2013 BBB serving the Heart of Texas Annual Report | Page 6

CONNECTING CONSUMERS WITH TRUSTWORTHY BUSINESSES

CONNECTING CONSUMERS WITH TRUSTWORTHY BUSINESSES

ABOUT BBB
Since 1912 , BBB has served consumers and businesses as the authority on trust in the marketplace . BBB sets and upholds high standards for ethical marketplace behavior and is the preeminent resource for unbiased information on businesses , charities , scams and other marketplace issues . Across the United States and Canada , there are 114 BBBs that support communities by evaluating , monitoring and providing more than 4 million Business Reviews on local and national businesses and charities . Your BBB , serves 79 counties through its five offices in Austin , Corpus Christi , Harker Heights , Midland / Odessa and San Antonio and offers services to more than 11,000 Accredited Business locations in seven media markets . These businesses agree to meet and maintain the BBB Standards of Trust . Highly recognized as one of the most influential BBBs in the system , BBB serving Central , Coastal , Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin offers local consumers and businesses the resources they need to Start With Trust ®.
COMMUNITY
BBB offered various events , programs and services throughout its 79 county area to increase marketplace trust . In 2012 , consumers turned to your local BBB for reviews on local businesses and charities 1,847,339 times , an average of more than 5,000 Business Reviews viewed daily . BBB also helped consumers resolve 81 percent of disputes through its dispute resolution process .
BBB evaluates and provides reviews on thousands of local and national charities to help consumers make informed giving decisions . In 2012 , BBB launched its Charity Accreditation Seal Program . This program allows charities that have met all 20 Standards for Charitable Accountability to proudly display their Accredited Charity seal in all of their fundraising efforts .
Throughout 2012 , BBB initiated many new business relationships to continue bringing valuable resources and services to local businesses and consumers .
• Partnered with three Dispute Resolution Centers to provide superior mediation and arbitration services
• Developed a stronger presence in the Spanish speaking community through partnerships with several Spanish publications and television stations in Austin , San Antonio and Laredo .
• Awarded two FINRA Grants for delivering Smart Investing curriculum to the San Antonio and Austin markets .
• Developed an annual job shadow program and seat on an Advisory Board for an area high school , which houses a business academy on its campus .

3