In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, Ray dives deep into the evolving world of business acquisition financing. Are lenders taking on more risk than ever before? Ray kicks things off by examining how underwriting standards for business acquisitions have shifted, allowing for up to 90% financing and bringing a wave of new buyers with little-to-…

The BDO model—it’s reliable and proven, and clearly I’ve been a fan, but is the industry missing out on better alternatives? We’re getting into it on todays new episode. Join me and our Art of SBA Contributors as we break down the costs, the strengths and potential pitfalls, and alternative options for the BDO model. Should we be exploring new sale…

In this episode, host Ray Drew delves into the transformative changes within the SBA 7(a) Small Loan Program. With the new SOP increasing what they consider a “small loan” from $350,000 to $500,000 and streamlining processes, SBA lending has seen a renaissance in small loans. Key topics covered include: The shift in the secondary market favoring sm…

Welcome back to The Art of SBA Lending podcast! A place where the most influential leaders in the SBA lending industry come together to debate, discuss, and drive our industry forward. In today's episode, host Ray Drew kicks things off, addressing the increasing impact of politics on SBA lending. From SOP changes to funding challenges, the SBA miss…

Surveys have found that while most Canadians agree that having a budget is a good thing - less than half do. Learning how to set up a budget and stick with it lets your money know that you are taking charge. So what is the secret to budgeting? And how do you stick to the goals you have set? Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Brenda Wood shares some tips …

Whether you are applying for a new cell phone plan or a mortgage, your potential creditors want to understand your financial history and your ability to repay debt. Your credit score and report will help them decide whether they want to do business with you. But most people don’t know a lot about their credit report and credit score. Today’s podcas…

Statistics show that Canadians are falling deeper into debt. With high inflation and interest rates, most of us are under a lot of financial pressure as we combat the rising cost of living. Carrying debt can put a strain on our financial health and emotional well-being but It can be hard to find the right debt relief solution. Licensed Insolvency T…

Finding yourself with unmanageable debt doesn't usually happen overnight. It is often a slow unnoticeable process that might start with being a few hundred dollars short every month. But the sooner you take action, the more options will be available. You’ll have the ability to make decisions before your creditors do. If you think you are alone in t…

Owing the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) money can be overwhelming. This government agency has greater powers to collect compared to other creditors. What do you do when you simply cannot pay your outstanding tax debt? The good news is that there are ways that you can overcome debts owing to the CRA. In this podcast, Licensed Insolvency Trustee Leigh …

Everywhere you turn there is another report or survey about Canadian’s record high indebtedness. And alongside those reports we are inundated with offers to help. But be cautious and know that the only debt relief program administered by the federal government is a Consumer Proposal. And the only professional who can file a Proposal is a Licensed I…

We’ve got a one-of-a-kind episode as our last one of the season. We’re bringing on an impromptu guest this week! No planning or prepping- just great SBA discussions with fellow SBA content creator Kyel Sletten in front of the mic. Listen in as Kyel and Ray pull back the curtain on content creation and why it’s so great for the industry, their hopes…

This week we have Jonathan Smith on the podcast to talk about the national growth and success of SBA at Northwest Bank. In this episode Jonathan and Ray get into: >Strategies behind hiring and interviewing >The dedication it takes to be a high producing player/coach (especially in a new shop) >How important titles should be to an employee >Underwri…

Debt cycles are easy to fall into but with a little planning and some discipline, you don’t have to keep spinning your wheels. Acknowledging that you’re trapped in a cycle of debt is a good place to start. In this timely podcast, Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Derek Chase, talks about strategies for managing debt. Other topics covered include: Payday…

If you are already under stress as a result of your financial situation, it’s difficult to decide where to turn when looking for debt relief. Meeting with someone in person who has an office where you live can be helpful. Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Derek Chase explains the benefits of seeking out a local Trustee firm that you feel comfortable wit…

This week we have SBA legend Lance Sexton on the podcast for a stellar episode on education for the future generation of SBA lenders behind the scenes of a bank closure, and Lance uses a phrase that may sound familiar: clear as mud. Can you guess what he’s talking about? Great topics for a great guest, live from Nashville at NAGGL. Also, how did Th…

We’re sitting down with Lane Rhodes on her home turf for this episode! Live from Nashville we are chatting with Nashville's OG of Lending about leveraging your strengths and efficiency to find success as a BDO. Listen in to get all the details about how Lane found her success by creating relationships, how being patient doesn’t always pay off, why …

For this weeks episode we have Karen Bean joining us to discuss all things about the secondary market. Listen to Karen and Ray get into details about her incredibly successful career in the secondary market, learning about what happens when a buyer mistakenly bids too high, how 2008 and Covid-era incentives impacted the secondary market, her BTS th…

