Lunch Money

How do you structure deals in a market where serviceability pressure, rising costs and tighter credit conditions are all colliding at once? Hosted by Max Szarycz from Hermes Capital, the panel features: • Nick Samios – Hermes Capital • Peter Lucas – Kestrel Solutions • Peter Johnson – Get You Loans The discussion covers: • debt serviceability in today’s market • cash flow pressure across SMEs • re...

When a business comes under pressure, the question isn’t just how to access capital, it’s how to protect value. In this Sydney seminar, Hermes Capital brings together Nick Samios, Bruce Connors, and Marcus Petrovic, hosted by Max, to unpack one of the most important decisions brokers face: Restructure, refinance… or run the auction? With interest rates staying higher for longer, the discussion exp...

Deals aren’t failing because there’s no money. They’re failing because they don’t stack up. Private credit is growing, but getting deals approved is becoming more complex. In this Brisbane seminar, Nick Samios (Hermes Capital) is joined by Ian Hyman, Patrick Schweizer, and Mark Rainbird to break down what’s really happening in SME credit markets. They cover how risk is being assessed, why asset va...

Live from Melbourne, this seminar tackles a question that now sits at the centre of every private credit deal: What is the exit strategy? In today’s market, weak or assumed exits are one of the biggest reasons transactions stall, get repriced, or collapse late in the process. This session brings together a lender, a valuer, and a restructuring specialist to unpack: What makes an exit pathway credi...

Every broker knows the frustration of the half-bankable client. They’ve got a solid business. They’ve got security. On paper, they should get a “yes”, but one or two hurdles stop the banks in their tracks. These clients often sit in the grey zone: too strong to be written off, but not quite fitting into traditional credit boxes. In this session, we’ll explore why these cases are on the rise, what...

In this session, our expert panel unpacks the realities of doing business in Victoria against a backdrop of economic uncertainty. The discussion covers how brokers and business owners can navigate the state’s unique financial landscape, the critical role of professional advisors, opportunities around grants and funding, and the importance of strategic planning for businesses under pressure. Key th...

From Finder to Fixer: How Brokers Are Becoming the Business World’s Secret Weapon In this discussion, finance experts explore how the role of brokers has evolved far beyond simply arranging loans. Discover why today’s best brokers are acting as trusted advisors, problem-solvers, and connectors, helping businesses tackle challenges, unlock opportunities, and build stronger financial futures. This s...

This webinar was delivered live in Sydney. We dive into the complexities surrounding ATO debt and its implications for small businesses. The panel discusses the recent changes in tax deductibility, the role of accountants, and the importance of proactive financial management. They highlight the warning signs of financial distress and the need for directors to take responsibility for their business...

The mining services industry is an essential pillar of the Australian economy but has unique financial challenges. In a recent seminar in Perth hosted by the Lunch Money Podcast, industry experts gathered to discuss strategies for overcoming these barriers, offering valuable insights for SMEs in the mining sector. Here’s a summary of the key points covered during the discussion. Key Drivers and Tr...

In our recent seminar, “Powering Production: Overcoming Capital Challenges in Manufacturing,” industry experts tackled the financial hurdles that small to mid-sized manufacturing businesses face in Australia. The panel, led by Nicholas Samios from Hermes Capital, included David Mansfield (DEI), Gary Tescher, (Promentor), and Josh Hallowell (Pickles), each bringing unique insights into funding, res...

In this episode, recorded live at the Royal Exchange Club in Sydney, experts from the transport and finance industries come together to address the significant financial challenges currently faced by the Australian transport sector. The panel explores key issues such as the decline in asset prices, difficulties in capital raising due to aging equipment, increasing ATO debt, and tighter profit marg...

What is Small Business Restructuring? What do finance brokers, accountants and other business advisors need to know about it? It’s now over two years ago when small businesses really started implementing Restructuring as an insolvency alternative - what can we learn from its brief history thus far? In this #LunchMoney Episode, Nick speaks with Louisa Sijabat. Louisa is a thought leader in SBR and...

