December 11, 2025 – Forward Financing announced the closing of its first-ever asset-backed securitization totaling $170 million. This transaction expands the company’s total debt facilities to $620 million, enabling the advancement of its mission to unlock the capital that fuels small businesses across America.

The facility has a three-year revolving period and three classes of notes. The transaction was more than 2.0x oversubscribed, highlighting the strength and quality of the company’s small business portfolio. Guggenheim Securities served as the sole structuring advisor, book-running manager, and placement agent.

“The completion of our first securitization represents a pivotal achievement for Forward Financing,” said Jason Mullins, President & CEO of Forward. “This milestone enhances our ability to serve customers nationwide and accelerate our growth plans. With over $4.3 billion in capital provided since inception, we are committed to serving the rapidly growing needs of small businesses across the country.”

The successful execution of…

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Forward Financing closes its inaugural $170M asset-backed securitization, expanding debt facilities to $620M to fuel small business growth across America.

MACON, Ga. – Two defendants were sentenced to serve more than five years in prison each and pay more than two million in restitution for their roles in a wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds, using the money on luxury cars and other personal items.

James Frank Austin, 51, of Americus, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 63 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and pay $2,185,175.72 restitution to the Small Business Administration (SBA), $1,106,499.62 of which is owed jointly and severally with codefendant Way. Austin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud and two counts of money laundering on Aug. 27.

Rosalend Way, 40, of Milledgeville, was sentenced to serve 63 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and pay $1,106,499.62 restitution to…

Equipment financier Channel surpassed $1 billion in equipment finance originations in less than four years, marking a milestone for the independent lender’s equipment finance platform.

Launched in 2020 and brought fully to market in early 2021, the business scaled quickly through strong credit performance, expanded partner relationships and strong execution, according to a Dec. 9 Channel release. The lender obtained $1 billion without acquiring any legacy portfolios.

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Channel surpassed $1B in equipment finance originations in less than four years, marking a major milestone for its de novo EF platform.

Haven't been to one of our events before? Take a look at past event pictures here

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Pictures from our Live events. We hold them typically each quarter in the South Florida area.

1st Commercial Credit, LLC announced the expansion of its International Factoring Program, giving U.S.-based exporters a practical way to extend terms to foreign buyers and increase international sales. While most banks decline to finance foreign receivables or do not recognize EXIM Bank credit insurance, 1st Commercial Credit has built a program that allows exporters to confidently expand global customer relationships while maintaining steady working capital at home.

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1st Commercial Credit streamlines international factoring for foreign sellers supplying U.S. buyers, eliminating the need for a U.S. entity.

Mary Carole McDonnell is a fugitive who landed on the FBI's Most Wanted list for bank fraud from 2017-2018. According to the listing, she "is alleged to have knowingly, and with the intent to defraud, devised and participated in a scheme to obtain money, funds, assets, and property owned by Banc of California.

Through this scheme, McDonnell allegedly and fraudulently obtained a total of approximately $14.7 million from the bank to which she knew she was not entitled and has not paid back. It is alleged that McDonnell also defrauded additional financial institutions in a similar fashion, with an estimated loss of over $15 million. McDonnell falsely claims to be an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft Family, with an $80 million secret trust to which she will have access.

On December 12, 2018, a federal arrest warrant was issued for McDonnell in the United States District Court, Central District of…

THE UPGRADE IS REAL!

Get ready, Fort Lauderdale! Funder Intel is moving our signature networking event, CAPITAL AFTER HOURS, to the most sought-after spot on Las Olas: the exclusive upstairs balcony at Earls on Thursday, January 15th at 6:30 PM.

This is not your average mixer. We’re hosting funders, brokers, lenders, fintechs, underwriters, and operators from across South Florida and beyond for 2 hours of high-value networking, premium open bar access, and a chef-curated culinary spread (think lobster tostadas & sushi!).

What you need to know: 

📍 WHERE: Earls Las Olas (Exclusive Balcony) 

🗓️ WHEN: Jan 15th, 6:30 PM 

U.S. Fund Advisor AI is growing, and we are opening a new position for an experienced Customer Success Manager to join our team.

As our platform continues to scale and support a larger volume of business owners and partners, we are looking for someone who can manage client relationships, support onboarding, track engagement, and ensure a smooth experience across our AI-powered funding ecosystem.

Requirements:

• Experience in Customer Success, Account Management, or related roles

• Strong communication and client-facing skills

U.S. Fund Advisor AI continues to grow, and we are opening additional opportunities for brokers who want access to consistent, high-intent funding leads generated by our AI platform.

We’re looking to connect with teams who:

• Have experience working with real-time inbound leads

• Can manage daily traffic and respond quickly

• Are actively seeking a reliable, alternative lead source that is not recycled or shared

If your operation is built to handle qualified business owners seeking funding, we’d be glad to speak with you.