Pedro Torres’ Post

Closed today but always a DM away. Make it a great day!

As a banker, I've always been given the opportunity to give back to my community. In my younger years, I dressed up like Santa and passed out holiday gifts to the elderly who were living at nursing homes. Then, I served as a board member for a program that assisted single mother's with financing to repair or purchase a vehicles to make their life a little easier. I've giving back by teaching finance to entrepreneurs and children. I even built a playground for a local school as a volunteer with Branches, Inc. and KABOOM! Volunteering isn’t just about giving back. It’s one of the best learning experiences you can have—and it’s changed how I approach business. When I volunteered, I learned three key things that I now apply every day: - People First: In volunteering, it’s all about impact. Business is the same. Put people first, and the rest falls into place. - Resourcefulness: You don’t always have everything you need, so you find creative ways to make it work. Sound familiar? - Long-Term Vision: In volunteering, you’re working for outcomes that may take years. Business growth is no different—patience and persistence win. Giving back isn’t just "nice"—it’s a powerful teacher. You get as much as you give. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from giving back? Recently, I got the opportunity to reconnect with my friends at Branches, Inc. They are on a mission to leverage BankOn to educate consumers to safe and affordable banking solutions. Want to know more about BankOn? DM me. Do you have a volunteering experience you'd like to share? Let’s share in the comments. #Volunteering #PersonalGrowth #GiveBack

Over the past two weeks, Florida has faced two hurricanes. → Helene → and Milton. It’s been a challenging time for many homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses in the communities hit by this storm. So, if you were impacted by these storms, this post is for you. You see, what you may not know, is that there’s some help available. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to help you recover and rebuild. You may have seen this type of loan during the Covid pandemic. These are loans and as such you should expect to repay them. So, you should not expect that they will be forgiven. Below is what you should know: 👉 Who Can Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan?   •      Businesses of all sizes: From small shops to large companies.   •      Homeowners and renters: For repairing or replacing damaged property.   •      Nonprofits: Charities, private universities, churches, and more. To apply, you must be in an eligible area. Qualified areas include Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Unlike other SBA loans, SBA disaster loans are obtained directly from the SBA. Here’s why you may want to explore if a disaster loan is right for you. Benefits of SBA Disaster Loans       1.  Low-Interest Rates: Make it affordable to get back on your feet.       2.  Flexible Use: Cover property repairs, operating expenses, inventory loss, and more.       3.  Mitigation Assistance: Additional funds available to make improvements that reduce future risks. Types of Disaster Loans Available       1.  Home Disaster Loans: For homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged property, including cars.       2.  Business Physical Disaster Loans: To repair or replace damaged property like real estate, machinery, or inventory.       3.  Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Working capital loans to help small businesses and nonprofits meet financial obligations during recovery. How to Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan (Step by Step):       1.  Check if Your Area is Declared a Disaster Zone        • Visit the SBA website to confirm your area is eligible.       2.  Submit Your Application        • Apply online for the fastest processing.        • Make sure to provide accurate details about your damages and financial needs.       3.  Track Your Application Status        • Log in to your SBA account and monitor email updates for any changes. Disasters can disrupt everything from daily life to long-term growth plans. These loans can be the lifeline your business needs to recover faster and come back stronger. For more info or help with your application, call the SBA directly at 800‐659‐2955. Wishing you and your love ones, a speedy recovery. #HurricaneRecovery #disasterloans #Recovery  

Too many of us are out there grinding 24/7, thinking they’re getting ahead—when really, they’re burning out. Here’s the truth: your business only performs as well as YOU do. Fitness isn’t just about looking good either. It’s about staying sharp, energized, and focused. Here’s how staying fit helps me: ⇒ Mental Clarity: A workout clears your mind. After a hard session, problems that felt huge suddenly feel manageable. ⇒ Energy Boost: Exercise increases your energy levels, so you don’t crash midday when you need to be on top of your game. ⇒ Discipline: Fitness teaches you to stick to a routine, set goals, and push through discomfort. Sound familiar? It’s the same stuff you need to build a successful business. I believe that running a business is one of the toughest marathons you’ll ever face. Staying fit keeps you prepared for every mile you are seeking to conquer. What’s your fitness routine? For me, its weight training and swimming. Share how it keeps you sharp in the comments! Afterall, iron sharpens, iron! #health #fitness #Staysharp

