The Yield

On this bonus episode of The Yield, CEO and Founder of Yieldstreet Milind Mehere is joined by author and Fordham University professor Kevin Mirabile to weigh in on the increasing importance of alternative investments in a modern portfolio. Kevin is the author of Exotic Alternative Investments: Standalone Characteristics, Unique Risks and Portfolio Risks and understands the potential benefits that come when investing in alternative asset classes. In their conversation, Kevin defines the categories of exotic alternative investments that offer potentially high returns, highlights current trends, and details the many reasons that more and more people are turning to alternative investments in today’s market.  

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[2:28] The path that led Kevin to Wall Street and his subsequent transition to academia.

[5:10] Why alternative investments? This subject matter expert explains the potential benefits.

[7:20] Defining and categorizing the vast world of exotic alternative investments. 

[9:50] Kevin’s motivation for writing about alternative asset classes. 

[11:58] Is the 60/40 portfolio dead? — alternative investments are one way to modernize your portfolio.

[15:36] Kevin’s view on how to approach the liquidity of your investments.

[16:52] Current trends in today’s alternative investment asset classes.

[22:00] What is motivating more and more people to seek out alternative investments?

[26:25] Facts about the bitcoin and crypto market role in today’s investment portfolio.

[30:05] What does the future hold for the alternative investment market?

[32:49] Over or under? Kevin weighs in on trending topics.

[33:51] How to connect with Kevin and where to find his book.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Exotic Alternative Investments: Standalone Characteristics, Unique Risks and Portfolio Risks by Kevin Mirabile

Join the Yieldstreet x Athena Art Finance team as they cover a variety of topics, including a deep dive into auction insights and a post sales recap from December 2020.  Giovanna Quattrone, Art Research & Valuation Specialist, and Cynthia Sachs, MD/CIO of Art Finance, discuss the potential impact of the economy and the new administration on the art business, recent changes in art trends that could affect Athena’s business, and what lies ahead in the art lending industry. 

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[2:59] The potential impact on the new presidential economic policies on the art lending markets.

[6:40] The limited impact that increasing interest in emerging artists has on Athena. 

[9:06] Potential side effects of the minority and female artist resurgence.

[11:00] A comparison of in-person and online auction sales on the 2021 sales market.

[13:20] Auction insights and a post sales recap of 2020 data findings. 

[22:32] Why does micro- and macro-level market data matter at Athena?

[24:35] Analyzing performance versus estimates and what it means in the underwriting process.

[26:56] What is the incentive for the auction houses to hold sales so close together? 

[28:46] The effect that auction guarantees have on the market value of artwork.

[31:00] Athena’s scoring methodology as it influences underwriting and determining risk. 

[34:26] The most important factors when analyzing and individually scoring artworks. 

[36:05] Does Athena consider what the money lending against artwork is used for? 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Athena Art Finance

Join the Yieldstreet x Athena Art Finance team as they take a deep dive into the 2020 art business market and the year ahead. Giovanna Quattrone, Art Research & Valuation Specialist, and Cynthia Sachs, MD/CIO of Art Finance, will discuss where Art Finance has been and where it is headed in the new year. The team will touch on the changes the art world has experienced and the lasting impact on investor behavior in relation to alternatives investments, namely art.

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] The financial effect of the pandemic on Yieldstreet Art Finance and its loan portfolio.

[6:04] What changes have art businesses been forced to make over the last several months and what are the subsequent positive results?

[7:48] The role that market volatility and increased technology accessibility have played in the increased interest in art investments.

[10:36] What effect has this increased art market activity had on valuations and inflation?

[13:58] The information that Athena uses to inform the valuation aspect of its underwriting process.

[17:20] Understanding the external work that is done prior to determining valuation.

[20:00] The scale and variety of the network of appraisers used by the Yieldstreet x Athena Art Finance team.

[21:47] Informing the methodology of appraising and its benefit to investors.

[23:38] The process of putting a loan on artwork that will be put in a collateral pool.

[25:30] What separates Athena Art Finance from its competitors in the art lending space?

[28:40] Title insurance in the art market how it affects art investment offerings at Athena.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Athena Art Finance

On today’s episode, the Yieldstreet Private Business Credit team takes a deep dive into the lessons learned in 2020 and the opportunities the team is exploring in the year ahead. Melanie Alese, Investor Relations Lead at Yieldstreet, hosts Larry Curran and Barbara Anderson for a deep dive discussion on where PBC has been and where it is headed in the new year.  The team touches on their journey over the last 6 months since joining Yieldstreet and then turns their attention toward the new year, focusing on what opportunities lie ahead.

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[2:05] The key elements of the Private Business Credit setup that help promote growth even in a chaotic environment. 

[5:59] Opportunities that have successfully launched on the Private Business Credit platform. 

[11:07] Offerings that are currently open and accepting investor requests.

[11:33] Looking ahead to the next operating steps and potential opportunities in 2021.

[16:06] What are the average factoring lending rates within supply chain financing investment? 

[19:03] Will the high dollar deals with supply chain financing continue into 2021? 

