Articles by Press Release
Reliant Funding Announces Steve Kietz as New CEO
August 10, 2021Industry veteran and former Chief Marketing Officer is appointed Chief Executive Officer of the leading alternative finance company
San Diego, CA (August 10, 2021) – Reliant Funding, a leading small business finance company, today announced that it has named Steve Kietz to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Kietz previously served as the firm’s Chief Marketing Officer. The industry veteran will guide Reliant Funding on its mission to continue providing world-class, customized finance solutions for American Small Businesses.
As CMO, Kietz was instrumental in expanding Reliant Funding’s marketing, risk and technology initiatives. He is a seasoned financial services professional with a more than 30-year track record of leading successful teams and is widely recognized as an industry leader in cultivating strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Reliant, Kietz served as President of Inte Q, was Founder and CEO of Mobile Money Ventures (which was acquired by Intuit), and held leading roles at Citi and JP Morgan, including President of Citibank Direct. Outside the profession, Kietz has volunteered as Vice President of the Familial Dysautonomia Foundation for over 30 years.
Commenting on his appointment, Kietz said, “I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead Reliant Funding into a new era, where we are positioned as industry leaders in delivering value to our customers. The company has a long history of providing outstanding financial solutions to small businesses and I am deeply humbled to continue this legacy. I am excited to lead a team of great people and I look forward to continuing to execute our mission.”
Reliant Funding has grown rapidly as it seeks to help small businesses across the country in achieving their financial goals, having provided nearly $2 billion in funding to over 30,000 companies since 2008. The nationally recognized company works to provide tailored financial solutions, regardless of business size. Reliant Funding is owned by Angelo Gordon, a leading global alternative investment firm that provides research-driven investment solutions, driven by their 30+ years of expertise.
Art Peponis, Head of Private Equity at Angelo Gordon, said, “Steve has been instrumental in building Reliant Funding to the leading alternative finance company it is today and has been pivotal in its ability to continue to provide support to small businesses impacted by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. His decades of expertise, innovative perspective and dedication to our people and small businesses made him the perfect fit as the new CEO of Reliant Funding. We’re confident that he will continue to provide American small businesses with the access to funding they need and the service that assists them in accomplishing their goals. The future is bright for Reliant Funding.”
For more information on Reliant Funding, please click here.
Reliant Funding, headquartered in San Diego, provides customized, short-term funding to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. For more information, please visit www.reliantfunding.com.
Angelo Gordon, headquartered in New York City, is a global alternative investment company, focused on credit and real estate. For more information, please visit www.angelogordon.com.
Fundworks Completes a Refinancing of its Capital Structure of up to $70 Million
July 13, 2021
VAN NUYS, CA, July 13, 2021: The Fundworks, LLC, a leading a tech-enabled small business finance company, announced the recent closing of a $25.0 million Credit Facility with a commercial bank and the sale of $20.0 million of Senior Secured Notes to a group of U.S.-based institutional investors. The Credit Facility is expandable up to a maximum of $50.0 million, representing a total capital raise of up to $70.0 million. These transactions refinanced the Company’s existing Senior Credit Facility and subordinated debt and provide substantial excess capital to fund the continued growth of its small business funding platform.
“We are very pleased to announce this financing, which will allow us to significantly expand our ability to provide funding to our small business client base,“ said Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Evan Smiedt. “This new capital strategically positions The Fundworks to be the funder of choice for small businesses as they re-accelerate growth after a difficult and uncertain 2020. Quick access to capital is key for small businesses to succeed and we are very happy to be well capitalized when our clients need us the most.”
“Given the volatile markets and challenging funding environment in our sector, our ability to close these transactions with multiple, large and established financial institutions is a strong endorsement of the The Fundworks and the continued efforts by our employees and partners to put our clients first,“ said Bradley Smiedt, Co-Founder and Chairman. “We look at the closing of this financing as a significant next step in the growth and success of our Company.”
Brean Capital, LLC served as the Company’s Exclusive Financial Advisor and Placement Agent on both transactions.
About The Fundworks:
The Fundworks is a tech-enabled finance platform providing working capital solutions to merchants to grow their businesses, take advantage of short-term opportunities and fund seasonal business fluctuations. The Company’s proprietary technology platform makes the opaque, time-consuming process of obtaining capital simple, fast and reliable. Since inception, Fundworks has funded nearly $400 million to over 8,300 small businesses throughout the United States. The Company is headquartered in Van Nuys, CA. For more information, please visit: https://www.thefundworks.com/.
