Stories
The LCF Group Acquires Key Strategic Assets from Reliant Funding and Sets Course for a Record-Breaking Year
September 18, 2023New Hyde Park, NY, September 18, 2023 – The LCF Group, the leading capital provider specializing in subprime merchants across all U.S. industries, announced the successful acquisition of select strategic assets and licensing rights for Reliant Funding, a foremost authority in prime funding.
“We’re excited to announce The LCF Group’s successful acquisition of key assets from Reliant. This strategic move not only enhances LCF’s portfolio but also empowers us to offer merchant funding through both ISO partners and directly under the LCF and Reliant brands. With this step, LCF solidifies its position as the leading provider of quick access to working capital for small to mid-size businesses,” shared Andy Parker, CEO of LCF. “We’re making significant progress in our integration, capturing synergies, and realizing the financial advantages of this acquisition. Our focus remains unwavering: to meet the growing funding needs of small businesses nationwide.”
While LCF has resumed funding under the Reliant brand in the direct business, ISOs should stay tuned as the company plans to roll out funding options through the wholesale side of the business with select ISO partners in the coming months.
For information on The LCF Group, visit www.thelcfgroup.com. Learn more about Reliant Funding at www.reliantfunding.com.
About The LCF Group
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in New York, The LCF Group is a seasoned MCA capital provider. The company specializes in funding small businesses across all states, industries, and risk factors. To date, LCF has funded more than 8,000 businesses and receives a glowing 4.7 / 5 star rating from more than 1,000 customers on Trustpilot.
United Capital Source Selected to Service BizBloom’s Portfolio
August 19, 2018
Great Neck, NY, August 20, 2018 – United Capital Source has been selected to service the BizBloom portfolio. BizBloom, a NY-based small business financing brokerage that launched in 2015, recently underwent a management change. The company’s president, Thomas Costa, has stepped down.
Costa is also no longer involved with a related business, Accredited Business Solutions, LLC (ABS), which does merchant processing.
“We are happy to use our resources to manage BizBloom’s book,” United Capital Source CEO Jared Weitz said. “It’s something our team is really good at. Our in-house CRM and technology enables us to take on the additional work seamlessly, Our employees are all industry veterans and best of breed.”
Weitz was also recently selected to co-chair the Broker Council of the Small Business Finance Association.
ABOUT UNITED CAPITAL SOURCE:
United Capital Source is a leading small business funding organization headquartered in New York. Thousands of small businesses throughout America rely on the small business loans, business lines of credit, merchant cash advances, working capital loans, credit card factoring, accounts receivable loans, SBA loans, and Equipment financing placed by United Capital Source. Companies with credit challenges unsuitable for traditional bank lending work with United Capital Source for faster funding approvals, reducing financing costs and increasing business funding choices. Our delighted customers are across industries from aviation, construction, dentistry, franchises, healthcare, manufacturing, communications, real estate, retail, and wholesalers. For more information, visitUnitedCapitalSource.com or call 855.933.8638. Visit the United Capital blog on our website and follow United Capital Source on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
CIM Commits Additional $100M to Funding Circle to Help Fuel Small Businesses
March 1, 2017SAN FRANCISCO, March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Funding Circle, the world’s leading lending platform focused exclusively on small business, today confirmed Community Investment Management (“CIM”), an impact investment firm focused on marketplace lending, will finance an additional $100 million in loans to businesses originated through Funding Circle in the U.S.
The multi-year agreement, which extends the existing relationship between Funding Circle and CIM, will allow Funding Circle to provide a much-needed, further injection of capital into America’s small business sector.
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with CIM, who shares our values and mission to help small businesses grow and thrive,” said Sam Hodges, co-founder and US managing director at Funding Circle. “Together, through this additional investment, we can help even more businesses access the transparent and responsible financing they need to stimulate job creation and economic growth in their local communities.”
