Blog

US Capital Partners Attending Texas ACG Conference

Jeffrey Sweeney — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:16:00 +0000

This week our very own Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Marin McElhany will represent the team at US Capital Partners at the 9th Annual Texas ACG Capital Connection Convention. The February 22nd-23rd event is being held at the Austin Convention Center and is hosted by the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) chapters in Houston, Dallas / Fort Worth, Central Texas and Louisiana.

The TACC is the largest and most significant private equity event in Texas and the Southwest. This national conference is one of the largest in the country and brings 100 of the nation’s leading private equity and mezzanine firms to Texas representing more than $100 billion of capital available for investment. The event enables business owners, executives, intermediaries and other service providers in the Southwest to network with the nation’s leading sources of private equity and debt capital.

The ACG event program will feature prominent leaders in the industry including: Todd Buchholz, Former White House Director of Economic Policy; Mike Ditka, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Former Chicago Bears Player and Head Coach; and John R. Sloan, Vice Chairman Allegiance Capital Corporation. The event features a breakfast presentation and a keynote speech at lunch in addition to a breakout session with noted business leaders to discuss the capital markets.

The Texas ACG Capital Connection draws an attendance of approximately 1100 capital providers, intermediaries, service providers and executives. Non-members are welcome. Please note that attendees are responsible for making their own travel and hotel reservations.

To learn more about US Capital Partners services visit: www.uscapitalpartners.net or connect with Marin McElhany at marin@uscapitalpartners.net or call (415) 889-1010.

"Non-Bank Lenders" Pull Ahead in Small-Business Financing

Jeffrey Sweeney — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:40:00 +0000

US Capital Partners, LLC.Small business owners often think a traditional bank is the best source for a business loan. Non-bank lenders, however, are increasingly considered to have the competitive edge.

Small businesses seeking loans from traditional sources struggle to secure the amounts they need or deserve. Bank underwriting standards are still high, and the bank regulatory environment is expected to remain stringent. This makes it difficult for many small businesses to qualify for bank financing. With demand for loans high and increasing, this has created an opportunity that is being filled by non-bank lenders and alternative debt funds. "Small businesses have very individual needs," explains Jeffrey Sweeney, CEO and Managing Director of small-business lending and advisory firm US Capital Partners, LLC. "Traditional banks try to fit the small-business customer into one of their traditional business loan products, rather than tailor their products to meet the needs of their small-business customers. This has created new opportunities for non-bank lenders capable of designing flexible financing options for these clients."

Why Non-Bank Lender Are Increasing Their Market Share

Non-bank lenders have the following advantages:

They typically offer financing products that may not be available at a bank.
They tend to be more responsive to the real needs of small businesses.
They are less restrictive as to what types of businesses qualify, and can work around high loan-to-value, poor credit rating, or recent losses.
They are often able to amortize loans, at competitive rates, over a longer period than a bank

Today's New Challenges for Small-Business Owners

With so many more players joining the alternative funding space, the small-business lending marketplace has become even more fragmented. Non-bank lenders come in all shapes and sizes, and they tend to focus on a particular kind of lending or asset class only. Finding the right lenders, and then engineering the best possible financing between them, can be challenging.

Jeffrey Sweeney, CEO and Managing Partner of US Capital Partners "USCP"To secure optimal financing quickly and efficiently, it's best to get advice from a small-business lender and lead arranger who understands the fragmented marketplace. US Capital Partners, a leading small-business lender, specializes in structuring and securing optimal financing for a small business like yours either directly from their balance sheet or in coordination with other lenders. The firm's extensive relationships with both banks and non-bank lenders allows it to bring the most appropriate financing structure to your small business.

If you would like to know more about how your business can secure the funding it needs, email Jeffrey Sweeney, CEO and Managing Director, at jsweeney@uscapitalpartners.net or call (415) 889-1010.

Recent Transaction: Financing for Leading Technology Firm

Jeffrey Sweeney — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:38:00 +0000

At US Capital Partners "USCP", we are able to serve as a direct lender, co-lender, and lead financial arranger for our clients. This widens our scope to secure the best possible financing. We also offer specialist advisory and financial restructuring services.

We recently served as the lead arranger for a technology and services firm that is the leading global provider of financial, legal, and corporate information management solutions that deliver secure technology and best-practice services to organizations worldwide.

Our team at "USCP" successfully arranged a $4 Million revolving line of credit for the technology firm. We were able to efficiently arrange this financing through an in-depth understanding of our client's structure and business model.

