October 2005
Fintech Aids Businesses After Hurricanes

The vicious category 4 Hurricane named Katrina, slammed into the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005 causing unprecedented damage affecting several states. Katrina was followed by Rita shortly thereafter greatly impacting Texas and Louisiana, also making the Katrina recovery efforts much more difficult across the entire Gulf Coast region.

Fintech clients were operating in the harshest of circumstances - battling severe flooding, loss of electricity, limited communications with phone lines down and cell phones useless, impassable roads with few remaining road signs, and sporadic looting. Money order machines were down throughout the region, flooded and inoperable. Many of the banks still standing were flooded or simply closed.

It is in the face of crippling events and worst-case scenarios such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita where Fintech's unwavering commitment to provide world class customer service and unparalleled security and reliability to clients really shines.

Some of our impacted clients had this to say about how the Fintech program assisted them in managing the crisis:

Just a word about the performance of the Fintech system in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; after the hurricane we had no phones, no internet access and most cellular phones were next to inoperable for a period of about 3 weeks. We even attempted to install a wireless satellite system on a temporary basis, but that was almost as unreliable as everything else. Our bank was also heavily damaged and much of its computer system was under water so getting bank information was nearly impossible as well.

Despite all of the above problems we took it for granted that Fintech would continue to process and deposit payments in a fashion consistent with our pre-storm experience. We were very happy to discover, once we gained access to our bank accounts, that the Fintech processing continued unhampered and that all of our delayed transactions, as a result of our own internal computer and communication difficulties, were also processed and turned around quickly and timely.

During this time, when we knew we were facing a severe decrease in sales, it was good to know that we could rely on timely processing of our EFT based payments.

Our thanks and appreciation for the reliability and uninterrupted consistency with which Fintech performed.

Eldon Falgout-Director of Finance
Pat Peresich-Manager of IT
F.E.B. Distributing Co., Inc.

During Hurricane Rita, we modified our delivery schedule to accommodate retailers as soon as they were open for receiving. With the time savings Fintech offers, we were able to maximize the number of accounts visited and capitalize on the time spent in each store to provide the exceptionally quality service our friends have come to expect.

Brian Kirk
Vice President, Corp. Operations
Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P.

No one could argue with the fact that Hurricane Katrina caused unprecedented destruction throughout the Gulf Coast. What would certainly be considered a minor inconvenience in comparison to what we saw on TV, is the effect on the Circle K stores in that region.

Even though we were able to get up and running fairly quickly, because computer systems were down, we were unable to process money order sales. Some select and very important vendors to us could only be paid by money order, that being the case, we would not have been able to purchase product to sell. It was important to us to maintain "business as usual" in support of the local economy. Fintech was very helpful in this endeavor.

In a very short time, Fintech was able to set these vendors up with another method of payment that satisfied both the vendors and state requirements. Because of Fintech's hard work and flexibility, Circle K was able to have a minimum amount of down time providing goods and services to our customers.

Chris Lynch
Manager, Accounts Payable
Circle K

One of the distributors Circle K refers to, that has subsequently come onto our program, reiterates:

Although we had not yet implemented Fintech, we certainly could have used them during the storms. The problem that we encountered was inability to print money orders, due to the power outages. Several of our chain accounts (Circle K & Express 1 Stop), were unable to pay us upon delivery and therefore, we were unable to deliver the product. This forced us to make several attempts at delivering the product, which was very costly in terms of out of stocks, fuel, sales representatives and driver efficiency. Had we had Fintech, this would not have been an issue.

Scott Van Matre
General Manager
Baton Rouge Beer

Fintech would like to extend its most heartfelt well wishes to any and every one that was impacted by these horrific acts of Mother Nature. We pledge our ongoing commitment to aiding our customers in whatever ways we can to bring some sense of peace of mind in the midst of the chaotic aftermath of these disasters.

High Energy Prices Causing Drivers Intense Pain at the Pump

Reprinted from NACS

RIPPLE EFFECT OF GASOLINE PRICES ON BEER

NEW YORK - Pains at the pump could hinder convenience store beer sales

According to CNN Money, post Hurricane Katrina and Rita gasoline prices could have a negative impact on convenience store beer sales, noting a two-pronged approach as to why the relationship between gasoline price volatility and beer sales could hinder the industry.

'First, the escalating price of gasoline is pressuring companies on the back end of their business by boosting their utility bills and hiking transportation costs,' writes the news source.

The three-tiered system of beer distribution provides that beer distributors directly ship products from their warehouses to retail customers. However, from a brewer prospective, UBS analyst Nik Modi told the news source that a brewery such as Anheuser-Busch, which operates 13 breweries in the United States, operates its own delivery fleet to transport products from its breweries throughout its wholesaler network, and therefore high gasoline prices are a significant factor.

Second, is the issue of high gasoline prices on consumers' disposable income. Modi told CNN, 'On the sales volume side, gas is a bigger problem for Anheuser [Busch], which has a 60 percent share in the convenience store sector. Convenience stores typically attract lower income consumers, and these people are hardest hit by the increase in gas prices.'

CNN quoted statistics from the 2005 NACS State of the Industry report, which indicates the beer category ranked fourth among the top 10 categories for convenience store sales during 2004, totaling $15.7 billion. Nationwide, about 74 percent of convenience stores sell beer. Of those stores that also sell gasoline, beer ranked second among in-store purchases.

