Supercharging the SME lending process – Podcast episode
Publication: The Risk Appetite Podcast
How one business leader has spearheaded innovation in the SME lending world – bringing the seemingly impossible to life!
From consultant through to strategy and marketing at Amex, and then a principal at Bain & Company, Katrin went on to start Funding Xchange which digitises the lending process, speeding it up to a previously unimaginable extent.
In this episode Katrin talks about this journey and how her passion for the outcome trumps her passion for technology. She discusses her educational background, the challenges of starting a business, and the impact of COVID-19 on the financial landscape. Katrin emphasises the importance of understanding business psychology, the role of data in lending, and the need for personalised feedback for businesses seeking funding.
She also reflects on the future of debt financing and the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses in a changing economy.
Key moments in the episode
02:49 Education and Early Career: The Path to Strategy Consulting
05:59 Founding Funding Xchange: The Entrepreneurial Leap
08:54 Navigating the Financial Landscape: Insights from Bain
11:55 Funding Challenges: Building a Business from Scratch
14:53 Mandatory Bank Referrals: Transforming Access to Finance
18:12 Understanding Business Psychology: Overcoming Funding Rejections
21:02 The Role of Data in Commercial Lending
23:49 COVID-19 Impact: Adapting to Rapid Changes
27:11 Post-COVID Landscape: Debt Levels and Business Viability
29:57 Future Challenges: Debt Financing in a Changing Economy
32:51 Vision for the Future: Making Funding Accessible
35:46 Personal Reflections: Balancing Family and Entrepreneurship