To view more of US Capital Partners recent transactions visit our website at www.uscapitalpartners.net/transactions.html

Our non-formulaic approach and analysis of the financial performance, management team experience, credit of customers, and growth potential of the business were critical in successfully arranging this new facility. If you are struggling to secure the funding your company needs, you should call "USCP." Our team of experienced professionals are ready to discuss your specific financing requirements with you. (415) 889-1010 or visit www.uscapitalpartners.net

Vice President of Sales Attends Opus Connect Event

Jeffrey Sweeney — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:17:00 +0000

Hanson Bridgett Offices, San FranciscoOur Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Marin McElhany represented the US Capital Partners team this week at the San Francisco Chapter of Opus Connect. The February 15th event was held at the Hanson Bridgett Offices in downtown San Francisco. Hanson Bridgett LLP was the host and one of the sponsors of the event titled "The Role of 'Non Bank Lenders' in the Commercial Finance Market."

The Opus Connect event panel featured some of the most prominent firms actively lending in California and nationally. The panel lineup included moderator Casey Bergman, the Managing Director at Berman Capital, a FINRA licensed, family run boutique investment banking firm based in San Francisco. Carleton Breed, David Ellis, Jeri Harman and Sean Hutchinson were all active panelists who represented lending and banking with their collective financial expertise.

The panel discussed the topic of fewer commercial finance companies being in the market and the fact that bank underwriting standards are making it difficult for many companies to qualify for leveraged financing, growth capital, acquisition financing and turnaround financing.

Marin McElhany attended the Opus Connect event as it was an important event for dealmakers and transactional professionals. Contact Marin if you would like to know more about how your business can secure the funding it needs at marin@uscapitalpartners.net or call (415) 889-1010.

Nationwide Business Lending Team Expands!

Jeffrey Sweeney — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:33:05 +0000

US Capital Partners is expanding and advancing our nationwide business lending team.

We'd like to welcome Muhammad "Mo" Howard and Anthony "Tony" Medovoy to the US Capital Partners Team.

Mo Howard has joined US Capital Partners as Vice President and Business Development Officer, Tony Medovoy has joined the firm as Vice President of Corporate Finance and Ish Spencer has been promoted to Senior Vice President.

Mo Howard has an extensive background in commercial lending, real estate investment, and underwriting. He is responsible for all aspects of business development, with a focus on loan structuring and underwriting. He currently heads the US Capital Partners' Denver office.

Tony Medovoy brings nine years of experience in credit analysis and corporate finance to US Capital Partners. In his new role, he is responsible for the firm's underwriting and placement process and acts as a support to US Capital Partners' Credit Committee in its decision-making process at the firm's Los Angeles office.

Ish Spencer (now promoted to Senior Vice President) works in business development and interacts closely with CEOs and CFOs of small to middle market companies. Mr. Spencer has an extensive background in the healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and real estate industries. He is responsible for preliminary commercial loan underwriting at US Capital Partners' San Francisco office.

If you would like to know more about how your business can secure the funding it needs please email Marin McElhany, Vice President Sales and Marketing marin@uscapitalpartners.net or call (415) 889-1010.

Marin McElhany to Attend ACG San Francisco Banking Breakfast

Jeffrey Sweeney — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Next week, our very own Marin McElhany will represent the team at US Capital Partners and attend the Association for Corporate Growth's Monthly Breakfast Event Series.

The event takes place on Tuesday, February 7th at The City Club located in downtown San Francisco. The theme of this month's breakfast is "Boring Bay Area Banks Bring Home the Bacon." The ACG event will feature two CEO's, Russell A. Colombo and John E. Rossell III, who will share how they managed to steadily grow net income, deposits and their loan portfolios the last several years by sticking to the basics of banking - by taking deposits and lending to middle-market companies.

US Capital Partners serves as a direct lender, co-lender and lead financial arranger private and public companies with $5 million to $100 million in sales. If you would like to know more about how your business can secure the funding it needs, contact Marin McElhany, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at marin@uscapitalpartners.net or call (415) 889-1010.

Recent Financing for the Butler-Johnson Corporation

Jeffrey Sweeney — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:49:00 +0000

At US Capital Partners we specialize in providing investment banking and lending solutions for small to middle-market companies. Our team is led by experienced professionals with years of experience from financial advisory to direct lending.

Recently we were able to serve as the lead financial arranger for the Butler-Johnson Corporation. "USCP" successfully arranged a $7.75 Million line of credit for the wholesale distributor of quality branded flooring and other interior surfacing products. We achieved this by helping to refinance Butler-Johnson Corporation's accounts receivable and inventory line of credit facility and increasing its accounts receivable and inventory line of credit availability.

To view a selection of some of US Capital Partners recent transactions visit our website at www.uscapitalpartners.net/transactions.html

Since 1998, we have helped clients who were previously in unproductive lender relationships obtain adequate working capital. If you are struggling to secure the funding you need, you should call us. Our team is ready to discuss your specific financing requirements with you in confidence. (415) 889-1010

Is Your Bank About to Call Your Loan?

