CLEARWATER, Fla. — Nicholas Financial recently opened two new branch offices, one in St. Louis and the other in Villa Park, Ill., a Chicago suburb.

Company executives highlighted the new offices are Nicholas Financial's first entries in both major metropolitan areas and continues planned expansion of their branch network.

Nicholas Financial now has 56 offices in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois and Missouri.

The company emphasized its employees have been working to develop business in each area for several months prior to the opening of the new locations. Nicholas Financial mentioned that each of its offices is a full-service lending and collection facility.

Nicholas Financial reiterated that it acquires and services automobile and light truck installment sales finance contracts that it purchases from new- and used-vehicle dealers.

"We are reaping rewards from the performance of our branch business model in the Midwest," senior vice president Douglas Marohn stated.

"We intend to add additional branches in our new Missouri and Illinois markets as soon as they can be developed," Marohn continued. "Our success in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana has convinced us that the opportunity for successful growth in these markets is excellent."