TSL Feature Articles
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Preparing for Tariff Impacts: Insights for Secured Lenders on Managing Customs Bond Challenges
May 1, 2025The global trade environment is facing a seismic shift with the imposition of new tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada—with reciprocal tariffs likely to follow. Historically, duty-free trade agreements under USMCA helped U.S. businesses optimize their supply chains. However, as of the reference point date of March 4, 2025 (tariffs are changing frequently), the United States has imposed tariffs that fluctuate frequently and could likely change at the time of article publication.
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Economic Outlook
Apr 14, 2025The announcement of new tariffs by President Trump marks the beginning of a critical and uncertain phase for the U.S. economy. While the full impact is still unfolding, early signs point to a significant economic slowdown, rising prices, and heightened inflation. -
Stronger Than Ever: Women, Work and the Power of Resilience
Mar 11, 2025Featuring insights from PNC’s Eileen Kowalski, Newpoint Advisors’ Carin Sorvik, Hilco’s Ervisa Ismailaj, and KPMG’s Andrea Beirne, this article delves into gender dynamics, and the hurdles women face in male-dominated sectors. Discover how these leaders have thrived and their perspectives on the progress—and remaining gaps—in achieving gender parity. -
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership:
Mar 7, 2025Learn from inspiring women executives who prove that empathy, active listening, and relationship-building aren’t just soft skills—they’re powerful strategies for business success, driving profitability, retention, and meaningful connections.
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Cannabis Lending: Are You Ready to Fire It Up?
Feb 18, 2025When Federal and State laws collide, doing business is complicated and fraught. In this article, Riemer and Braunstein LLP commercial finance attorneys Lon M. Singer and Lyle P. Stein explore the background, evolution, and emerging landscape applicable to financing industry – with practical guidance for the cannabis1 both the lending and legal communities.
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Is Your ABL Collateral Covered? Why Action and Close Monitoring Are More Critical Now Than Ever Before
Feb 10, 2025As the market grapples with increased restructurings and rising bankruptcy costs, asset-based lenders face significant risks if they fail to understand the true position of their collateral within a timely manner. Across industries, asset values are declining rapidly. This necessitates more active and frequent collateral and borrowing-base monitoring. This article explores the challenges and evolving trends across asset classes and the implications for asset-based lenders.
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Interview with Otterbourg Attorneys: Over 100 Years of Providing Legal Expertise to the Secured Finance Industry
Feb 5, 2025TSL’s editor-in-chief sat down with Otterbourg attorneys Allen Cremer, Dan Fiorillo, Pauline McTernan and Lena Surilov, to discuss the firm’s secret to success over the past 100 years, what lenders should look out for in 2025 and possible implications of the election. Based in New York City, Otterbourg represents financial institutions (including banks, asset-based lenders, hedge funds, finance companies and insurance companies) and corporations and other business enterprises.
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Wingspire Capital Continues to Soar After Five Years With Diversified Solutions and a Long-Term View
Feb 3, 2025The Secured Lender’s editor-in-chief sat down with David Wisen, founder & CEO of Wingspire Capital, to discuss Wingspire’s evolution and keys to success as well as his outlook for the future. -
Celebrating the Achievements of SFNet Chapters
Dec 17, 2024The Secured Finance Network’s 20 Chapters are comprised of professionals with great insight and experience. From golf outings to educational events, several Chapters shared their highlights from the past year.
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Part 2 -Taking Security in Cross-Border Lending: (How Do You Know) the Steps to Take or Whose Law Is It Anyway?
Dec 2, 2024David Morse of Otterbourg P.C. explores the key relevant rights of the Secured Lender and “Third-Party Effectiveness”, what happens if the obligor on the receivable is located outside
of the United States?, Rome I Regulation and more. Part 1 of this article appeared in the September/October issue of The Secured Lender. -
Appraisers See a Mixed Picture for Valuations
Nov 18, 2024Secured lenders increasingly rely on appraisers for swift and accurate valuations amid rising complexities in asset-based lending. With business bankruptcies up 40% and ongoing supply chain challenges, appraisers must adapt quickly to maintain their vital role in the underwriting process, ensuring lenders receive the critical insights needed to navigate this evolving landscape.
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Faces of Freedom
Nov 11, 2024Walter Schuppe, formerly of Pacific Western Bank, started Faces of Freedom in 2019 to
express gratitude to and honor the sacrifices and service of U.S. Military veterans and their families. The project uses black and white portraits and oral histories, as told by each veteran, to help connect a face with a personal story. -
Eyes on the Future: SFNet Welcomes its Youngest President in 80 Years
Nov 4, 2024Robert Meyers, managing member and president of Republic Business Credit, discusses his over 10 years of SFNet involvement to where he is today, as well as his goals as SFNet’s incoming president, which include creating a larger and more inclusive community to benefit its members and accelerate access to those in need of capital.
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Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges in the Lending Industry
Oct 14, 2024Attorneys from Mandelbaum Barrett PC explore how the rising cyber threats and stringent regulations facing lenders and the essential strategies for developing robust cybersecurity programs, safeguarding data, and maintaining regulatory compliance in a rapidly changing landscape.
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SFNet 2024 President Barry Bobrow Reflects on a Successful Year
Oct 2, 2024Bobrow discusses the highlights of his tenure as president of SFNet, challenges and opportunities faced, and advice for incoming SFNet President, Rob Meyers. -
Taking Security in Cross-Border Lending: (How Do You Know) the Steps to Take or Whose Law Is It Anyway?
