The Fundability™ Podcast

When COVID hit, EIDL loans provided a lifeline for countless small businesses. But now that those loans are coming due—often after a business has already folded—the looming threat of EIDL collection is causing massive stress. If you're receiving those nagging monthly statements, terrifying letters from the Treasury Department, or simply lying awake wondering what the SBA is going to do next, you n...

Merrill Chandler sits down with Scott Carson of We Close Notes to discuss how to leverage and capitalize distressed assets. Scott delves into the parallels between the current market and the market-in-recession of 2008 to present the most reasonable investing strategies to implement right now. He explains how banks evaluate their portfolios and when they start shedding distressed assets. Scott als...

Live from FICO World 2025, this episode dives deep into the challenges facing small business owners in today’s economy. Our guest, David Smith —an SBA insider and expert in business origination—joins host Merrill Chandler to talk about EIDL loan defaults, rising inflation, SBA lending changes, and the ripple effects of regulatory shifts at the IRS and CFPB. From Five Guys burgers to $136 cowboy st...

Ever pondered the intricacies of credit scoring and its impact on business financing? This is crucial for entrepreneurs and business owners alike. Merrill Chandler brings David Smith , a Key Account Partner and Small Business Segment Leader with FICO, to give some updates from FICO World 2024. They discuss the layers of credit scoring and the importance of cash flow analysis. Tune in to get some i...

You’re in for a sweet treat with today’s guest. In this episode, we’ve got tax hacks for your business. The father-daughter combo, Byron McBroom and Melanie Sikma, talk about why you should stop giving the IRS money they don’t deserve. They also discuss how investors can capitalize on depreciation and cost segregation. Byron and Melanie also identify the misconceptions people have about tax planni...

www.assetdefenseteam.com   Thriving in the future demands a game plan, and FinCEN reporting is the playbook. Today, our special guest Bob Bluhm will talk about the FinCEN reporting playbook and why it is important to protect your assets. Bob presents "The 2024 Game Plan," a guide to navigating the real estate market, where he provides thorough information on trends, opportunities, and challen...

Don't miss out on the opportunity to build wealth through real estate in 2024. Instead of being uncertain like others, adopt a multidimensional strategy that transforms current investments into future successes. In this episode, Jason Hartman reveals a top-down real estate investing forecast for the year 2024. Discover how the global mindset and the ambition of 8 billion people contribute to keepi...

Even though many people dabble in the world of investing,  Chris Miles  has chosen to go down the road less traveled. In this episode, he joins Merrill Chandler to discuss his journey from financial advisor to anti-investor. He explains how to get out of real estate, focus less on your credit score, and abandon financial myths many advisors pass on as truth. He discusses how to make the...

They say the only thing that never changes is change itself. And that seems to be the truth and the whole truth when it comes to real estate. To thrive in this industry, you need to learn how to pivot with the times. Joining us in this conversation to show us the way is Eddie Speed. Eddie explains why the surge in rental property investments is now facing challenges, why note investing may be the...

You don’t have to continue living deal to deal. It is time to end the cycle, step into this episode, and enjoy the advantages of strategic planning. Today, David Richter , the founder and owner of Simple CFO Solutions , discusses how to set us up as a priority to build a quality of life without harming the business along the process. He talks about what drove him to Profit First and get out from d...

There are tools to help you grow financially. In fact, this episode’s guest has four of them! Today, we unlock the gates to financial growth with  Dan Thompson , the author of   The 4 Keys to Building Wealth . He brings us one of those keys, particularly on how to leverage life insurance policies. Opening the windows, Dan gives us a clear view of why a life insurance policy is the most p...

Your financial future is shaped by the decisions you make today, and understanding the hidden factors behind lending can be the key to unlocking your financial potential. Join us for an electrifying episode recorded live at FICO World 2023, where we dive deep into the world of credit, lending, and financial optimization. Our special guest, David Smith , Small Business Segment Leader at FICO, discu...

