Commercial Banking
At Metropolitan Capital, we design and tailor business banking products and services to meet the evolving needs of each client. We deliver a superior client experience that includes a dedicated Private Capital Manager for each account, a robust online and mobile banking platform where clients can conveniently coordinate and manage all of their banking activities in one place, and a vast network of resources and capabilities available through the Universal Bank's platform. Click on the Case Studies below to learn more.
Credit & Banking
Our commercial lending offerings include, but are not limited to:
- Operating Lines of Credit
- Working lines of Credit
- Subscription Lines of Credit
- Transitional Lines of Credit
- Borrowing-based Certificate Lending
- Warehouse Lines of Credit
- Mortgage Loans
- Bridge Loans
- Partnership Loans
- Real Estate-secured Loans
Deposits
We take deposits from personal and commercial banking clients through a variety of channels, including our online and mobile banking platform.
Cash & Treasury Management Solutions
We offer a variety of cash and treasury management services to develop a creative and customized solution for each client’s unique cash management needs.
Business checking account services include zero-balance accounts, professional business checking and cash management business checking. Our services also include sweeps accounts, tiered money market accounts, cash pickup services and remote capture. And when needed, we can also provide our clients the ability to keep the full amount of their deposits FDIC insured with special certificates of deposit and money market products.
For companies in need of assistance in efficiently managing their cash and short-term assets, our Treasury Management team is capable of building cash-based, fixed-income solutions and can manage for a complex structure of durations, working with permitted investments and risk tolerance and addressing liquidity needs.
Escrow Services
We have extensive experience administering escrow accounts and offer customized reporting options to meet your specific needs.
Features and services of escrow accounts include:
- Segregated accounts
- Account maintenance
- Payment reports
- Quick turnaround of standard or customized documentation
- Online access through our online banking platform
- Single point of contact for any and all account needs
Online & Mobile Banking Services
At metcapbank.com, clients can securely view account balances and transaction history, transfer money and download transactions to a personal financial manager and much more. Clients can personalize their online banking experience and access their accounts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.
Case Studies
-
Timely Line of Credit Helps High Net Worth Individual Meet Substantial Debt Obligation Avoiding Premature Liquidation of SPAC Holding
Client Background
A wealth advisor introduced MetCap to a high net worth individual seeking a line of credit to repay a private investor note that was coming due. The client, who had a large portion of his net worth concentrated in a special purpose acquisition corporation (“SPAC”), was reluctant to prematurely sell shares in advance of pending transaction that would result in a sizeable liquidity event for the client. Leveraging the client’s shares along with a personal guarantee, MetCap provided a loan enabling the client to access liquidity and pay off the note. Once the SPAC transaction was completed a few months later, the client repaid the personal loan in full using a portion of the cash proceeds from the transaction. As the client moved on to his next venture, he turned to MetCap again, looking for working capital and growth capital in a fast-growing enterprise. Despite the entity being cash-flow negative, MetCap was able to underwrite the loan using a personal guarantee from the client, allowing the company to bridge a liquidity gap and achieve growth initiatives and milestones needed for the next financing round.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Commercial Banking
The SPAC transaction generated significant wealth for the client that allowed him to use it as collateral for gap financing for a newly formed business venture, without the need to go through a lengthy and arduous traditional lending process that may or may not have resulted in a financing due to the cash negative nature of the startup.
Private Banking
Seeing a path to liquidity and leveraging a personal guarantee, MetCap was able to underwrite a personal loan to the client enabling the client to achieve maximum upside potential in the SPAC transaction.
-
Business Owner Taps MetCap to Help Buy Back Shares in Company
-
Entrepreneur Retains Full Ownership in Startup with Private Interest Stock Loan
Client Background
A high net worth individual was a co-founder of a very successful medical testing company. A few years after forming the company, a new opportunity within the industry presented itself. With the bulk of his net worth concentrated in the former company, he needed to find additional sources of capital to help fund the new venture. Reluctant to raise outside capital that would dilute his interest and future upside, the individual was seeking debt capital. However, traditional banks were unwilling to lend to the individual because of the illiquid nature of his net worth. His wealth manager, having worked with Metropolitan Capital before on similar matters, referred MetCap to the client.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Commercial Banking
MetCap was able to underwrite a loan using the entrepreneur’s interest in his other venture as collateral along with a personal guarantee. Along with a loan, the new company has a formal deposit relationship with MetCap.
Private Banking
In addition to commercial banking, the individual holds personal deposits with the bank.
Metropolitan Capital Solutions
Leveraging the Universal Banking suite of services, MetCap has been engaged by the new company to help raise growth capital.
