NASHVILLE, TN (Feb. 12, 2009) - Almost 1/3 of all small businesses in the U.S. use some form of bartering, and the Department of Commerce reports that barter accounts for 30% of the world's total business. In today's uneasy economic climate, barter is having a positive impact on many businesses in Middle Tennessee through Tradebank of Nashville.

Tradebank of Nashville, owned and operated by Mark Caldwell for more than a decade, is one of the top producing markets within the Tradebank worldwide network. The Nashville office has nearly doubled in membership size during the past three years, with more than 600 members to date. In the past year, Tradebank of Nashville has enjoyed a 30% increase in sales, and registers $250,000 in sales monthly.

The concept is simple. A business can join Tradebank to sell a service or product. Tradebank will add that business into its directory, which includes a wide variety of members from lawyers to landscapers. Buyers can contact the seller directly or through a broker. All sales are executed in trade dollars, which customers accumulate by selling their own goods and services.

"Barter is at an all time high right now because businesses are in a position to do it," states Caldwell. "There's empty tables at restaurants, inventory is up in stores and companies are looking for creative ways to reel in new customers, and Tradebank is the perfect way to do it," adds Caldwell.

Here are a few reasons bartering through Tradebank is advantageous to a business:
* It creates new customers
* It increases profits through increased business
* Barter conserves cash - bartering can buy merchandise and services normally paid for with cash thereby freeing up the cash for other uses

There are hundreds of different types of goods and services listed in the Tradebank directory including health services, computer specialists, florists, hotels, lawn care, printing services, popular restaurants, salons, vacation getaways and much, much more.

Tradebank of Nashville continues to experience tremendous growth year after year. From 1995 - 1997, under Caldwell's leadership, the local chapter ballooned at an astounding rate of more than 100%. During the past 10 years, Tradebank of Nashville has grown at least 20% each year.

Tradebank International, Inc. is based in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Tradebank International was named the prestigious Consumers' Choice Award for 2008 in the "Barter and Trade Exchange" category. Tradebank is one of the largest trade exchanges with offices in more than 70 cities across the U.S., Canada and East Central Europe. The Nashville office is ranked second in the company behind Knoxville. In addition to Nashville, Caldwell owns the Memphis and Clarksville markets.

For more information about Tradebank of Nashville, call (615) 860-4060, or visit www.tradebank.com.