For more information/ questions/ interview requests / media inquiries, please contact: Evan Smiedt
Email: info@thefundworks.com | Phone: (844) 644-FUND
DataMerch.com Surpasses 50,000 Records
July 7, 2021
Tampa, July 7th, 2021 /DeBanked/ — DataMerch.com, an online underwriting database for the alternative financing industry, announced they had surpassed 50,000 records in their database. The company that was founded in 2015 has grown to become an industry standard in up front application screening.
“Our records are unique because they are a datapoint that doesn’t exist anywhere else,” said Co-Founder Cody Burgess. “The challenging part when underwriting in the alternative financing industry is that credit and other reports only carry so much information. Our records are entered directly by our funder-members, so it’s easy access to see what type of history a merchant business has in our industry.” When asked what differentiates DataMerch records from other reports, Mr. Burgess responded, “Some of our categories are unique, like suspicious activity, slow pay, split payer, and Covid-19 Hardship. Our largest category is Default, which is also often difficult, if not impossible, to find on other reports. All data we hold is reported directly from our members, so it’s direct communication without aggregating all sorts of other information. We believe it is simple and powerful information for any underwriting department.”
DataMerch leadership say they will continue to grow their record count in the years ahead and hope to surpass 100,000 records in the future. They also hinted at upcoming updates to standardize uploading records moving forward with a rolling minimum upload requirement. Management says this will ensure that all members will evenly contribute moving forward and will help with the long-term success of the platform.
About DataMerch
DataMerch LLC was founded in 2015 to help funders in the alternative financing industry make informed underwriting decisions. DataMerch members can screen their applications using DataMerch’s specifically designed FEIN search and enter unsatisfactory businesses into the database. DataMerch currently has over 110 industry-leading subscribed members working together as a community. DataMerch can be accessed at https://www.datamerch.com and contacted for membership at support@datamerch.com
Good Funding Announces Closing of up to $30 Million Credit Facility
May 19, 2021
Transaction Represents Company’s Inaugural Institutional Financing
TUSTIN, Calif., May 19, 2021 – Good Funding, LLC (“Good Funding”), a recently-launched small business finance company, has closed on a $20.0 million senior revolving credit facility with a U.S.-based, credit focused asset manager. The agreement includes an accordion feature with the option to increase the credit facility to $30.0 million. The transaction represents Good Funding’s inaugural institutional financing. Proceeds will be used to increase the Company’s funding capabilities and execute its strategic growth plan.
“We are thrilled to have closed on this first round of institutional financing,” said Jason Osiecki, Co-Founder and President of Good Funding. “This credit facility will allow us to accelerate the growth of our funding platform, expand our team, and ultimately empower even more small businesses to move forward.”
“With less than a year in business, in the midst of a pandemic that is still negatively impacting America’s small businesses, we view this investment as a strong endorsement of what Good Funding can accomplish,” said Co-Founder and CEO of Good Funding Ben Gold. “Closing on this credit facility validates our mission to transform the way small businesses access the capital they need to grow and thrive. We cannot wait to put this investment into action.”
Brean Capital, LLC served as the Company’s exclusive Advisor and Placement Agent in connection with this transaction.
About Good Funding, LLC
Founded in 2020, Good Funding is a privately-held financial services firm that provides alternative funding resources to America’s small businesses. Our products are designed for business owners who cannot access working capital through traditional methods, or simply need funding with a rapid-fire turnaround. Good Funding allows entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses to build self-reliance and a brighter financial future.
Media contact:
Jenny Alonzo
VP, Marketing
714.384.7189
jalonzo@goodfunding.com
North Mill Restructures Working Capital Solution and Expands Customer Benefits
April 12, 2021NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“North Mill”), a leading independent commercial equipment lessor providing small-ticket financing through its network of referral agents, announced today that it has restructured its working capital solution to make it more competitive with other, less cost-effective options on the market.
The financing arrangement, called “Cash Out,” allows a customer to borrow the equity of paid-up business equipment and channel the proceeds back into the company. Although similar in concept to a sale leaseback, Cash Out is structured as a loan. It delivers a well-deserved reprieve for borrowers looking for a less expensive alternative to finance day-to-day operating expenses.
