The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker – Adopting a customized due diligence approach

Description

Abstract: Most loan portfolios include businesses of all shapes and sizes. Before reviewing a borrower’s financial statements, it’s essential to consider the industry in which it operates. This article provides a five-factor approach to evaluating competitive forces that may help lenders anticipate future opportunities and threats. A sidebar shows how a lender might apply a scorecard approach to rate three hypothetical borrowers: a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker.