SFNet has a robust education program, including virtual and in-person classes. For those whose schedules make it difficult to fit in a class, SFNet now offers On-Demand classes to help those starting out or continuing their professional development in the industry on their own terms. Content can be consumed on a laptop, phone or tablet, making it easy to gain the knowledge you need to further your career whenever and wherever it works for you.

“These classes are a great addition to our education curriculum; a perfect complement to our in-person and remote learning modules,” Rich Gumbrecht, SFNet CEO explained. “They can be consumed in smaller bites, on your schedule, at your own pace.  These micro courses are presented by subject matter experts across a range of disciplines and give you the tools you need to be successful.  Our members have asked us for this kind of ‘Ted Talk’- like content on topics unique to our industry.  Great job by the SFNet Education Committee and our dedicated volunteers in developing and delivering this valuable information.”

Appraisals, Factoring, Legal and Workout & Bankruptcy comprise the current SFNeton-demand classes offered.

The Appraisals modules will familiarize what every lender should know about appraisals. Special emphasis will be placed on valuation terms and definitions and what they mean and what values to look for and when; equipment appraisals and proper appraisal methods to be employed as well as value tiers; how to properly appraise inventory and what to look for in such appraisals; and a lender’s perspective on appraisals, from the hiring of an appraiser, to what value tiers should concern them, to understanding the valuation results and their impact on risk.

The Introduction to Appraisals and Equipment Valuation and Appraisal modules are taught by Carl Chrappa, senior managing director, asset management practice leader, The Alta Group LLC. The Lender’s Role in the Appraisal Process is taught by seasoned industry expert Mignon Winston , while Inventory Appraisals is taught by Alex Sutton, managing director, Gordon Brothers.

The Factoring series features six modules. For those new to the industry and wanting to learn more about factoring, a form of alternative finance that is widely used in North America and overseas, these modules are for you. If you have employees that need more training or a refresher in the industry, these online modules will give them the material they need to do so at their own pace in their own space. The basics offer the foundation to understanding what factoring is and the framework to learn more.

“During a time when so much learning and communication has been online or virtual, we designed educational classes to teach factoring,” said factoring module instructor Tina Capobianco, senior vice president, J D Factors. “These modules do not replace in-person learning, however they do provide valuable training in the comfort of your office. These topics will provide the basis for further learning to get a new beginner in the industry started or provide someone in the industry with more insight to certain topics. However they are utilized, these modules are a great resource to the industry.”

Introduction to Factoring, Establishing a Client, Collections, Client Defaults and Workouts, and Customer Service are taught by Capobianco, Dan Karas, executive vice president, Allied Affiliated Funding, a Division of Axiom Bank, N.A., and Tammy Kemp, vice president, chief credit officer, Garrington Group of Companies. The Notifications and Verifications module are taught by Capobianco and Gen Merritt-Parikh, president, CAEF-SME, Haversine Funding.

The Legal Series will feature six modules. Introduction to the Loan Agreement will be taught by Lee Podair, partner, Thompson Coburn Hahn & Hessen and Ariele Strauss, partner, Thompson Coburn Hahn & Hessen. Driving Through a Closing Checklist is taught by Lee Podair and Sarah Gilbert, partner, Thompson Coburn Hahn & Hessen. Lender Liability and Multi-Lender Transactions are taught by Marshall Stoddard, partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Creating and Perfecting a Security Interest is taught by Strauss and Gilbert. The Advanced Issues in a Loan and Security Agreements module will be available in early November. 

The Workout & Bankruptcy Series will feature five modules.With the U.S. economy having enjoyed an upswing for so long, workout and bankruptcy training has not been a top priority for most lenders. Unfortunately, with the global disruption caused by COVID-19, now is the time to prepare for the next down-cycle.  Understanding the fundamentals of workouts and bankruptcies are necessary skills that every lender should have a working knowledge of. To prepare secured finance professionals for managing distressed credits and understanding workout strategies, SFNet’s on-demand series takes a deep dive into this timely topic.

This series will consist of: Preparing for a Workout, taught by Stoddard; Management of Distressed Credits and Bankruptcy Fundamentals for Lenders, taught by Don Rothman, partner, Riemer & Braunstein; Workout Budgeting and Creating a DIP/Bankruptcy Budget, taught by Pat Diercks, partner, Clear Thinking Group.

For those interested in purchasing all of the series courses, there is significant savings in purchasing a bundle package for each series. Be sure to check pricing on each module’s page for pricing.

“Please have your team take advantage of the new on-demand courses being offered by SFNet, said Donald Clarke, president, Asset Based Lending Consultants. “As Education Chair of SFNet, I can tell you that our offerings in the education space have no equal. Let us help you mentor the next generation."