• Wednesday, June 22, 2011
• Guest:  Jeff Appleton, Crestmark
• Listen to show. 

Today’s guest is Jeff Appleton, who is First Vice President, Senior Business Development, with Crestmark Bank.  He has vast experience in SBA lending and bridge financing with Wells Fargo / Wachovia Bank.  Crestmark specializes in asset based lending, A/R lending and factoring, all over the South, Southeast and the Nation.   We will join Jeff shortly. 

But, first we start today with our Business Tip of the week – I just returned from a national conference on technology for business and CPA’s in Las Vegas and experienced may thought leaders in technology and business practice. 

There have been vast improvements in technology, applications, platforms and mobile apps.  All advance the idea of mobile, remote, in the Cloud, virtual systems with: 

• Real time Reports
• Real time Analytics
• Real Time insights into financial performance or people
• Utility in the fields – instant transactions and responses 

1.  Technology – cost, power, maturation of the Cloud, increased use of Smartphones and Tablets.  Can do more with less than anytime prior. 
   1.  Internal networks – power, cost, simplicity, improving
   2. Open up to mobile and/or telecommunication
   3. Video communication now simpler and more common
   4. Digital document and storage
   5. Cloud computing
   6. Portals and document transfer tools
   7. Digital work flow 
2. Applications Empowered 
   1. Integration is occurring with more power.
      1. G/L working with multiple workflow programs.  CRM, Digital Storage, Expense Management, Cost and Estimating tools – all integrated today.
      2. Digital logistics, communication tools and ecommerce merged.
   2.  Dashboard analytics and Real Time Reporting becoming more common and used by management.
   3. Mobile Apps – take the transactions to the field and create real time communication with rest of business.
   4. GSM and RFID technology allowing for materials and people tracking and management. 
3.  Platforms proliferating and strengthening.  Both mobile and on premise platforms gaining features and power. 
   1. Microsoft – shifting focus to Cloud based platforms including, G/L, CRM, Infrastructure, Office Systems, either on premise or in the Cloud, by the month. 
   2. Oracle – has always a leader in DB technology.  Now is the engine behind SAP, NetSuites, IntAcct, in G/L plus Siebel (CRM) and other integrated business services. 
   3. IntAcct – AICPA based platform, Cloud only, integrating best of breed providers in G/L, payroll, CRM, document storage, bill pay, online banking, and digital dashboards. 
   4. Google – online apps, office suite and soon G/L. 
   5. Intuit – QuickBooks, bill pay and other services. 
4. Mobile Apps 
   1.  iPhone – over 400,000 apps
   2. Android – over 200,000 apps
   3. Windows – over 90,000 apps 

   4.  Business and productivity apps are used:

      1.  Read and edit documents
      2. Receive and edit spreadsheets
      3. Scan and fax documents
      4. Travel managed and booked
      5. Expense reports integrated into G/L
      6. Time and billing; online banking; money management
      7. Business card scanning and innumerable business apps 
   5.  Major shopping and customer service apps for many major companies. 

   6. Digital distribution of information:

      1. Books
      2. News
      3. Music
      4. TV and Movies
      5. Business video - YouTube 

The Good

Business climate is improving.  

1.  Banks are beginning to lead again and look for new clients. 
2. Lending is more realistic and orderly, as regulation and new underwriting standards are modified becoming practical and thorough.
3. Commercial real estate is being absorbed.  New investors and lenders are taking over properties stymied by defaults and forebearance agreements.
4. Revenues for basic businesses seem to be improving.
5. Everyone getting used to a new normal.

The Bad 

Storm clouds over global public finances are beginning to be real and cause concern in financial markets. 

1.  Europe dealing with Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain
2. U.S. dealing with deficit / China and Japan
3. China – dealing with inflation and property bubble. 

We could have another melt down, if debt financing dries up because of a scare or event. 

The Ugly 

Confidence in D.C., never good, is currently at a law due to broken promises, sex scandals, financial corruption, reckless spending, and a sense of entitlement to power.  This all created a leadership void.

Will upcoming election help this – we can only hope! 

Now for our show.

I  am pleased to introduce our guest today, Jeff Appleton with Crestmark Bank.  Read complete bio.  

1. You recently opened an office in Atlanta for Crestmark Bank
   1. Tell us about the bank 
   2. What does your platform offer to small and midsize companies?
      1. Working capital solutions
      2. Cash to fund opportunities 
2. Why do you think we have seen a re-emergence of asset based lending? 
3. What are some of the benefits of asset based lending?
   1. Helping clients who are thinly capitalized with concentrations of inventory and receivables 
4. How will private equity groups benefit from your services? 
5. How has asset based lending changed since it went away during the economic meltdown? 
6. What are some of the continued challenges of obtaining this type of financing? 
7. How has asset based lending evolved?