FFL friendly banks for expanding our business?

[damndave]

We are looking to expand our business in a pretty big way in the very near future (ammo store and FFL)

Are there banks to avoid in acquiring a loan for such a shop? Which banks are the go-to ones?

On a side note....Once I have my retail location with all security issues and FFL requirements in place, approx how long and how expensive is it to actually get the FFL?

[ugimports]

We are looking to expand our business in a pretty big way in the very near future (ammo store and FFL)

Are there banks to avoid in acquiring a loan for such a shop? Which banks are the go-to ones?

On a side note....Once I have my retail location with all security issues and FFL requirements in place, approx how long and how expensive is it to actually get the FFL?

If you have all your ducks in a row, I think my Federal doc took about 60 days from when I mailed it in to my interview. After interview couple weeks. State CFD < 30 days. I think mine was 20 or so.

If you're in an area that requires it you'll need the local business permit stating valid for retail sales of firearms and perhaps a firearms permit from local PD. The feds won't care if you have this paperwork when you apply with them, but the state will.

[ParallaxTactical.com]

Inventory expansion: ~$40-50k
FFL Waittime: 3-4 months for everything (so 3-4 months of rent, utilities, payroll, etc.)

[tenpercentfirearms]

We use Westamerica Bank. Their credit card processing is good and they have never said a word about us being a gun shop.

[ugimports]

We use Westamerica Bank. Their credit card processing is good and they have never said a word about us being a gun shop.

I use Wells Fargo for my normal checking/savings for the company and First National Merchant Services for CC Processing. The only part of Wells Fargo that cared about Firearms (at least to my knowledge) was their CC processing, which wasn't a big deal to me as I wasn't using that part.

However, after reading about WestAmerica Bank, I may look into them more after my initial term with First National nears expiration to see if I can get any extra services that I'm not getting now.

ETA: Maybe not, there closest branch to me is about 30 miles away Would make deposits and getting cashiers checks a little inconvenient.

[Gunmerchantaccount]

When looking for Firearms Friendly Credit Card Processing make sure the Bank
know if you are going to do online sales. There are very few Banks that allow online firearms and ammo sales but they will do retail gun sales.

[jtmkinsd]

I want to put in a plug for your local credit union. Our business account has been with a credit union since opening and they have been fantastic.

[Gunmerchantaccount]

Almost all Credit Unions outsource their credit card processing to a Bank.
First Data, US Bank and Chase are the main players for Credit Unions and they don't allow online gun sales?

They do allow retail swiped gun sales but not online or shipped out of state from FFL to FFL.