Vince Mancuso Achieves SFNet's Secured Finance Certified Professional (SFCP) Designation

SFNet Secured Finance Certified Professional (SFCP) program, offered to employees of SFNet members, features a robust curriculum of live online courses.  Certification criteria are designed to reinforce industry excellence, elevate professional standing, and propel careers forward. 

The program is set to become the gold standard in asset-based lending and factoring, offering a prestigious career milestone. Targeted at emerging and mid-career professionals, the program requires mastery of core subjects, evidenced by passing a comprehensive exam. Certified individuals earn an SFCP credential, showcasing their ongoing dedication to professional integrity and industry best practices.

Here, we spotlight one of our first SFCPs, Vince Mancuso, EVP, sales director, Bay View Funding. 

TSL: Congrats on being one of the first in our industry to achieve the SFCP designation! What motivated you to complete the SFCP program?

Mancuso: I was motivated to pursue the SFCP designation because I recognized it as an opportunity to validate my expertise and distinguish myself in the competitive secured finance industry. As the program aims to set the "gold standard" for professionals in asset-based lending and factoring, I wanted to be among the pioneers to achieve this prestigious credential. I was also privileged to have served on the committee that developed the program. Additionally, I saw this certification as a tangible way to demonstrate my commitment to upholding industry standards and best practices to both my colleagues and clients.

Can you provide our readers with some background on your career and your current role in the industry?

I started my career in a credit capacity specifically focused in factoring and through a series of mergers and acquisitions was given the opportunity to expand my experience into asset-based lending. I pivoted about 15 years years into my career and began lending to factors and asset-based lenders, and that afforded me the ability to interact with a much larger group of industry professionals. Since then I have served as president and CEO of a portfolio commercial finance company for a mid-sized private debt fund and have held C-level roles at both an independent and institutional owned commercial finance company, and really enjoy mentoring and educating whenever given the opportunity.

Can you walk our readers through the classes you have taken to achieve the SFCP designation?

To earn my SFCP designation, I completed the required five qualifying courses within the 18-month timeframe. The program structure required me to take four curriculums related to industry bodies of knowledge, specific to portfolio management, underwriting and business development, but in my case, there are 16 total choices, as well as one soft-learning curriculum (out of three choices) and I chose Effective Leadership Skills. The core curriculums cover essential topics in secured finance, including asset-based lending, factoring, portfolio management, underwriting, business development, financial statement analysis, to name a few. What I particularly appreciated was how the courses balanced theoretical knowledge with practical applications through case studies and real-world scenarios. Each course built upon the others to create a comprehensive understanding of the secured finance landscape, transaction structures, and risk management strategies.

In your experience, how does achieving the SFCP designation help your professional development?

Earning the SFCP designation has significantly enhanced my professional development in several ways. First, it validated my knowledge against established industry standards, giving me confidence in my expertise. The certification has already opened new doors for me and broadened my recognition within the industry. Perhaps most importantly, the SFCP credential demonstrates my ongoing dedication to professional integrity and industry best practices, which has strengthened my professional relationships and credibility with clients and colleagues alike.

We know people reading are wondering about the exam. Can you share your experience on that?

The SFCP exam was certainly comprehensive but fair. It consisted of 100 highly curated multiple-choice questions designed to assess competency across the core curriculums. The exam required a minimum score of 80% to pass, which reflects the high standards of the certification.

In my preparation, I found it helpful to review all course materials thoroughly and focus on understanding the practical applications of concepts rather than just memorizing information. The questions tested not only factual knowledge but also the ability to apply concepts to real-world scenarios in secured finance. While challenging, the exam truly validated that I had mastered the essential knowledge needed to excel in our industry. For those considering taking it, I would recommend setting aside dedicated study time and perhaps forming a study group with colleagues also pursuing the certification.

SFCPs are expected to remain active in the industry and to complete at least 18 units of continuing education ("CEUs") for each two-year reporting period. SFNet conferences, webinars, professional development courses and Mentoring Program offer qualifying CEUs. Now that you are an official SFCP, what additional classes will you look to take during the next two years?

As an SFCP, I'm committed to maintaining my certification by completing the required 18 units of continuing education for each two-year reporting period. I plan to attend SFNet conferences, continue acting as a facilitator in educational initiatives, continue serving on committees and to network with fellow professionals. I'm looking forward to participating in SFNet's Mentoring Program, which will allow me to both gain wisdom from industry veterans and share my knowledge with emerging professionals. I'm also excited about upcoming webinars on emerging topics in secured finance, such as technological innovations and evolving regulatory frameworks that impact our industry.

If there is anything else you would like to mention?

Being among the first to receive the SFCP designation has been not only a personal achievement but also an opportunity to help set the standard for excellence in our industry. I encourage my colleagues to pursue this certification as it truly adds value both individually and to their organizations. The knowledge and skills I've gained through this program have already made a positive impact on my work, and I'm proud to represent the high standards that the SFCP designation embodies.