Firm News
Posted on Oct 1, 2021
Most investment banks focus on the sell-side of a transaction, for the following reasons: The engagement includes a retainer for initial advisory work and conducting a process to find the best ...
Continue reading "WORKING THE BUY-SIDE" »
Posted on Sep 1, 2021
Special equity compensation known as profits interests (PI) are only issued by Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). They provide for a share of profit in the company after a specific point in time. ...
Continue reading "PROFITS INTERESTS" »
Posted on Aug 1, 2021
What is the appropriate role of a financial valuator? Objectivity, above all else. As a member of the most prestigious governing body, the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the credible valuator ...
Continue reading "ROLE OF THE VALUATOR" »
Posted on Jul 1, 2021
One of the more vexing issues for the successful investment banker is deciding how much to really “share” with the seller(s) concerning the sale process. The myriad of issues faced by the ...
Continue reading "What Sellers Need to Know" »
Posted on Jun 1, 2021
COVID-19 created problems and opportunities for investment bankers. Enumerated below are the issues and how the credible IBankers (IB) would handle them. Issues 1. Many companies succeeded in spite of ...
Continue reading "SELECTING YOUR INVESTMENT BANKER" »
Posted on May 1, 2021
Careful consideration should be given to potentially significant tax liability with respect to stock issued to founders, employees and contractors (in lieu of other compensation). Often, startups and ...
Continue reading "EBITDA" »
Posted on Apr 1, 2021
Nearly every investment banking client takes us on an interesting journey, with numerous twists and turns. The progression of a beginning, middle, and (potential) end is very akin to a courtship. Our ...
Continue reading "LIFE OF A DEAL" »
Posted on Mar 1, 2021
The key buzzword in the M&A sphere is exit planning. Typically, the earlier and better the pre-M&A cleanup, the smoother the ultimate sale. Filling the exit planning or strategy role are ...
Continue reading "M&A EXIT ADVISORS" »
Posted on Feb 1, 2021
For different but similar reasons, some buyers and sellers choose not to employ an investment bank (IB). When a trusted advisor strongly urges their client, buyer or seller, to hire an IB, that ...
Continue reading "WHY NOT USE AN INVESMENT BANK?" »
Posted on Jan 1, 2021
Our investment bank serves mostly private company sellers. The buyers are a combination of public and private firms – strategics and PEGs (private equity groups). We do not seek out or negotiate ...
Continue reading "WHAT PORTENDS FOR DEALS IN 2021?" »
Posted on Dec 1, 2020
The most well-known metrics for “pricing” a potential business sale involve applying a multiple times an income amount, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and ...
Continue reading "WHAT GOES INTO A MULTIPLE?" »
Posted on Nov 1, 2020
For different but similar reasons, some buyers and sellers choose not to employ an investment bank (IB). When a trusted advisor strongly urges their client, buyer or seller, to hire an IB, that ...
Continue reading "WHY TO HIRE AN INVESMENT BANK?" »
Posted on Oct 1, 2020
To expand our already strong reach into many industries, Mentor Securities has continued to partners with C-Level management and CFO/Search firms. These collaborations provide added credibility and ...
Continue reading "MENTOR SECURITIES EXECUTIVE TEAM" »
Posted on Sep 1, 2020
Many firms are currently conflicted. In the middle of the COVID Era, with no known end data, these companies are asking themselves a basic question: do we go to market now? This question is germane to ...
Continue reading "COVID ERA IMPACT TO SELL OR NOT TO SELL" »
Posted on Aug 1, 2020
We are continually expanding our reach into many vertical markets, partly through the strategic alliances with numerous C-Level/management executives from a variety of industries. In addition, we have ...
Continue reading "MENTOR SECURITIES DEVELOPS C-LEVEL EXECUTIVE TEAM" »
Posted on Jul 1, 2020
For business combinations, there may be a hidden gem lurking in the recently passed CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security). Among the many provisions of CARES is the revival of net ...
Continue reading "CARES ACT: NET OPERATING LOSSES" »
Posted on Jun 1, 2020
Just like the experts say about the stock market, there is no ideal time or magic wand to determine when to jump in. At this time, it is difficult to determine the long-term winners and losers from ...
Continue reading "TIMING THE "SELLERS" MARKET" »
Posted on May 1, 2020
As of mid-March, there is much uncertainty surrounding the impact of the coronavirus on U.S. (and global) business. Many Americans are gripped by a "fear of the unknown," since there is no ...
Continue reading "CORONAVIRUS IMPACT ON SELLING BUSINESSES" »
Posted on Apr 1, 2020
For the Year End 2019, the number of deals by Private Equity (PE) was off 15% from 2018. At the same time, the capital raised was up by 50% over 2018. The majority of deals were transacted at less ...
Continue reading "PRIVATE EQUITY - 2019" »
Posted on Mar 1, 2020
What should a company do when first contacted by a viable potential buyer? Many companies (sellers) will face this dilemma, and there is no ideal answer. We suggest that you be "open" to ...
Continue reading "FIRST POTENTIAL BUYER CONTACT" »
Posted on Feb 1, 2020
As we enter 2020, the amount of potential M&A deals is expected to accelerate. Multiples remain strong (and unusually high for the best companies), averaging nearly 7.5 times trailing adjusted ...
Continue reading "THE LATEST IN M&A TRANSACTIONS" »
Posted on Jan 1, 2020
One of the best opportunities for U.S. sellers is the vast overseas market of buyers. However, changing the old adage, "let the seller beware." Provided herein are the major hurdles for ...
Continue reading "SELLING TO OVERSEAS BUYER(S)" »
Posted on Dec 1, 2019
Some investment banks focus solely on Sell-Side advisory. Others work principally on Buy-Side deals. Mentor Securities is staffed to provide full service for both types of transactions. The Buy-Side ...
Continue reading "M&A BUY-SIDE BANKING" »
Posted on Nov 1, 2019
There can be numerous reasons that a company is not sold. And some of them have little to do with the company itself. Even the most capable investment bankers and lawyers can fail to put Humpty Dumpty ...
Continue reading "MAJOR IMPEDIMENTS TO SELLING A BUSINESS" »
Posted on Oct 1, 2019
What happens when a retained sell-side company does not sell, even after an exhaustive marketing process? Well, the first thing is denial. Every company is wanted by someone, right? No exactly. Then ...
Continue reading "A FAILURE TO LAUNCH" »