TSL Feature Articles

Click on the link below to meet some of the “difference makers” in the secured finance community. This issue of The Secured Lender celebrates those who are having a profound impact on both their communities and their organizations. 

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Previous TSL Articles

  • SFNet WISF Career Corner

    What are some effective ways to approach management regarding the sensitive topic of compensation, particularly as it relates to peers in the same role, and also within the current overall market?

  • WISFJune2021Enews_LauraGlass_150 Interview with Laura Glass, Vice Chair of SFNet’s Women in Secured Finance Committee

    Laura Kemper Glass, vice chair of SFNet’s WISF Committee, is senior vice president and senior portfolio manager for Bank of America Business Capital (BABC), part of the Wholesale Credit division at Bank of America.  

    Based in Atlanta, Glass is responsible for the asset-based lending portfolio in the Eastern United States and Europe.  In this role, she leads a team of credit professionals responsible for managing a $20 billion portfolio of credit commitments in the asset-based lending plus related products and solutions.   The team serves clients in a wide range of industries primarily in the middle market and large corporate space.

    Here she discusses her career trajectory and current position, leadership and what the finance industry can do to improve diversity.

  • marius-silvasan Interview with Marius Silvasan, CEO of eCapital

    Last month, eCapital Corp., a leading capital solutions provider for small and medium-sized businesses in North America and the UK, announced it achieved substantial growth in 2020 and consolidated a total of eight acquired entities into a simplified corporate structure.  

    Marius Silvasan, CEO of eCapital, is responsible for leading the company’s overall vision and direction, as well as developing the overarching strategies that support its corporate goals. In this role, Silvasan balances the interests of a diverse investment community with the operational model and resources required to become a global leader in alternative lending. 

     

  • Charlie Perer Should Banks Combine Their ABL and Factoring Groups?
    For most banks with specialty finance groups the answer is no for several clear-cut reason, but it is not that simple of an answer for all banks with specialty finance divisions. This question is being hotly debated at the lower end of the market as many non-banks have successfully utilized one business development (BDO) team to sell both products.  Utilizing one BDO team to sell two products can work when there is a similar borrower profile that could dictate the credit going either way and a credit and portfolio team that is well trained in both products.  Good BDOs, both bank and non-bank alike, can use product, pricing and market flexibility to their advantage while utilizing one central back office for underwriting and portfolio management.  Why then do banks keep these groups separate?  The reason most banks don’t and shouldn’t combine ABL and factoring groups is that for most groups the underlying businesses, facility sizes, sourcing channels and credit risk are significantly different enough to merit separate divisions.
  • Eileen Wubbe 150x150 Takeaways from SFNet's 2021 Asset-Based Capital Conference

    SFNet's Asset-Based Capital Conference was held virtually March 9-11 and offered professionals in the asset-based lending, alternative asset management, private debt, private equity, distressed debt and service providers to discuss the rapidly changing economic environment and its impacts on portfolios and business opportunities. With nearly 1300 attendees, the virtual event offered more content to a broader audience than in years’ past.

    Many panelists were optimistic that there would be a stronger and quicker than expected recovery in 2021. While the COVID-19 pandemic was unexpected, another playbook has been written and the industry once again showed how to be resilient and adjust to “the new normal.”

    “The SFNet ABCC conference did a great job of balancing both education and networking,” said attendee Nancy Kalman, senior business development officer, United Capital Funding. “The distinguished panels were very informative with what our industry looks like today. I met several new people in the networking rooms, along with setting up many individual meetings. I even received a lead from this that looks like we will be able to fund.”

  • DarrenPalestine_Headshot_150x150 Young Professionals in a New Era of Networking
    Even the basic handshake has changed.  Scanning the room; trying to identify the individual you are trying to meet, through a mask in a sea of masks, generally becomes a guessing game.  When you finally lock eyes with the individual on the other side; you extend your hand out- open faced- only to be met with a closed fist and the awkward “who switches” silent discussion ensues.  When your hands finally come to an agreement of where to meet after some laughter, you can now begin what is the new normal — an overly distanced discussion where raising your voice is needed to make sure your counterpart can hear you amongst the other overly raised voices.
  • JimCretella_Otterbourg_Headshot_2021_150x150 Interview with Jim Cretella, Chair of Otterbourg’s Alternative and Specialty Finance Practice Group

    In March, Otterbourg P.C. announced that James M. Cretella was named Chair of the firm’s Alternative and Specialty Finance Practice Group. A member of the firm’s Finance Department, Cretella represents lenders, factoring companies and other finance companies, as well as borrowers, in a variety of transactions.

    Cretella has practiced at Otterbourg for his entire career and his experience encompasses financial transactions across a broad range of industries, including staffing, technology, transportation, oil and gas, and government contracting. His areas of focus include asset-based lending, supply chain finance, trade finance and specialty finance. He often acts as “outside in-house counsel” to finance companies and specialty lenders.

    Cretella is a 2016 winner of the Secured Finance Network’s 40 Under 40 Awards.

    Here he discusses his role and how the industry has evolved since he started.

  • MarkPodgainy_GetzlerHenrich_150x150 Higher Education Under Pressure – Options for Struggling Institutions
    Many higher education Trustees and executive leaders need to recognize that their communities must confront the early stages of a long-term restructuring.  The upcoming transition is similar to the long-term restructuring process now being addressed by the retail and healthcare industries.  The difficult landscape that colleges and universities must contend with didn’t just materialize – it has been a long time in the making.
  • volz-nate-husch-blackwell Off Target: How the Main Street Loan Program Missed the Mark

    At the 2004 Athens Olympics, American air-rifle shooter Matt Emmons, the reigning world champion in the 50-meter three-position event, held a seemingly insurmountable lead.  Going into his final shot, Emmons was in first place and needed only a mediocre score to win gold.  Emmons aimed, fired, and hit his target – the wrong target, one lane over.  He received no score for that shot and finished in eighth place.  

    Emmons’ mistake illustrates the importance of aiming at the right target.  In April of 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department announced the Main Street Loan Program (the “MSLP”), which was designed to provide emergency liquidity to small and mid-sized businesses.  Although well-intentioned, the MSLP, like Emmons, was aimed at the wrong target, and ultimately missed the mark.

  • WISF October Networking Event

    Screen shots of the various First Place Teams from the Go Game festivities held on October 27. Attendees had a great time competing in trivia and lip syncing competitions.