📚 Valuation Myth: A Business Appraisal = Equipment Appraisal

The Myth:A business appraisal is the same thing as an equipment or asset appraisal. The Reality:Business valuations analyze total enterprise (or equity) value — including goodwill, cash flow, risk, and intangibles — while asset appraisals focus on the resale value of physical equipment. Why It Matters:Confusing the two can result in incomplete collateral analysis or … Continue reading 📚 Valuation Myth: A Business Appraisal = Equipment Appraisal

📚 Valuation Myth: Projections Don’t Need Support

The Myth:Future projections are enough to justify value — no need to back them up. The Reality:Projections without clear support are just optimistic guesses. Buyers and SBA lenders need evidence — like written plans, assumptions, customer contracts, and operating history — to trust future performance claims. Why It Matters:Relying on unsupported projections can inflate value … Continue reading 📚 Valuation Myth: Projections Don’t Need Support

📚 Valuation Myth: All Valuations Are Created Equal

The Myth:As long as the report has a number, it's reliable. The Reality:Not all valuations are based on credible data, accepted methods, or professional standards. Some are biased, boilerplate, or created to hit a target. Why It Matters:Relying on a weak or non-compliant valuation can lead to poor decisions — or SBA loss of guarantee. … Continue reading 📚 Valuation Myth: All Valuations Are Created Equal

Understanding Risk and Return in Closely Held Businesses: A Guide for SBA 7(a) Lenders

Evaluating the risk and return of a business acquisition is central to SBA 7(a) underwriting. Closely held or family-controlled businesses present unique financial dynamics: opaque markets, limited liquidity, and owner concentration. These realities significantly alter their risk-return profile compared to publicly traded companies. This guide explores how SBA lenders can evaluate such businesses rigorously, using … Continue reading Understanding Risk and Return in Closely Held Businesses: A Guide for SBA 7(a) Lenders

Lender Insights: Checkpoints for SBA Underwriting

Use these short callouts as quick reminders or margin notes to help identify key risks and reinforce SBA lending best practices. Lender Insight #1 Analyze a 3-year break-even analysis and working capital needs under downside scenarios. This helps evaluate business feasibility and funding sufficiency. Lender Insight #2 If only one valuation method is used in … Continue reading Lender Insights: Checkpoints for SBA Underwriting

Working Capital Guide

Use this guide to evaluate whether working capital (WC) has been properly addressed in a business valuation and underwriting for SBA lending purposes. Step 1: Identify WC Components Accounts Receivable (AR) Inventory Accounts Payable (AP) Accrued expenses Step 2: Evaluate Treatment in Valuation Is WC included in the purchase price or treated as a separate … Continue reading Working Capital Guide

Mapping The 7 Deadly Sins of Valuation to SBA SOP & Underwriting Concerns

Use this matrix to connect valuation red flags with SBA SOP requirements and underwriting risk categories. Deadly SinSBA SOP 50 10 8 / Underwriting ConcernWhy It Matters1. Confusing Fair Market Value with Strategic ValueSBA requires FMV standardStrategic value misleads stakeholders and may result in overvaluation unsupported by market participants.2. Incorrect Adjustments to Financial StatementsAffects global … Continue reading Mapping The 7 Deadly Sins of Valuation to SBA SOP & Underwriting Concerns

Strategic Creep Review Tool

Use this tool to identify when a purchase price or business valuation has drifted from Fair Market Value (FMV) into buyer-specific strategic assumptions. FMV vs. Strategic Value Recap FMV = Value to a hypothetical buyer in an open market Strategic Value = Value to a specific buyer based on synergies or integration Red Flag Phrases … Continue reading Strategic Creep Review Tool

The 19th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Golf Tournament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The 19th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, February 18, 2025—The 19th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational was contested on Monday, February 17, 2025 at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The field of eighty-four players braved the cold and wind for … Continue reading The 19th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Golf Tournament

The 18th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Golf Tournament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEThe 18th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, February 20, 2024—The 18th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational was contested on Monday, February 19, 2024 at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Eighty players ranging in age from thirteen to eighty-two competed for the … Continue reading The 18th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Golf Tournament