What I write about.
Practical articles on small business lending, commercial real estate, and building in Philadelphia.
One Front Door, and a Human on the Other Side
What I did not realize is that the city already has a tool that is a permit navigator tool, Philadelphia Permit Navigator, which has been poorly advertised.
Read article →Who Can Get a CDFI Loan?
A CDFI loan officer explains who actually qualifies for a CDFI loan: bank turndowns, thin credit, startups, and more. Plus disqualifiers and a fit check.
Read article →No one cares that your business failed
An underwriter on why a failed business is not a verdict on the founder, what social media gets wrong about success, and what building a business is actually for.
Read article →Cash Flow: The Key to Business Loan Approval
A working underwriter explains the cash flow math that decides business loan approval: the twelve month average, the 25 percent cushion, and three mistakes that kill files.
Read article →An AI filed a fake murder tip in Philadelphia. The city needs a public AI policy.
An AI submitted a fabricated homicide tip to a Philadelphia police website in July. Philadelphia needs a public AI policy: disclose testing, publish the AI inventory, and write a response protocol.
Read article →The Women Powered Economy
Join Impact Loan Fund for a free online workshop on Wednesday, December 16, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM ET. Learn how women-owned businesses can position their business for funding using agentic AI.
Read article →CDFI vs. Bank: Which Is Right for You?
A CDFI loan officer gives the honest head to head: CDFI vs bank on speed, rates, credit flexibility, and loan size, plus a simple framework for choosing.
Read article →The 5 C's in Action: How I Use Them to Say Yes or No
Last week I gave you the five questions behind every loan decision. This week I show you how I run a real file through all five in about ten minutes, and where most applications die.
Read article →The 5 C's of Credit: What Lenders Check
An underwriter explains the 5 C's of credit in plain language: what lenders check before saying yes, and how to strengthen each one before you apply.
Read article →Founders Alley Philadelphia Returns October 20 at Pennovation Works
Founder and investor panels, a startup showcase, practical founder resources, and a full day built around useful connections.
Read article →A Practical Guide to Commercial Real Estate Underwriting
How lenders size a commercial real estate loan, from net operating income and debt service coverage to loan to value, loan to cost, and stress testing.
Read article →A Loan Officer's Perspective on Financing Philadelphia's Rowhome Rebuild
Three practical lessons for small developers weighing a sale, rental, or refinance after rebuilding a Philadelphia rowhome.
Read article →Give Philly Kids a Real Lyft
Guest commentary by Amaury Abreu on the proposed Philadelphia rideshare tax for schools, and a fairer approach to funding education.
Read article →