-
Entrepreneur Utilizes Full Suite of Universal Banking Services to Grow Business into $35MM Enterprise
Client Background
Seeing an opportunity to leverage professional expertise and opportunistic timing, a successful M&A partner at a top law firm, began identifying distressed industrial and manufacturing companies to acquire following the financial downturn in 2008. However, the client initially faced capital challenges due to a negative personal net worth and needed to find a financial partner that was willing to provide the upfront capital. MetCap was able to envision the potential of the client’s entrepreneurial outlook and created an early stage line of credit in which the client could use to make the first investment.
Our client now owns four companies totaling $35MM in revenue and $10MM EBITDA and has looked to MetCap every step of the way for guidance and assistance in growing the platform.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Commercial Banking
MetCap initially provided a line of credit that has now grown to $5.5MM and enabled the client to make each of the four acquisitions. MetCap continues to provide commercial banking needs for the companies and holding company.
Investment Banking
MetCap has completed two key capital raises for the client in which the proceeds from the capital raises were used to exchange the existing preferred equity for preferred debt. The client now owns 100% of the equity in the holding company.
Private Banking
The client is a private banking client and holds personal deposits for himself and family members.
MetCap Network
During each of the capital raises, MetCap was able to turn to its investor network and high networth client base to source the entirety of capital sought. The ability to offer clients proprietary and quality deal flow in addition to a full suite of financial services is a unique differentiator of Universal Banking for small and medium sized businesses.
-
MetCap’s Appeal to Young Entrepreneurs Provides Framework for Long-Standing Universal Banking Relationship with Successful Lighting Company
Client Background
A Chicago area firefighter normally in the business of putting fires out, decided to put the lights on and launched a commercial lighting business. MetCap’s draw to young entrepreneurs helped pave the way for an early stage line of credit that enabled the individual to make the necessary investments to grow his business. In just a few years, the company successfully expanded into new markets, brought on new hires and has enjoyed consistent profitability. The success of his business led our client to seek diversification of his wealth portfolio outside of his company. Leveraging MetCap’s knowledge and deep understanding of the asset management space, our wealth consulting advisory team identified the ideal asset manager to help our client achieve his investment goals.
More important than anything, MetCap developed a meaningful and trusted partnership that extends well beyond a traditional business loan relationship. As new opportunities and challenges arise for our client, MetCap has the client’s best interest in mind, and as a result, the client continues to turn to MetCap for solutions and advice every step of the way.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Commercial Banking
MetCap’s interest in partnering with promising early stage companies provided the framework for a capital solution for our client that helped expand the commercial lighting company
Wealth Consulting
A complete understanding of the client’s modest portfolio, investment goals, and interests in sustainability and emerging market investing allowed MetCap to find the right financial advisor. Additionally, MetCap has provided assistance to the client in formulating 401k plans and employee benefit programs as the company continues to grow.
-
MetCap’s Differentiated Position as a Universal Bank for Entrepreneurs and Deep Network of Relationships Prove to be a Perfect Match for Enterprising Brothers
Client Background
Long standing clients of the bank, two entrepreneurial brothers were looking for strategic add-on acquisitions for their digital media company. In addition, they were seeking investment opportunities that would also serve to diversify their investment holdings. Finding a traditional financial partner that could assist in the sourcing, analyzing and capital facilitation of the investments was a difficult assignment. MetCap’s differentiated position as a Universal Bank for entrepreneurs and deep network of relationships proved to be a perfect match for the brothers.
The length and familiarity of the relationship with MetCap and its full spectrum of financial services allowed the clients to seamlessly work in concert within the Universal Bank to make strategic and timely investments and ultimately grow their investment portfolio.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Commercial Banking
Over the years, MetCap has provided loan facilities to the clients to make investments in the real estate, bar and restaurant and digital media industries. MetCap tailored each loan to allow for the clients to retain as much equity and upside potential as possible. The clients continue to hold deposits and loans with the Commercial Bank for their companies and holdings.
Investment Banking
MetCap provides on-going assistance in evaluating the merits and portfolio alignment of new opportunities as they arise as well as buy and sell-side advisory to complete the transactions. Most recently, MetCap provided due diligence and help with structuring and closing the largest add-on acquisition to date for their digital media platform.
Private Banking
In addition to commercial deposits and loans, the clients individually hold deposits and loans with the bank.
-
Innovative Loan Structure Allows Entrepreneur to Maintain Equity Control and Reach Inflection Point in Growth and Valuation
Client Background
Our client, a highly successful entrepreneur and investor, created an online incubator and angel investment platform. Using his experiences as an entrepreneur, he saw value in creating a platform that could connect startups with investors and as well as help entrepreneurs navigate the legal, tax and financial aspects of growing a business.
