TSL Feature Articles
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Interview with Michael Scolaro, BMO Commercial Bank ABL
Nov 3, 2022As part of our series of executive interviews, Charlie Perer sits with Michael Scolaro, managing director and asset based group head for BMO Commercial Bank ABL, to hear his perspective on the state of the BL market, bank vs. non-bank competition, the future of ABL, executive development and competition, among other things. -
Talk of Wave of Borrower Defaults Overblown
Nov 1, 2022Will the long-predicted wave of defaults come to fruition? Key players in the industry provide their perspectives.
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Factoring 101
Factoring is an age-old form of financing providing companies with much-needed cash.
It takes money to make money, as any business owner knows. But many small businesses also know what it’s like to be turned down by a bank for a loan or line of credit, not get as much as they need, or simply not get the cash quickly enough to take advantage of an opportunity.
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Asset-Based Lending: A Primer
Oct 11, 2022Simply put, asset-based lending (ABL) is a way of lending money to companies. Such loans are made by commercial banks and by specialty finance companies, and loan sizes can range from several hundred thousand to many hundreds of millions of dollars. These loan proceeds are used to assist companies in high-growth, distressed, or sometimes even in start-up situations.
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Field Exam in Changing Times: Fundamentals and Best Practices
Oct 7, 2022Jan Tammen of PNC Business Credit discusses some of the lasting changes to the field exam industry brought on by the pandemic.
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Field Examinations in 2022 and Beyond
Oct 5, 2022TSL’s editor-in-chief interviewed several field exam professionals as well as lenders to get an overview of what lenders should look for, the current challenges and the effects of the pandemic. -
PNC Business Credit’s DEI Initiatives
Sep 28, 2022After gathering information from various PNC program managers, Eileen Kowalski discusses the DEI initiatives of PNC Bank N.A. and more specifically those of PNC Business Credit.
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The Impact of Civil Law on the Growth and Debt Capital Accessibility of Southern European Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Sep 26, 2022In November of 2021, SFNet announced its first Cross-Border Finance Essay Contest, sponsored by Goldberg Kohn Ltd. Members of SFNet’s International Finance and Development Committee judged the essay submissions on content, originality, clarity, structure and overall contribution to furthering and expanding understanding and discourse within the field of cross-border finance. This essay tied for third place.
The authors of the winning essays have been invited to participate on a panel at SFNet’s 78th Annual Convention in Austin, TX, Nov. 9-11. The second place and first place winners will be published in the October and November issues of The Secured Lender, respectively.
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Rob Meyers of Republic Business Credit Discusses the Company’s DEI Initiatives
Sep 15, 2022Republic Business Credit is a nationally recognized commercial finance company supporting the working capital requirements of companies nationwide, including private equity and entrepreneurial businesses. Republic provides asset-based lending, ledgered lines of credit, traditional factoring, direct-to-consumer loans, and Fast AR Funding. Republic partners with its clients to provide up to $15 million in senior credit facilities to rapidly growing businesses, start-ups and companies experiencing recoverable distress. Republic was one of two companies that were highly aligned with their employees in the replies to SFNet’s DEI Survey. -
Bed, Bath, and Back to the Supplier: A Supplier’s Right to Reclaim Ownership of Inventory in the Netherlands
Sep 12, 2022In November of 2021, SFNet announced its first Cross-Border Finance Essay Contest, sponsored by Goldberg Kohn Ltd. Members of SFNet’s International Finance and Development Committee judged the essay submissions on content, originality, clarity, structure and overall contribution to furthering and expanding understanding and discourse within the field of cross-border finance. This essay tied for third place. -
Results of SFNet’s Groundbreaking DEI Survey
SFNet’s DEI Committee, in conjunction with Rutgers University and underwritten by the Secured Finance Foundation and Wells Fargo, released the results of the first-ever DEI Survey, which provides a comprehensive perspective on the current state of diversity, equity and inclusiveness among SFNet member companies. -
Fighting Misinformation: Don’t believe Everything You Read on the Internet
Borrowers face an uphill battle when conducting an internet search for capital. Lee Haskin of Crossroads Financial discusses the misinformation out there and offers clarifications concerning certain types of finance products.
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Chronic Problems in Cannabis Lending Navigating the Patchwork of Laws, Rulings and Regulations
The only constant in the cannabis industry is change. This article provides an overview of the latest developments and points out that lenders need a deep understanding of the inconsistent patchwork of laws and regulations and the continuing conflict of law between the states and the federal government before entering this space. -
Lenders Beware: Lender Liability
The past few years have seen strong liquidity in the marketplace coupled with unprecedented government support of certain borrowers; increased competition for secured transactions among banks and non-banks; and surprisingly fewer distressed transactions during the pandemic than would have been anticipated. As a result, lenders have not had to focus as much on managing distressed credits and the potential pitfalls and risks that are associated with them. As a few recent cases discussed below show, assertions of lender liability may arise in various contexts to an unsuspecting lender.
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Coming Into Focus - TSL Inaugural Data Issue
Jul 7, 2022Welcome to The Secured Lender’s first ever Industry Data Issue. Over the past several years, SFNet has invested heavily in data resources designed to improve planning, provide competitive benchmarking, and attract capital to our industry. Through resources like our groundbreaking Market Sizing and Impact Study, which dimensioned the secured finance ecosystem and will be refreshed this year, to our quarterly and annual data surveys, which continue to grow in participation, to our forward looking Market Pulse Reports, we have made great strides in capturing, analyzing, and predicting industry trends by the numbers.
