Below is the Agenda for the 75th Annual Convention, 76th Convention Agenda coming soon

SFNet Annual Convention: Agenda

We have a fantastic lineup of thought leaders whose insights will help you see around corners and make the best decisions for your business.  From leading private debt and equity players and supply chain experts to M&A advisors, ground-breaking economists and the best minds in the legal community, industry authorities will shed light on the issues affecting your business now and in the future. We'll provide the latest data and forecasts including all new studies dimensioning the secured finance market and examining its inter-relationships.  Whether you are an ABL lender, factor, advisor, intermediary or other, there is something for everyone in our Network.

 

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019

Exhibit Hall & Registration Opens
2:00 p.m.

Women in Secured Finance, Entrepreneurial & YoPro Joint Reception
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Opening Reception at Rockefeller Center
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Join us as we raise a glass to the past 75 years and toast to many more. With champagne, savory and delectable treats, music by Syndee Winters, and an ice sculpture replica of the iconic Prometheus statue on the Rock Center plaza, you will be surrounded by the history of a New York landmark. We invite you to “dress to impress” for this occasion,  as we celebrate the future of SFNet and our secured lending community. Opening reception sponsored by ExWorks Capital and RedRidge Diligence Services.

Thursday, Nov. 14th, 2019

Registration
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

General Session & Breakfast with Keynote Speaker Peter Zeihan
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
An expert in geopolitics - the study of how place impacts financial, economic, cultural, political and military developments – Mr. Zeihan will offer his trademark brilliantly entertaining, insightful and thought-provoking take on The New World Order, providing a roadmap of investment and risk management implications for capital markets and the Secured Finance Industry.  Mr. Zeihan is an acclaimed speaker who simplifies the complex in a unique and engaging style that captivates his audiences who have included financial professionals, Fortune 500 firms, investors, associations and groups of all sizes.  He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, AP, Bloomberg, CNN, ABC, The New York Times, Fox News and MarketWatch.  You will never look at the world the same way!

Coffee Break
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Market Review:  Secured Finance by the Numbers Plus!
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Get the key points from the Secured Finance Network’s first-of-its-kind Secured Finance Industry Market Sizing and Impact Study developed for the purpose of benchmarking, strategic planning, and attracting capital to our industry. Experts from EY, Refinitiv and Westat will share key insights on all sectors of the secured finance ecosystem. The presentations will be followed by a panel of senior leaders from major players providing their views on what it all means from their perspective, how it is affecting decisions about their businesses and how best to leverage our interconnected network of products, services and intermediaries.
Track 1 - Large:
Moderator: 
Peter York, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Panelists: Maria Dikeos, Director of Analytics, Refinitiv
Janet Jarrett, Managing Director, Head of Asset Finance, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey
Bob Rubino, President of CIT Bank N.A. and Head of Commercial Banking, CIT Northbridge Credit
Shap Smith, Managing Director, Global Markets, Citigroup

Track 2 - Independent:
Moderator: 
David Grende, President & CEO, Siena Lending Group
Panelists: Marty Battaglia, CEO, Encina Business Credit
Rob Miller, Executive Vice President, Head of Asset Based Lending, Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc.
Matthew Noll, Senior Manager, EY
Tom Otte, Head of White Oak ABL, White Oak Commercial Finance
Jonathan Wivagg, Senior Study Director, Westat, Inc.

Private Debt, BDCs and Other Lending Platforms
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
The program will include a presentation of key metrics related to the private debt market, including the vast quantities of funding that have been raised and more critically what this means for where it may be deployed.  Get insights from the data that will be presented about this market and how it may lead to opportunities to work together…or lead to competition as the space continues its massive growth.  The presentation will be followed by a panel of players in the private debt markets who will address what they are seeing and where their institutions are going.
Data Presentation By: Bob Lauria, EVP, Piper Jaffray Finance and Managing Director - Debt Capital Markets, Piper Jaffray & Co.
Moderator:
Randy Schwimmer, Sr. Managing Director, Head of Origination and Capital Markets, Churchill Asset Management
Panelists: Ted Koenig, President & CEO, Monroe Capital LLC
Steve Migliero, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Crystal Financial LLC
Rusty Parks, Managing Director, Guggenheim Partners, LLC

Are Receivables the Way to Go? Supply Chain, Receivables Purchase Facilities and Other Developing Products
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Supply chain finance, international receivables, receivables purchase facilities. How are these products developing and do they offer new ways to address old problems. How do these offerings impact asset-based lending?  Competition or opportunity?
Moderator: Paul Schuldiner, Executive Vice President & Division Manager, Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc.
Panelists: Sami Altaher, Executive Director, FGI
Holly Kaczmarczyk, Head of the Supply Chain Finance Group, Wells Fargo Capital Finance
Gen Merritt-Parikh, President, Allied Affiliated Funding, Axoim Bank Factoring & ABL
Francois Terrade, Managing Director, Head of Structuring, Demica Ltd.

WISF Lunch Session with Keynotes Jill Schlesinger, Marci Rossell, and Stephanie Kelton
12:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Emmy nominated CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger will moderate a spirited and provocative discussion between acclaimed economists Marci Rossell (former CNBC Chief Economist and Co-host of Squawk Box) and Stephanie Kelton (leading authority on Modern Monetary Theory, and one of the most important voices influencing the policy debate today).  Dr. Rossell and Professor Kelton will present both complementary and opposing views of the US and global economy, its drivers and implications for capital formation, politics and quality of life!  This will be an experience you won’t want to miss!

Buying and Selling a Finance Business
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
A lot of smart money has seen that for the right investor there is real opportunity in putting capital to work with an investment in a factoring or finance shop.  Listen to how some major players in this space are looking for the right business to invest in and their philosophies in picking the winners.  
Moderator: Allen Frederic, Vice Chairman, Republic Business Credit
Panelists: Scott Rosen, Managing Director, Ares Management LLC
Mitch Soiefer, Partner, Solar Capital
Tim Stute, Managing Director & Head of Specialty Finance, Hovde Group, LLC

We Are Not Alone! ABL as Debt Product in the World of Leverage and the Impact on Covenants
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Perhaps you have heard about “collateral leakage”?  Of course you have.  With the convergence of high yield, leverage finance and asset-based lending, asset-based lenders cannot afford to ignore trends in covenants in these other arenas.  A representative from Covenant Review will present hard data on market trends in covenants in the leveraged finance space, while ABL market participants discuss the impact of these developments on ABL.  This panel will be about the unintended consequences of negotiated covenant packages where lenders are at risk of surprises.  And hear about a new development in Europe that may offer a solution!
Data Presentation By: Jessica Reiss, Head of Leveraged Loan Research, Covenant Review
Moderator:
David Morse, Partner, Otterbourg P.C.
Panelists:
Scott Goodwin, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase Bank
Darryl Kuriger, Head of ABL Capital Markets, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Joye Lynn, Head of Corporate Asset Based Lending, Wells Fargo Capital Finance

Financing a Finance Business:  Lender Finance—A “New” Opportunity?
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
If you are a factor or finance company, what are your options?  Hear what the players in the Lender Finance space have to say about what they are looking for and what they have to offer.  
Moderator: Kim Withrow, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Bibby Financial Services
Panelists: Alex D'Alessandro, Sr. Vice President, Citizens Bank
David Koshenina, Managing Director, Wells Fargo Capital Finance
Andrea Petro, Managing Director, Waterfall Asset Management
John Thomas, Managing Director Lender Finance, AloStar Capital Finance

Mergers and Acquisitions: Where Does it Go?
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hear data on the merger and acquisition activity over the last 12 months to give specific data on what is really going on. M&A has always been a driver for the borrowing markets. With the backdrop of uncertainty in the world economy, is there a place to go to find this business? How are corporates and PE firms finding their way and can ABL provide the capital to help? The data presentation will be followed by a panel of investment bankers and corporate development representatives, who will cover not only developments in the M&A market but how ABL can address the challenges presented by the nature of the product in the realm of acquisition finance. 
Data Presentation By: Tom Cane, Americas Managing Editor, Mergermarket & Dealreporter
Moderator:
Jeffery Wacker, Managing Director, Head of ABL Origination, TD Bank
Panelists: Mark Filippell, Managing Director, M&A Advisory, Citizens Capital Markets, Inc.
Stephen Lewis, Managing Director, Capstone Headwaters
Rafael Romero, Principal, Emigrant Capital Corp.

