Non-PPP forgivable loan help available to startups, other SMBs

Even companies unscathed by the pandemic can get months of debt service payments made on their behalf without having to repay the assistance.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 6, 2021

Hotels, restaurants to get larger PPP loans

The second round expands eligible uses to cloud computing and other operational expenses as well as essential supplies.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 5, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Compensation: solving the cost-talent puzzle

In today’s strong labor market, CFOs leery of raising wages find creative ways to find and retain key employees.

By CFO Dive staff

COVID-19 upends some companies' dividend-or-buyback calculation

How thinly a stock is traded, its current book value and the availability of alternative uses of cash weigh into the buyback-or-dividend decision, finance leaders say.

By Ramona Dzinkowski • Jan. 1, 2021

New type of direct listing promises cheaper, more lucrative IPOs

The SEC approved primary direct floor listings in December. Critics worry these new listings will brew trouble.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 1, 2021

Companies see covenant, indenture loosening as investors hunt for yield

The more frequent elimination of ratio debt is one of the key leveraged loan and high-yield bond trends this year.   

By Ted Knutson • Dec. 20, 2020

Feds OK 18-month LIBOR reprieve

Existing instruments are expected to be main beneficiaries; new issues still on track to use different rates.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 14, 2020

Don't rush into public equity if you're succeeding privately, CFOs say

Remaining private brings benefits if you have the right partners, finance leaders say.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 22, 2020

Using KPIs to ensure product market fit

Metrics, not investor interest, are the only way to know whether a SaaS business has staying power, a top Silicon Valley capital provider says.  

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 11, 2020

COVID-19 driving rise in loan portability

Between the pandemic, election, international trade and low interest rates, it’s a perfect storm for debt to carry with a company to a new owner as a way to speed sales.

By Ted Knutson • Nov. 2, 2020

Matching loan type to business stage

Whether you take out a growth capital term loan, asset-based loan, revolving line of credit or traditional venture debt, extending your runway depends on where your company sits on its growth curve.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 27, 2020

Shifting to revenue growth from margin improvement

CFO Sachin Patel helped healthcare data analytics company Apixio drive a strategy focused on lifetime customer value. 

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 22, 2020

Pandemic elevates treasury function while exposing its performance gaps

Treasurers have been key in their organization's efforts to keep cash on hand, but their skills have room for improvement, a survey shows.    

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 12, 2020

Fed expands Main Street program, cuts loan threshold by half

The central bank is including larger companies, but some small-business advocates and industry leaders say the $500,000 minimum loan is still too high.

By Anna Hrushka • May 1, 2020

CFOs look to credit lines, bond markets for cash

It’s crunch time for CFOs as they help their companies navigate the downturn.

By Robert Freedman • April 13, 2020

Cash flow is king as CFOs weather coronavirus disruption

Maximize customer touchpoints based on value, not volume, to bring in the most cash, a consultant advises, as part of a strategy to get through the uncertainties ahead. 

By Ted Knutson • March 29, 2020

Payment recovery touted as source of working capital

Building a forensic audit into your source-to-pay process could put otherwise misspent money back into your pocket.

By Robert Freedman • March 26, 2020

CFOs can expect indirect benefit from Fed's latest credit facility

The move gives money market fund managers the confidence to buy or roll over the commercial paper that many companies rely on to cover short-term costs.

By Robert Freedman • March 23, 2020

Banks tap Fed discount window to signal readiness on credit

The biggest U.S. banks have been cooperating with each other and with the Federal Reserve to show they'll keep people and companies liquid should the economy worsen.

By Robert Freedman • March 17, 2020

Trump's new $1T relief package: Which industries get a slice?

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin pitched the relief package to Senate Republicans. It's the biggest package in U.S. history, but which industries will get access?

By Jane Thier • March 17, 2020

CFOs building up cash as uncertainty clouds economy

CFOs are taking a defensive position to preserve cash, but they're open to spending in the early part of this year, according to the Association for Financial Professionals' quarterly cash survey.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 28, 2020

Sinclair Broadcast Group CFO sacrificed higher pay for experience

Lucy Rutishauser created her first job at the company by convincing executives she could fill a role they didn't know they needed.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 21, 2019

Reverse factoring in cash management prompts alarm from Moody's

Companies are stretching out their supplier payments with a new take on conventional factoring, but this often creates an undisclosed material debt obligation.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 22, 2019

5 signs you're about to run out of cash

Cash is surprisingly hard to track, and knowing when it's about to run out is harder if you don't know the warning signs. 

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 12, 2019

Companies hanging on to cash despite S&P 500 stock buyback binge

AFP's Corporate Cash Indicators index revealed most companies are still holding cash to hedge against global uncertainty. 

By Robert Freedman and Jane Thier • Aug. 5, 2019