Since launching in 2010, investors at Funding Circle – including 60,000 individuals, financial institutions, government, and the listed Funding Circle SME Income Fund – have helped more than 25,000 businesses globally access $3 billion in transparent and affordable financing. CIM was one of Funding Circle’s earliest institutional partners in the U.S.
“Funding Circle is a leader in innovative lending to small businesses who are underserved by traditional lenders,” said Jacob Haar, Managing Partner at CIM. “We are pleased to expand our relationship to further empower small businesses across the United States with responsible financing.”
About CIM
Community Investment Management (“CIM”) is an impact investment firm focused on marketplace lending. CIM provides responsible and transparent financing to small businesses in the United States in partnership with a select group of technology-driven lenders. CIM combines experience, innovation, and values to align the interests of small business borrowers and investors. More information is available at http://www.cim-llc.com.
About Funding Circle
Funding Circle (www.fundingcircle.com) is the world’s leading lending platform for business loans, matching small businesses who want to borrow with investors who want to lend in the UK, US and Europe. Since launching in 2010, investors at Funding Circle – including 60,000 individuals, financial institutions, the listed Funding Circle SME Income Fund and Government – have lent more than $3 billion to 25,000 businesses globally. Funding Circle has raised $373m in equity capital from the same investors that backed Facebook, Twitter and Airbnb.
Platinum Rapid Funding Group Partners Up With The Asian American Hotel Owners Association
March 29, 2016
NY-based Platinum Rapid Funding Group has become the exclusive funding partner of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). AAHOA has over 15,000 members and is the largest hotel owners association in the world.
“Our enthusiasm to create this new relationship serves as the galvanizing force that will assure we attain deliverable results for AAHOA,” said Platinum CEO Ali Mayar. The company originated more than $100 million in funding last year alone.
As the largest hotel owners association in the world, AAHOA’s mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community involvement.
“We are delighted to partner with Platinum Rapid Funding and look forward to sharing their services with our members,” said AAHOA President & CEO Chip Rogers.
Platinum’s unique business model is said to have played a role in AAHOA’s selection, including among many other attributes, their “white glove” service.
Broker Business Planning – Selecting the Right Lenders
May 10, 2015Continuing The “Year of the Broker” Discussion
2015 is certainly the “Year of the Broker,” as the low barrier to entry into our space, in conjunction with various recruiting advertisements promising lucrative pastures, is attracting a variety of individuals with various levels of professional backgrounds. Some entrants have prior experience as a mortgage broker, insurance agent or banking specialist, while others are less familiar with professional sales and are under the belief that our space welcomes a lucrative introduction. Nevertheless, I believe that new broker entrants must be reminded that this is an entrepreneurial pursuit, rather than a get rich quick procedure, and efficient business planning will play a major part in the success or failure of your venture. A part of this efficient business planning, other than the basics of good resources for accounting, legal, marketing, market research, and financing, is the strategic selection of your lender partnerships. The right partnerships will grow, develop and sustain your business, but the wrong partnerships could add your entrepreneurial pursuit to the list of business startup failures.
The selection of your lender partnerships will depend on your unique value proposition (UVP). No entrepreneur should begin a pursuit without a well-defined UVP, for your UVP is the foundation of all of your business planning and return on investment forecasts. Your UVP should answer this question:
Understanding my market segment, what is it specifically that I will bring to the segment that isn’t already being provided by the current crop of solution providers?
The question includes three main components that must be addressed:
- The identification of a market segment
- The characteristics of all services within your industry, being sold to that market
- The services that you will uniquely provide to said market and their unique characteristics
Once your UVP is set, now it’s time to look into the selection of your Lender Partnerships.
To begin, let’s say that you decide to come into the industry and target start-up retail/restaurant businesses, that is, those with less than 1 year in operation. Because you are selling working capital solutions, you would research all available working capital options to this market segment which include sources such as nonprofit loans, business credit cards, personal savings, loans from retirement accounts, friends and family, equipment leasing, and merchant cash advances. To serve this market segment efficiently, you would choose to offer merchant cash advances and equipment leasing.