Global Megatrends: How Clear is Your Crystal Ball?
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The program starts with a presentation of a report on “megatrends” in industry, politics and the global economy, looking at how they may impact business and society. The presentation will be followed by a panel talking about how they see trends in globalization, demographics and technology affecting lenders focused on specific industry sectors.
Data Presentation By: John de Yonge, EY Global Markets, EYQ Global Insights, EY
Moderator: Richard Palmieri, Managing Director, ANR Partners, LLC
Panelists: Michael Coiley, Managing Director, CIT Healthcare
Christa Hart, Sr. Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Networking Reception in Exhibit Hall
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
 
Nightcap Reception
9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Co-sponsored by Goldberg Kohn and Otterbourg P.C.

Friday, Nov. 15th, 2019

Registration
7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Breakfast
7:30 a.m.

Functional Roundtables
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Economist Town Hall Session with Dr. Robert Wescott, KeyBridge Research
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Join us for a highly interactive and informative “Town Hall Meeting” with renowned Strategic Advisor and Economist, Dr. Robert Wescott, President of Keybridge Research of Washington, DC. In a lively Q&A format, Dr. Wescott will offer a first look at the new Foundation Secured Finance Industry Outlook Report, which examines economic and financial market developments expected to shape our industry, key business verticals, and emerging risks and opportunities to pay attention to in the coming months.

Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Not for Lawyers Only!  Current Legal Developments that Impact Your Business
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Did you know that changes to the US tax code may change the way that you might do a US/Canadian financing?  Or any other cross-border transaction?  Did you know that the financial covenants in your loan documents will need to change because of the treatment of leases under accounting rules?  What about the replacement of LIBOR?  These are provisions in your loan documents that need to be addressed now but may lead to a major problem in the near future. What’s the best way to minimize that headache?  If you are not familiar with these topics or have heard of them but don’t really have the full scoop, this is your opportunity to have these topics and others clearly laid out for you.
Moderator: Jon Helfat, Partner, Otterbourg P.C.
Panelists:
Meredith Coffey, EVP - Research, Load Syndication & Trading Association
Isaac Hirsch, Managing Director, KPMG LLP
Richard Kohn, Principal, Goldberg Kohn Ltd.

What Else Can You Do?  Diversify to Grow
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Founders of factoring businesses discuss the ongoing challenge of growth and building value for owners.  Is factoring enough?  Are there new industries to consider as the economy evolves?  Where do you go from here?
Moderator: Tania Daniel, Managing Director, ENGS Commercial Capital
Panelists: Robyn Barrett, Managing Member, FSW Funding
James Baugh, Chief Risk Officer, North Mill Capital LLC - Western Region
Steve McDonald, President, Global Merchant Fund, Corp.
Mark Tiggeloven, Executive Vice President/COO, Advantage Business Capital

12 Trends in Private Equity
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The program will include a presentation of the results of surveys and analysis of the private equity market focusing on trends and developments that will impact the need for capital to fund acquisitions and portfolio businesses.  Get the hard data that may provide insights to where the asset-based lender may want to put its capital to work with sponsors as Q4 comes to an end and 2020 begins.  The presentation will be followed by a panel of private equity players discussing what their organizations are thinking the next opportunities may be and how they are thinking of investing their capital in today’s challenging environment.
Data Presentation By: Scott Hendon, International Liaison Partner; National Leader of Private Equity; Co-leader of Global Private Equity, BDO
Moderator: Michael Scolaro, Managing Director, ABL Group Head, BMO Harris Bank
Panelists: Dominic LaValle, Managing Director - Global Private Equity Investments, Ardenton
Meahgan O'Grady, Head of Originations, Long Point Capital
Stephen Presser, Partner, Monomoy Capital Partners


