Flushing Bank Partners with NYBDC and Excelsior Growth Fund to Offer Small Business Loans

UNIONDALE, N.Y., March 15, 2016 -- Flushing Financial Corporation (the “Company”) (Nasdaq:FFIC), the parent holding company for Flushing Bank (the “Bank”),  announced that it has partnered with Excelsior Growth Fund (“EGF”), a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution formed by New York Business Development Corporation (“NYBDC”), to offer simplified access to small business loans under $100,000.  EGF’s signature product is the EGF SmartLoan™, which is accessed through an online platform. 

John R. Buran, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “As a community bank, we recognize the important role that small businesses play in our local economy.  Our partnership with Excelsior Growth Fund allows us to offer our small business customers flexible financing of up to $100,000 for working capital, machinery and equipment and other uses.  This program addresses the underserved markets with targeted programs that address the needs of low-income and otherwise underserved small business owners with the advantage of online lending.  The new online application will be of particular interest to small businesses that prefer fast access to capital, but with lower payment and more attractive terms than many alternatives.”

Steven Cohen, President of the Excelsior Growth Fund said, “Our partnership will ensure that the Bank’s customers can access fast, affordable capital when they need it. While many small business turn to online sources of capital, now they can borrow from a trusted, mission-driven lender committed to helping communities thrive.”

For information on the Excelsior Growth Fund or to apply for a small business loan, visit www.flushingbank.com/small-business-loans.aspx 

About Flushing Financial Corporation

Flushing Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:FFIC) is the holding company for Flushing Bank®, a New York State-chartered commercial bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Bank serves consumers, businesses, professionals, corporate clients, and public entities by offering a full complement of deposit, loan, and cash management services through its 19 banking offices located in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Nassau County. As a leader in real estate lending, the Bank’s experienced lending team creates mortgage solutions for real estate owners and property managers both within and outside the New York City metropolitan area. The Bank also operates an online banking division, iGObanking.com®, which offers competitively priced deposit products to consumers nationwide. Additional information on Flushing Bank and Flushing Financial Corporation may be obtained by visiting the Company’s website at http://www.flushingbank.com.

About Excelsior Growth Fund

Excelsior Growth Fund (EGF) promotes economic development and job creation in New York State by providing streamlined access to small business loans and business advisory services. EGF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) and certified by the U.S. Department of Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).  The mission of Excelsior Growth Fund is to help businesses grow. EGF provides innovative financial solutions and business advisory services to underserved small businesses and markets in New York State.  The signature EGF SmartLoan™ product is available through a secure online portal and has a maximum loan amount is $100,000.  EGF and its affiliates offer a number of other lending products for businesses seeking higher loan amounts.

Excelsior Growth Fund is an affiliate of New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC).  More information about NYBDC is available at www.NYBDC.com.  More information on EGF can be found at www.excelsiorgrowthfund.org. 

“Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this Press Release that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, risk factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and in other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expects", "plans", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "forecasts", "potential" or "continue" or similar terms or the negative of these terms. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company has no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact: 
Maria A. Grasso
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer 
Flushing Bank
718-961-5400