Anyone can fall behind on debt payments especially in these uncertain economic times. Having unpaid debt turned over to a debt collector is a worst-case scenario for the majority of Canadians. But when this happens, it’s important to know how to minimize the impact if a debt collection agency does come calling. Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Mary-Ann…

Thousands of Canadian businesses exit the marketplace every year whether through filing Bankruptcy or just closing their doors. Many more are on a razor’s edge with the rising cost of servicing their debt due to higher interest rates. Today’s podcast looks at the cost of putting a business through Bankruptcy and other options that may be available.…

This week we have Steve Miriani, founder of Diamond Financial joining us to get into the industry hot topic, raising the SBA 7(a) limit. Listen in to hear Ray and Steve discuss why this needs to be a priority and what steps are being taken to get us there. We also discuss the journey of Steve’s career, how creating his own niche led him to his succ…

For this weeks episode we have Darren Davis, president of Small Business Specialty Lending at Colony Bank joining us to conclude our sit-down interview series from Asheville. In one of Ray's favorite episodes so far this season, they sit down to talk leadership, talent, overcoming obstacles and SBA changes, and the lessons he's learned the hard way…

This week on The Art of SBA Lending- Shatterbox Join us for a panel discussion as we sit down with founder of Shatterbox, Dustin Baker, and early adopters of the program Chris Kwiatkowski and Cam Nayebi. Ray and our panelists go into detail about the struggles with the talent gap in SBA lending, including hiring and training, why Shatterbox was cre…

This week we have Ken Rosenthal on the podcast giving us his 4 secrets to success in SBA sales. Listen in as Ray and Ken think back to when they first met in the very beginning of Rays SBA career, how Ken organizes his day to maintain his position as a top-producer, standing out as an SBA lender in your market, and those sales secrets we are all wa…

While most Canadians view student loans as an investment rather than an expense, they can become a burden after graduation. As the years go by and more unsecured debt is added, it can be a struggle to keep up. If you are contemplating filing for personal Bankruptcy in the hopes of discharging your student loan debt, you need to make sure your timin…

This week on The Art of SBA Lending we have a guest who certainly likes to stay busy, Maria Lawson! Maria is the Managing Director of Government Guaranteed Lending at Signature Bank of Georgia and board member of GLQC. Maria sits down with Ray at The Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference in Asheville, NC, to discuss: -Balancing her impress…

Under the Canadian Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act there are two options that allow consumers to eliminate debt, filing a Bankruptcy or a Consumer Proposal. The option you chose is based on your personal situation at the time of filing. But what happens if your financial circumstances change? Can you switch from a Bankruptcy to a Consumer Proposal or i…

This week on The Art of SBA Lending we have Victor Diaz, Managing Partner of Starfield & Smith, an SBA Law firm you may already know. Kicking off our 5 week in-person interview series from Ashville, Victor is sitting down with Ray for another great episode. Victor talks about his experiences from being a trial attorney to now an SBA attorney, what …

In this weeks episode we are sitting down with Shane Lewis, President and co-founder of Baker Lewis, an SBA advisory firm. If you’ve been following along The Art of SBA, you already know who they are! We all know this shake up in the SBA industry has caused a lot of movement…but nobody knows it as well as Shane does. Listen in to hear what he has t…

Living paycheque to paycheque can be stressful, to say the least. A recent poll by Leger found that almost half of Canadians are living that way. Stepping off that treadmill is possible with a few sacrifices and a bit of hard work. Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Leigh Taylor talks about the paycheque trap - how it can slowly happen if we don’t pay cl…

This week on The Art of SBA Lending we have a mystery guess with a big announcement…their retirement! Listen in to see who is retiring and what industry they are moving into. We’re also talking BDO experiences and comp plans, post-covid trends, and more. Leave a review if you’ve been loving these episodes and don’t forget to share our channel! This…

Even though Canada’s economy is thriving in many ways, the rising cost of living is putting pressure on Canadian’s finances. As the price of goods continues to rise, household budgets are getting squeezed from all angles. Rising inflation is affecting most of us and in this podcast, Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Leigh Taylor discusses how we can pro…

This week on The Art of SBA Lending we're honored to be bringing you an interview with one of the few people who have actually run the SBA. Welcome, Jeanne Hulit, former acting SBA administrator and current CEO of Maine Community Bank! Jeanne is here giving us her takes on the 2023 changes of the SBA, and what she thinks about simplifying the SOP. …

The top 2 insolvency options that provide debt relief in Canada are personal Bankruptcy and Consumer Proposals. Both resolve debt problems and provide legal protection from your creditors. However, they are significantly different from each other. Everyone’s situation is different and there is no one size fits all solution in determining which is t…

