In the serene suburb of Pennington, New Jersey, a family enterprise has been quietly transforming people’s remodeling dreams into reality. A&E Construction, established in 2003 by owner Greg Fontaine and named for his daughters, Anna and Emily, has evolved from its humble beginnings into a thriving venture. Today, it stands as a testament to entrepreneurial success, proudly reporting an annual revenue of $3 million.
“We help regular people, like you and me,” Fontaine says. “Our customers are all basically our neighbors.”
A&E Construction’s business reach often radiates beyond Pennington, touching the corners of Hopewell, Princeton, and Montgomery. Its extensive portfolio spans residential remodeling, commercial renovations, new home construction, and energy efficiency improvements. Fontaine, equipped with a quarter-century of industry know-how, an engineering background, and unique insights from his service as a flight engineer in the USAF, has infused his business with a distinctive blend of all-American craftsmanship.
But the driving force behind A&E Construction’s rise is not solely Fontaine’s relentless commitment to the business. Their transformation has also been supported by a trusted digital tool: American Express® Business Checking.
“I think it’s a smart product for a medium-sized business like ours,” Fontaine explains.
Banking built for your business
Until 2023, A&E Construction had banked locally, a process its owner found inconvenient and cumbersome, especially when it came to depositing checks and paying subcontractors.
Fontaine received a mailer from American Express, marketing for him to apply for both a digital Business Checking account and a Business Platinum Card® from American Express. An American Express personal Card Member for 25 years, Fontaine was already sold on the Card products, but the promise of a more streamlined banking experience was tempting. He took the plunge, applying for both products, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.
“We’ve always had a business checking account at the local bank,” says Fontaine. “But American Express really made things more convenient for us.”
A fully digital banking solution with no branches, tellers, or lines
A banking experience designed for the digital age, American Express® Business Checking is branchless, so business owners can manage their bank account on their own time. By simply using the app, you can easily oversee your accounts, make mobile deposits, pay vendors and bills with one click, and access specialist support.
Everyday business purchases made more rewarding
The benefits don’t stop at digital ease of use. With deposit accounts offered by American Express National Bank (Member FDIC), American Express® Business Checking features no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements, so you can keep more money in your account, where it belongs.
“In essence, that’s what American Express has been able to do for me,” Fontaine says. “It’s flexible, with a lot of added benefits, such as Membership Rewards® points1 and strong customer service, that we weren’t even expecting.”
Finding American Express® Business Checking was a welcome change for Fontaine, serving as a powerful ally in his professional ventures.
Story Footnotes
1 Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards® program apply. Visit membershiprewards.com/terms for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.
The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo.