Financing the Chapter 11 Debtor: Be Prepared
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
With real potential for an economic downturn, the bankruptcies that are pervasive in the retail world may spread to other sectors and lenders need to be prepared.  The world of Chapter 11 continues to evolve with some serious new developments in what some companies (and their counsel) are looking for from lenders going into a filing.  Be prepared for the issues that the lender will confront when a borrower heads into Chapter 11.  When your borrower or customer is on the eve of filing, what are “smart” lenders doing to position themselves to maximize their negotiating position and the recovery?  How do you deal with other debt in the capital structure?  What strategies are being used most frequently to make the best of a tough situation?  Listen to advisors and counsel that are on the front lines of the transactions that are pushing the envelope with developments that you need to know about, so you are prepared to confront the challenges of the Chapter 11 process.
Moderator: Hon. Christopher S. Sontchi, Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware
Panelists:
Bob Duffy, Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group, LLC
Rick Edwards, Co-President - Retail Division, Gordon Brothers
Dan Fiorillo, Partner, Otterbourg P.C.
Rich Goldman, Director of Legal Operations, Xtract Research, Debtwire 

Lunch and General Session - Speaker on Leadership/Teamwork followed by: Human Capital: People First! 
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Of course, you need a great product, a mission, a vision to differentiate your business from the competition not to mention solid technology and systems.  But what every business really needs are the people to make it happen.  What are the experts saying about developing those members of your team that will drive the business?  How do you manage them?  How do you train them?  How do you motivate them?  And how do you engage successfully at all levels in your organization to get to success?
Presentation By: Waldo Waldman, Retired U.S. Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force
Moderator: Rob Meyers, President, Republic Business Credit
Panelists:
Terry Keating, President & CEO, Accord Financial Inc.
Tim Knight, Vice President, ThinkingAhead
Paul Lipinski, Principal, KPMG LLP
Kristina Miller, Senior Credit Officer & Head of Asset Based Lending Credit, Fifth Third Bank

Exhibitor Prize Drawing 
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

      

 

Registration Information

Member Fees: $1,495 USD

Non-Member Fee: $2,395 USD

 

Register Now

Convention Family Activities

SFNet has arranged for family friendly activities for attendees of the convention to take advantage of during your stay in New York City, below are a selection of discounted NYC venues.

See Activities

 

Keynote Speakers

 

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Jill Schlesinger
Business Analyst, CBS News

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Marci Rossell
Marci Rossell
Former Chief Economist, CNBC and Co-Host of Squawk Box

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Peter-Zeihan
Peter Zeihan
Geopolitical Strategist, Thinker, Futurist

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Robert Wescott
Robert Wescott, Ph.D.
President, Keybridge

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Stephanie Kelton
Stephanie Kelton
Economist & Professor of Public Policy and Economics, Stony Brook University

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Waldo Waldman photo
Waldo Waldman
Retired U.S. Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force

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SFNet Annual Moderators

 

allen Frederic
Allen Frederic
Vice Chairman, Republic Business Credit

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Christopher Sontchi 150x150
Christopher S. Sontchi
Chief Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware

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Dave Grende photo
David Grende
President & CEO, Siena Lending Group

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David Morse photo
David Morse
Partner, Otterbourg P.C.

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Jeffrey Wacker photo
Jeffery Wacker
Managing Director - Head of ABL Origination, TD Bank

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Jon Helfat 2024
Jon Helfat
Partner, Otterbourg P.C.

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Kim Withrow photo
Kim Withrow
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Bibby Financial Services

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Michael Scolaro photo
Michael Scolaro
ABL Group Head, BMO Commercial Bank ABL

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Paul-Schuldiner
Paul Schuldiner
EVP & Division Manager, Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc.

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Peter York
Peter York
SFFound Research, Ohio State University

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Randy Schwimmer
Randy Schwimmer
Senior Managing Director, Churchill Asset Management

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Richard Palmieri photo
Richard Palmieri
Managing Director, ANR Partners, LLC

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Rob Meyers photo
Rob Meyers
President, Republic Business Credit

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Tania Daniel photo
Tania Daniel
Managing Director, ENGS Commercial Capital

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