RETAILOBSERVER.COM SEPTEMBER 2019
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B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S
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ationwide Marketing Group announced that Kornerstone
Credit and American First Finance have joined its
portfolio of financing partners, expanding opportunities
for its retailers with lease-to-own (LTO) and installment
financing options.
Kornerstone Credit's lease-to-own program covers a wide
range of product categories and includes 24-hour funding,
lower monthly payments for consumers, and marketing
assistance for new retail partners.
American First Finance's offering is a bank installment loan
program that provides coverage for retailers in several states,
including where LTO programs are not available. American First
Finance's program also includes broad product coverage and
next-business-day funding.
"Kornerstone Credit and American First Finance both
appealed to us because of their more inclusive approach to
product coverage, which includes appliances, electronics,
cabinets, flooring, HVAC, bedding, furniture and even outdoor
products," said Megann McDaniel, director of financial services
for Nationwide. "This means more flexibility for our members
and increased purchasing power for their customers. In addition,
American First Finance's installment loan option fills a much-
needed gap for members in Minnesota, New Jersey, Wisconsin
and Wyoming, where traditional lease-to-own programs are not
allowed by state law."
According to Ed Haluska, chief revenue officer for American
First Finance, Nationwide and its members became an obvious
choice once the company established its true 50-state solution.
"This partnership just makes sense," Haluska said. "Our non-
prime loan solutions offer consumers day-one ownership and
longer terms, and work for all products, services, sales taxes,
labor and warranties. With the state regulatory limitations on
lease-to-own and what it can or cannot be used for, having a
true loan solution to offer these same shoppers will allow
Nationwide Marketing Group members to sell even more with
less work. Whether your customers are starting out or starting
over, American First Finance has the consumer finance solutions
to help you increase same-store sales and let your customers
shop when they want to, where they want to and how they want
to – regardless of their credit."
Eliot Kang, CEO of Kornerstone Credit, says he is excited by
his company's partnership with Nationwide, which will offer
exclusive discounts and programs to help boost sales and
improve customer retention.
"The best retailers in the country are members of Nationwide's
premier buying and marketing group, which makes this a perfect
opportunity for us," Kang says. "The benefits they bring to their
member base are unmatched, and we are excited to provide an
even greater value-add through affordable and easy no-credit-
needed financing options."
RO
NATIONWIDE MARKETING GROUP SIGNS
TWO NEW FINANCING
PARTNERS FOR RETAILERS