Jeffrey Sweeney — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:28:00 +0000

Corrigendum: This US Capital Partners blogpost is based on, among other sources, The Wall Street Journal article “Debate: Do Big Banks Lend Enough to Small Businesses?” (Dec. 13, 2011), featuring guest speakers Ami Kassar and Marc Bernstein.How to measure the risk of your bank calling your small-business loan, and what to do if you need refinancing.

According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, Bank of America is now demanding that some of its small-business customers pay off their credit line balances in full instead of making monthly payments. If customers are unable to pay off these balances on demand, they are being offered new repayment plans over as long as 5 years, but with far higher interest rates than before.

How to Know if Your Loan is About to be Called?

Unfortunately, your bank will generally not tell you your loan will be “called,” or not renewed, until right before it takes action. How do you know if your business is at risk? For a few easy steps to assess whether you are a likely candidate for loan termination at your bank, read our guide on financing.

A Few Reasons Why Banks Drop Small-Business Loans

Banks will pull loans for a number of reasons, but the most common are:

• poor financial performance by your business

• your bank’s own credit problems

• to impress the bank regulators

According to the Los Angeles Times article, "Bank of America severing some small-business credit lines," the Bank of America began dropping small-business loans because of pressure to raise capital and cut risks, in the wake of another round of Federal Reserve bank stress tests. The Wall Street Journal reported also that Bank of America’s CEO, Brian Moynihan, has told federal regulators that if the bank’s financial problems deepen, it could start retreating from certain parts of the country.

What to Do If Your Business is at Risk

Marin McElhanyIf your small-business loan is at risk of being called, you should contact our team at US Capital Partners, LLC immediately. There are usually plenty of financing options available to a small business in your position. US Capital Partners will help you secure the financing your business needs, so that you don’t suddenly find yourself at risk if the bank terminates your loan.

If you would like to know more about how your business can secure the funding it needs, contact our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Marin McElhany at marin@uscapitalpartners.net or call (415) 889-1010.

Occupy Wall Street: Its Impact on Banks and Credit Unions

Jeffrey Sweeney — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:11:00 +0000

Occupy Wall Street (OWS)Ever since Occupy Wall Street began life last September in Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park, it has sought to spark a national debate on our economic system and the way its spoils are divided. As an investment banker and small business lender, I am often asked about the movement and its impact on banks and credit unions. Here are my thoughts on some of the questions I get asked most often:

Has anything changed since Occupy Wall Street first began?

Smaller banks and commercial finance groups are starting to speak up about bad service and unfair competition from the bailed-out (“too-big-to-fail”) banks and about how inefficient they are. Also, I believe the reversal on debit card fees is a direct result of Occupy Wall Street, which helped fuel the consumer backlash. The protests and media coverage certainly amplified concerns and heightened the conversation. It’s a claimable victory for Occupy Wall Street.

Have smaller community banks and credit unions benefited through customers moving their money out of the large Wall Street banks?

Smaller banks may have benefited in increased deposit relationships at the beginning.

Have bank customers become more polarized?

Absolutely. Occupy Wall Street needs a bit more direction and few bullet point issues to rally around. In the early stages, the movement was driven by a general feeling of malaise, but as time goes by there will likely be a rallying around a few key issues. This is when the movement will really gain momentum. Whoever strikes the note will emerge as a thought leader in the space.

Have lawmakers listened, and if so, what are they saying in an election year?

Nothing. They are still clueless and afraid.

In this instance, is social media’s bark bigger than its bite?

I don’t think so. Wait for the weather to get better in spring and summer of 2012. The movement will explode, and social media will prove to be a potent rallying force in its support.

Keep in touch with the team at US Capital Partners: Tweet us at @smallbizlending and share your thoughts on Occupy Wall Street (OWS).

US Capital Partners Attend ACG Conference in San Francisco

Jeffrey Sweeney — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:26:00 +0000

US Capital Partners team members Ish Spencer, Marin McElhany and Charles Towle were all in attendance at this week's ACG Conference held in San Francisco's Palace Hotel. The 2012 West Coast Corporate Growth Conference features a lively variety of keynote speakers including the lead singer of the band KISS, Gene Simmons and Vice-President of Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group, Rick Hutley.

The San Francisco chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth was recognized last year as the best mid-sized chapter in the ACG organization.

As part of Northern California's premiere middle market event the conference theme was Driving Growth through Innovation and such panel topics included "After the Deal Closes: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly - War Stories."

Stay connected with the team after the conference: Follow us on Twitter and Connect with us on LinkedIn