A weekly look at current Australian business finance issues and events, as seen through the eyes of corporate and commercial “special situations”, “workout” and industry experts. Nick Samios hosts a panel comprising Australia’s leading restructuring, capital raising and industry sector specialists for views and analysis from these practitioners who have “skin in the game” – either as hard currency or through their PI policies! Fund Manager Nick Samios is the Managing Director of Hermes Capital – a wholesale fund specialising in event driven funding. Lunch Money is streamed live on YouTube at lunch time every Friday and uploaded shortly thereafter as an audio podcast.
Episodes
Friday May 03, 2024
The $30 Billion Refinancing Opportunity of the Century
Friday May 03, 2024
Friday May 03, 2024
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 significant threat to individual SMEs facing cash flow issues and trying to raise capital. This, however, presents an unprecedented opportunity for finance professionals. In this seminar, we will delve into the intricacies of this financial landscape, equipping you with the knowledge and strategies to navigate ATO arrears when raising capital.
This episode featured guest expert panel:
In this episode, we covered:
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ATO's Approach and Stats:
- ATO has become more active post-COVID, with a significant increase in tax debt.
- Key tools include credit reporting and Director Penalty Notices (DPNs).
- Tax debt has substantially increased, affecting small businesses the most.
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Client Evaluation and Financing:
- Evaluating clients' overall financial picture beyond short-term debt.
- Blended rates and diverse financing options are essential for managing debt effectively.
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Corporate Restructuring:
- Formal restructuring options to manage ATO and other debts.
- Corporate restructuring primarily addresses unsecured debt, with equipment finance companies often being cooperative.
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Negotiation Strategies with ATO:
- Early engagement and proper engagement with the ATO are crucial.
- Compliance with ATO's legal practice statements is essential for favourable outcomes.
Interested in future breakfast seminars by Hermes Capital? Check out our upcoming events here.
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Unleashing the Spartan Spirit: Transforming Businesses, Transforming Lives
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
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, and communities worldwide.
Lunch Money is produced by Hermes Capital Partners
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
The Art of the Deal: Making your Business Irresistible to Buyers
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
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.
We will ask Andrew about the challenges of making businesses saleable in 2024, positioning companies for strategic buyers, and the importance of preparation for a successful exit.
Finance brokers, accountants, lawyers, and capital advisors keen on the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions within the lower mid-market will gain valuable, actionable insights.
Don't miss this conversation - tune in to Lunch Money Podcast.
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Rescue or Risk: The Real Impact of Australia's Latest Restructuring Laws
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
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 business leaders in financial distress? Discover more on 'Lunch Money' this Friday at 12PM AEST with Blair Pleash (Restructuring Partner at Hall Chadwick) and Professor Jason Harris (Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Sydney). Join us for an insightful and practical session ideal for both finance professionals and company directors keen on understanding these legal solutions.
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Deadline Dilemma: Responding to Final Demands
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
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 sums of money to pay. Our experts uncover how you can move beyond these situations and save your business from financial collapse. Tune in live to get your questions answered.
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Sharpen Up Over Summer
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Friday Dec 08, 2023
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. Arabella will share some strategies you can implement around self-management and creating habits. You don’t want to miss this one.
Friday Sep 15, 2023
The Pyramid of Lies - The collapse of Greensill Capital
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Friday Sep 15, 2023
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 finance, layered with personalities. Lex Greensill's journey from a farming background to financial prominence is fascinating. His charisma and visionary image drew people in, blinding them to potential red flags.
Lex's actions and the recurring financial scams in the industry raise questions about the underlying motivations and mindset of individuals like him.
The pursuit of high society and credibility in the financial world drove Lex to build an image of success, utilising relationships with prominent figures like David Cameron. He played a pivotal role in opening doors for Lex and Greensill, leveraging his political connections to secure funding and access to influential leaders, such as Muhammad bin Salman.
The problem with supply chain finance, as exemplified by Greensill, is that it has been applied in ways that harm small businesses. Big buyers can coerce small suppliers into unfavourable deals, essentially holding their finances hostage. Although there's a move to make accounting more transparent, predatory practices still persist.
The story of Greensill is part of a larger pattern where financial schemes are portrayed as benevolent efforts to democratise finance. However, in reality, they often serve personal interests or attract investments based on inflated promises.
Lex Greensill's focus on branding and credibility-building using other people's money underscores the disconnection between the public image and the actual economic impact of such ventures.
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Data Dilemma: Making Sense of Conflicting Economic Indicators
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
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 insights into the Australian economy and its impact on small businesses are not to be missed. Tune in for a deep dive into the complexities of navigating through contradictory economic data and gaining valuable insights in the process.
Lunch Money is produced by Hermes Capital Partners
https://hermescapital.com.au/
Monday Jul 10, 2023
What does it take to be on an advisory board?
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
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 successful advisory boards. If you are looking to join a board, establish a board or improve your existing board, you don't want to miss this one.
Lunch Money is produced by Hermes Capital Partners
https://hermescapital.com.au/
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Challenges and Opportunities facing Australian Small Businesses
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
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 businesses today. Throughout the episode, we'll explore the latest developments in their professional fields - commercial finance and corporate restructuring. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain valuable insights from these industry experts.
Tune in to Lunch Money and get ready to level up your understanding of the business world!
Lunch Money is produced by Hermes Capital Partners
RESOURCES
COSBOA Small Business Perspective 2023
https://www.cosboa.org.au/post/the-small-business-perspective-report-2023