Self-Directed IRA Company Posts Record Quarter and Helps Confirm Growing Interest in "Self-Directed" Investments

Guidant Financial Group, a leading provider of self-directed IRA services and 401(k) small business financing solutions, has posted an 80.5 percent increase in revenue over 2007's first quarter.

Bellevue, WA (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- Guidant Financial Group, a leading provider of self-directed IRA services and 401(k) small business financing solutions, has posted an 80.5 percent increase in revenue over 2007's first quarter. This revenue growth corroborates other indicators that people are increasingly tapping retirement funds once thought untouchable for alternative investments like business and real estate purchases.

During the past year, self-directed IRA and 401(k)s have gained a following due to the volatility of the stock market and tightening credit. Additionally, financial advisors and media outlets are spreading the word that IRA funds can be used to purchase alternative investments before retirement age without triggering distribution penalties. Guidant has seen an increase in the reporting of its own IRA and 401(k) services, having been highlighted in the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek and La Opinion, among other national publications and media outlets.

"The media has started to catch on to the types of alternative investments self-directed account structures enable," says Guidant CEO and co-founder David Nilssen. "In light of a weakened credit market and a volatile stock market, using one's own retirement funds to buy a business or make real estate investments is especially inviting. Learning about this option is certainly good news to many."

Guidant's self-directed IRA services enable investors to direct their retirement monies into non-traditional assets (real estate, tax liens, private loans, mortgage notes, etc.), as well as traditional investments (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.) Additionally, Guidant's small business financing solution helps clients access money in tax-deferred retirement funds to purchase a business or franchise. These funds can either finance a business in full or serve as a down payment for a loan.

"Guidant has experienced amazing growth since its inception," adds Nilssen. "But the more difficult it becomes to access small business capital, or to find lucrative investments inside the stock market, the more accelerated will be the interest in self-directed investing and, ultimately, Guidant's growth."

About Guidant Financial Group

Guidant Financial Group is the premier provider of self-directed IRAs and business-funding solutions through IRAs and 401(k)s. Guidant's services allow investors the freedom to make investments in real estate, franchises, businesses, tax liens and more by accessing their retirement accounts without penalty before retirement age. For more information on Self-directed IRAs or Business Financing please visit www.guidantfinancial.com.

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