The mere mention of the word Bankruptcy can send shivers down most people’s spines, but it doesn’t have to be a scary process. As with most fears, they stem from the ‘unknown’. Most people who have been through a Bankruptcy don’t tend to share their experiences. This podcast is meant to lift the curtain on this debt relief option and take the myste…

Join us for our newest episode with Jim Mueller, BDO at Celtic Bank and highly deserving recipient of last years “BDO of the Year” award. Ray and Jim have a great conversation about achieving success and caring deeply about the process from somebody who has been on both sides of the table. In this episode we discuss: Jim's transition from a CEO to …

In this episode we interview Phil Johnson, Founder and CEO of the Master of Business Leadership program for employees and executives. Listen in as Ray and Phil get into the majorly important topic of emotional intelligence. What it is, why it’s important, and it’s current role in corporate America. Covering the questions of ego-based fears and how …

It has been said that money can be like a silent third partner in a relationship. Whether you’re married or just starting to get serious with someone, it’s a good idea to cultivate open and honest communication about your financial situation. Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Bonnie Hooley has had a lot of experience with couples, helping them navigate …

Serious Episode- Sorry It’s Jared Johnson of First Internet back on the podcast this week! $100+mm years, content creation, closers, authenticity and business acquisitions, we’re talking about it all! Learn what kind of sacrifice, dedication, and value-add is needed to earn the spot of a top producer right here. ____________________________________…

Debt is on the rise as Canadians deal with surging prices and interest rates. Many may not realize that they’re on the precipice, only making their minimum payments on a large amount of debt. But all it takes is one major change for the house of cards to fall. In this timely podcast, Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Bonnie Hooley talks about the causes…

In this episode we bring you a LIVE panel discussion from The BDO Retreat in Miami! Join us for a panel discussion with top producing BDO's: Dennis Wagner, First National Bank, Ryan Kroge, First Internet Bank, Shane Pierson, Grasshopper Bank, and our host, Ray Drew. This episode is all about achieving success, meeting your potential, and maximizing…

Welcome to Part 2 of our State of Small Business Panel on The Art of SBA Lending Podcast with William "Bill" Woodard, Chief Credit Officer at T Bank, Jordan Hallam, Director of Government Guaranteed Lending at SouthState Bank, Nick Roach, President and CEO of Stone Bank. In this episode we cover which industries are hot right now, why you should be…

Being in debt doesn’t mean that you are bad at budgeting or don’t know how to manage your money. Right now, debt is affecting most Canadians. Having a plan to follow can help you pay off your debt faster so you can regain financial stability. In this podcast, Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Amanda Sherwood talks about how to create an effective debt m…

Canadians’ debt is on the rise with increased interest rates and the soaring costs of living resulting in many teetering on the brink of insolvency. Still, most people cling to the notion that Bankruptcy only happens to 'deadbeats', but nothing could be further from the truth. In this podcast Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Amanda Sherwood dispels som…

Welcome to the newest season of The Art of SBA Lending Podcast! This week we are kicking off with part-one of a fan-favorite, panel-style episode discussing the (surprising) state of small business. Our host, Ray Drew welcomes Bill Woodard, Chief Credit Officer at T Bank, Jordan Hallam, Director of Government Guaranteed Lending at SouthState Bank a…

Owning a home has traditionally been a solid form of investment. But with inflation at an all-time high, interest rate hikes are beginning to cause a slowdown in the real estate market. As the market continues to fall, many recent buyers are beginning to regret their decision to buy. In today’s podcast, Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Matt Fader, addr…

In this episode we welcome our first guest of the new year, Sherry Martin! Sherry is the Director of Client Bank Development at SBA Complete. She's had a life-long passion for the success of small businesses, has worked every role in SBA, started shops from the ground up, and could teach everyone a thing or two about leadership. Listen in as Ray an…

The latest polls have found that nearly half of Canadians are living paycheck to paycheck as the cost of living continues to rise. Household budgets are getting squeezed causing debt levels to increase. Once you find how much money you need to stay on top of your expenses, you’ll either need to make sacrifices or find a way to increase your income.…

A new report predicts that all food categories could rise by as much as 4.5% in 2024. This may mean that we need to be more diligent in how and where we shop and look for new opportunities to save on our grocery bills. This podcast features, LIT Derek Chase, strategizing ways we can fight back and be more creative with our food budget. Topics inclu…

In this weeks can't-miss episode Ray sits down with his former boss, Mark Gibson, National Sales Manager at First Internet Bank . Ray first met Mark while working at Ready Capital- an experience in which Mark gives credit for preparing him for the difficult feat of starting and scaling a national SBA program to the top 10 the way that he did. Mark …

The end of the year is a good time to reflect on the past year, not only on your physical fitness or weight but also on your finances. There may not be much you can do to control the uncertainties of the economy but you can create a plan to help you achieve your financial goals. This podcast gives you some steps to help set your finances on the rig…