TOUCHING BASE TSL’S NEW LOOK
Rebranded and Reimagined Communication Tools
One of my heroes, Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” While that maxim certainly has more global implications, it applies to our corner of the marketplace as well and the good work our members, association and Foundation continue to do to positively impact our clients, our community and our economy. In recent years we have been driving the evolution of the Secured Finance Network toward a more inclusive, forwardlooking and value-providing community that helps you successfully put capital to work. The redesign of The Secured Lender is yet another important part of our transformation. Through our rebranding and reimagined communication tools, we will be helping you and your business navigate and lead change, by enabling you to see around corners through data-rich curated content, informative conference panels and enlightening education. Inclusiveness was a significant driver in the rebrand and it has flowed into the The Secured Lender redesign. On the following pages you will find content relevant to communities of interest across our network, from ABL, purchase order and other supply chain financiers to intermediaries, attorneys and appraisers.
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THE SECURED LENDER NOV. 2019
The elements of this redesign are the results of many interviews the editorial staff conducted last spring. You’ll notice a renewed emphasis on people (you may see some familiar faces in the photos) and their contributions to the industry, the economy and the association. New columns include Putting Capital to Work, in which we highlight borrowers of SFNet members and how the capital they received has helped them to achieve their goals. We’ll also be focusing on our volunteer leaders. One of them landed on the cover: John DePledge, our 2020 president. The timing was perfect as John works in New York City, the location of SFNet’s 75th Annual Convention. Don’t miss the iconic New York photos on page 28. We’ll also be shedding light on our dedicated volunteers in a new column called Committee Spotlight. This issue features David Morse, SFNet Annual Convention Committee Chair. Immediately following this page, you will find “Network Notes” which serves as your own personal LinkedIn. See who
has been hired, promoted, honored, etc. To help you on those days when your schedule doesn’t allow you to dive into a long article, we’ve included key takeaways for our features. The content in this issue is as diverse as our community. On page 34, in The Digital Transformation is Severely Disrupting Retail: The Time for Action is Now, Antony Karabus, of HRC Advisory, explores the obstacles facing retailers in these tumultuous times.
RICHARD D. GUMBRECHT SFNet Chief Executive Officer
On page 60, in Financing Trade Receivables: Beyond ABL or Factoring, Tom Huntingford, a Demica senior director, explains how trade receivable securitization programs can be used as a valuable alternative to other funding solutions, especially in cross-border or challenging credit environments. The head of Capital One’s Financial Institutions Group reviews the trends that lenders should be watching as we shift into 2020 in Lenders Thinks about Recession Readiness on page 58. In considering the “what ifs” of life, succession planning is crucial to any organization as illustrated in The Many Facets of Succession Planning on page 44 by Terry Keating of Accord Financial. In celebration of SFNet’s 75th Anniversary, on page 38, industry executives, of multiple generations, reflect on how SFNet has affected their careers and what they envision for the future. On page 40, SFNet past chair and Hall of Fame inductee Steve Bakke gives us a history lesson in Butchers, Bakers and Candlestick Makers. Steve looks back on the early days of ABL and factoring and the industry’s pioneers, as discussed in The History of Asset-Based Lending by Sidney Rutberg. I hope to spend time with many of you in New York City at SFNet’s Annual Convention and would appreciate your feedback on The Secured Lender’s new look and feel.