[22:30] What are the traditional risks in supply chain financing that can lead to less than forecasted returns? 

[25:50] Drivers that have the potential to result in missed targeted return. 

[27:06] Are the buyers in supply chain finance expected to enter into another agreement with Yieldstreet? 

[27:43] Opportunities that investors can expect to see within alternative investments in 2021.

[29:26] Companies exhibiting growth will be the main focus for the Private Business Credit platform.

[31:28] How has the pandemic changed underwriting and investment parameters? 

[32:50] Growth plans for the asset class at Yieldstreet and expectations for the potentially growing team’s future.

[37:05] Are restaurants a good candidate for the Private Business Credit platform? 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Private Business Credit

On this bonus episode of The Yield, we’re bringing back one of the most inspiring episodes from last year.  Originally recorded in February 2020, on this episode host Joe Sancio is joined by Chris Schembra to discuss the key to achieving greater success, both personally and in business.  Chris is the bestselling author of Gratitude and Pasta: The Secret Sauce for Human Connection and has lived an incredible life that has taken him from the depths of suicide and depression to winning numerous awards and launching a business that has gained even greater value in this current COVID-19 world.  In their conversation, Chris highlights the value of working together, serving others and creating greater connections, something we can all use more of as we enter this new year. 

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[2:08] Chris Schembra highlights the path that led him to founding 7:47 and writing Gratitude and Pasta.

[5:08] Chris’s take on authenticity, commuting to work, and his super hero of choice.

[9:40] The accomplishments in Chris’s pre-pasta dinner era that earned him 14 Tonys, 7 Emmys awards and a Grammy. 

[14:35] The all-encompassing role of finances in chasing a dream and starting a career.

[17:25] Why are the best leaders those who started at the bottom before rising to the top? 

[19:02] How Chris was able to fill a sense of brokenness by trying something different. 

[22:34] Securing greater financial stability when pursuing a passion isn’t a one-person job. 

[25:22] The key to creating a greater sense of community and belonging in your circles of influence. 

[28:45] Is there a difference between the good of an individual and the good of a company? 

[31:27] The surprisingly simple metric that Chris uses to determine whether an event was a success.

[33:01] A look at the future of pasta dinners and greater human connections. 

[35:00] Chris gives a shout-out to someone that inspired him to achieve his next level. 

[38:16] How to contact Chris and a snapshot of his most memorable pasta dinner. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Gratitude and Pasta: The Secret Sauce for Human Connection by Chris Schembra

7:47

Chris Schembra on Instagram

2020 has been a real adventure for investors around the globe, and the opportunities that are appearing with the new year are looking promising. On today’s episode of The Yield, Investor Relationship Associate Isabella Godfrey is joined by Senior Director of Real Estate Mitch Rosen, Senior Real Estate Investment Associate Adil Hasan, and Real Estate Investment Associate Christophe Van to discuss investment deals and lessons learned from 2020, as well as a look ahead to the opportunities for commercial real estate in 2021.

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[4:05] Lessons learned in 2020, including the importance of utilizing leverage to help amplify returns and the relative risk of various asset classes within CRE.

[8:10] Details regarding deals that were paid in full in 2020.

[9:23] New opportunities that have recently launched on the platform.

[10:59] How has Yieldstreet been able to successfully modify loans to achieve desired results for investors?

[16:20] Additional considerations to help maximize the ideal results for loans that have defaulted.

[18:55] What are some of the potentially most promising CRE asset classes that will be available in 2021?

[23:40] Considerations that will affect Yieldstreet’s upcoming focus within CRE.

[26:45] Commercial warehouse and the appeal of industrial CRE.

[27:43] Possible multi-family investment opportunities moving forward and the value of investing in city living.

[31:33] What opportunities are appearing within the single-family rental space?

[33:03] What new real estate products and equity deals are coming down the Yieldstreet pipeline?

[35:35] How can investors work on achieving diversification of their investments with Yieldstreet.

[36:34] What should investors be aware of and on the lookout for in 2021?

[40:27] The overarching goals that drive every investment opportunity at Yieldstreet.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

On today’s episode of The Yield, Isabella Godfrey hosts Yieldstreet’s Managing Director of Private Business, Larry Curran II, and Head of Underwriting, Barbara Anderson, for a discussion about the latest offerings within Private Business Credit and how they may fit into a diversified portfolio. Isabella, Larry, and Barbara take a deep dive into the inner workings of private business credit along with an open discussion about recent offerings such as Supply Chain Finance II and Motorcycle Loan Portfolio I.

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[3:50] Identifying the drivers behind the success of private business credit as the newest and most in demand vertical at Yieldstreet.

[7:10] Finding the ideal balance between yield perspective and investment type for lenders and investors at Yieldstreet.

[8:40] The critical analysis necessary for Yieldstreet to feel comfortable participating in supply chain financing programs in today’s current climate.

[13:00] A high level overview of Motorcycle Loan Portfolio I investments and subsequent $13M growth.

[18:00] Details about the motorcycle investment structure that have made it a potentially appealing opportunity at Yieldstreet.