Next, you would scroll through all of the direct lending sources in the country that provide the working capital solution you have decided to lead with, but who also specialize or at least “serve” the target market you are seeking. Many equipment leasing companies do not fund businesses with less than 2 years in business, and many cash advance companies do not fund companies with less than 1 year in business. Your goal would be to find these lenders and create that network, negotiate pricing, workout your commission schedules, and verify all aspects of said partnership to make sure that it’s beneficial for your clients and your office. It should be a win-win-win partnership, a win for your clients as they find a source for working capital that they didn’t know existed, a win for your partner as they obtain “feet on the street (or telephone)” reps without having to pay their overhead, and a win for your office as you are allowed to serve your market and be paid well in doing so.
Due Diligence Is Key
When finalizing your lender selections, make sure all forms of due diligence are completed on the lender(s) to verify their credibility and competency. These forms of research include all of the following:
(( Structure and Legality ))
- The lender should be a licensed direct lender (in states where necessary).
- The lender shouldn’t be a start-up, but instead a proven entity with at least 2 years of operation.
- The lender should have at least directly funded volume in the eight digits (over $10,000,000).
- The lender should have a full staff of employees rather than just one person.
- The lender’s customer service and support departments should be easy to reach.
- The lender should have some sort of press or news media releases on its establishment.
- The lender should specify if they are going to do advances or loans or both.
- The lender’s funding agreements should specify if the transaction will be an advance or loan.
(( Online Presence ))
- The lender should have a fully functional business website, registered for at least two years.
- The lender should have a business email from their business website domain.
- The lender should be BBB Accredited (www.BBB.org) with at least an A rating.
- The lender should be a part of business associations with logo(s) displayed on their website.
- The lender should be included on basic online business directory listings.
(( Broker Respect ))
- The lender should provide a comprehensive Broker Agreement full of legal provisions.
- The lender’s Broker Agreement should spell out all provisions of the relationship.
- The lender’s Broker Agreement should spell out any quotas.
- The lender’s Broker Agreement should spell out new/renewal deal commission structure.
This is a rough introduction and surely there are other criterion that are important in selecting your lender partnerships. However, these recommendations will surely give you a head start as you head into one of the most competitive industries in financial services.
BEFN: A New Networking Space for Black Equipment Finance Professionals
March 30, 2023
“The event’s theme, ‘forging inclusive excellence in equipment finance,’ set the tone for the group’s mission to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the industry,” said George Parker, Co-CEO at VenSource Capital LLC.
Newly formed in January, the Black Equipment Finance Network (BEFN), is a non-profit organization focused on increasing the attendance of black professionals in the equipment finance industry. While providing network opportunities for people in the industry, the organization assists in promoting business collaboration, industry support and outreach, professional development, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) advocacy.
“I think the industry, given the mixer that we had last week in San Diego, is poised for [even more growth]. Many people showed up in support of what we’re looking to do,” said Lovern Gordon, National Sales Executive at Boston Financial & Equity Corp. “And that was a huge, huge, huge show of a vote of confidence that we’re headed in the right direction.”
The organization recently had their first inaugural mixer to kick off NEFA’s 4-day event, last week in San Diego. Filled with members and allies, the mixer dedicated a one-hour block to networking with people of color (POC).
“It was the most people that I and many others in the room have seen in terms of numbers for black people in the equipment finance industry in one space ever,” said Gordon.
For many POC, working in equipment finance can feel intimidating as the field is predominately a white-male led industry. The network is an all-around safe space for people that share in their likeness while being able to address issues of feeling left out of conversations or not feeling understood by their peers. The leadership team alongside Gordon (Secretary/Director), consists of George Park (President), Nancy Robles (Director), Kareem Jernigan (Treasurer/Director), Andre Olaofe (Director), and Eric McGriff (Director).