In order to scale the business, the company needed additional capital to fund the marketing and operations of the business as well as to build out the technology behind the platform. Because the majority of the founder’s assets were concentrated in numerous private investments and the complex nature of his personal balance sheet, banks were unwilling to lend the necessary growth capital without taking an equity stake in his company. Confident that the platform was close to reaching an inflection point in its growth and valuation, the founder was reluctant to raise outside equity that would dilute his upside potential.
Drawing on its ability to provide innovative lending solutions for business owners with non-traditional balance sheets and illiquid assets, Metropolitan Capital helped the company bridge the gap from pre-revenue to monetization without diluting the founder’s equity.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Private Banking
Metcap created two separate loans, one guaranteed by the founder and the other guaranteed by the founder’s venture capital fund, totaling $11 million. Metcap’s willingness to serve as the secondary lender was critical to the success of the transaction.
Commercial Banking
Fourteen months after the initial loans were made, the platform has since transitioned to a subscription-based model and the valuation of the company has increased significantly. Because of the trusted relationship that has developed, Metropolitan Capital was asked to be the exclusive banking partner for the platform and is now serving the unique financial needs of the platform’s high-growth startups and their founders.
-
Universal Banking Platform Supports Pet Boarding and Grooming Company’s Growth from $2 Million to $16 Million
Client Background
When Metcap was first introduced to a company that provides pet boarding and grooming services in 2010, the company had annual revenues of approximately $2 million and operated four locations. The company also had an ownership team with an ambitious vision for growing the operation, all with varying personal financial resources.
In order to achieve its vision, the company would need to form a banking relationship that could provide objective advice and creative solutions to address the challenges and opportunities that come with rapid expansion. On the outset, the company would need to raise additional debt and equity capital to fuel growth while accounting for shareholders’ varying financial position and goals. Additionally, the company would need to consider strategic acquisitions that could accelerate growth and expand the company’s footprint. MetCap’s complete suite of universal banking solutions proved to be an ideal fit for the company and its founders.
In growing from four locations and $2 million in revenue to 14 locations (with a 15th under construction) and more than $16 million in six years, the company has turned to Metropolitan Capital for strategic advice every step of the way.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Private Banking
The relationship began with Metcap making a relatively small loan to the company’s CEO, so that he could contribute additional capital to the company and receive equity credit.
Investment Banking
As the business continued to grow, Metcap helped negotiate and complete an acquisition that tripled the size of its operations. Once the company reached a stage where it made sense to raise additional equity capital, the bank introduced its network of high net-worth individuals and family offices that were eager to invest in the growing company. Since then, Metcap has successfully completed a second equity capital raise for the company.
Commercial Banking
Metcap structured a loan facility that has grown from $300,000 to $4.5 million as the company’s capital needs increased. Additionally, the loan facility includes creative terms to account for shareholder’s varying contributions and allows individuals to invest with a personal guarantee rather than writing an additional check.
-
Tailored Capital Solutions Provide Coffee Roaster and Retailer with Needed Flexibility to Grow and Expand Business
Client Background
Rich in flavor and history, Bridgeport Coffee Company has been serving exceptional roasted coffees in the iconic Bridgeport neighborhood located in the south side of Chicago since 2004. The company provides its fair trade and organic roasted coffees to the food & beverage and hospitality industries. Seeing an opportunity to serve its local community and provide an alternative to the mass market coffee shops, the company opened its first retail location in 2012.
Building on the success of the first location and its wholesale operations, the company sought to expand its footprint into other neighborhoods and retail channels. The company looked to its existing lender at the time to provide the additional growth capital necessary to build out the new stores and roastery. The company quickly discovered that its lender and most other banks were unwilling to lend to the client based on its size and the economic geography of its operations.
MetCap was very fortunate to be introduced to the owner of Bridgeport Coffee during this time. By taking the time to understand the company and its ownership, MetCap felt comfortable providing a tailored capital solution that was flexible enough to provide room to expand and grow the business.
Now operating 4 shop locations, a roastery and selling products in several retail channels throughout the country, Bridgeport Coffee has turned to MetCap for financing solutions and strategic advice every step of the way.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Commercial Banking
Metcap initially refinanced the company’s existing line of credit, leveraging the personal guarantees of the founders as collateral for the loan. Since then, MetCap has provided loans for each of the 4 retail location expansions and continues to serve as a trusted advisor and partner to the company on various company matters.
