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William J. “Bill” Chaucer, Jr.
The American Dream: In this land of opportunity, it means something different for everyone. For William J. “Bill” Chaucer, Jr., a well-known businessman and entrepreneur on the Northshore, it means limitless possibilities. Perceptive, kind, very friendly, surprisingly witty, a man of his word, Bill has built a solid reputation based on a strong work ethic and proven results.
Like his father, Bill grew up on a strawberry farm where he started working the fields at age six. The oldest of three brothers, he enjoyed being outside and didn’t mind hard, honest work. Though they did not have much, Bill admired that his dad never owed anyone and his reputation was his coveted possession, “My dad told us, ‘All you have is your name. Make it count.’”
At 18, to make ends meet, he took a job in construction, doing ironwork at various sites in south Louisiana and then in West Palm Beach, FL in 1969 when Camille hit as a Category 5 hurricane. While in Florida, Bill stumbled upon an employment agency’s classified ad in a local newspaper for a banking position. “I borrowed a suit, went for an interview and told the fellow, ‘I want to learn everything there is to know about money.’ Luckily for me, the man interviewing also grew up on a farm, recognized that I was a hard worker and I got a job with a national finance company.”
For the next 10 years, Bill proved to be extremely astute in the financial arena. Early in his career, he was promoted to manager and was transferred several times to help facilitate the opening of new locations, including one in Baton Rouge which brought him and his family back to Louisiana.
In 1984, after a friend suggested that he should get into the financial services business for himself, Bill opened his first finance company, Chaucer Financial Services, leasing a small office in Hammond. Four years later, his business had grown and he now owned the building. During the next nine years, he opened a second location in Hammond, American Credit, and a third location in Covington, American Credit of Covington. This month, Bill is opening a fourth finance company, American Credit, which will be located in Slidell.
What sets his businesses apart is that they are not a “typical finance company.” Their décor, professionalism, organization and controls are similar to a major corporation. All have a loyal clientele which range from plant workers, teachers, nurses, policemen, firefighters, farmers, among others. His companies specialize in small, short-term loans rather than large, long-term loans. They have consumer, pay day, auto title, mortgage and mobile home loans. They maintain a low delinquency rate because they have experienced collectors on staff. His investors, many of whom have done business with him for over 20 years, can expect a 10 to 13% return on all investments, and can choose to be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or with one annual payment. His entire staff of 12 employees has over 140 years of finance, banking and mortgage experience. He takes pride in having very loyal, dedicated, professional and experienced employees, “I have always expanded slowly. I think that’s the best way to get good people. I keep them well informed with monthly and quarterly meetings. We are like one big family.”
Bill’s expertise is not limited to the financial industry. He also enjoys developing property. “Where one person may look out into a field and see an empty lot, I see shops and parking lots,” Bill says with a grin. In 1994, he designed, supervised the construction and established the business of Villa Roma Mini Storage. His facility had over 525 storage units and was known as the Rolls Royce of the industry. In 2003, he sold Villa Roma Mini Storage for a large profit.
A past president of the Louisiana Finance Association, he is active with Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Legatus, Southeastern Louisiana University, Columbia Theatre, Hospice, Hammond Regional Arts Center, Hammond Executive Club and other regional organizations. He reigned as King Pericles III in Ponchatoula, King Omega XXII in Hammond, is affiliated with the Knights of Babylon in New Orleans, the Krewe of Zeus in Metairie, the Krewe of Pygmalion in New Orleans and he and his wife will reign as King and Queen of Excalibur in 2011.
 He was married for 36 years to the late Kathleen Puma Chaucer and has been married to Cheryl Chaucer for six years. He has a daughter (Cindy Spears, 32) and son-in-law residing in Hammond with his new granddaughter Brooke. He also has a son (Brad, 27) residing in New York. Bill and Cheryl enjoy their two German Shepherds, Rex and Zulu.
Chaucer Financial is located at 1709 CM Fagan Drive in Hammond, call them at 985-542-8351. Amercian Credit of Hammond/City Credit of Ponchatoula is located at 2010 Rue Simone. American Credit of Covington is located at 1133 N. Lee Road. American Credit of Slidell is located at 811 Gause Boulevard.
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FLY ON THE WALL. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. DO YOU
