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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Benjamin (Ben) Hall, CLFP, was announced as Senior Legal Counsel fo DLL, Broomfield, Colorado. Exiernced lender’s counsel with deep knowledge of government finance (federal, state, local, education), commercial equipment finance, and syndications. Member of Certified Finance and Lease Professional Foundation Body of Knowledge, providing guidance on legal issues and content. Broad knowledge of banking laws and regulatory requirements.  Member of Certified Finance and Lease Professional Foundation Body of Knowledge, providing guidance on legal issues and content. Broad knowledge of banking laws and regulatory requirements. Skilled negotiator who seeks to understand both sides while protecting clients’ interests. Drafting, negotiating and updating of finance agreements as well as developing legal training materials for operational and sales staff. Development of new products such as managed services and receivables financing.
Previously , he was Senior Corporate Counsel, U.S. Bank 2 years, 9 months, He worked his way up from Associaate Counsel to Senior Counsel Key Equipment Fiancé in 6 years, 9 months, then to Key Government Finance Vice President Originations/
Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-hall-clfp-181a7610/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-hall-clfp-181a7610/

Cynthia Klein was hired as Senior Business Development Manager, Golden Gate Financial Services, San Francisco, California.  She is located in St. Augustine, Florida. She was President, EC Funding Solutions (December, 2019 - June, 2025); Regional Sales Manager, Commercial Funding Inc. (December, 2024 - May, 2025); Vice President, Capital Solutions Bancorp. (January, 2022 - December, 2024). She joined AmeriFactors Financial Group, LLC.,  Business Development Officer (April, 2018 - October, 2019. promoted Senior Business Development Manager (November, 2019 - January, 2022). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiadklein/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiadklein/

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Restaurant Lending Outlook: 2025 Brings Stability
but Beef Costs Up 12%
By Bob Coleman, Coleman Report Editor/Publisher

Inflation Easing, Planning Horizons Expanding

The Federal Reserve projects core inflation at 3.1% for 2025, with further moderation expected into 2026–2027. June’s CPI showed just a 2.7% year-over-year rise, and food-at-home prices are forecasted to climb a modest 2.2%—below the 20-year average. For restaurant borrowers, this stability means better cost forecasting, improved margin control, and more bandwidth to reinvest in growth initiatives.

Commodity Pressures Still in Play
Not all inputs are behaving. Beef prices have surged 12% year-over-year due to drought-related herd reductions, high grain costs, and a temporary ban on imported Mexican cattle over parasite concerns. Lenders should be alert to operators with heavy beef exposure as menu reengineering or sourcing flexibility will be critical for profitability.

Tariff Impact Softening
Tariffs are no longer the headline risk they were a few years ago. A temporary U.S.–China trade truce has eased uncertainty and boosted consumer sentiment. Many operators are mitigating cost pressures by pivoting to domestic sourcing, renegotiating vendor contracts, and tightening supply chains—all positive signs for cash flow stability.

Supply Chain Resilience Driving New Models
Restaurants continue to adapt through local sourcing, vertical integration, and sustainable farming practices, including hydroponics and urban agriculture. Casual dining brands are experimenting with prix fixe menus, bundled offerings, and tech-enabled service to maintain value perception while protecting margins. These operational pivots are important indicators of borrower agility—often a key determinant of repayment strength.

Bottom Line for Lenders
The sector is showing resilience and a renewed capacity for profitability. While inflation, tariffs, and supply chain challenges remain part of the landscape, the prevailing sentiment is cautiously optimistic. For lenders, 2025 offers a window to finance operators who demonstrate strong cost control, strategic flexibility, and a customer-first value proposition.

Source: Citizens Financial Group Restaurant Industry Insights, July 2025

Lender Risk Concerns
1. Commodity Volatility
Significant beef exposure without sourcing flexibility or menu adaptability.
Heavy reliance on other commodities with unstable pricing (e.g., seafood, coffee, specialty grains).
2. Supply Chain Dependence
Single-source vendors or lack of domestic sourcing options. Minimal investment in local or alternative supply solutions.
3. Margin Pressure
Inability to renegotiate vendor contracts or adjust pricing without losing customers. High labor costs without operational efficiency gains.
4. Capital Allocation
Borrowers using capital primarily for maintenance rather than strategic growth.
Lack of investment in tech-enabled service models or customer experience upgrades.
5. Market Position Risk
Overreliance on discretionary consumer spending in a tightening economic environment.
Weak brand differentiation in crowded casual dining segments.

Leasing and Finance  Help Wanted
Balboa Capital
We Are Growing Our Senior Sales Team Now

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Fourth Quarter Wins Begin Now
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

Top producers consistently deliver strong fourth-quarter results—and it’s no coincidence. Their success is often rooted in relationships that were initiated or strengthened during August and September. The question is:

Which relationships are you actively cultivating right now that will elevate your production in the final stretch of 2025?

Here are several strategic actions that high-performing originators are taking to ensure a powerful finish to the year:

• Reassessing their ranking systems to ensure vendors and end-users are evaluated based on current market dynamics and their potential impact over the next four months.
• Re-engaging underperforming relationships by identifying those that haven’t met expectations in 2025. They’re initiating in-person meetings and crafting prelaunch strategies that emphasize how their solutions can drive vendor success.
• Targeting high-potential prospects—larger vendors and end-users with no existing relationship but strong alignment with current offerings. These producers are executing bold marketing campaigns to secure new partnerships that will meaningfully boost year-end results.