“There are many ways a company can obtain working capital,” explained Paul Cheslock, VP of Customer Relations, North Mill. “Some of the more common include a merchant cash advance (MCA), a revolving line of credit and accounts receivable factoring. And while they all fill the same need, they are not created equal. Cash Out in particular offers a long list of customer benefits including better rates, monthly vs. weekly payments, and terms up to 60 months. It’s a powerful tool for our referral agent partners looking to grow their customer base.”
According to Cheslock, the product’s loan-to-value ratio was restructured to enable customers to borrow a larger percentage of equity from an unencumbered asset. One of the most significant advantages of Cash Out is that it includes an early pay-off feature. Customers can pay off the loan without premium or penalty after 18 consecutive, on-time payments — a benefit that other products simply do not offer.
“The product is simple and straightforward. There are no fees tied to accounts receivable, invoices, or credit card sales,” said Cheslock. “What’s more, the equipment that’s used for the loan stays put on site, so business operations remain uninterrupted. And if that were not enough, the borrower retains title.”
For more on Cash Out and other financial solutions from North Mill, register for the company’s upcoming webinar “Meet North Mill and Its Financial Solutions” on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST.
About North Mill Equipment Finance
Headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, North Mill Equipment Finance originates and services small-ticket equipment leases and loans, ranging from $15,000 to $300,000 in value. A broker-centric private lender, the company handles A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for numerous asset categories including, but not limited to, construction, transportation, vocational, healthcare, manufacturing, printing, franchise opportunities and material handling equipment. North Mill is majority owned by an affiliate of Wafra Capital Partners, Inc. (WCP). For more information, visit NMEF.com.
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CONTACT: Don Cosenza, SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
PHONE: (203) 354-1710
EMAIL: dcosenza@nmef.com
North Mill Continues Record-Setting Trajectory as March Volume Hits All-Time High
April 2, 2021
NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“North Mill”), a leading independent commercial equipment lessor providing small-ticket financing through its network of referral agents, announced today that the company reached an all-time high in monthly loan and lease originations in March. Funded volume surged to more than $24 million, a growth rate of 53% from last March and an increase of 22% from the company’s previous high-water mark last December.
“We’re firing on all cylinders,” said David C. Lee, Chairman and CEO, North Mill. “We reported a record breaking year in 2020 and I anticipate that we’ll continue to see an upward trajectory as the economy opens up. First quarter volume topped $54 million, an increase of more than 18% from Q1 of last year while our weighted average FICO climbed an additional 9 points to 717.” Average deal size also hit a record for March, according to Lee, as it reached nearly $90k per transaction.
A strategic initiative that has had a resounding impact on North Mill’s success is its continued commitment to financing assets across an array of industries. Transportation, which made up nearly 100% of the firm’s asset portfolio a few years ago, now accounts for about 40% of funded volume. The company has expanded into many types of equipment including, but not limited to, construction, health care, franchise opportunities and livery.
As referral agents continue to turn to North Mill to obtain financing for their customers, the capital markets have also demonstrated confidence in the company. Last month, North Mill closed NMEF Funding 2021-A, its fourth commercial equipment backed securitization (ABS), its largest ever. The $236,588,000 ABS issuance was well received by institutional investors as evidenced by strong oversubscription levels across all tranches of notes. Capital was raised from a total of 23 investors, more than double the number from the company’s previous issuance (NMEF 2019-A).
About North Mill Equipment Finance
Headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, North Mill Equipment Finance originates and services small-ticket equipment leases and loans, ranging from $15,000 to $300,000 in value. A broker-centric private lender, the company handles A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for numerous asset categories including, but not limited to, construction, transportation, vocational, healthcare, manufacturing, printing, franchise opportunities and material handling equipment. North Mill is majority owned by an affiliate of Wafra Capital Partners, Inc. (WCP). For more information, visit www.nmef.com.
Northteq Announces Partnership with Syndifi to Enable Seamless Syndication with Salesforce
March 29, 2021
Minneapolis, Minn. – Northteq, a leading software solutions provider for the commercial lending and equipment finance industries, has announced its partnership with syndication software provider, Syndifi. Northteq will enable Syndifi’s online syndication platform to integrate with Salesforce.com, a cloud computing service as a software (SaaS) company that specializes in customer relationship management. The integration will accelerate and automate the user experience for Syndifi clients.
