We’re coming off an incredible year from mergers and acquisitions yet again. In fact, we closed out 2022 as one of our greatest ever for FP Transitions, and the same goes for Live Oak Bank. We took a moment to reconnect with James Hughes, SVP of Advisory Lending for Live Oak Bank, to break down the key areas advisors should consider before they enter the 2023 mergers and acquisitions environment.
Topics: Acquisition, M&A, Business Value, Deal Structure, Financing, Bank Financing, Buying & Selling, State of the Market, Next Generation, Valuation & Appraisal, "Buying, Selling, and Valuing Financial Practices", Sell and Stay™, Trends
It’s hard to keep secrets in a small office. The rooms are tight, the walls are thin, and it’s just a matter of time before everyone knows everyone else’s business. Even when an owner has quietly decided to sell their practice, they should assume that staff members will eventually find out (if they haven’t already). In our experience, it’s best that employees hear the news from someone they trust: the owner.
Prospective sellers are often reluctant to speak to staff members about their exit plans because they aren’t sure how the selling process will pan out and they don’t know how the staff will feel about the change. While it’s important to be sure of your decision before announcing your plan, looping your staff into the process can increase your success and can even help shape the structure of your sale.
Topics: Selling Your Practice, Deal Structure, Buying & Selling, Building Your Team, "Buying, Selling, and Valuing Financial Practices"
In 1953, a start-up business called the Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers. Toiling in a small lab in San Diego, California, they set about to create a “water displacing” formula for use in the aerospace industry. It took 40 attempts to get the formula figured out.
But figure it out they did, and WD-40 was born. The name stands for water displacement formula perfected on the 40th try. Imagine what would have happened if the inventors had given up after two dozen or so really solid attempts?
The story, and the point, of course, is bigger than trying hard and eventually succeeding. WD-40 was initially a product limited to special uses, an example of which was protecting the outer skin of the Atlas missile from rust and corrosion. But that was just for starters. The product actually worked quite well for a variety of other uses–so well that several employees snuck some WD-40 cans out the plant to use at home on more mundane tasks like squeaky hinges and rusty nuts and bolts. The product eventually became a household staple. By innovating and adapting to the market, this small group of entrepreneurs created something great.
Topics: Acquisition, Buying & Selling, Sustainability, "Buying, Selling, and Valuing Financial Practices"
The following sections are excerpted from the book Buying, Selling, and Valuing Financial Practices by FP Transitions president and founder David Grau Sr., JD.
Let's highlight the importance of having a strong transition team in your corner as either a buyer or a seller. In fact, it's important to have a comprehensive team when jumping into most business evolutions, including (but not limited to) entity creation, compensation restructuring, and internal succession planning.
Advisors who want to buy or sell a business will need some help to do the job right. A typical team for this purpose will include:
- A qualified valuation analyst
- A tax professional
- A lawyer
- Someone familiar with your regulatory structure and your IBD/custodian’s rules & procedures
- A qualified and impartial intermediary
To be clear, this list applies to both buyers and sellers. Both parties typically need their own team, with some slight overlap.
Topics: Selling Your Practice, Acquisition, Buying & Selling, "Buying, Selling, and Valuing Financial Practices", Published
Our new book Buying, Selling, & Valuing Financial Practices - The FP Transitions M&A Guide is now available. Order your copy here, and watch the video below to find out why our President & Founder, David Grau Sr., JD decided to [literally] write the book on Mergers & Acquisitions for the financial services industry.
Topics: Acquisition, M&A, Business Value, Buying & Selling, "Buying, Selling, and Valuing Financial Practices", Published
We've got some exciting news for 2016: a new book!
Topics: Announcements, Buying & Selling, "Buying, Selling, and Valuing Financial Practices", Published