Sep 26, 2024Navigating cross-border secured financing presents a complex challenge, where choice of law and conflict of law rules create an intricate maze. Unlike straightforward domestic transactions under the Uniform Commercial Code, international financing demands careful scrutiny of diverse jurisdictions’ laws. David Morse of Otterbourg P.C. explores the practical steps lenders must take to secure rights over assets like inventory and receivables across multiple countries to ensure the lender has the benefit of such security. Part 2 of this article will appear in the November/December issue. -
The Evolution and Impact of Factoring Services Amidst Global Supply Chain Disruptions
Sep 23, 2024In recent years, global supply chains have faced unprecedented challenges, from pandemic-induced disruptions to geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties. As businesses grapple with these issues, factoring has emerged as a critical solution for managing cash flow and mitigating risks. SFNet members provide insight into how factoring has evolved, its impact on the supply chain, and real-world examples of its effectiveness.
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An Interview with SFNet’s Co-General Counsels: Bobbi Acord Noland and Jonathan Helfat
Sep 17, 2024In the ever-evolving landscape of secured finance, few roles are as pivotal as that of general counsel for a major industry trade association. For Bobbi Acord Noland and Jon Helfat, this role at the Secured Finance Network (SFNet) has been a journey of leadership, challenge, and growth.
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Unlock the Future of Supply Chain Finance: Join SFNet’s December Conference for Key Insights and Networking
Nov 20, 2024On December 3, SFNet will host its first Supply Chain Finance Conference, at Greenberg Traurig in New York City. Industry leaders and experts will converge to explore the latest trends and insights in supply chain finance. This full-day event will provide invaluable knowledge and networking opportunities, featuring a diverse range of sessions designed to deepen your understanding of the supply chain finance ecosystem. -
Public Data in Cross-Border Lending
Sep 2, 2024Data and precedent play a key role in your ability to structure, negotiate and document lending transactions. In cross-border deals, access to this data is especially essential and can be more challenging to locate. Laura Jakubowski of Goldberg Kohn provides the information you need to arm yourself with vital information.
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.
Previous TSL Articles
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The Power of Inclusiveness in Secured Finance
Jun 30, 2025Inclusiveness is not just a buzzword; it’s a transformative force that has shaped my career in secured finance and asset-based lending. Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how an inclusive environment fosters innovation, collaboration, and ultimately, success. -
Leading with Agility: Niamh Kristufek on Her Role at First Business Bank
Jun 11, 2025Niamh Kristufek discusses her role as President - Specialty Finance of First Business Bank as well as challenges the industry is facing, including tariff, economic uncertainty and building client relationships at a specialized bank. -
AI in Secured Finance: From Hype to Hard Results
Jun 5, 2025Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere in today’s conversations about secured finance - and for good reason. But talk is one thing. The real question is: how do we move beyond the hype and into something that actually works? -
Inside Trade Finance: A Deep Dive with TradeCap’s Bryan Ballowe
Jun 2, 2025In this installment of our series of executive interviews, Charlie Perer sits with Bryan Ballowe, Managing Partner of TradeCap Partners, to hear insights about today’s trade finance/in-transit inventory market and his views on the tariffs, among other things.
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Private Credit’s Ascent: How Nonbank Lenders Are Redefining Secured Finance
Jun 2, 2025
(Editor’s Note: This article was created with assistance from ChatGPT)
In the evolving world of corporate finance, private credit has emerged as a formidable force, challenging traditional banking paradigms. Once a niche segment, it has burgeoned into a $1.5 trillion market as of early 2024, with projections estimating growth to $2.6 trillion by 2029. This surge is not merely a quantitative shift, but signifies a qualitative transformation in how businesses access capital.
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SFNet ILC Conference Highlights Restructuring Corner: What Happens When Trouble Hits?
May 29, 2025The following is an overview of the Restructuring Corner: What Happens When Trouble Hits? Panel held May 13 during SFNet’s International Lending Conference in London.
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SFNet ILC Conference Highlight: Lending on Inventory to a Cross-Border Business
May 20, 2025
The following is an overview of the Lending on Inventory to Cross-Border Business, held May 13 during SFNet’s International Lending Conference in London. David Morse, partner, Otterbourg P.C. moderated. Panelists included: John Boxall, Managing Director, Hilco Valuation Services Europe; Christopher M. Chubb, Partner, Mayer Brown International LLP; Elena Egorova, Head of Operations, DRUM Advisory; and Frank Husken, Managing Director, Finterface.
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SFNet WISF Conference Speaker, Suzy Welch, on Authentic Leadership, Career Clarity, and the Power of Values
May 7, 2025Suzy Welch will be a featured speaker at SFNet’s Women in Secured Finance Conference, held June 11-12 in New York City. She is an award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor, acclaimed management researcher, and New York Times best-selling author, most recently with “Becoming You: A Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career,” which is also a #1 bestseller on Amazon. -
Middle Market Lending in 2025: Adjustment Amid Uncertainty
May 6, 2025According to LSEG LPC’s Middle Market Syndicated Stats, 2024 closed strong:
- Total syndicated middle market loan volume reached $159.6 billion, a 32% YoY increase.
- New money issuance totaled $78.8 billion, with refinancings at $80.8 billion.
- Institutional middle market volume hit $24 billion, more than doubling YoY.
- Covenant-lite issuance rose by 117%, reaching $3.5 billion. -
Navigating Change: A Preview of SFNet’s 2025 International Lending Conference with Alister Bazaz
Apr 29, 2025SFNet's International Lending Conference, held in London on May 12-13, 2025, is attended by a dynamic community of global lenders, innovators, and dealmakers in the heart of London. We sat down with the chair of the International Lending Conference Planning Committee, Alister Bazaz, head of International Asset Based Lending & Asset Based Digital Innovation at Bank of America, to discuss the planning process and the event.
The Secured Lender
SFNet's The 81st Annual Convention Issue
