SFNet's Independent Finance Roundtable 2026

April 15 to 16, 2026

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#SFNet IFR26

The premier gathering for entrepreneurial finance executives.

The Independent Finance Roundtable is a forum dedicated to senior executives from non-bank, lender SFNet member companies. Building on the success of past gatherings, this event continues to serve as a space where industry leaders exchange perspectives, sharpen strategies, and engage in candid conversations that move the market forward. Get ready for dynamic discussions that address the forces shaping the lending landscape and illuminate the path ahead for entrepreneurial lenders.

The InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta is our official hotel and venue. We have arranged a discounted rate of $299+ tax per night for attendees. To book your room at this special rate, click here. The discounted rate will expire on March 4, 2026 is extended to March 16, 2026.  If you have questions regarding your reservation, contact the hotel’s reservation department at 404-946-9191. 

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Agenda*

Wednesday, April 15

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Joint Opening Reception
Join fellow IFR participants and SFNet Emerging Leaders Summit attendees for an relaxed evening reception where you can reconnect with colleagues and begin building relationships with future industry leaders.

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
IFR Dinner
Sponsored by Wells Fargo Capital Finance
5Church Buckhead
3379 Peachtree Rd NE

Thursday, April 16

7:30 am
Registration Opens

8:00 am - 9:30 am
Breakfast, Networking, Introductions & Ice Breakers

9:30 am - 10:30 am
Roundtable Discussion: M&A
A conversation around the latest M&A trends in the specialty finance market with industry leaders involved in recent transactions.

Facilitator: Tim Stute, Managing Director and Head of Specialty Finance, Hovde Group

10:30 am - 10:45 am
Networking Break

10:45 am - 11:45 am
Roundtable Discussion: Human Resources
Independent asset-based lenders face unique human resource challenges because they compete for talent against banks, private credit, and fintech firms while operating with leaner teams and less formal infrastructure. This roundtable will focus on practical hiring, training, and retention challenges—especially across junior staff and middle managers—and how workforce configuration (remote/hybrid/in-person) affects outcomes.

Facilitators: Robyn Barrett, SVP, Managing Director, Oxford Commercial Finance
Ken Yager, President, Newpoint Advisors Corporation

11:45 am - 1:15pm

Lunch with Keynote Speaker

Leading the Way: Understanding the Recent Fraud Landscape and Implementing Best Practices in Fraud Prevention for Finance Operations
In light of the high-profile frauds involving Greensill, Stenn and most recently First Brands and Tri-Color, this panel will address why these frauds have likely occurred and if they are a sign of the times in the world of increased reliance on complex, global, and often digitized supply chains and Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, the panel will discuss key factors and initiatives being taken to mitigate such frauds including more thorough verifications of transactional information, greater familiarity with complex and globalized supply chains, technology adoption, and greater internal diligence and control segmentation efforts.  

2:15 pm - 2:30 pm
Networking Break

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
AI in ABL: Tools not Replacements
This peer roundtable will examine how independent, non-bank asset-based lenders are using artificial intelligence today and how they expect it to reshape lending operations over the next three years. The discussion will focus on practical adoption, human judgment boundaries, trust and governance issues, and where AI is becoming standard infrastructure rather than experimentation.

Facilitators: Helena Stoever, Collateral Analyst, Siena Lending Group
Ken Yager, President, Newpoint Advisors Corporation

3:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Networking Break

3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
When Good Data Goes Stale: The Shelf Life of Field Exam Data
Get an overview of the shelf life of field exam and appraisal data and the factors that can cause it to become outdated. Panelists will discuss how recent regulatory shifts, tighter credit conditions, inflationary pressure, and operational changes at borrowers can quickly impact collateral valuation and share practical ways lenders are incorporating more current data into real-time credit decisions.

Moderator: Daniel Roman, VP Senior Field Analyst, Asset Based Lending Consultants
Panelists: Robert Brumbaugh, Partner, Valuation Consulting
Cory Ryan, President, IMACORP

4:45 pm - 6:00 pm
IFR Networking Reception

*Agenda is subject to change.


Thank you to our conference sponsors

Registration

Pricing
Member pricing applies to employees of SFNet member organizations. Not sure if your company is a member? Click here to confirm.

Cancellation policy
All cancellation requests must be made in writing. Email requests to Betty at BLam@sfnet.com.

• Registration open - March 16, 2026: Full refund, minus a 10% administration fee per registration
• After March 16, 2026: No refunds

Reminder
Please take a moment to review our Code of Conduct to ensure a positive and respectful experience for everyone.

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