and up.

About Griffin Capital Funding
The company specializes in church financing, starting from the recognition that religious organizations have special needs and constraints. Griffin Capital Funding is now one of the leading providers of specialized loans and funding options for churches throughout the United States. The projects supported by the company range from small renovations to full building expansions. To get in contact with a local expert in your area or to find out more about loan options, church representatives can check the company site or call (800) 710-6762.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Churches with more than 2,000 members now can apply for loans and a conditional approval in as little as 24 hours

Fredericksburg, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/18/2013 -- Whether it's a church construction loan, a church mortgage, or even a church refinance, loans for mega-churches are not easy to obtain. Now, these large religious centers can get fast closings, products with no personal guarantees, no-obligation quotes and conditional approvals in 24-hours with the new church loan program from Griffin Capital Funding.

"When it comes to financing, you will find a limited number of lenders who are disposed to provide church loans, and for mega-churches, the entire process is even tougher," explains John Berardino, Griffin Capital Funding President. "For example, we have had church representatives explain to us how in the procedure of going for a loan from a national bank, the financial institution wanted them to change the entire structure of the board of trustees in order to conform to bank standards."

Many banks and credit unions will work according to restrictions on how much they can lend on a particular asset class, and that's why getting financing for a mega-church project can be very difficult. Furthermore, if a bank has reached its church loans' limit, they will be unable to provide any financial aid for a religious institution.

Although it can be difficult for many churches to obtain the money they need for various projects, they should know that with a plan that makes sense and a well-managed financial situation, they should apply for a loan with Griffin Capital Funding. The types of church financing available include traditional, fully fixed, easy qualifier program, construction loan, and construction bond.

Berardino added, "Our biggest church loan was $24,500,000 for a mega church in Frisco, Texas. If you're looking to refinance, get a church mortgage, renovate, buy a new church, expand your church, or build a sanctuary or addition, we can help you out."

For mega-churches that don't need loans, referring those that do, can be very lucrative. "Let your friends know that by referring loans to us, you or your church can earn up to $10,000 for each referral. There are no fees to participate, and this can help you make some money that can be used for so much good," said Berardino.

About Griffin Capital Funding
The company is one of the leading providers of church loan services with an amount of $100,000,000/year average of closed loans. The company provides a variety of loans for churches with free quotes and a referral program that rewards church loan referrals with up to $10,000. Interested parties seeking church construction loans, church mortgages, and other products should visit http://www.churchloans.net/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The most reputable church financing company in the world announces opportunity for churches to take advantage of unique new loan offers

Fredericksburg, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/30/2013 -- Griffin Capital Funding, the world's most well-respected church financing company, is pleased to announce the availability of bond financing for qualified churches. The church bond opportunity offered by Griffin provides the borrower with financing for up to 30 years. The funding is offered at a fixed rate with no balloons.

The church bond program requires higher fees than other alternatives offered by Griffin, but provides a viable option for those churches that require a financing option that is fully fixed or those that don't qualify for traditional financing.

"We're pleased to be able to offer this flexible financing option, which will allows us to serve a broader number of churches and religious institutions," said a spokesperson for Griffin. "We strive to provide financial services for those organizations that we think are deserving, and some of those organizations may not otherwise qualify for financing opportunities, which is why we've developed our bond program. Our ultimate goal is to serve people of faith to the best of our ability, and bond financing allows us to do just that."

Griffin Capital Funding has set a goal to provide $100,000,000 in loans for churches, this year alone. Church loans provided by the company range from $75,000 to $24,500,000, which was the company's largest project to-date for the Frisco, Texas Celebration Covenant Church.

The loan services provided by Griffin are ideal for churches that seek to renovate, purchase or expand a church building, obtain a mortgage or refinance an institution. The company offers free, no obligation quotes, 24 hour condition approval on all church loans, no personal guarantees required, quick closings and personalized service.

About Griffin Capital Funding
Griffin Capital Funding is committed to providing the highest quality church loans available with the best possible rates and terms. The company provides loans to religious institutions all over the country, and their ultimate goal is to create lasting relationships with their customers. In 2008, the company was named the 49th fastest growing financial firm by Inc. Magazine. To contact the company visit http://www.churchloan.net/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Tax-Advantaged Savings Plan Available to Independent Ministers, Church Associates

Fredericksburg, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/06/2013 -- Underhill Financial Advisors has teamed up with Griffin Capital Funding to provide no-cost, no-obligation financial planning services to independent pastors, their families and to church associates. The Pastor Protection Plan (PPP), as it is called, combines life insurance, disability income, and long-term care with complete retirement and estate planning. Together, the coverage provides comprehensive financial protection during working years and guarantees a lifetime income during retirement.

According to UFA President Jerry Burke, one of the PPP's main benefits is that all principal and annual gains accrued are locked in and protected from future losses.

"This is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan that builds up like a defined contribution account," Burke said. "But it pays out a guaranteed lifetime income like a defined benefit pension."

The greatest benefit, Burke added, is that the plan's holder is protected from the greatest risk in retirement—outliving their assets. That is because a PPP guarantees income payments that cannot be reduced or ended prior to the holder's death. There is also an available spousal benefit that will continue providing a lifetime income to the holder's spouse after they die. Setting up a PPP is free, and contributions to the plan will immediately reduce one's current taxable income.

