The contingency fee: no funding, no fee.

The fee schedule

The contingency fee is calculated on the total committed principal of each financing transaction, on a tiered, marginal basis — the way tax brackets work. Larger facilities earn a lower rate on the incremental dollars:

Worked example: a $12,000,000 financing yields a fee of $195,000 — calculated as (2.00% × $5,000,000) + (1.50% × $5,000,000) + (1.00% × $2,000,000). The blended rate falls as the deal grows.

How it works, in plain English

• What counts. Loans, refinancings, lines of credit, bridge facilities, construction loans, commercial mortgages, and other business financing where we provided material assistance — lender identification, packaging, negotiation support, or closing coordination.
• The basis. Total committed principal at closing. For a new line of credit, that’s the committed facility — not just the initial draw. For a refinancing, the new loan amount. For a modification without new principal, the outstanding balance modified.
• When it’s earned. At funding or closing — whichever comes first. A loan that’s approved but never funds costs you nothing.
• How it’s paid. Directly from loan proceeds at closing through the settlement agent or title company — so it never touches your operating cash.
• With a retainer. The contingency is separate from any monthly retainer — the retainer buys ongoing CFO work; the contingency compensates the transaction. You’re never billed twice for the same work.

Why we price it this way

Because it puts us on your side of the table in the most literal way possible: we only get paid when the money lands in your account. It also disciplines us — we won’t take a request to market that we don’t believe can close, and we’ll tell you what to fix first instead.

Frequently asked questions

Do specific engagements ever have different rates?

Yes — rates for specific transactions or properties are set in each client’s written agreement before work begins. The tiered schedule above is our standard structure.

Does the fee change my loan terms?

No. We’re paid by you, not the lender, which keeps our advice unconflicted — we have no incentive to steer you to whoever pays a referral.