“This is a long overdue group of primarily black and people of color professionals in the equipment finance industry, that have just come together to form a small group within the industry to create an awareness of the black professional in the equipment finance industry,” said Andre Olaofe, President at Select Funding.
An active member of BEFN will typically attend monthly virtual meetings, have the option to be on panels, opportunity to come to regional and national events, advocate for laws and policies to improve within the industry, have access to the member directory, and mentorship.
“I’m on the steering committee,” said Cheryl Tibbs, CEO at Equipment Lease & Co. “The steering committee, we meet to set the agenda for the organization for our meetings. Just really to set the agenda for the group.”
The support from non-POC peers in the industry has been fantastic, Gordon explained. Several sponsors such as Dedicated Financial GBC, Wells Fargo Capital, North Mill Capital, and Wintrust Specialty Finance attended and donated, which contributed to pulling the mixer off. Tibbs noted the overwhelming response of non-black professionals that wanted to be involved who also saw a need for DEI within these organizations.
“The president of the National Equipment Finance Association, the board members of NEFA, the other members for funding sources, other brokers, all welcomed the group in San Diego, and came out to the mixer,” said Olaofe, “and were actively involved in at least sharing in the celebration of coming together and this inaugural mixer.”
From A to D: How LCF is Aiming High
October 9, 2023
Robert Kleiber was a banker. He started his career at Citi in 2000 and rose up the ranks to become Head of Small Business Banking for North America by 2014. By then times were changing and disruptive fintech technology was becoming the talk of the town. Kleiber saw it firsthand and wanted in. So, he made the daring move to leave Citi in 2016 to go make his mark in the rapidly evolving world of small business finance.
He first served as the CFO of an NYC-based fintech company until another unique opportunity presented itself. It was at a growing company on Long Island that he hadn’t really known that much about previously. The way Kleiber tells it to deBanked, the company had a way of communicating the scale of its aspirations that got him really excited. He went for it. The company was called The LCF Group, a revenue-based financing provider that was headquartered in New Hyde Park. Today, Kleiber is the CFO & COO of the LCF Group. Founded in 2011, the company has solidified itself as a stalwart in what folks often call the “C & D paper” space.
“The goal,” Kleiber reveals, “is to be largest subprime funder by the end of next year.”
That’s a lofty ambition. In an industry oft-filled with big talk and rosy projections, LCF’s trajectory actually appears to support this possible outcome. Between in-office and remote, the company already has approximately 200 employees and it’s been on a hot streak of recruiting talent. Most compelling of all, however, is that LCF recently acquired select strategic assets and licensing rights to a well-regarded name in the industry, Reliant Funding. At the time of the announcement, the company said that “This strategic move not only enhances LCF’s portfolio but also empowers us to offer merchant funding through both ISO partners and directly under the LCF and Reliant brands.”
“On the direct side, our plan is to build up Reliant on originations […] and get them back to where they were before,” Kleiber says.
In that regard, LCF fully intends to leverage the Reliant name back into a powerhouse funding arm in the prime paper arena, first by going direct to merchant and then by taking on ISO/referral business for it. Between its two brands then, the company is on its way to covering the gamut from A – D. Unsurprisingly, all of this activity requires strong technology to make everything work. Kleiber says that they have 20-25 developers constantly building out their systems, which they rely on to not only increase the speed in which they can approve deals but also to achieve maximum compliance.
“We take compliance super serious,” Kleiber says. “Our differentiator is transparency, operating above board.”
LCF’s new Director of Sales, Jason Redding, who previously spent ten years at OnDeck, echoes same. “Even though it’s C & D paper, we’re doing this the correct way,” Redding says. Redding, who experienced the incredible ride at his former employer from startup to IPO and beyond, explains that LCF is giving him a similar feeling of what that journey was like. “Being part of something like that again is something I’m looking forward to,” he says.
And yet when it comes down to product, the company is perfectly content for the time being to focus on what they’re good at, which is revenue-based financing through and through. They’ve determined it’s better to lean in and try to be the best at something rather than try to offer too many different things.