Buying commercial real estate is a HUGE step for any business. It’s not just about owning property—it’s about gaining control over your space, fixing costs and building long-term wealth. I recently helped one of my clients do exactly that. They wanted to purchase a commercial property but didn’t have the capital upfront. I structured a loan through SBA financing that allowed them to secure the property with minimal down payment and long repayment terms. Here’s what that did for them: → Lower Overhead: Fixed monthly payments instead of unpredictable rent increases. → Equity Growth: They’re now building equity in the property while growing their business. → Stability: They don’t have to worry about moving or lease renegotiations. Look, owning commercial real estate can change the game for a business — it gives you a solid foundation to build on. Are you currently negotiating your lease for your business? Are you thinking about buying a commercial property? Let’s talk about your financing options. #Commercialrealestate #businessloans #Realestate

In the past week alone: Hurricane Helena hit Florida with 140-mph winds, disrupting businesses and communities. A massive port strike on the East and Gulf Coasts has brought shipping to a halt. Sometimes, things hit your business that are 100% out of your control. When that happens, most business owners turn to banks for financing to cover operating expenses. But here’s the catch — the average commercial loan takes 3 months to process. And the key to getting approved? It comes down to the 5 C’s of Credit: → Character: Your track record. Do you pay on time? → Capacity: Can your business repay the loan? → Capital: How much skin do you have in the game? → Collateral: What assets can back up the loan? → Conditions: Market factors. Is your industry stable? Knowing these can make or break your loan approval—whether it’s SBA or conventional financing. The lesson? As a business owner, you need to be ready before disaster strikes. Understand your credit, build strong relationships with lenders, and don’t wait until an unforeseen issue impacts your business. Need to navigate the loan process? Let’s talk about how we can get you funded. #Businessloans #Disasterrecovery #Business

Consistent cash flow is the lifeblood of a growing business. This can be a challenging as your business grows. The truth is, that too many entrepreneurs struggle because they’re relying on short-term fixes instead of securing a long-term solution. I recently met with a founder seeking short-term financing. They needed capital to keep up with demand while continuing to expand their operations. The solution? → Permanent working capital. I'm currently working on helping them secure a conventional loan that will provide stability and the confidence to continue to invest in growth. Now, they'll have the financial runway to scale without worrying about cash flow every month. The lesson: If you’re only focused on short-term cash solutions, you're limiting your business’s potential. Permanent working capital lets you think big and plan for growth. Need help securing long-term working capital for your business? Let’s talk. #marketing #education #finance

Need new equipment? But not sure how to purchase it? Should you use your cash or obtain financing? A loan might just be the solution. Afterall, there's a benefit to a business in preserving capital. Loans can offer: ↳ You'll obtain a tax deduction in the interest expense. ↳ and you can spread payments over years, which helps with cash flow. Here’s the best part: → Under Section 179 of the tax code, you can deduct 80-100% of your equipment purchase for 2024. So not only can you finance the equipment with a loan, but you can also get a massive tax break at the same time. That being said, I'm not a CPA. Please talk to your CPA to learn how you can take advantage of section 179 tax code. Need a CPA? DM Me, I can make an intro. To all my fellow CPAs, is there anything I may have missed? #equipment #section179 #taxes

Are you a Real Estate Developer looking to securing financing for ground-up construction of spec or income producing properties? The rumors you've heard are true. In this current lending environment it can be tricky. Many commercial banks are focused on funding owner occupied real estate, not so interested in funding construction projects. Here’s how I helped a developer get the funds they needed for their project. One of my recent clients, a real estate developer, faced significant hurdles in securing financing for their ground-up construction. With no revenue stream yet, traditional funding options were limited. He called many local banks, but was unable to obtain a loan to help fund his project. After evaluating their needs and the scope of the project, I structured a tailored solution using a conventional non-revolving credit facility. This loan solution allowed them to cover the vertical cost of construction which helped them preserve cash. By providing flexible terms and tapping into the project’s future revenue and value, I helped the developer move forward with confidence, knowing they had the funding to bring their vision to life. Looking to finance your next construction project? Let’s talk about how we can help. #construction #realestate #commercialloans