Business Lending
Interview With Chad Otar, CEO of Lending Valley
July 28, 2020I recently spoke with Lending Valley CEO Chad Otar, who told us that not only is his funding company still working remotely, but that he’ll probably never return to an office ever again. Watch below:
Clearbanc Launches Valuation Service for Founders
July 16, 2020
Today Clearbanc, the Toronto-based alternative finance company, has launched its latest service, Valuation, allowing founders to gauge their company’s value. Being an extension to Clearbanc’s platform, the service will be free to everyone and promises an estimation within 24 hours that can be checked weekly.
Valuation also offers three options to founders upon receiving their company’s value: the chance to access capital via Clearbanc’s funding channels, connect with investors in order to raise an equity round, and investigate possible acquisition opportunities. For the last two of these options, Clearbanc makes introductions to a selection of venture capital investors that have connected with the program.
As per the requirements, founders will have to connect a selection of private data points. Their business accounts, payment processor, accounting platform, and their admin account will all be required. As well as this, public data is also used to arrive at a valuation, basing the estimations on information specific to the company as well as the industry it is in.
“We think this could be as revolutionary as what Credit Karma did when they launched free credit scores for everyone and gave consumers access to their own information,” explained Clearbanc CEO Michele Romanow. “We’re really excited about this as it represents our first non-capital launch, and we think that it’s part of a much bigger vision of how we help founders win in this environment.”
The Shakeup’s Impact on Stock Prices
July 15, 2020
The Underwriter’s Song of 2020
July 15, 2020
It was just a day in February when my broker sent a deal
I remember feeling ordinary because COVID wasn’t real
Another ruse, just more fake news, I went and pulled the credit
A sterling score, I said please send more, but the broker said forget it
The lender just next door to you, he offered to pay me double
Plus they need less docs for their wider box, saving me the trouble
It was on that day that I said “hey!” I’m sick of being small
I called that broker back and swore I would fund them all
So he sent the files, several piles, of paper good and bad
And I did what I should not have, so the broker would not be mad
Hot damn my port was a big ‘ol fort of terrifying risk
But I checked deBanked’s top funders and we were up there on the list
I pulled up my chair, said a prayer, “so long as things remain”
On an upward track, in the black, there won’t be any pain
But then came March and things looked dark, I couldn’t believe my eyes
They said stay indoors and close your stores, we’re really sorry guys
America is shutting down, we hope you were prepared
If you were very careful then you’ll probably be spared
Of course I freaked when our financials leaked, I tried to rationalize
That we had to fund those files to compete with the other guys
It was no no no and then fund fund fund, I tell you it was grand
I made my case on Daily Funder but the contents got me banned
It wasn’t me, it was the broker you see, it all started with a deal
His spiel about getting double, turns out it wasn’t real
So jolly hot damn, I’m in a jam, of the sort that’s budgetary
How I wish, nay I pray! That it was February
Funding Circle US Lays Off 120 Employees
July 9, 2020Funding Circle US laid off 120 employees yesterday, according to a post shared by Ryan Metcalf, Head of U.S. Regulatory Affairs and Social Impact.
Reuters reported that the company will also centralize its technology development in the UK rather than have a separate US team going forward.
The US operation had largely been focusing on PPP lending and SBA 7(a) loans since the shutdowns occurred.
The announcement coincided with its UK business being approved to participate in the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.
Breakout Capital Weathered The Storm And Came Out With Expanded Access to Credit
July 8, 2020
Breakout Capital never stopped funding. That’s what CEO & President McLean Wilson recently shared with deBanked. The company not only weathered the storm but has come out with expanded access to credit totalling $20MM with Medalist Partners, one a current term loan facility and the other a new term loan facility with “attractive” forward flow features.
The company said in its announcement that these facilities will allow Breakout to increase loan originations across all of its product offerings, including its term-loan product, FactorAdvantage®, and its newest factor product, FactorBridge.
“Small businesses are at the core of our economy and they were, as we were, largely blindsided by recent economic interruptions,” Wilson told deBanked. “We adapted quickly and rolled with the punches and never stopped funding. It is a testament to the resiliency, loyalty and borrower first mentality that Breakout Capital has not only weathered the storm, but has strengthened our company throughout the past few months. We quickly adapted to a new way of thinking, which helped us serve our clients in real time and forge ever closer relationships with our factor partners, lenders, online marketplaces, ISOs and borrowers.”
John Slonieski, Director of Private Credit for Medalist Partners, said in the announcement that “We are pleased to enhance our relationship with Breakout Capital in our asset-based lending strategy. Their high-quality underwriting and SMB-friendly lending solutions, coupled with their talented credit and management team, provide us confidence as we continue working closely with them to successfully scale their lending program.”
Every Business That Got $150,000 or More in PPP Funds (The List)
July 7, 2020In the interest of transparency, the SBA dumped a list of more than 660,000 businesses that got $150,000 or more in PPP funding.
You can download the entire thing right here.
Canadian Small Business Lender Looks Doomed In Wake of COVID-19
June 29, 2020
As well-known (1, 2) small business lenders in the United States continue to negotiate COVID-19 era workouts with their creditors, another in Canada appears to be falling off the cliff.
On Thursday, Lendified’s President & Director Kevin Clark tendered his resignation effective July 3rd. He follows other board members Edward Kelterborn and Benjy Katchen whose resignations went into effect on June 25th. Company CFO Norman Tan previously resigned on June 9th and no replacement has been named.
COVID-19’s arrival came at a difficult time for Lendified. Before COVID, the company had never turned a profit or reported positive cashflow in its entire history.
“Lendified is in default in respect of credit facilities with its secured lenders. Forbearance and standstill agreements are being discussed with these senior lenders, with none indicating to date that any enforcement action is expected although each is in a position to do so,” the company said. “However, no formal agreements in this regard have been concluded as of the date hereof.”
The company expressed that it would not be able to continue operations if it was not able to finalize a forbearance on its defaults AND simultaneously obtain an immediate infusion of capital to fund its operations.
Lendified’s board of directors is presently considering selling its assets or its entire business in order to raise revenue.
A wholly owned subsidiary of Lendified, Judi.ai, an automated loan underwriting platform, is poised to cease operations as a result of a cashflow shortfall. “[Judi.ai] requires cash infusions in the amount of approximately $100,000 per month in order to maintain operations,” Lendified reported. “Its cash reserves at this time are approximately $80,000. At this time, the Company is not in a position to continue to fund the Business and there can be no assurances that it will be able to do so in the future.”
The company went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange on May 26th via a reverse merger and has since experienced a 95% drop in its share price. The company’s market cap on Monday hovered around $700,000 USD.