At the LCF office in New Hyde Park, one can find various departments working to carry out the company’s mission. Among the introductions and small talk made during a walkthrough, one line uttered by a veteran member of their team stands out. “In this industry you don’t have to be earth shatteringly different, just operate with honesty, integrity, and transparency, and success will follow.”
Fundfi Secures New Credit Facility
October 2, 2023
Fundfi Merchant Funding LLC, a leading provider of Merchant Cash Advances (MCA), is proud to announce securing their newest credit facility to continue growing its funding portfolio.
The new line of credit, secured through a strategic partnership with Crown Partners LP, exemplifies Fundfi Merchant Funding’s unwavering commitment to supporting small and medium-sized businesses by providing them with accessible and flexible funding solutions.
This substantial financial injection arrives at an opportune moment for Fundfi Merchant Funding as it seeks to capitalize on a growing demand for alternative financing options among businesses facing challenges in securing traditional bank loans.
Efraim Kandinov, Co-Founder and CEO of Fundfi Merchant Funding LLC stated, “This line of credit not only bolsters our financial capabilities but also underscores our unwavering commitment to supporting businesses on their journey to success.
We understand the unique challenges entrepreneurs face, and this new funding empowers us to make a more profound impact in helping them thrive and achieve their dreams.”
Natasha Dillon, Co-Founder and CFO of Fundfi Merchant Funding LLC, commented, “This infusion represents a tremendous vote of confidence in our company and its mission. We are excited to leverage these funds to continue supporting businesses when they need it most and to innovate our offerings to better serve our clients.”
About Fundfi
Fundfi Merchant Funding LLC, headquartered in New York, is a leading provider of Merchant Cash Advances (MCA), offering tailored financing solutions to businesses across various industries selected.
Zach's Cold Call Basics - Breaking It Down III... select funding., , *, , what not to do:, , *, , hey john, this is zach from select, whats up?, , *, , why do it this way?, , *, , zachs internal analytics have this opening phrase associated with a 2.1x higher likelihood of success in your cold call., , *, , whats at work here?, , *, , very important people introduce themselves using their full name., , -zach, , *, , this is spot on., , *, , important people - people/professionals who value who they are and what they do tend to*state their full name*when you meet them., , *, , if you think of the alternative, customer service reps in call centers all around the world are often those who will call, only give a first name and even sometimes withhold where theyre calling from., , *, , nothing against call centers or customer service reps, but you are funding pro. *its different., , *, , your mortgage loan specialist gave his full name and commanded your respect.* its an important and established process mostly owned by banks, deeply entrenched and well respected institutions., , *, , you can use the same principle to your favor, business funding is just as important and worthy of respect., , *, , when you dont take this approach you will often be asked:, , *, , who is this?, , *, , what company are you with?, , *, , now youre on your heels and things typically go downhill from h... |
Zach's Cold Call Basics - Breaking It Down II... select funding., , , , what not to do:, , , , hey john, this is zach from select, whats up?, , , , why do it this way?, , , , zachs internal analytics have this opening phrase associated with a 2.1x higher likelihood of success in your cold call., , , , whats at work here?, , , , very important people introduce themselves using their full name., , -zach, , , , this is spot on., , , , important people - people/professionals who value who they are and what they do tend to state their full namewhen you meet them., , , , if you think of the alternative, customer service reps in call centers all around the world are often those who will call, only give a first name and even sometimes withhold where theyre calling from., , , , nothing against call centers or customer service reps, but you are funding pro. *its different., , , , your mortgage loan specialist gave his full name and commanded your respect.* its an important and established process mostly owned by banks, deeply entrenched and well respected institutions., , , , you can use the same principle to your favor, business funding is just as important and worthy of respect., , , , when you dont take this approach you will often be asked:, , , , who is this?, , , , what company are you with?, , , , now youre on your heels and things typically go downhill from here., , , ... |
