COVID 19 Financial Relief Help

Business Coaching/Consulting

Spending 27 years of a 43-year career as community bank CEO. I have extensive business experience, not only in running two community banks but also in working with thousands of small business customers along the way. I was either the ultimate decision maker or provided the final recommendations to my bank board of directors on issues of Lending, Credit Administration, Compliance, Audit, Internal Control, Human Resources, Marketing & Public Relations, Information Systems & Technology, Business Development, Investments, Real Estate/Facility Construction and Acquisition, Litigation, Insurance, and Security. I have the business experience and corporate background to help you make better decisions for your business or non-profit organization.

Strategic Planning

All too often I have seen small and medium sized business owners get so caught up in the weeds of daily business activities that they don’t take the time to focus on where they are headed or how they are going to get there. Where do you see yourself and your organization in three years? Five years? Ten years? What resources will be needed to get you there and what resources will be needed when you arrive? I can help frame your planning  so you can accomplish what you have set out to conquer.

Corporate Financial Management

An organization’s working capital and cash reserves are often overlooked as a corporate resource. With my past banking experience, I can help you work with your bank (or help you find a better bank) to maximize your cash flow while putting every dollar for work for you by either generating interest income or reducing interest expenses.

Assistance in Selecting a Bank/Business Lender

How did you select your bank or credit union? Did you research all competitors to make sure you got the best possible deal? Most businesses choose their financial institutions for all the wrong reasons. I know how to get the best deal for you and your business that meets your specific needs and objectives.

Qualified Independent Representative (QIR) for Special Entities

If you are issuing tax free debt through a state, county, or municipal entity or through an authority created by such an entity and are entering into a swap agreement to lock in your interest rate, you are likely considered a “Special Entity” per the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and you must have a Qualified Independent Representative to act in your best interest. 17 CFR 240.15Fh-5 (part of the Dodd-Frank Act signed into law in 2010) requires any swap dealer or major swap participant that offers to enter into a rate swap with a Special Entity to have a reasonable basis to believe the special entity has a qualified independent representative that (among other things) has sufficient knowledge to evaluate the transaction and risks, is not subject to statutory disqualification, undertakes a duty to act in the best interests of the special entity; d) makes appropriate and timely disclosure to the special entity of material information concerning the swap, evaluates, consistent with any guidelines provided by the special entity, the fair pricing and the appropriateness  of the swap, and is independent of the swap dealer or major security-based swap participant.

I will review the proposed terms of the swap with you and your team to ensure you understand the advantages, disadvantages, and potential risks associated with entering into a swap agreement, review your policies and procedures for selecting the swap dealer and the qualified independent representative, meet with your team and the swap dealer as many times as it takes, and will work in a fiduciary capacity to ensure you not only get the best deal possible, more importantly you understand any pitfalls that may come from the swap transaction.

I recently acted as a QIR on behalf of a local entity in a $42 million swap transaction and saved that entity over $30,000 in fees compared to the fee quoted by their bond advisor for the QIR service.