“Salesforce has become a leading origination platform for the equipment finance industry. Enabling Syndifi clients to create and send deals to our platform from Salesforce automatically will produce a seamless syndication experience.” Dan Michalek, CEO, Syndifi.
The first phase of the multi-layered integration will allow the Sellers using Syndifi’s platform to transfer deal information and data from Salesforce to Syndifi without having to manually rekey information. The integration will share status updates on both platforms.
“Our goal is to simplify lending. As such, we need to create a frictionless process for lenders to syndicate deals. Enabling our clients to send deals via a button click to the Syndifi platform creates this seamless user experience.” Kristian Dolan, CEO, Northteq.
About Northteq
Northteq is about enabling their clients to achieve fully integrated, automated origination solutions. They partner with several FinTech and lending service providers to bring the latest technologies to the equipment finance and commercial lending industries on the Salesforce platform. They also build vendor and customer portals to give their client’s customer’s an amazing customer experience. Northteq is headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please email info@northteq.com.
About Syndifi
Syndifi is the only Syndication platform built specifically for the Equipment Finance industry, enabling Buyers and Sellers to transact more securely with their trusted partners in the cloud. They are constantly innovating their customer experience to meet the highest standard of excellence for their clients. Syndifi was founded by Dan Michalek, who also revolutionized and digitized the granting of credit within the Equipment Finance industry with the formation of PayNet (now a division of Equifax). Syndifi is headquartered in Chicago. For more information, please email info@syndifi.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristian Dolan | (612) 483-1210
kdolan@northteq.com
Forward Financing Reaches $1 Billion in Funding to Underserved Small Business
March 1, 2021Boston-based Fintech Company Expands Main Street’s Access to Capital During Pandemic, Achieves Major Growth Milestone
Boston, Mass., March 1, 2021 – Forward Financing, a financial technology company that provides flexible revenue-based financing to small businesses, today announced that they have provided $1 billion in funding since their inception in 2012. The majority of this funding has gone to underserved small businesses nationwide; those that are unable to obtain financing through traditional sources like banks or the Small Business Administration.
“Nine years ago, we started this company upon the realization that so many small businesses lacked access to working capital,” said Forward Financing co-founder and CEO Justin Bakes. “As we look ahead to our next $1 billion milestone, we will continue to focus on providing best-in-class customer service and on helping our small business customers reach their full potential, no matter what challenges may arise.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the U.S. economy and many small businesses have needed additional financial resources to get by. Despite over $600 billion in loans provided through the Payroll Protection Program, this alone has been insufficient in fulfilling the need for capital. As a result, many small business owners have turned to funders like Forward Financing for support.
Forward Financing is uniquely suited to help small businesses during this economic downturn because it offers financing that is based on revenue, and is not a loan. Therefore, small business customers who may be experiencing a revenue slowdown can reduce their payments proportionately.
“Forward Financing has helped me grow my business and take advantage of opportunities,” a retail business owner recently said. “Their service has been excellent and when COVID hit, they easily and efficiently helped me adjust my payment schedule so I remained current and my business was not interrupted. I will use them again and again in the future!”
Over the past six months, Forward Financing has grown daily funding volume at an average rate of 17% per month as they continue to help small businesses navigate the pandemic economy. In order to help meet rapidly growing demand, they are currently expanding headcount in Boston by 20%.
About Forward Financing
Forward Financing is a Boston-based financial technology company that provides fast, flexible working capital to small businesses nationwide. Their dedicated account representatives and advanced proprietary technology help customers spend less time finding capital and more time growing their business. With a simple, secure online application, business owners can trust that Forward Financing works to get them approvals within minutes, funding within hours, and personalized support when they need it most.
Since 2012, Forward Financing has expanded Main Street’s access to capital by providing over $1 billion in funding to nearly 30,000 small businesses. The company is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and ‘Excellent / 4.9 stars’ on Trustpilot.com. Forward Financing was named a Best Place To Work by both
the Boston Business Journal and Built In Boston, and has been named by both Inc. Magazine and the Boston Business Journal as one of Massachusetts’ fastest-growing companies each year since 2017. Forward Financing is committed to helping more small business owners succeed and achieve their full potential. To learn more, visit www.forwardfinancing.com.
Media Contact
Lauren Groccia
lmelaugh@forwardfinancing.com
508-314-3574
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