President and CEO, Barry Sloane said, "Despite an improved lending environment and recent highs in the equity market, the small business economy continues to limp along without much growth or momentum. We still see a lack of business confidence, particularly in the areas of weaker retail sales and anemic to negative small business formations. Entrepreneurial spirit and business confidence is lacking in the small business economy to make any major difference and contribution to the overall economy."

About Newtek Business Services, Inc.

Newtek Business Services, The Small Business Authority®, provides the following products and services:

    -- Newtek Advantage(TM): Mobile real-time operating platform for business
        intelligence. The Newtek Advantage(TM) puts all critical business
        transactions in real-time. Access data on your smartphone, tablet,
        laptop or PC as it relates to eCommerce for credit/ debit transactions,
        website statistics, payroll, insurance and business loans.
    -- Electronic Payment Processing: eCommerce, electronic solutions to accept
        non-cash payments, including credit and debit cards, check conversion,
        remote deposit capture, ACH processing, and electronic gift and loyalty
        card programs.
    -- Managed Technology Solutions (Cloud Computing): Full-service web host,
        which offers eCommerce solutions, shared and dedicated web hosting and
        related services including domain registration and online shopping cart
        tools.
    -- eCommerce: A suite of services that enable small businesses to get up
        and running on-line quickly and cost effectively, with integrated web
        design, payment processing and shopping cart services.
    -- Business Lending: Broad array of lending products including SBA 7(a) and
        SBA 504 loans.
    -- Insurance Services: Commercial and personal lines of insurance,
        including health and employee benefits in all 50 states, working with
        over 40 insurance carriers.
    -- Web Services: Customized web design and development services.
    -- Data Backup, Storage and Retrieval: Fast, secure, off-site data backup,
        storage and retrieval designed to meet the specific regulatory and
        compliance needs of any business.
    -- Accounts Receivable Financing: Receivable purchasing and financing
        services.
    -- Payroll: Complete payroll management and processing services.

Newtek Business Services, Inc.,The Small Business Authority, is a direct distributor of a wide range of business services and financial products to the small- and medium-sized business market under the Newtek(®) brand. Since 1999, Newtek has helped small- and medium-sized business owners realize their potential by providing them with the essential tools needed to manage and grow their businesses and to compete effectively in today's marketplace. Newtek provides its services to over 100,000 business accounts and has positioned the Newtek(® )brand as a one-stop-shop provider of such business services. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are over 27.5 million small businesses in the United States, which in total represent 99.7% of all employer firms.