WORKBOOK!

I definitely enjoyed your book! Even though I fancied myself somewhat of an expert on financing alternatives for entrepreneurs and startups, I learned that bank loans should always be seriously considered as an early source of startup funding, as well as a later one. I also enjoyed the specific recommendations on how to improve the application odds, and how startup finances need to be managed during the loan cycle to keep you out of trouble. This book should be required reading for every entrepreneur! It is definitely an insider’s guide.

Alan Stewart’s new book, Approved, hits the mark explaining in civilian, easy-to-understand style the seemingly complicated methodology of applying for and getting a loan approved for a small business owner. Stewart’s format is quite creative—he introduces imaginary characters, who represent owners, consultants, CFOs, bank executives, and so on, and have them play their roles perfectly in the loan application process. To add even more to the realistic scenes, Stewart makes clever use of actual dialog from the characters throughout. The result is that many banking terms and phrases are quite naturally explained in the exchanges between the characters. The book flows effortlessly delivering an amazing number of valuable tips while the loan processing paperwork and approvals are explained. If a book exists on the mind-numbing subject of bank loans that is hard to put down, Stewart’s Approved is it! A fun, easyto-read but informative read for new entrepreneurs as well as seasoned small business owners!

What a fantastic resource for helping business owners navigate through the maze of bank lending! Alan does a thorough job explaining from an “Insider’s Perspective” what really goes on behind the scenes with bank financing. The infographics make it easy for even new business owners to understand the entire process. If you now have or ever will need to get a bank loan, read this FIRST. I will be recommending this to my own small business clients.

It’s fantastic how you were able to articulate and build a story around the loan application process in such a simple way. The infographics/charts are EXCELLENT! I imagine them being posted on cubicle walls and used for quick reference.  I feel that this book is not only about getting a loan approved, but is a great quick finance lesson for small business owners. Bankers who haven’t been through a credit training program (or just need a refresher) could learn a lot from this book.

Mr. Stewart is an expert and invaluable resource for helping business owners understand and secure the most cost effective financing to help grow their businesses. Approved! is an easy to follow guide for anyone who wants a detailed realistic view and understanding of the loan process with specific examples and charts. Having been a banker for 30 years, I have seen first-hand how business owners can significantly increase their success for getting the best bank financing by following Mr. Stewart’s advice and steps. Mr. Stewart’s credentials are extensive, but at the top of the list is probably his years of real-life experience as a top CFO in San Diego planning and negotiating bank financing. Having banked Mr. Stewart’s company for the last eight years, I can say he truly knows what he is talking about. Bottom line: a must read for anyone in business that wants to better understand the loan process. There is no other book like it.

Approved! is an excellent guide for first time borrowers and experienced business people looking for ways to improve or change a banking relationship. It is filled with practical and insightful tips based on the author’s firsthand experience dealing with banking and financing relationships at all levels. A terrific resource for business leaders to refer to when dealing with the application process, annual reviews, and changes in their business needs.

Alan Stewart has truly written an “insiders guide” to getting a bank loan. As CEO of a company that has had many bank loans with various banks, I found the book and it’s detailed information incredibly helpful. I only wish that I had read this book before applying for some of my loans in the past.  The many infographics in the book are not only entertaining, but packed with valuable information. Unlike most boring textbooks that are laborious to read, Alan uses characters and real-life case studies to walk you through the entire lending process so the book is actually an enjoyable read.  If you ever think you might need a bank loan—or you just want to become more knowledgeable about the process—I highly recommend that you add this to your required reading list. I know that I’ll be keeping it on my bookshelf as a ready reference for the future.

Approved! An Insider’s Guide to Getting Your Bank Loan Approved is an entertaining guide packed with information for CEOs, CFOs and other executives involved in obtaining a business loan. It literally walks you through all the steps to maximize your possibility of loan approval, but also provides insight into what the bankers are thinking, studying and scrutinizing throughout the entire process.  I highly recommend this book to anyone desiring to learn more about how a bank underwrites a loan and ways that a company executive can improve their chances of obtaining the loan.  Approved! even covers sensitive items that no one ever talks about, such as what to do if you violate a bank covenant and how to deal with personal guarantees. No other resource does this. This book is required reading for every executive needing to obtain and then comply with a bank loan for their business. Five stars!

Mr. Stewart’s book is a must read for any small business owner and entrepreneur who is examining financing options. This book provides a comprehensive and user-friendly overview of the bank loan process from start to finish and serves as a helpful desk reference for executives at all levels.

Alan Stewart has written a MUST read for all entrepreneurs, company owners, and CFOs of small and medium size companies from pre-revenue to $100M. His easy-to-read style and outstanding graphics make this the go-to book for any university business school that claims it has an entrepreneurship slant. Finally, someone has written a finance book we all can understand and benefit by reading.

Approved! is a simple, clear, concise but thorough guide for choosing and maintaining not only the appropriate credit needs for one’s organization but also choosing and maintaining the bank and bank relationship to provide these needs.

Alan Stewart provides one of the most accurate depictions of the loan process and breaks it down through easy-to-follow illustrations for a borrower at any level to understand.

“I really enjoyed reading Approved! An Insider’s Guide to Getting Your Bank Loan Approved. The book was very informative and added a lot of credible insight into what goes on at a bank during the loan review and approval process.  I’ve run my CPA firm for over 25 years and can honestly say that this book would have helped many of my clients. I will be recommending it to anyone looking to obtain or learn about bank loans. Not only does Approved! address the steps that a bank must take to underwrite a loan, but the book also gives credible insight into the mind (and concerns) of an entrepreneur seeking funding. Definitely a must read.