What is the truth about declaring bankruptcy? In today’s episode, Merrill Chandler defines bankruptcy and walks you through how, why, and when it happens. It doesn’t end there. Merrill also shares how bankruptcies impact your future transactions and what you can do to maintain a positive relationship with your lenders. Get your dose of financial knowledge with tips on debt reparation, negotiation,...

Nowadays, people would often splurge on what item is on trend. It could be the newest phones, gaming consoles, sought after skills trainings, etc. However, due to the lack of funds in their wallet, they cannot purchase some pricey items. Then come special sales and different payment methods, one being the overly-hyped “Buy Now, Pay Later” scheme that attracts people who don’t put much thought to w...

Do you have a credit card that you use for shopping? Are your needs and wants to pile up, and you also want to increase your credit card limit? Listen to your host Merrill Chandler as he explains why certain credit cards will never get a limit increase. You don’t just get that quickly because they pull review scores from your previous transactions and purchases. Tune in to learn how mortgages are...

Credit scores determine the borrowers’ access to money from lenders. Low credit does affect your chances of getting lenders to borrow you the money, but having bad credit is not the end. Doing your due diligence and seeking help from accredited credit repair companies will help you build your credit. Today,  Flame Newton  discusses how you can access money from banks or lenders. Building...

The real estate industry can be sometimes fickle. Making that first deal can be a very daunting task that one needs to overcome to get their drive on. Today, Merrill Chandler interviews real estate investors  Jen Conkey and Stacy Conkey  about their diverse real estate experiences and strategies to identify deals and make offers. With over a decade-long experience, what’s not t...

If you could read the minds of bankers, would you? Fortunately, you don’t need to summon psychic abilities for this one. Merrill Chandler sits down with a former Tier 4 banker turned business owner, Brandon Bailey, to share with us what goes on inside of the bank between bankers and underwriters. Brandon reveals some inside information about how you’re unknowingly telling banks NOT to fund you. Tu...

Many would set a goal and wonder, "Hey! I've been setting this goal, and still, why couldn't I make it?" In this episode,  Becky Nova , the Founder of  Lady Landlords , talks about how she's helping women reach their financial freedom. She shares the strategies she used to optimize her time and explains how Lady Landlords provide help to other women. Tune in to this inspiring episode and...

Small business owners are the backbone of the economy. They create jobs, spur innovation, and help drive economic growth. However, they often face significant challenges in accessing the capital they need to start or grow their businesses. In this episode, David Smith , a Senior Originations Consultant with FICO, sits with Merrill Chandler to talk about the trends in business lending and business...

Your mistakes don't define you. In fact, they are essential for self-discovery and success. They teach you a lot and help you grow. Having seen the bottom and climbed her way back up, Melissa Houston shares how she concealed $100k in personal debt from her husband, and bounced back both personally and financially. Now she is a financial strategist who helps entrepreneurs grow from 6-figure to 7-fi...

Do you know what a rolling charge-off is? In this episode, Merrill Chandler defines the term and how it can affect your finances, especially your credit profile. Understand how missing a due payment can escalate your financial issues by tuning in. Plus, get practical tips with real world examples from Merrill. Stay tuned! Love the show?  Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://getfundablep...

What does it take to build a team of pure genius? In this episode, we learn that it’s all about achieving harmony from the different skillsets that each person in it has. Merrill couldn’t have picked a better person to talk about this. In celebration of Women’s History Month, our host brings in his genius mentor who has facilitated the growth of the Fundability movement in many ways. Tracy Hazzard...

Becoming fundable often hinges on a single factor that affects your ability to get a loan. Now, getting funds depends on your secret consumer score. And just what is that? Merrill Chandler delves into consumer scores and how they affect you. He looks at secret consumer scores, how they work, and how you can bring yours up. Tune in and learn how to get fundable with great advice from Merrill. Love...

Manifesting opportunities and success is a big part of progress. Setting your goals is the first part of achieving them. In this episode, Merrill Chandler learns about manifesting your goals with Monick Halm , the Founder of Real Estate Investor Goddesses . Monick shares how she started her path towards success via real estate, her way of manifesting success. Tune and learn more success tales from...