In this month’s Funding University Podcast, we decided to switch things up a bit and I’m on the other side of the microphone. Interviewing me is Brady Hicks, managing editor of Channel Vision Magazine.  

Brady and I have a wide-ranging discussion about interest rates, managing debt, mergers & acquisitions, and changes to SBA lending programs. We touch on a variety of subjects, all revolving around what you need to know about changes in the financial landscape and how they can impact your business plans.  

I hope you find our conversation useful and informative. As always, if you have any questions, you can email me at [email protected] and either I or one of our Funding Coaches™ will be glad to follow up with you.

 About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University is to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get Access To:

1. Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠

2. CPE Courses & Modules: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe⁠⁠⁠⁠

3. TFU Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠

4. Funding Expert Certification: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification⁠⁠⁠

Joining Seth in The Funding University Podcast this month is Allan Gibbel of Utica Leaseco. Allan is an expert in equipment-based lending and is one of the most experienced collateral lenders in the U.S.

In the podcast, Allan and Seth discuss equipment and collateral-based lending, including the kind of equipment preferred by lenders. In the conversation, they discuss the devaluation of used equipment as collateral, best practices, and how leveraging the value of equipment can help you achieve your business goals.

The conversation with Seth is in plain English and easy to understand, providing actionable insights to get you and your business on the path to acquiring capital.  Your business tangibles have value and this webinar will help you better understand what lenders are looking for when evaluating equipment and collateral for loans.

About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University is to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com⁠⁠⁠

Get Access To:

1. Blog: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog⁠⁠⁠

2. CPE Courses & Modules: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe⁠⁠⁠

3. TFU Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass⁠⁠⁠

4. Funding Expert Certification: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification⁠⁠

Business owners aren’t always aware of the damage

Seth talks about his first CFO role where he helped with runaway accounts payable,

About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University is to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: ⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com⁠⁠

Get Access To:

1. Blog: ⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog⁠⁠

2. CPE Courses & Modules: ⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe⁠⁠

3. TFU Masterclass: ⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass⁠⁠

4. Funding Expert Certification: ⁠⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification⁠

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the US Government created EIDL loans through the SBA, which were designed for small businesses.  With low-interest rates and 30-year terms, these loans were created to help small businesses stay afloat during the pandemic’s economic slowdown.  The loans required the SBA to put a perfected security interest lien in place against a company’s assets, meaning no other lender could use your company’s assets as collateral.  This creates a problem when you need more funding from other sources.  Join Seth Block as he discusses strategies to keep your SBA loan in place while renegotiating your SBA-encumbered assets to help you grow.

About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University is to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com⁠

Get Access To:

1. Blog: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog⁠

2. CPE Courses & Modules: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe⁠

3. TFU Masterclass: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass⁠

4. Funding Expert Certification: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification

Tune in as Seth discusses the history behind the current interest rate hikes and offers a few ways businesses can manage the impact to their bottom line.

Oftentimes, borrowers aren’t aware that lending interest rates are a direct result of the current prime interest rate, which is based on the federal funds rate. If the prime rate climbs, your loan rate will go up as well. Seth takes a look at the history of the prime rate from the 1980s through 2022 and offers insight on how prime may affect future loan rates.

As a business owner, how can you manage these higher rates? Seth offers three ways to recoup funds to keep your business profitable.

About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University is to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com⁠

Get Access To:

1. Blog: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog⁠

2. CPE Courses & Modules: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe⁠

3. TFU Masterclass: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass⁠

4. Funding Expert Certification: ⁠https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification

This month’s Funding University podcast is special because it features Seth Block, our founder sharing his own personal insights about acquisitions. As the founder of the Funding University and the Executive Vice President of ThermoCredit, Seth recently shared his experience as a CPA and business leader by discussing the financing behind acquisitions he has been involved with as a featured speaker at the Compliance Solutions Conference this past February 2023 in Orlando, FL.

Seth reviews how changes in interest rates, an impending recession, and inflation all impact your borrowing capabilities. He explains how this current, fluctuating market impacts raising capital, which can affect your near and long-term business goals.

Seth also shares his firsthand experience with acquisitions. He discusses four specific steps in the process, from what to have in place before you try to acquire a company; getting ready for an acquisition; steps to fund the new venture; and three kinds of viable funding sources. He offers detailed advice, from how to assess the target company to have your financials in order, plus solid guidance about which types of funding work best in specific circumstances. Best of all, Seth explains it all in simple English, so it is easy to understand. This is one of those podcasts you won’t want to miss because it is full of good and easy-to-follow information.

This month’s podcast can help you ensure a successful acquisition—from A to Z.

Compliance Solutions is headed up by Mark Lammert, its Founder, and President. The company has been providing comprehensive client-centered compliance, accounting, tax, and business advisory services since 2002. The company works with all types of companies with a focus on Communication Providers.

