Commercial Lending Report

Showing 49–64 of 345 results

  • The best-laid plans – Helping borrowers prepare for the worst-case scenario

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 446

    Abstract: When the owner of a small business dies or becomes disabled, the business’s lending institution may decide to foreclose, which may be the most appropriate choice — especially if the owner was the only employee. But for a small business with more than one employee, there may be other options. This article lists some questions that can help a borrower prepare for this eventuality and ensure the best outcome for both the business and the lender.

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  • Can the cash conversion cycle help determine liquidity?

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 609

    Abstract: A key factor when assessing whether a borrower will be able to make timely repayments of a loan is liquidity. There are several metrics lenders can use in this analysis, including the current or quick ratio. But this article focuses on the cash conversion cycle (CCC) metric. Using several hypothetical examples, it defines the CCC and explains how it works. The article points out that the CCC, as well as other liquidity metrics, can help lenders stay up to speed on ways to assess the risks — and rewards — their borrowers present.

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  • Put benchmarking in your borrowers’ toolbox

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 638

    Abstract: Benchmarking is a powerful analytical tool that compares a company’s performance with industry norms and best practices. By advocating for regular benchmarking studies, lenders can help borrowers gain a competitive advantage and remedy shortcomings. This article offers some hypothetical examples to illustrate how benchmarking can be useful to business owners and notes the importance of seeking data sorted by industry, size and geographic location, if possible.

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  • 7 ways to avoid lending to an ineffective business owner

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 808

    Abstract: It’s important for a lender to be able to determine, before funding a loan, whether a prospective borrower’s presentation matches reality. This article suggests some steps lenders can take to determine whether business owners are likely to be successful, including evaluating their business history, examining trends in career history and ascertaining what strategies they use to stay up to date on the latest market developments. A sidebar offers questions that will help lenders obtain pertinent information about the viability of a borrower’s business going forward.

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  • Painting an accurate picture – What to look for during a walk-through

    October / November 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 474

    Abstract: Lenders often conduct walk-throughs of borrowers’ facilities, particularly warehouses and manufacturing operations. But business owners who are intent on deception might reveal only what they want their lenders to see. This article explains how lenders can ensure that a walk-through provides a complete picture of the business and offers some questions lenders need to ask as they tour a company’s facilities. It suggests that a methodical, inquisitive approach can help make site visits more effective at catching potential problems early.

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  • How to evaluate a start-up

    October / November 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 723

    Abstract: Whether to lend to a start-up is one of the most difficult decisions a lender faces. This article contains advice on how lenders can evaluate the pros and cons and determine the potential for success — or failure. The article points out that start-ups have only limited operating histories and may have never generated positive cash flow, or even revenue. It also notes that a start-up can provide a good lending opportunity — but only if the business plan is viable and based on reality.

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  • Help your borrowers avoid bad debt write-offs

    October / November 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 627

    Abstract: Lenders can help borrowers avoid bad debt write-offs and strengthen their own loan portfolios by offering tips on how to improve the effectiveness of billing processes. This article suggests several ways businesses can improve payment schedules, including making reminder calls and conducting due diligence on customers. The article notes that providing useful advice to borrowers can enhance lending relationships.

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  • 5 strategies to help resolve business partner issues

    October / November 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 751

    Abstract: When owners get into a major disagreement, it can put lenders in a delicate situation. This article suggests five steps for responding to partner (or shareholder) disputes that will help protect a community bank’s interest. These steps include scheduling a meeting with the partners and engaging a neutral third party, such as a business coach, to help. A sidebar provides questions for evaluating problems between disputing owners.

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  • Help borrowers compete against larger competitors

    August / September 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 420

    Abstract: Faced with one or more well-funded, bigger competitors, a small or midsize enterprise (SME) may feel pressure to borrow money to fend them off. Its loan application may create a compelling case for debt. This article suggests that, before submitting the package to the loan committee, lenders need to take the time to ask four critical questions about the SME’s competitive landscape, including determining what drives the SME’s customer acquisition and attrition.

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  • How can audit opinions help lenders?

    August / September 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 635

    Abstract: CPAs regularly evaluate businesses as part of their financial statement audits, and their audit opinions can help lenders determine whether their borrowers will continue to operate as viable going concerns over time. This article advises lenders to seek unqualified audit opinions to obtain essential information about whether a borrower’s financial condition, position and operations are fairly presented in the company’s financial statements.

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  • The devil is in the details – Consider the upsides (and downsides) of lending to borrowers with multiple entities

    August / September 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 684

    Abstract: It’s sometimes beneficial for tax or legal purposes for a business to divide related lines of business into separate legal entities. But this move can create potential legal complications — and it provides an opportunity for unscrupulous borrowers to hide fraud under the cover of their multiple business entities. This article discusses the pros and cons of lending to these types of borrowers. It notes that, if lenders don’t understand the ins and outs of businesses that split into multiple entities, those lenders may find themselves tangled in a web of legal and financial complications.

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  • Strategies for success – Lending to the million-dollar, one-person business

    August / September 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 803

    Abstract: Million-dollar businesses run by just one person are increasingly common. In light of the concentration of responsibilities vested in a single “key” person, however, these types of businesses present different risks than companies with multiple owners and employees. This article explains how lenders can target, evaluate and mitigate the risk of lending to a solo entrepreneur. A sidebar offers some critical questions to ask during the loan application process.

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  • Turning on a dime – Lending to a business undergoing a pivot

    June / July 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 426

    Abstract: If an existing borrower decides to change course, how should the lender evaluate a subsequent loan application? This article lists some questions that will help determine whether a borrower’s new business model is viable — such as why the business needs to pivot, how the loan will help the company pivot and whether the borrower has experience pivoting. The article points out that it’s important for the lender to understand the degree of risk associated with the move and the likelihood that the borrower will be able to reinvent the business.

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  • What will keep your borrowers coming back?

    June / July 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 576

    Abstract: To prevent borrowers from seeking better loan deals at some point down the road, lenders need to develop their borrower relationships with specific, targeted strategies that will ensure borrowers stay over the long term. This article explains some of those retention strategies, including proactively offering refinancing options and becoming a referral source for value-added services. It suggests that encouraging borrowers to feel they can rely on their lenders’ services gives them much less incentive to look elsewhere.

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  • Ways to help borrowers qualify for affordable financing

    June / July 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 644

    Abstract: Small businesses may benefit from obtaining financing from lending institutions at strategic points in their trajectories. That may prove impossible, though, if they’ve neglected to establish a good business credit score. This article suggests some ways that lenders can provide their borrowers with valuable advice on how to up their credit game. It further notes that established business credit is an intangible asset that can make a borrower more attractive to potential investors.

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  • Help borrowers retire on their terms

    June / July 2019
    Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 788

    Abstract: Selling a small business is a complicated undertaking — especially if the seller has no prior experience doing so. This article offers suggestions on how a lender can help a borrower prepare for a business sale and retirement, including determining the best retirement date and helping evaluate potential buyers. It notes that providing assistance in a business transition can position the lender’s institution as an invaluable resource for the seller — and eventual buyer. A sidebar lists questions that a borrower facing retirement should ask.

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