'If 40 percent of all gas purchased is with cash, that leaves much less money in the pocket to buy other things, including beer,' Modi told the news source.

CNN also notes that a recent Smith Barney beer wholesaler survey suggests that 75 percent of those polled agree that gasoline prices have impacted beer volumes. According to the report, 'Wholesalers believe the working man's disposable income is under pressure from higher gas prices and that beer purchasers are suffering as a result.'

Further, the report suggests that beer wholesalers believe convenience store beer sales could be the most impacted by high gasoline prices because some consumers are no longer going inside the store to purchase beer when they fill up. 'Consumers may be less willing to make an impulse purchase of beer in the convenience and gas channels,' says the report.

Click here to enter the contest!

First Prize (1 winner)
Accommodations for two at a hotel on Tampa Bay for two nights.

Second Prize (1 winner)
$100 gift certificate to amazon.com

Third Prize (5 winners)
$50 gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers such as Target, Costco, Kroger, Exxon, Applebees, Outback and others!


Congratulations Winners!
Please join us in congratulating our winners of our quarterly Fintech Focus newsletter contest (6/05):

First Prize - 2 nights hotel accommodation on beautiful Tampa Bay, FL

Alexis Burgess - Josulete Wines, Inc.

Second Prize - $100 gift certificate to amazon.com

Corin Jacobs - Nebraska Distributing

Third Prize - $50 gift certificate to one of a selection of Fintech retailers

Ken LaMorta - Carlaken Wholesale, LLC
Tyza Garcia - Black Angus Steakhouse
Sean Wilson - Valley of the Sun, LLC
Sherry Heath - ABC Liquors, Inc.
Janet Asher - M & J Personal Selections

Fintech Awarded Tampa Bay 2005 Business of the Year
Fintech is honored to announce that we are the recipient of the 25th annual Tampa Bay Business of the Year award.
Convenience Stores
Tienda
Beach Oil Company
Blythewood Oil
Quick Gas, LLC
Fairdale Group, Ltd.
East End Gas & Food Mart
La Que Buena, Inc.
Martin Gas & Oil, LLC
Colonial Pantry
Singh Petro 3

Drug Stores
Felker Pharmacy Inc.

Hotels
Best Western - Punta Gorda (Peace River LLC)

Liquor Stores
Dearborn Liquor Group
Westside Liquors
Bob-O-Link Liquors

Restaurants
Twin Beverage of Texas, Inc.
Le Bear Resort, LLC
Bridge Ventures, Inc.
Zapatista
Three Forty One, Inc.
Cheeseburger in Paradise
TLR Coffee House
14 West
University of Dayton
Famous Freddie, LLC
Spicy's Restaurant, Inc.
Yard House Restaurants
Joliena
Landry's
Kenny & Ziggy's Deli
Lariat Steakhouse
Smith & English, Inc.
Zipps Hayden
Goldie's Sports Cafe
Zipps
Jacksonville Inn
Scallon, Inc.
Pelican Restaurants, Inc.
Sequoia Golf Holdings, LLC
Havasu Ice House
Oyster Creek Golf Club
Mavin Investments
Fox Restaurant, LLC
El Chorro Lodge, Inc.
Kamona, Inc.
BD's Mongolian Barbeque
PJ's Coffee
Boneheads Restaurant
Reel Hospitality, LLC
Kocomo'sSnookie's Bar & Grill
Solo Brioni, Inc.
TMM Corporation
Dallas Woody's Corporation
Mackay Restaurant Group
Cafesano, LLC
Chicago Pizza Northwest, Inc.
Enchiladas, Inc.
Sharkey's Greenvile, Ltd.
Chicago Restaurant Corporation
Alafaya Investments, LLC
Nacho Mama's
Aficionado Wine & Cigars, Ltd.
Chris' Hurricane Grill-West
IRI Shore Holding Inc.
Sixth & Campbell Enterprises
Oakridge Golf Club, LP
Doc Greens Gourmet Salads

Regulated Distributors
Baton Rouge Beer Agency
Edens Distributing Co., Inc.
Jackson Beverage Company
Rinella Company
Classic Wine Distributors
Jarboe Sales Company
Bennett Distributing Co., Inc.
Needham Distributing
Dalton Beverage
Kuether Distributing
Millenium Beverage
Mid South Distributing
Select Wines, Inc.
Mitchell Wine Group, LLC
Walca Wines
Wines and Wines
Specialty Wines
International Wine & Spirits
Casa de Mescal Importing and Distribution
Elixir Liquors, Inc.
Sommelier, LLC
Johnson Brothers Beverages - Wisconsin
Wine Merchants
San Marcos Sprirts, Inc.
Clyce Distributing
United Beverage
O'Malley Beverage of Kansas, Inc.
Boone Distributing Co., Inc.
Holston Distributing Co., Inc.
International Beers
Fabiano Brothers
Vinoklet Winery, Inc.
PA Short Distributing Company
Lawrence Distributing Company
Wendell Distributing Company
City Beverage
Tuscanino

Supermarkets
Paw Paw Shopping Center
Bassetts Market
Vino Volo
Jack's Grocery

Other
VFW Post 266
Claddagh Pubs of Franklin Park, LLC
Fraternal Order of Eagles - 2647
Orlando Culinary Academy
Archbold Knights of Columbus
Canton Club Event Center
7702 Woodland Center Blvd., Suite 50 | Tampa, FL 33614