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Are the Necessary Corporate Differentiators
A Moritt Hock & Hamroff partner discusses the potential legal implications for companies that are not committed to diversity and inclusion as increasing shareholder pressures and legal complaints mount.
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Stop Managing Your Time and Start Managing Your Energy
Dr. Arin N. Reeves, researcher, author, and leading advisor to many top executives, offers her advice on the energy deficit so many of us are experiencing. -
Where Are They Now? Catching up with prior SFNet 40 Under 40 Award winners
Jun 15, 2022From promotions to new jobs to starting their own advisory firms, award winners share their career advice and what they have learned.
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Can the Global Supply Chain Survive Global Political Disorder?
Jun 6, 2022The managing director of Global Torchlight, a geopolitical risk advisory firm, discusses the various reasons for the supply chain disruption and what we may expect in the future. -
When the Grass Isn’t Greener: How to Stay Where You Are and Ask for What You Want
We’ve all heard the phrase “The Great Resignation” over the past few months. Angela Fiorentino of AmeriFactors Financial Group and a member of SFNet’s Women in Secured Finance Committee gathered several top female executives to discuss the best way to communicate your professional goals and hold some of those “tough conversations” in this current climate.
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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U.S. Middle Market Performance Shows Sustained Stability
Oct 11, 2024Middle market private companies in the Golub Capital Altman Index grew earnings by 8% during the first two months of the third quarter of 2024. Revenue grew 5% during the same period.
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A Conversation with Wells Fargo’s Managing Director of Supply Chain, Trade, and Channel Solutions
Oct 7, 2024Stephen Schwartz heads underwriting for the Supply Chain, Trade & Channel Solutions group covering Key Accounts Purchase, Supplier Finance, Accounts Receivable Securitization, International Factoring Commercial Services, Inventory Finance, Channel Finance and Equipment and Vendor Finance floor planning. Here, he discusses how companies are navigating supply chain challenges particularly in light of the U.S. port strikes. -
SFNet Announces Governance Boards Leadership
Oct 3, 2024The Secured Finance Network (SFNet) Member Directors have elected and the Executive Committee has approved the FY25 SFNet Management Committee and Executive Committee members. In addition, the Secured Finance Foundation (SFFound) Member Donors have elected and the SFFound Board has approved the FY25 SFFound Board and Officers.
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SFNet Releases ABL Q2 and Factoring Mid-Year Reports
Sep 27, 2024
SFNet has published the results of both its Q2 ABL Survey as well as its Mid-Year Factoring Report. Participating lenders have access to additional data and detailed reporting. Contact your business unit leader or asavaser@sfnet.com to request a copy of your report
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Olympic Athletics and Lending, Private Equity and Investing Success – Not as Different as You Might Think!
Aug 21, 2024With the 2024 Olympics behind us, the next games are scheduled for Los Angeles in 2028. For those spectators enthralled with the world-class athleticism, success seems to be determined largely by medal count (and media coverage). As I enjoyed the games, I pondered how the lending, PE, and investing sectors are closer to the Olympic athletes than one may think. -
The Transformative Impact of Mentoring: An Interview with Emily Neuherz
Jul 25, 2024The SFNet Mentoring program, sponsored by the Secured Finance Foundation and the SFNet DEI Committee, has become a cornerstone of professional growth and community building within our industry. In this interview, we highlight the journey of Emily Neuherz, senior associate, Capital Foundry and a passionate advocate and past mentee of the program. Emily’s experience not only underscores the immense value of mentorship but also serves as a testament to the transformative impact it can have on career development. Through her story, we hope to inspire both new potential mentees and mentors to join our upcoming Fall iteration, and embark on a path of mutual growth, learning and success. -
Evolving Strategies in Business Development for Secured Finance
Jul 9, 2024In a rapidly shifting financial landscape, the Secured Finance Network's recent webinar offered a deep dive into effective business development strategies within the secured finance sector. Moderated by James Kravitz, SFNet’s business development director, the session featured prominent industry experts Lance Rosenthal, executive vice president of business development at RelPro; Jack Penzi, director of originations at Great Rock Capital; and Mitch Sterling, chief client development and relationship officer at Blank Rome.
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Asset-Based Lending Data Show Industry Remains Healthy, with Moderately Improving Outlook
Jun 26, 2024Banks and other lenders shared a mostly positive outlook for the asset-based lending market in the first quarter, fueled by predictions of a soft landing for the U.S. economy. But they are mindful of looming regulatory changes and continue to monitor portfolios for signs of post-pandemic stress, according to data released by the Secured Finance Network (SFNet).
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SFNet Announces Secured Finance Certified Professional Program: Elevating Standards in the Industry
Jun 20, 2024In the dynamic world of secured finance, maintaining an edge is paramount. To meet the evolving needs of the SFNet community, we are launching an innovative and comprehensive certification program. The Secured Finance Network’s Secured Finance Certified Professional (SFCP) Program is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills, necessary to excel in asset-based lending and factoring.
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SFNet’s 3rd Annual SFNet Cross-Border Finance Essay Contest Offers Industry Recognition, Chance to Be on SFNet Convention Panel
Jun 10, 2024Sponsored by Goldberg Kohn, the essay contest serves as a platform to discuss cross-border trends and issues and gain industry recognition. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be invited to present on a panel at SFNet’s 80th Annual Convention in Houston, TX and have their essays published in The Secured Lender magazine. The contest is open to employees of SFNet member companies. Entry is free and all submissions must be received by June 25, 2024.
The Secured Lender
SFNet's The 81st Annual Convention Issue

