Capital Access Group Helps Universal Herbs, Inc., Access SBA 504 Commercial Real Estate Financing to Purchase New, Hayward, CA Facility, Resulting in 40 New Jobs; Building Ownership Provides Universal Herbs Control and Enables Long-Term Planning

(July24, 2014) – Capital Access Group (www.capitalaccess.com), a commercial real estate lender specializing in U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loans for growing businesses, today announced that Universal Herbs, Inc., secured $893,625 in total project financing to purchase a 6,353 square foot building located at 1817 Addison Way, Hayward, CA. Universal Herbs (www.herbspro.com), an online seller of vitamins, herbal supplements, and natural cosmetics, was recognized recently by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing internet retail companies. Universal Herbs will move into the new facility in early July.

“We now own the building. That’s a big change for us,” said Tanu Bhattacharya, Director for Marketing and Operations, Universal Herbs. “We can have it designed in a way that creates efficiencies for the business.”

Capital Access Group provided $369,000 in SBA-guaranteed funds, and Citibank financed $447,000 of the Universal Herbs project.

“It’s such a joy to help a growing business like Universal Herbs purchase their first building,” said Jacklyn Jordan, President and CEO of Capital Access Group. “Building ownership will stabilize their costs, protect the business from rent increases, and make it easier for Universal Herbs to maximize efficiency and make long-term investments in their fast-growing business.”

 “We also benefit from the 504 program’s terms and low down payment. It gives me peace of mind,” said Bhattacharya. “The low down payment preserves funds to develop our team, invest in technology, and stock up on inventory.”

The SBA 504 loan is a partnership between the Certified Development Company (CDC), a commercial bank, the small business borrower, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The loan provides capital for the purchase, renovation, or construction of commercial real estate and heavy equipment.

About Capital Access Group: San Francisco-based Capital Access Group is a leading Certified Development  Company, authorized by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide long-term, fixed-rate financing through the SBA 504 loan program, which offers 90% financing to business owners for the purchase, renovation, or construction of commercial real estate for their growing businesses. Founded in 1981, Capital Access Group has helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow their businesses and realize their dreams of owning their own buildings. Currently, the SBA 504 interest rate is 5.06%, fully amortized and fixed for 20 years. For more information, please visit www.capitalaccess.com.

Contact: Ken Stram, ken@2bridgepr.com, 415-652-3610

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