equipifi, the fintech platform enabling banks and credit unions to offer flexible payment solutions natively within their digital banking experience, today announced the close of its $34-million Series B. The round was led by Left Lane Capital, with continued participation from all existing investors, including Curql and PHX Ventures. The raise brings equipifi's total funding … [More]
Small Business Lending: A Guide to Applying for a Loan
The truth about bankers is that we love nothing more than helping people turn their dreams into reality. We entered this line of work to help others reach their financial goals and find their individual path to success. For many, that means opening and running a successful business. For business owners who are ready to take their company to the next level, we’ve provided … [More]
SBA Program Offers Up to $50 Million to Support Small Manufacturers
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a new funding opportunity offering up to $50 million in grant awards to as many as 10 eligible applicant organizations who will provide training and technical assistance to support small manufacturers in the SBA’s Empower to Grow (E2G) Program. The Manufacturing in America E2G Grant Initiative will empower qualified … [More]
Lending Platform Targets Hard-to-Finance Land, Build-to-Rent Deals
Land and early-stage development deals have long been among the most capital-constrained transactions in commercial real estate, segments where insider access and institutional scale determined who could compete. At CommLoan, we built our platform to change that. Today, we’re expanding to include Land and Build-to-Rent financing, bringing precision, transparency, and speed to … [More]
Turning Tax Season into a Strategic Reset for Your Business
Once tax filings are complete, many business owners are ready to move on, close the books on last year and refocusing on day-to-day operations. But this window right after tax season is one of the most valuable times of year to step back and evaluate the financial health of a business with fresh, accurate data in hand. Rather than treating tax season as an endpoint, it can … [More]
BlackRock Funds $40M Push to Scale AI Escrow Platform
HomeLight announced the launch of EVA, an AI-powered escrow agent designed to automate the majority of tasks required to close a real estate transaction — alongside $40 million in new debt financing from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock to scale the platform nationwide. EVA is the industry’s first agentic escrow officer, empowered to work with over 80 tools to interface … [More]
TSMC Reports 35.1% YoY Revenue Growth in First Quarter
TSMC announced consolidated revenue of NT$1,134.10 billion, net income of NT$572.48 billion, and diluted earnings per share of NT$22.08 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. Year-over-year, first quarter revenue increased 35.1%, while net income and diluted EPS both increased 58.3%. Compared to fourth quarter 2025, first quarter results represented an 8.4% increase in … [More]
Regional Bank Expands Commercial Banking into Phoenix
Valley Bank announced the organic expansion of its relationship-focused commercial banking operations into the Phoenix, Arizona market. Phoenix is already the home of Valley’s tax credit advisory affiliate, Dudley Ventures, and this effort will further strengthen Valley’s presence in one of the country’s fastest‑growing markets. With this expansion, Valley now operates in 6 of … [More]
Valley Credit Union Turns 75, Eyes Growth in Digital Services
Copper State Credit Union, a Phoenix-based financial institution with seven Arizona locations, is celebrating 75 years of serving Arizona families and local communities. With 150 employees and a digital transformation, Copper State CU is looking forward to working with more small businesses, helping members fight fraud and scams, and providing safe and sound financial … [More]
Venture Fund Lowers Investment Minimum, Expanding Mainstream Access to VC Opportunities
Jetstream Venture Fund, an innovative interval fund designed to expand access to venture-style investing for a wider professional audience, announced it has lowered its minimum initial investment to $5,000. This strategic update opens new pathways for professionals to participate in institutional-quality private market deals that have historically been restricted to … [More]
The Business Case for Financing to Level the Legal Playing Field
The story is all too familiar. An everyday product or environmental site becomes the subject of a large-scale health or safety lawsuit. While the headlines often focus on the legal battle, they rarely reveal the financial realities behind it. For the individuals affected, the path to accountability often depends not just on the strength of their case but also on their ability … [More]
BMO to Add New Financial Centers in Arizona as Expansion Continues
Following BMO's October 2025 announcement to open new financial centers in key U.S. markets, BMO is announcing more than 130 new California locations, and approximately 15 locations in Arizona. This multi‑year investment reflects BMO's commitment to expanding in‑person, advice‑led banking across high-growth communities in the Western United States. BMO operates more than 220 … [More]
Carvana Plans Stock Split Aimed at Expanding Employee Ownership
Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling cars online, announced that its Board of Directors approved a 5 for 1 split of its common stock. The split is designed to ensure that earning and buying whole shares of Carvana stock is within reach for all of its team members. "This is the first split in Carvana’s history, and we believe it achieves the important goal of … [More]
Organic Grocer Backs Major Solar and Battery Project in Maricopa County
Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, and Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., announced a landmark Tax Credit Transfer in collaboration with U.S. Bank, and Longroad Energy. This agreement advances the Sun Pond Solar + Battery Energy Storage System project in Maricopa County, Ariz. – home to Sprouts’ headquarters – and represents a significant step toward driving … [More]
AI Concerns and Middle East Tensions Drive Market Uncertainty
2026 has already been a year replete with spicy news items, and February was no exception. Our update is longer than usual, as the events of the last month require a bit more exploration. The primary February headlines came from a newsletter regarding the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and then, on the final day of the month, the initiation of military strikes against … [More]
Protect Your Mission: The finance framework for nonprofit leaders
With the right systems in place, nonprofit leaders can make better decisions, avoid surprises and stay focused on the work that matters most. A strong financial foundation doesn’t just protect their mission — it helps them advance it with confidence. In Protect Your Mission, nonprofit leaders will learn how to build a finance function that sets their organization up for … [More]
The Tao of Fundraising: The Science, Philosophy, and Psychology Behind Attracting Capital
One part how-to, one part psychological study and one part spiritual guide, The Tao of Fundraising delivers a blunt but necessary truth: The best ideas often go unfunded — not because they’re bad but because their creators don’t understand how capital flows. Fundraising is the most neglected art in modern business. Most MBA courses and coaching advice focus on what to do after … [More]
Credit Union Expands Arizona Footprint with New Mesa Location
Continuing its commitment to -- and investment in -- the local communities it serves, Nuvision Credit Union celebrated the grand opening of its new full-service Mesa-Longbow, Arizona branch with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The credit union welcomed more than 50 members, local officials and community leaders to the ceremony, including Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s CEO, Sally … [More]
