TSL Express Daily News

SFNet’s 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, Nicole Williams, (pictured) V.P. Field Examination-Asset Based Lending at Regions Business Capital Corporation.

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

The road to becoming a Certified Secured Finance Professional (SFCP) is as unique as the individuals pursuing it. For me, this path was shaped by personal resilience, dedication to self-reinvention, and a passion for growth within the secured finance industry.

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

In 2020, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, this journey began amidst significant personal challenges. A non-COVID health issue sidelined me, but the pandemic shutdown serendipitously provided a chance to recover without impacting professional responsibilities. Two years later, I was faced with the devastating loss of two siblings within three months—a turning point that prompted deep reflection about career goals and the direction of the latter half of a 30-year career predominantly focused on field examination, except for a brief stint as an internal bank auditor after graduating from Case Western Reserve University in 1995.

By early 2023, the process of reinvention was well underway. To expand expertise within the field exam space, I pursued mentorships, engaged in internal bank leadership programs, and embraced lifelong learning through platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and company-sponsored educational initiatives in partnership with Emory University Technical Programs. These efforts focused on Accounting Data Analytics and Leadership, underscoring a commitment to adapting to the evolving demands of the industry.

Advice from colleagues led to exploring the roles of Relationship Managers and Underwriters, eventually introducing me to the valuable courses offered by the Secured Finance Network (SFNet). Beginning with free on-demand courses, such as the Appraisal Series, Workout and Bankruptcy Series, and Legal Series, the journey soon progressed to paid courses covering Underwriting and Portfolio Management, among others. It was during this exploration that the SFCP designation caught my attention. This certification promised not only industry recognition but also an opportunity to demonstrate dedication and versatility within Asset-Based Lending (ABL), even at an advanced career stage.

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

Course selection was strategic, deliberately focusing on areas outside of Field Examination to broaden skill sets. As a result, courses in Underwriting Levels 1 and 2, Portfolio Management Levels 1 and 2, and Financial Statement Analysis became integral components of the learning journey. Preparation for the SFCP exams was thorough, involving a structured study schedule that included reviewing course materials, engaging with examples, and adopting active learning techniques. The effort culminated in earning the SFCP designation on December 2, 2024.

Mentorship also played a pivotal role in this journey. Participating in SFNet’s fall mentoring program in 2024 provided guidance on three key projects: a paper on leveraging data analytics for field exam sampling using SQL queries, the development of micro-training webinars for analysts, and strategies to enhance professional networking and soft skills. While not all goals were fully realized—such as the ambitious attempt to condense a two-and-a-half-hour gamified webinar into a shorter format—the mentorship fostered growth and offered invaluable insights.

How do you think achieving the SFCP designation will help your professional development?  

This journey reflects the power of perseverance and the importance of continuous learning in navigating challenges and pursuing career aspirations. Through the SFCP designation and a dedication to personal and professional development, it has charted a course for a rewarding and impactful future in secured finance.