Entrepreneurs
Our services are tailored to fit important stages of growth. Whether you are just starting up, building for scale or considering a sale, we provide comprehensive solutions for entrepreneurs that extend well beyond a traditional banking relationship. Click on the Case Studies below to learn more.
Commercial & Private Banking
Our Commercial and Private Banking services and products are customized for each client and provide entrepreneurs the flexibility to navigate through challenges and capitalize on opportunities. We design personal and business loans to solve for immediate cash flow needs and constrictive liquidity concentrations. We also enable entrepreneurs to move forward with opportune investments and business strategies that maximize financial upside without needing to unlock deployed capital.
Wealth Consulting
Collaborating with our strategic alliances, we develop financial plans that fit your liquidity needs, time horizon, tax liabilities, estate plan and broader financial goals.
Investment Banking
Our team of experienced professionals guide entrepreneurs through the myriad challenges that arise in a growing company. Strategic capital planning and well-designed processes are key to effecting a successful transaction. We work hand in hand with business owners throughout each transaction, helping to identify objectives, offer advice supported by intellectual rigor and financial analyses, and negotiate to a successful close in the best interests of our clients.
Corporate Development Solutions
Through our Corporate Development Solutions group, we can provide specialized services to help entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses. We can perform marketing and industry evaluations, perform due diligence, prepare financial models and also assist with marketing and operational needs that arise during a company's life cycle. Additionally, we can serve as a debt marketing agent and arrange creative debt solutions for entrepreneurs needing capital or facing liquidity constraints.
Case Studies
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Non-Recourse, Secured Stock Loan Allows Entrepreneur to Fund New Investments
Client Background
A successful entrepreneur whose net worth was mainly concentrated in a high-growth, logistics software API services company that he founded, was seeking to diversify his holdings in a non-dilutive manner that would allow him to maintain all of the shares he owned while making new investments. In addition to a personal loan, the entrepreneur was seeking a debt recapitalization solution for the company that would improve operating cash flows and allow the company to pursue growth initiatives.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Investment Banking
MetCap helped source, structure and close a non-recourse, stock secured loan for the entrepreneur against his private interests in the company to make investments and diversify his wealth into other asset classes, without the need to dilute his shares in the high-growth tech company. Further, the investor who made the loan has subsequently made a follow-on investment in the company, highlighting the ability of MetCap to find the right investor for the transaction.
Metropolitan Capital Solutions
MetCap’s corporate advisory arm helped identify a pivotal capital solution for the company which alleviated monthly cash flow pressures and allowed the company a longer runway before obtaining the next round of funding at a significantly higher valuation.
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Secondary Market Transaction Led by MetCap Helps Entrepreneur Find Suitable Buyer for Equity Stake
Client Background
An entrepreneur successfully built and sold a cybersecurity firm to a large private equity-backed company, receiving both a portion of cash and equity in the acquirer as part of the transaction. Wanting to pursue other endeavors, the entrepreneur was interested in leveraging his sizeable equity stake to access liquidity. Complicating the matter, any potential sale of his equity stake would need to be approved by the company’s board, which was controlled by the private equity firm.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED
Investment Banking
MetCap was referred to the entrepreneur by a mutual connection. After initial conversations, MetCap introduced the idea of a secondary market transaction to the entrepreneur. Utilizing MetCap’s network of investors and experience in secondary market transactions, a suitable buyer for the equity stake was sourced by MetCap. After undergoing a rigorous vetting process by the board, both the buyer and the transaction were approved. In addition, the compatible fit between the buyer and the company led to a follow-on investment in the company by the buyer. MetCap worked closely with all parties to move the transaction to a smooth close and achieve the client’s objectives.
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Entrepreneur Utilizes Full Suite of Universal Banking Services to Grow Business into $35 Million 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.
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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.
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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.