For this year, the IRS has implemented the following contribution limits:
- Individual contribution limits are set at $51,000
- Churches may contribute up to an additional $33,000 on a minister's or church employee's behalf
- A $5,500 catch-up contribution is allowed for those age 50 or over
- An additional $3,000 catch-up contribution may be allowed for those with 15 or more years of service
- A saver's tax credit of up to $2,000 may be available for those whose adjusted gross income is less than $57,000 (filing jointly)

"There are many benefits to this plan," Burke said. "For instance, since ministers have 'dual tax status' their PPP contributions are exempt from Social Security, Medicare, self-employment and unemployment taxes. That is in addition to the fact that current IRS guidelines allow ministers and church employees to save up to $50,000 pre-tax dollars in their PPP with no increase in W-2 reported income. They avoid federal and state income tax there, in other words."

Burke emphasized the fact that a PPP ensures a church will realize the maximum potential from its retirement savings contributions. Ministers' future distributions, he stated, enjoy tax-favored status "because up to 100 percent of their retirement income may be designated as a clergy housing allowance." That, he added, makes a PPP possibly tax-free for ministers "at both ends."

For more information about UFA, visit www.ufalife.com, call 1-800-727-TERM (8376). For additional information on Griffin Capital Funding visit http://www.churchloan.net/.

About Underhill Financial Advisors
Established in 1974, Underhill Financial Advisors provide4s outstanding financial planning services to work toward its clients' unique and specific needs. UFA offers assistance with term life quotes, retirement plans, life settlements and indexed annuities. Additionally, President Jerry Burk offers advice via Road to Retirement Radio, which can be heard Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. on WNTX (1350 AM and 96.5 FM).

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Successful Referrals to Griffin Capital Funding Worth Up to $10,000

Fredericksburg, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/12/2013 -- Griffin Capital Funding, a leader in church financing, offers a lucrative referral program for other churches and the general public. If a referral from any person or church results in the successful close of a church loan, that person or church will receive ½ point; up to $10,000 per referral. The referral program is not exclusive to churches, so referrals can come from the general public. Potential referrals can be discussed with Griffin Capital Funding's sales representatives at 800.710.6762 ext. 1 or by filling in this online form: http://www.churchloan.net/forms/referral.html.

"Griffin Capital Funding began with a vision that churches have specific church financing needs that businesses do not," said a Griffin Capital Funding representative. "We have worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality and have become an industry leader as a result. In the same spirit of that original vision, we offer our referral rewards because we want our customers to feel like they are part of a community. We hope churches and ordinary people will take advantage of our referral program."

On average, Griffin Capital Funding provides churches over $100,000,000 in loans each year throughout the United States. With churches of all sizes as customers, Griffin Capital Funding provides a wide range of services including loans to purchase, renovate, refinance, and construct.

About Griffin Capital Funding
Realizing that churches need and deserve specialized financial services, Griffin Capital Funding decided early on it would not treat churches like for-profit businesses. With the recognition that churches have special financial needs and constraints, Griffin Capital Funding worked collaboratively with churches across the United States to help build their places of worship. Today, Griffin Capital Funding provides over $100,000,000 each year in church financing. Such success was quickly recognized and Griffin Capital Funding was named the 49th fastest growing financial services firm in the United States by Inc. Magazine in 2008. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.churchloan.net, call them at 800.710.6762, or join them on Facebook.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Quick Quote Tool Allows Users to Instantaneously Receive Free Loan Quote

Fredericksburg, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/22/2013 -- ChurchLoan.net, a leader in church financing, has developed and launched an online 'Quick Quote' tool to allow users to instantaneously receive a loan quote. The free 'Quick Quote' tool uses information such as location, loan amount requested, and credit history to allow users to view their church financing options. This new online tool will work in conjunction with ChurchLoan.net's 'Live Chat' feature allowing users to instant message with company representatives. The 'Quick Quote' tool can be accessed on the front page of their website.

"We at ChurchLoan.net want to make our website so user-friendly that it's almost as if customers were meeting with us in-person," said a ChurchLoan.net representative. "Our new 'Quick Quote' tool along with our 'Live Chat' options is designed to move us closer to that goal. Ultimately, everything we do is dedicated to helping people construct places of worship through church refinance, church loans, and other forms of church financing."

ChurchLoan.net provides, on average, over $100,000,000 a year in church loans throughout the United States. Their services to churches of all sizes include loans to purchase, renovate, refinance, and construct. Their church financing projects have ranged from $150,000 to $24,500,000.

About ChurchLoan.net
ChurchLoan.net began with the belief that churches deserve specialized financial services; that too often, conventional financial firms treat churches like for-profit businesses. With the recognition that churches have special financial needs and constraints, ChurchLoan.net began to help construct churches all over the United States. Thanks to hard work and consistent innovation, ChurchLoan.net provides over $100,000,000 a year in church financing. As a result, they were named the 49th fastest growing financial services firm in the United States by Inc. Magazine in 2008. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.churchloan.net, call them at 800.710.6762, or join them on Facebook.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm