P&P bond forms

169. Changing Horses: Site & Subdivision Bonds

Steve GoliaLeave a comment

Abe Lincoln said it.  And it’s mostly true.  But here is one time when it really does make sense to “Change Horses In Mid-Stream!”

When Developers and Home Builders start a new project, they give security to the city or township guaranteeing the construction of public improvements (streets, curbs, lights, water, sewer, etc.) The security may be in the form of cash, a bank issued irrevocable letter of credit (ILOC), or a surety bond.

They’re all the same to the township, but there are huge differences for the contractor. The most obvious is the loss of use of their funds. How long will the money be tied up? It can take much longer than expected to get these obligations released (the township is in no hurry!)

If a dispute arises and cash or an ILOC was used, the township just takes the contractor’s money.  It’s all over.  With a surety bond, there is a discovery process through the claims department.  The contractor has input and may affect the outcome.

So, back to the horses.  For clients that have already posted cash or an ILOC, they can swap it out with a surety bond!  Get their money back. Gain more control. Protect company assets.  Put the cash to good use!

How to start? Call FIA Surety.  Since 1979, we have been a steady provider of site and subdivision bonds.  We do little $20,000 site bonds for commercial property owners and have written multi-multi million dollar subdivision projects.  Come to the experts to swap in a surety bond, or to write a new project. We get them done!

Read expert analysis: Why Surety Bonds are the way to go here.

Call FIA Surety: 973-541-3417

Steve Golia 
FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

183. FIA Surety: Turning “DUH!” into “TA-DAH!”

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How it started: “Hi Steve, I have a strange scenario I hope you can help me…”

Our agent had a performance bond client established with a surety and the SBA program.  They needed a P&P bond for a municipal project and the surety demanded payment in advance.  The client could not comply.

The award and notice to proceed were issued and the contractor commenced with the work – but the obligee forgot about the bond, until now. The contract is completed but the client cannot receive their final payment until they file a maintenance bond.  Due to weak credit, the surety is refusing to issue unless they add additional indemnitors.  The job is finished: DUH!

We gathered a file and asked for a status inquiry form from the obligee (to confirm the degree of completion and obligee’s satisfaction with the project.)  The contractor passed along the form, but the project manager refused to complete it, stating he “never saw one of these before.” DUH #2!

We made contact with the township engineer and after a friendly conversation, were able to verify everything was OK and they promptly completed the form for our records.  We evaluated the bonding requirements and determined that the Performance bond form contained an 18 month maintenance clause (no separate maintenance bond), so the P&P bond was still needed.  FIA Surety issued it, and with no SBA support or additional indemnity required: TA-DAH!

The agent is happy.  The contractor is happy.  The township has a completed project with maintenance coverage. We bonded a job that was completed and accepted.  Now was that so hard?

FIA Surety is First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, your go-to carrier for Site, Subdivision, Bid and Performance bonds. Call 856-304-7348

Making TA-DAH moments for our clients since 1979.

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

Graduate from the SBA

Steve GoliaLeave a comment

Congrats to the kids!!  They finally made it.  Now its their time to move on and move up.  What about contractors in the SBA Bonding program?  Is it their time to graduate?

The SBA program is a great help, and the people are awesome: dedicated, helpful.  But the program has a down side.  It costs time and money to obtain their bonding support.  So if a contractor could get federal and other projects without this extra step, why wouldn’t they?

Here’s what you gain, more or less, by graduating into a regular surety relationship:

More

  • Time to pursue productive activities – new projects, strategic planning, employee training, educational opportunities, etc.
  • Time for other personal and family priorities
  • Profits on your projects and financial statement overall
  • Increased profits can lead to higher bonding limits and bigger projects
  • Credibility – a graduated company no longer needing extra help

Less

  • Bonding expenses (bond premium plus SBA fee) on each project
  • Time spent filling out double forms for the surety and the SBA
  • Answering questions to both
  • Waiting for approvals

OK, so if graduating sounds great, how do you do it?

Step one: Ask the current bonding company to provide bonds without the SBA program.  If they do it, you can thank us later!

Step two: If they refuse, call FIA Surety!  We provide bonds for federal and local projects without the need for SBA support.  It takes a creative, experienced surety to graduate contractors.   FIA has been providing Bid, Performance & Payment, Site and Subdivision Bonds since 1979. We’re steady.  We’re willing.  We’re creative.

It’s time to graduate!

For Site, Subdivision, Bid and Performance Bonds call Steve Golia: 856-304-7348

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

Get to Know FIA Surety: Bruce Nash

Steve GoliaLeave a comment

Here is surprising info about Bruce Nash, a key person at FIA Surety.

Nurture vs. Nature.

Bruce didn’t have a choice. His family was married to the lake.

Our Bruce was born in the beautiful town of Lake George, NY and he has two siblings. The main feature of the town is… obviously the lake. 32 miles long, with over 170 islands, this is a gorgeous Adirondack setting. And Bruce’s family had strong ties to it.

The family business was a marina his grandfather founded in 1928. Bruce grew up in the business where he did “everything.” They loved the water, and this meant boating and also sea planes flown on the lake.

Bruce’s grandmother was the first female commercial pilot in Warren County, New York and part of the WAACS (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) during WWII. Bruce’s grandmother and grandfather both trained pilots before, during and after the war.

This is his grandfather’s 1928 Garwood, “The Jug,” it was the super boat of its day. Some were called “Rum Runners,” because those equipped with V-12 engines could outrun the prohibition era police boats! Bruce’s grandfather was a Garwood dealer and bought it new. Bruce won dozens of awards for maintaining it in its original condition.

Bruce worked three jobs to put himself through college, a graduate of DePaul’s computer programming school in Chicago.

When boating season ends, upstate New Yorkers turn to winter sports. After college Bruce took a position with Bombardier Corp, a snowmobile manufacturer. Over the course of ten years he rose to become Director Systems and Marketing for the U.S. operations in Chicago.

His next employment was with the owners of The Robert Plan (Div. of AIG) where he became President of a boat manufacturing facility located just outside of Nashville, TN. After a few years he moved to N.Y. where he became Sr. VP and Chief Information Officer of their Assigned Risk Auto business. His Robert Plan boss left the firm to become president of FIA’s sister company First MCO, and he enticed Bruce to join him.

He became head of our IT department and is now the President and COO of our sister company First Managed Care Option, Inc. and ActiveCare Scheduling (a PT and Imaging Facility scheduling service.)

Bruce designed a state-of-the-art system for the managed care of auto and workers comp claims – which is the function of First MCO. This rapidly growing business currently employs eighty people and is housed at FIA’s Morris Plains home office.

He also developed a specialized imaging system that allowed FIA to move all its archived and active paper files into one central electronic location.

“IT Geek?” No, not Bruce! Like his grandfather and grandmother before him, he became an aviator. Naturally, this led to skydiving (gulp!). The snowmobile business inspired him to become an accomplished snow racer. He was also a SCUBA diver and moto-cross (motorcycle) racer!

Today, Bruce manages to skip most of the high-risk activities, but he is a Merchant Marine Captain and avid deep-sea fisherman.

Bruce brings great technical skills, plus a bit of “dash” to our FIA family. He is a valued member of the team!

For Site, Subdivision, Bid and Performance Bonds call Steve Golia: 856-304-7348

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

Get to Know FIA Surety: Glenn A. Runne, CFO

Steve GoliaLeave a comment

He’s a CPA, but he only uses his powers for good…

Super CPA

Glenn Runne was born in Kew Gardens, Queens N.Y. and grew up in North Bergen, N.J. He is the oldest of three kids.

His mom was a secretary and dad drove a truck. They also owned a neighborhood Bar and Grill for a few years.   From an early age they stressed the importance of a college degree. Typical for a “first born,” Glenn became a high achiever.

Glenn graduated North Bergen High School in 1972 and Montclair State University in 1976 with a BS in accounting and finance. He paid his own way through.

With a degree in hand, Glenn landed an accounting management position at N.J. Life Insurance Company. This gave him a strong foundation and he became a Certified Public Accountant in 1987!

A couple of years later, Glenn’s brother-in-law introduced him to Pat Lynch. Pat’s young company, First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, was in its second year.  Glenn’s expertise in accounting and taxes was a perfect fit. He joined the firm as VP and CFO in 1979.

In 2012 Glenn received the coveted “Chartered Global Management Accountant” designation.  This is international recognition of the world’s top professionals in his field!

More accomplishments:

  • Plaza School of Business – Adjunct Accounting instructor
  • Bergen Community College – Adjunct Accounting instructor
  • The Children’s Corner, Founder, Treasurer and Board of Directors member of a non-profit childcare center
  • Lake Hiawatha Country Club – Treasurer, Board of Directors member
  • Fellow in the American Institute of Public Accountants
  • And the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.

With the help of his wife, Denise, Glenn raised 3 daughters: All college graduates with master’s degrees. Two girls became teachers and one is a certified public accountant. The apples fell close to the tree.

Glenn’s outside interests are physical fitness and attending New York Giants football games with his long-time season tickets.

If you did the math you see that Glenn is one of Pat’s many long-term employee/colleagues. His work has expanded proportionately with our organization.  Currently, Glenn oversees the accounting for our seven companies which includes three audits. He is also responsible for all the tax returns, plus forty-five states where we file.  Whew!

The dedication of long-term colleagues like Glenn is one of FIA Surety’s greatest strengths. 

Carry on, Glenn!

For Site, Subdivision, Bid and Performance Bonds call Steve Golia: 856-304-7348

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company  Visit us: www.fiagroup.com
We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

Get to Know FIA Surety: Paul Alongi, Sr., Claims Manager

Steve GoliaLeave a comment

When was the last time you spoke to a personal friend of Joe Pesci and Frankie Valle? Ok, never? Well, meet our Claims Manager, Mr. Paul Alongi, Sr.

Paul was born in Newark, the oldest of four children and graduated from Barringer High School.  Joe Pesci and Frankie Valle were among his friends. Born with a love of music, he learned to play tenor sax at age 7.  As a big band member, his group backed up Connie Francis, Dion and the Belmonts, Tony Bennet, Xavier Cougat, Al Martino and others.  To this day, Paul is an active musician playing in several venues.

He was athletic, too!  Paul tried out for the NY Yankees in these early years.

Paul started his insurance career in the actuarial department of U. S. Life and studied for his law degree at night. In five years, he graduated from Seton Hall Law School and started his law practice.

While running for public office, Essex County Freeholder, he met a fellow candidate, Patrick Lynch.  Years later this would result in Paul joining Pat’s young company “First Indemnity of America Insurance Company / FIA Surety” to become our first Claims Manager.  He’s been a valuable asset all these years.

Paul has served on the Bloomfield Board of Education (President), the New Jersey Commission of Investigations, and has also been a long-time leader in many community organizations, including: the Bloomfield Federation of Music and Civic Band, the Garden State Concert Band, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and Finance Councils, Holy Name Society and Circle of Friends.

Paul is a highly experienced problem solver and, he is accessible to our agents and clients!  973-541-3414

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

 

182. Banker Holding Back

Steve GoliaLeave a comment

Sure, your banker loves you. But here is important info they want to keep from Home Builders, Developers and their Agents.

When starting a new project, developers must secure the project with the township. This can be in the form of:

  1. Cash
  2. Bank issued Irrevocable Letter of Credit (ILOC,)
  3. Or a surety issued Site/Subdivision Bond

The International Risk Management Institute says a surety bond is better than an ILOC:

“Corporate surety bonds are far and away the most preferred option for most owner/developers when you consider the potential disadvantages of the alternative guarantee forms.”

Now you know. Too late if an ILOC was already filed with the township… or is it? Actually, our surety bonds can be filed to replace / release the ILOC. Your banker won’t tell you that either!

This is a great move for developers! Get back your cash. Use it to acquire or start a new project. It’s NOT too late the fix the ILOC mistake if you know where to go. Most sureties won’t write this type of bond but at FIA, it’s our specialty!

FIA is also one of the few bonding companies that will write Down-payment bonds for it’s Home Builders freeing up even more usable cash for your company.

If you have an immediate need for a Site/Subdivision bond or are interested in replacing an existing ILOC with a bond, call us at 856-304-7348.

Steve Golia

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

Site and Subdivision Bonds – The Sequel

Steve GoliaLeave a comment

In March we told you why Home builders and their Bonding Agents love Site and Subdivision bonds.  (Click to read prior message)  But don’t take our word for it.  Here’s what the International Risk Management Institute has to say about it:

“Corporate surety bonds are far and away the most preferred option for most owner/developers when you consider the potential disadvantages of the alternative guarantee forms.” (Click for entire article)

Clearly, the smart move for home builders and their bond agents is a surety bond.  And the bonding company you want is the specialist, long devoted to this market.  Unwavering since 1979.

Call FIA Surety.  It’s the smart move.

Steve Golia 856-304-7348

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

 

This is NOT about the virus!

Steve GoliaLeave a comment

We know you’re sick of hearing about the virus! Here is some good news for a change:

FIA is open to help you with Site and Subdivision Bonds!  Most sureties won’t write these but at FIA, it’s our specialty.

More good news: We also write Down-Payment Bonds for Home Builders, freeing up cash and credit for new projects.

Virus or no virus, projects are moving forward, and surety bonds are needed by developers and home builders. If you have an immediate need for a Site/Subdivision bond or want to replace an existing ILOC with a bond, call us at 856-304-7348.

FIA Surety: We’re OPEN for business!

Steve Golia, Marketing Mgr. 856-304-7348

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

#170: Why Developers LOVE Subdivision Bonds

Steve GoliaLeave a comment

When developers and home builders start a new project, they must give security to the local township. This guarantees construction of the “public improvements.”

The security can be in cash, an irrevocable letter of credit (ILOC), or a subdivision bond (surety bond).

Why is a bond the best method?

  • Developers retain the use of their cash. Keep it available to acquire and finance new projects. Use it to solve problems. Remember, cash is king!
  • More control if there is a claim: They are processed through the bonding company. There is a discovery process. The developer has input and more control than with an ILOC. With an ILOC they can simply grab the developer’s money!
  • Better long term protection. These guarantees are hard to close, may drag on for years. The township is in no hurry to give up their security. It’s easy to renew the bond and you’re good for another year.

Developers and home builders love subdivision bonds – especially if they obtain them from one of the industry’s strongest players: FIA Surety. We have supported developers and home builders with subdivision bonds since 1979.

Call us for your next one or to replace existing security you have already filed.

Steve Golia, Marketing Mgr. 856-304-7348

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