This podcast episode was recorded live at our Breakfast seminar in Brisbane. The seminar, titled "Breaking Ground: Debt Capital Challenges and Opportunities in Construction and Mining Services," featured a distinguished panel of experts who discussed a range of issues and opportunities within the construction and mining industries. The seminar emphasized the capital-intensive nature of these secto...

This episode of Lunch Money was recorded live at our Sydney breakfast seminar.  Welcome to our in-depth seminar on mastering business acquisitions! In this video, we bring together industry experts Nicholas Samios, Ian Hyman, Andrew Casson, and Malcolm Campbell to share their expertise and experiences in the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). We cover a wide range of topics essential for...

This episode was recorded live at our Sydney breakfast seminar. The ATO was generous during Covid, allowing Australian small businesses to add $15B to its pre-Covid undisputed arrears, bringing the total to $30B. However, playtime is over, and the ATO now wants to collect. In taking measures ranging from credit agency default listings to the initiation of winding-up proceedings, the ATO poses a si...

In this episode of Lunch Money, we interview the CEO of Spartan Race Australia, Russell Nelms. If you haven’t yet experienced the adrenaline rush of tackling a Spartan obstacle course, you’re missing out on a transformative journey that extends far beyond the finish line. In this blog, we dive into the heart-pounding world of Spartan racing, exploring its profound impact on individuals, families,...

Lunch Money in March will feature Andrew Cassin, a seasoned expert in M&A, specialising in the transition of ownership for privately held businesses in the lower mid-market. Andrew has over 20 years of front-line experience, helping business owners with thorough preparation for business exits, and offering invaluable insights for business owners aiming for successful and profitable transitions...

The key barriers to effective corporate restructuring are often said to be directors' delayed action (“head in the sand”), the stigma of insolvency, and overly complex laws. Especially for SMEs. 'Safe Harbour' and 'Small Business Restructuring' laws aim to address these issues. How are these recent additions to Australian restructuring laws faring in practice? Are they improving outcomes for busin...

Join us for our final Lunch Money of 2023, we are joined by two expert guests Angelina Kozary, Partner at Holman Webb and Louisa Sijabat, Principal at Merchands Advisory. We will be discussing the issue of what you do when you receive final demands from the ATO, your suppliers or your bank. These are very tricky situations to navigate and often businesses are left with very little time and large s...

Join us on the next episode of Lunch Money with special guest Arabella Macpherson from Resonate Communications. Arabella is a communications specialist and she will be sharing with us how we can tweak our communications to be more influential. As we approach the end of the year, it’s a time for us to reflect and see what we can do differently in 2024. The core of communication starts with YOU. Ara...

In this episode we dive into the collapse of Greensill Capital with Duncan Mavin - Author of The Pyramid of Lies. In the world of finance, many people invest without thoroughly reading complex documents. They trust established players, assuming due diligence has been done. This trust can lead to issues when promises don't align with reality. Greensill Capital's rise and fall is a story of complex...

Don't miss this episode of Lunch Money with Australia’s leading economist Warren Hogan.  In this discussion, we’ll delve into the challenge of deciphering conflicting economic data. Warren is the Managing Director and Founder of EQ Economics, a consultancy specialising in economic, market, and industry analysis. He is also an economic advisor to Judo Bank, a specialist SME-focused lender. His insi...

What does it take to be on an advisory board? It takes more than just experience to be on a board these days. Louise Broekman from The Advisory Board Centre joins us in the next episode of Lunch Money. We explore best practice for board selection, such as what skills and knowledge is needed to become an advisory member. Plus the support available to both businesses and individuals to develop succe...

In this edition of Lunch Money, we are joined by our expert small business guests. David Gandolfo OAM (Board Member of COSBOA, Chair of Advocacy at CAFBA, and Partner at Quantum Business Finance) who will take us through the highlights of COSBOA's recently published report, "Small Business Perspectives 2023." We explore the emerging vulnerabilities and opportunities that are facing small businesse...

In this episode of Lunch Money, we were joined by special guests Daniella Mancuso from Nationwise Financial Solutions and Ian Hyman from Hymans Valuers & Auctioneers. We discussed the challenges of diversifying and growing professional services firms, with our commercial finance broker audience in mind.