[22:18] Factors that help make certain areas of the market more appealing than others and potential future market conditions that could impact this deal.

[26:04] Will opportunities in the private business market vertical remain the same following the pandemic?

[29:40] How does the return of income and internal rate of return in private business credit deals compare against other investment options offered at Yieldstreet?

[33:36] Will there be future opportunities to directly originate supply chain financing without a third party in order to help increase yield?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Supply Chain Finance II

Motorcycle Loan Portfolio I

As the world has become more interconnected, companies' dynamics and structures have become distributed across coasts and continents. This impacts everything from team structures to culture and takes a lot of trial and error and many iterations to be successful. On today’s episode of The Yield, Yieldstreet’s Director of Product Glenna DeRoy, Principal Technical Architect Marcus Brito, and software engineer Talia Fayaz discuss how distributed teams have contributed to the evolution of FinTech startups and the success of Yieldstreet.

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] A snapshot of the evolution and growth of Yieldstreet since its inception in 2014.

[3:48] How has Yieldstreet handled changes to the distributed system that have come as a result of the worldwide pandemic?

[8:00] The importance of creating a cohesive company and setting clear cultural expectations.

[12:02] Bridging cultural gaps within an international team starts with acknowledging differences and finding how they can bring a team together.

[16:46] Lessons learned regarding facilitating team building and the integration of higher learning.

[21:02] How does Yieldstreet accommodate time zone differences?

[23:28] How has Yieldstreet built out a product roadmap and made changes when needed?

[25:55] What applications are used within product and engineering to ensure alignment and delivery?

[28:18] How does Yieldstreet meet engineers and recruit remotely?

[30:12] What is Yieldstreet looking for in product managers and engineers?

[32:05] How does the finance aspect of Yieldstreet interact with the other aspects of the company?

[34:27] How do product and engineering determine which features to add to the Yieldstreet app and website?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

In a time when market volatility is rampant, the way investors are approaching it is changing. On today’s episode of The Yield, Yieldstreet’s Michael Weisz, Co-Founder & President, and Sylvain Grande, Chief Product Officer, discuss the future of the alternative investments market. As we approach the end of 2020 and get ready to jump into what we hope will be a more positive 2021, there are many things for investors to consider such as taxes, market & economic performance, and the reopening of the world post-pandemic.

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] Investment opportunities that investors expect as a result of the Biden-Harris administration in 2021 including tax hikes, infrastructure investments and accessing education.

[5:00] Why we think investors should consider seeking out investments that are not correlated to the stock market?

[7:03] The negative impact of macro issues on the volatility of the market and how Yieldstreet is breaking down the barriers that have traditionally kept people out of alternative investments.

[10:30] How are banks provoking sporadic and negative investor behavior during the pandemic?

[15:30] What are some of the clear winners and losers in alternative asset classes? A look at changing capital structures and private business credit.

[18:35] Potential tax implications that investors need to be aware of with alternative asset classes regarding IRAs and tax planning.

[21:45] Why do we think investors need to begin investing and diversifying as early as possible?

[26:00] How can investors insulate potential losses and manage recovery efforts.

[29:32] Lower entry point options for investors that are looking to invest less than $10,000.

[32:14] Does Yieldstreet offer any late-stage funding within growth startup options?

[33:31] Understanding the benefits of investing in active versus passive real estate investments.

[34:35] The standard timeline for full participation in various Yieldstreet offers.

[37:39] A look at new product features that are on the horizon and plans to improve the Yieldstreet user experience.

[40:35] Closing points regarding the priorities and goals of Yieldstreet.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Accessibility to the art market was once reserved for an elite group, but that is changing rapidly due to the customized platforms available today. In today’s episode of The Yield, Yieldstreet x Athena Art Finance’s Cynthia Sachs — CIO, along with Nigel Glenday — CFO of Masterworks.io, and Sean Green — Founder & CEO of Artneral CRM, discuss the revolution of art as a business through customized platforms that champion accessibility and opportunity, not only for the seasoned collector but for the new entrants who want to participate at all levels.

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[:50] Naomi Baigell introduces the guests and discusses advances in investing that are taking place in today’s art market.

[3:38] Cynthia Sachs explains one major problem of the art market that is solved by Athena Art Finance.

[5:06] Nigel Glenday describes the focus of Masterworks IO on art as a unique investment class.

[7:33] Sean Green offers an overview of the capacities of ARTERNAL tools and how each benefits every party investing in art.

[11:17] Understanding the innovation, education, and empowerment that comes through the data surrounding each investment piece.

[14:07] The differences between the investment and lending focus of both Athena and Masterworks.

[17:16] The importance of technology in increasing transparency and offering exposure to all interested collectors.

[21:34] How innovation and education are levelling the playing field for all interested parties.

[23:33] Experiences that provided new perspectives and shifted the approach to improving collector, investor and artist relationships.

[28:07] The value of investing in the art market as a meaningful and innovative asset class.

[30:43] The path that led each of today’s guests to the rewarding art finance market.

[33:03] A look at future innovations in the art world space, including advances in payments.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Athena Art Finance

ARTERNAL

Masterworks IO