Republic Business Credit is a nationally recognized commercial finance company supporting the working capital requirements of companies nationwide, including private equity and entrepreneurial businesses. Republic provides asset-based lending, ledgered lines of credit, traditional factoring, direct-to-consumer loans, and Fast AR Funding. Republic partners with its clients to provide up to $15 million in senior credit facilities
to rapidly growing businesses, start-ups and companies experiencing recoverable distress.

Nationally recognized as a winner of the 2015 Emerging Growth Company Award from the Association for Corporate Growth, Republic’s expert and knowledgeable team also boasts four SFNet 40 Under 40 Award winners, two “Top Women in Secured Finance” from The Secured Lender, and a “Top Women in Asset Based Lending” by ABF Journal. Republic is recognized by the Secured Finance Network as one of the largest independently owned finance companies in the United States of America. Republic is proud to be headquartered in New Orleans with additional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston.

Republic was one of two companies that were highly aligned with their employees in the replies to SFNet’s DEI Survey. Could you tell us a bit about your approach to DE&I and any specific programs you have implemented?

RBC has always believed in the benefit of consistent learning, growth and development of our team, and that starts with hiring whenever we can from the
communities we serve. While headquartered in New Orleans, we have offices in Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago, along with remote staff in Oklahoma and Jacksonville. We simply hire people who are passionate, knowledgeable and willing to grow with us.

With all of our hires, we do not prioritize a certain degree or academic benchmark. That allows us to look beyond a resume to candidates who, by that metric alone, might bring to the firm a different perspective. Our president, for example, was a biology major. Our portfolio manager was a psychology major. Many of our business development staff come from communications, history and business backgrounds. We also recruit from colleges in our communities, not necessarily institutions focused on finance or a certain pedigree.

As a people-based business, we have often hired based on referrals, local partnerships and our relationships in the communities we serve. That allows us to reach beyond the resume to add team members who come from different backgrounds. We seek it out.

We also recognize we can always do more. I would argue our best DEI programs come through our team. Danika Louis, portfolio manager, and Candice Hubert, senior vice president, business development, banded together during the summer of 2020 to create and implement Project Themis. Themis was meant as an ongoing learning discussion, townhall and opportunity for everyone to share their own unique experiences.

I cherished these conversations I have had with many of our staff. Our team chose books, movies, articles and thought pieces to help construct and enable different types of conversations. While many of the sessions provided personal experience sharing, the themes or ideas helped each discussion to be deeper and more meaningful. There were no limits on subjects or conversations.

One of our team members, Candice Hubert, is now helping SFNet establish its mentorship program through the DEI Committee. So, we’re not only working on building true diversification efforts at Republic, our team members are making a difference in the industry as a whole. I’m very proud of that. 

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