This is not the time to coast. August and September offer a critical window to outwork and outsmart the competition. Top originators understand that the relationships they build now will yield exceptional returns in the final third of the year

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161

Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com 
Wheeler Business Consulting is working with individual originators and sales teams throughout the industry to ensure that they are well positioned in the market, capturing their fair share of business, and outperforming the competition. To schedule a one-on-one meeting contact Scott Wheeler at: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

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Winning With Leasing! Sudhir Amembal
The Most Well Attended Seminar in Our Industry

The one-day live virtual seminar is instructed by Sudhir Amembal. Nine previously scheduled seminars, along with in-company versions, held in the past 25 months have attracted over 750 industry professionals.

The seminar will highlight the recent tax legislation and its impact on equipment finance products demonstrating that FMV leases will gain additional traction.

Details
Date: October 20th, 2025
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm (Mountain Time)
Registration Fee: $195

What you will gain from attending:

Grasp the substantial benefits of capital and FMV leases.
Know the accounting and tax impact of leases on the customer.
Learn how best to understand varied customer motivations.
Arrive at deal-clinching responses to common objections.
Understand the significance of product differentiation.
Possess all the ideal attributes to outsmart competitors.
Comprehend why only a few outperform.

An accompanying workbook which will serve as a perpetual reference guide.

About Sudhir Amembal
Amembal created the first-ever equipment leasing seminar for the industry He has spearheaded training for 80,000 equipment finance professionals and published 18 books for the industry.
He is the recipient of multiple accolades for the services he has rendered to the industry (ELFA Hall of Fame Inductee.

Who should attend:
Newcomers will learn; those from sales and marketing, even with substantial experience, will be provided with knowledge, approaches and tools to win incremental transactions; those from the back-office and service providers will gain a bird’s-eye view of our vibrant industry.

To reserve your spot or for additional details, please contact Kelly Farnham, our General Manager at kelly@amembalandhalladay.com

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The Best-Selling Cars in the U.S. So Far in 2025
Visualcapitalist.com

Key Takeaways

The Ford F-Series remains America’s most popular vehicle with 412,848 units sold, followed by the Chevrolet Silverado (284,038) and Toyota RAV4 (239,451).

The top five vehicles are all either pickup trucks or compact SUVs, underscoring continued consumer preference for size, utility, and versatility over traditional sedans.

The first half of 2025’s best-selling cars in the U.S. confirms America’s long-standing love affair with trucks and SUVs.

Pickup models from Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram continue to dominate the top ranks, while compact SUVs from Toyota and Honda also make strong showings. Sedans, once the default choice for many households, are now largely absent from the bestseller list.

This ranking showcases the 20 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. from January through June 2025 using data from Cox Automotive and Automotive News via Kelley Blue Book.

News Briefs

US national debt reaches a record $37 trillion
https://apnews.com/article/treasury-debt-spending-trump-obbb-6f807c4aae78dcc96f29ff07a3c926f4

Crypto Entrepreneur Who Caused 2022 Market
Crash Pleads Guilty to Fraud
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/technology/do-kwon-crypto-fraud-guilty-plea.htm

DOGE-flation: DOGE’s actual savings
are a fraction of what it claims
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/12/trump-doge-contract-claims-savings-inflation-00498178

LightSpeed Capital Has Over $100M in MCAs
    on Balance Sheet
https://debanked.com/2025/08/lightspeed-capital-over-100m-in-mcas-on-balance-sheet/

China Creates World’s No. 1 Shipbuilder,
Driven by Rivalry With U.S.
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-shipbuilding-company-trump-rivalry-17eb6265?mod=business_lead_pos4

Watchdog says Mike Johnson used campaign funds
to rent from GOP lawmaker
https://www.courthousenews.com/watchdog-says-mike-johnson-used-campaign-funds-to-rent-from-gop-lawmaker/

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Car companies are paying the tariffs. For now!
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/08/12/business/cpi-inflation-tariffs-fed#car-companies-are-paying-the-tariffs-for-now

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Sports Briefs---

 

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California News Briefs---

2,200 homes and offices may come to long-empty
    San Francisco Bay Area site
https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/development-triple-bay-area-brisbane-population-20806948.php

California's Gifford Fire reaches 'megafire' status
https://www.sfgate.com/centralcalifornia/article/megafire-san-luis-obispo-county-20813014.php

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee decries Trump’s
  latest attack as ‘cheap’ and ‘wrong’
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/08/11/trump-oakland-crime-national-guard/?campaign=ebtbreakingalert&utm_email=44CB2489F5F4B4CD94A5B48EAB&active=
no&lctg=44CB2489F5F4B4CD94A5B48EAB&content=alert&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium
=email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.eastbaytimes.com%2f2025%2f08%2f11%2f
trump-oakland-crime-national-guard%2f&utm_campaign=bang-east_bay_times-breaking_news_alerts-nl&utm_content=alert

According to an analysis by CNN journalist Daniel Dale, crime in Washington has declined significantly since a spike in 2023, when 274 homicides were recorded, the highest number in more than two decades.

In 2024, murders dropped to 187, and so far in 2025, they continue to decline. Data from crime expert Jeff Asher, cited by Dale, indicates that homicides in Washington fell 34% compared with 2023 through July of this year. Furthermore, the violent crime rate in 2024 was the second lowest since 1966.

A preliminary analysis by the Washington Metropolitan Police Department confirms this trend: Overall crime has also decreased so far in 2025, in line with the sustained decline seen in other major US cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

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Gimme that Wine

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8

Clos du Bois Named Official Wine of the US Open
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clos-du-bois-named-official-wine-of-the-us-open-302526916.html

Top 25 Wineries in the San Francisco Bay Area
https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2025/best-wineries-bay-area-napa-sonoma/

Mendocino Grove Partners with Local Wineries and Chefs
to Offer Monthly Wine Dinner Series
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/306684