About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University is to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com

Get Access To:

1. Blog: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog

2. CPE Courses & Modules: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe

3. TFU Masterclass: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass

4. Funding Expert Certification: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification

In this month’s Funding University podcast, Seth Block welcomes Brett Akins, Vice President, SBA Lender/Relationship Manager at HomeTrust Bank. With more than 18 years of background in both business and consumer banking, Brett is an expert in all SBA lending. During his tenure, HomeTrust Bank has become one of the top 75 SBA lenders in the country.

Get ready to dive into a thorough, but not boring, discussion about SBA lending, where we highlight the different types of lending platforms benefitting start-ups. We’ll hone in on features of the 7A SBA loan platform as well as discuss the SBA 504 program and its subtle differences.

Interested in learning about 7A loans and how they can help your small business? Brett addresses everything you need to know related to SBA funding. Learn about the benefits of 7A loans and how small businesses can use the funds.

We touch on the maximum loan cap amount, and what is needed to qualify.

Brett also shares information about

· Collateral

· Cash flow

· How to acquire more working capital

· Acquisitions and repeat acquisitions, buyouts

· Change of control transactions

· Repeat borrowers

· Personal guarantee and credit requirements

· Timelines for loan closure

If you’re ready for a commonsense approach to SBA loans, Brett Atkins is the person who makes it easy to understand and lays it all out in simple terms. He has a wealth of knowledge on SBA loans and a smart borrower should know the ins and outs before signing anything. I hope you get as much value from this conversation as I did. Learning from a field expert like Brett will certainly make the SBA lending process smoother, smarter, and more successful.

Seth Block, Founder, The Funding University

About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com

Get Access To:

1. Blog: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog

2. CPE Courses & Modules: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe

3. TFU Masterclass: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass

4. Funding Expert Certification: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification

Joining me this month is Ben Rutkevitz of Alleon Capital, a niche lender within the medical space.  Ben is an expert in medical factoring, providing working capital to medical practices and groups while they await payment from insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid.

In the podcast, Ben touches on best practices, due diligence, the impact of fraud in the medical industry, and much more.  His experience in the world of lending is a refreshing eye-opener, providing insight into how not only medical claims are paid, but how insurance regulation changes impact a provider’s finances.  Ben brings what you need to know to the table in simple and clear language, as both a lender and a partner to the companies Alleon Capital serves.

Seth Block, Founder, The Funding University

About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com

Get Access To:

1. Blog: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog

2. CPE Courses & Modules: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe

3. TFU Masterclass: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass

4. Funding Expert Certification: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification

Lee Haskin joins us in this month’s Funding University podcast and shares a fascinating historical perspective and real world case study about using an inventory loan with a factoring facility. His experience in inventory and revolving lines of credit that works with a factor or receivable lenders is amazing. Lee is the founder of Crossroads Financial, established in 2007, which satisfied a real need in the inventory lending space. The company provides funding against inventory, which helps avoids many of the pitfalls that can lead to insolvency or bankruptcy.

In our conversation, Lee goes into great detail about how factoring and inventory lending work, valuation determination, and the criteria lenders are looking for from borrowers. His insights are detailed, useful, and easy to understand. I think you’ll agree that Lee brings a wealth of knowledge about how to leverage your assets and how to determine what they’re really worth. Lee knows smart money.

Seth Block, Founder, The Funding University

About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com

Get Access To:

1. Blog: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog

2. CPE Courses & Modules: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe

3. TFU Masterclass: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass

4. Funding Expert Certification: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification

This month we feature Bob Hunter, the founder of Oxford Pierpont. Bob is an expert at building more productive business systems, financing, compliance, tax issues, and growth. His company, Oxford Pierpont, offers business development services for both SMB and larger corporate clients who are in a growth stage.

On the podcast, Bob talks about his corporate career as an Operations Development Manager and why he left seven years ago to set up his own consulting firm. He explains how he translates his experience of improving systems and boosting productivity into helping business owners reach their end goals.

We discuss why a business owner needs a comprehensive business development plan which includes brand, compliance, and fiscal management. Then we talk about how the business can leverage the plan to obtain financing. Bob highlights his essential success factors for any size company, including defining goals, managing reputation, and building one-on-one relationships with lenders.

I really enjoyed interviewing Bob because he gives business owners a clear roadmap to getting the vision and the financing they need to grow. The SMB is becoming a major economic driver in this country and Bob understands first-hand the needs and pressures of small businesses.

Seth Block, Founder, The Funding University

About The Funding University:

The mission of The Funding University to Enable Funding around the world. Hosted by Seth Block, CPA.

Visit The Funding University: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com

Get Access To:

1. Blog: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/blog

2. CPE Courses & Modules: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/cpe

3. TFU Masterclass: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/masterclass

4. Funding Expert Certification: https://www.thefundinguniversity.com/certification