Inflation / Prices –
In 2023, while the pace of inflation has decreased, per the table above, many would argue that prices remain high for food and other commodities, with some recent deflationary pricing coming in early 2024. Certainly, the pandemic helped cause supply disruptions and shortages that have led to higher prices for things like gasoline, used cars, lumber, housing, appliances, electronics, meat, fish, dairy, fruits, vegetables, healthcare, labor, housing, education, etc.

Many economists are arguing that unemployment is low, and spending is still up – that the economy is strong. Yet, many people still see those higher prices and conclude that the economy is bad, that we’re no longer going to have low interest rates and low inflation. The high cost of housing is probably one of the biggest contributors to the cost of living, especially those who are renting. The price of purchasing a place to live has risen so greatly as to becoming a homeowner is hardly a reality for millions. Rents have also surged greatly in the past few years, taking a big bite out of household income, and leaving less to spend on other essential products and services...

• Accuracy and Timeliness
• Well-Supported and Documented Conclusions
• Watch List Monitoring
• Regulatory Credit Risk Rating Classifications

• Loan Covenants Are Conditions That a Borrower Must Comply With as Specified in a Loan Agreement
• Covenants Involve Reporting Requirements, Financial Performance Thresholds, Affirmative Actions and Negative Restrictions
• Take the Time to Read And Understand all Required Loan Covenants
• Loan Covenants Serve Various Purposes
• Covenants That Are Not Too Tight Or Too Loose
• IMPORTANCT TO YOU- Study and understand what your loan covenants are. Pay extra close attention the financial performance covenants. Make your voice heard when it comes to loan repayment

• CRE Collateral Considerations and Risks: Relevant Market Conditions; Extraordinary Assumptions; Hypothetical Conditions; Leases/Rental Rates, Vacancy, Operating Expenses; Capitalization Rates (CAP); Discount Rates; Absorption; Leasehold Interest; Tenant Improvements (TIs); Appraisal Recommendation
• CRE Lending Considerations and Emerging CRE Risks: Interest Rate Risk; Refinance Risk; Resizing Opportunities; Repricing Risk; Insurance Coverage; Environmental Risk

• We’ve Got Some New and New Exciting Risks to Deal with Here
• How Disruptive Will AI and Other New Technologies Become?
• New National Security Risks and Rewards
• New Technologies Just Keep Coming; They Can’t Be Stopped
• Will Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math be at Risk (Disrupted)?
• Consider These Warnings
• A Disruptive Technology Coming After 300 Million Jobs?
• Election Disruption from AI
• AI Risks for the Upcoming Elections
• CONCLUSION - So What, When, How It Affects You?
• Unforeseen Events with AI and New Technology Risks Will Increase

• Foreclosure Occurs When the Underlying Collateral is Liquidated Due to There Being an Event of Default on a Loan
• Getting to the Auction Bid
• Real Estate Collateral Will Become 'Other Real Estate Owned,' or OREO
• Personal Property Collateral Will Be Liquidated
• Market Bids are Still Market Bids
• IMPORTANCE TO YOU - Liquidation of collateral is a big, very big deal, but what's the real cost? Forced or cooperative liquidation? Making the best of a bad situation. Don't be deceptive, even if you are angry with the creditor. There is a better way to resolve any dispute