Welcome back to The BDO Show—where wild stories from the branches are a cautionary tale, and knowing your customer is the first and last line of defense!

This week, hosts Emily Detor and Ryan Kroge take a look back at the more bizarre moments in Ryan's 26.5-year career. It's "storytime with Grandpa Kroge" as he recounts tales from the branches, red-flag closings, and why a site visit is non-negotiable, all while exposing the dark side of lending.

If you're a BDO, underwriter, or just someone who can't believe what goes on in this industry, you won't want to miss this wild ride through:

• The Branches of Bedlam: From working in a high-crime area of Detroit to witnessing multiple bank robberies (and a nude man in the lobby!), Ryan shares what it was like to work in a retail bank setting.

• The "$300K in a Winter Coat" Closing: A ridiculous, true story about a borrower who showed up to a closing with a Triple F.A.T. Goose coat, a Beretta 9mm pistol on the table, and stacks of cash.

• The Illegal Gambling & Strip Club Deal: Ryan recounts a site visit to a liquor store where the owners’ sons were running an illegal gambling and strip club on the second floor, a deal he immediately walked away from—and called their dads.

• Never Close Sight Unseen: The cautionary tale of a first-time assisted living facility buyer who never visited the property, leading Ryan to stop a closing and save the deal from a seller's lies and code violations.

• The Competition-Crushing Loan: A fascinating story about a Mexican restaurant owner who used an SBA loan not to grow, but to buy his rival's location and immediately shut it down.

• The Instagram Guru's Bad Advice: A borrower, inspired by online business "flipping" gurus, buys two gyms with a $1.5 million loan, only to put them up for sale immediately without ever stepping foot inside, leading to a quick default.

• Let Them Talk! Ryan reveals his secret to due diligence: asking important questions and then letting the customer talk until they either give you a "red flag" or a "green flag" that confirms their character and the deal's viability.

Plus, hear a hilarious stat about Bills Mafia drinking habits and why it's not just the BDO's job to know the customer—it's everyone's!

👉 Got a wild story of your own? Tell us how you really feel in the comments or email us at [email protected].

📺 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell—because a little "nonsense" is good for the soul!

The BDO Retreat is back for its fifth and final year, and this time, we’re taking you to Key Largo, Florida, on January 16th and 17th.

Join us for a weekend of BDO workshops, exclusive networking, and, as always, a few surprises: https://www.artofsba.com/bdo-retreat 

🎙This episode is sponsored by: 

SBA Protection

SBA Protection Quick Close Life Insurance is the fastest, easiest way to secure the insurance protection that your borrower needs for their SBA loan. Their process is simple, hassle-free, and only takes a few minutes of your borrower's time. For more information, visit their website https://sbaprotection.com/ or email Adam Bergen at [email protected].

Peak Business Valuation 

Peak Business Valuation has put together a free resource just for BDO show listeners, listing out the rule-of-thumb formulas for common industries financed by SBA lenders. Get yours today at peakbusinessvaluation.com/get-your-free-valuation-resource/