Always Have a Plan B — plan Bush
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions do clients most commonly ask you?
(1) Why does AEX Commercial Financing Group charge a fixed consulting fee instead of a percentage of the business loans obtained for clients?
First and foremost, we believe that our approach is by far the most ethical way to advise small business owners about securing commercial finance help. We often recommend a financial solution that does not involve a new loan. Even when working capital financing or a commercial mortgage is required as part of our recommendation, we will always prefer a path that involves less debt instead of more debt. Second, in almost all situations that a commission is charged based on the amount of a commercial loan, it is highly likely that a business owner will pay an excessive fee. Third, some of our best advice and help does not involve new business financing, and our fixed fees provide the most appropriate way to assign a value to these services (very much like dealing with an attorney or CPA).
(2) Should I fire my banker?
Evaluating which banks are "bad banks" is increasingly vital to the future financial health of most businesses. To assist in this potentially stressful analysis, we act as commercial bank consultants to small businesses throughout the U.S. When your business continues to be unsuccessful in obtaining sufficient working capital and other business financing from your current bank, firing your banker has become a more necessary and practical part of any prudent solution to a critical problem for many commercial borrowers. By the way, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation could fire your banker for you (if you don't do it first) since there continue to be literally hundreds of "problem banks" on the monitoring list for the FDIC.
Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
(1) Small business owners pay AEX Commercial Financing Group only consulting fees based on the time and effort which AEX devotes to helping them and do not pay AEX any loan fees or points even when AEX helps them to secure working capital financing or commercial real estate loans. When lenders compensate AEX for our efforts in arranging business financing for a client, we share any resulting payment on a 50/50 basis with our client.
(2) Stephen Bush identified the serious small business finance problems involved in working with many commercial lenders several years ago (well before a "financial crisis" was recognized by the general public). The process of dealing with commercial banks and other business lenders has recently become even more difficult. AEX Commercial Financing Group is uniquely qualified to help small businesses overcome the difficult challenges involved in securing business financing.
(3) For many years Stephen Bush has been recognized as one of the most dependable sources of concise and candid explanations about the commercial lending process. His small business consulting expertise is available exclusively through AEX Commercial Financing Group.
Do you really work with small businesses anywhere in the United States and Canada?
Yes! Our business consulting services do not generally involve travel to wherever the client is located (except for unique circumstances). We recognize that some business owners literally require the ability to have face-to-face communication with their business advisers, and unfortunately that might eliminate using AEX Commercial Financing Group. In a situation like that, we strongly recommend reviewing local options before deciding to rule out AEX simply because we are not right next door. Our observation is that it is extremely difficult to find an experienced and expert small business finance consultant in most locations. This is a key reason why we are willing to work with small businesses throughout the United States and Canada.
What advice do you have for a business owner planning to hire a service provider like you?
While almost all commercial borrowers should benefit from practical and straightforward business finance advice, our view is that such help is NOT readily available. AEX has increased efforts to ensure that we will be able to assist as much as possible. Some of our best advice continues to be available for free on our website. AEX has regularly received positive feedback about our candid solutions for avoidable business problems and risks.
Although AEX Commercial Financing Group is based in Ohio, we serve as a small business consultant throughout the United States and Canada. We do not travel except for unique situations (such as providing expert witness testimony) that require our physical presence at a business location. This enables us to keep fees at an extremely cost-effective level for our clients.
More Questions?
We are always happy to answer specific questions by email.
