FEATURED NEWS
01.06.25
Dallas, TX – January 6,2025 – ALM First, a strategic partner for more than 300 financial institutions nationwide, received NCUA approval in December 2024 to create a first of its kind loan fund for credit unions. The firm initially requested permission in 2022 for the ALM First Loan Fund Investment Pilot Program, a groundbreaking new model whereby a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) can pool funds for credit unions for the specific purpose of buying loans from other credit unions. The benefits of this structure include shared underwriting and operating expenses to improve scalability, transparent loan pricing for both buyers and sellers, enhanced liquidity options for sellers, an efficient excess cash investment mechanism for buyers, and a clear fee structure.
“For 30 years, ALM First has been proudly serving our clients and developing innovative solutions based on their needs. Leading with our clients’ best interests as our core focus pushes us to deliver a full array of best-in-class services that continues to expand,” says Emily Hollis, CFA and CEO of ALM First.
The ALM First Loan Fund Investment Pilot Program will be limited to 30 complex federal credit unions and will invest in consumer loans with maturities under 10 years along with overnight investments. Participating institutions will be limited to a 50% net worth investment cap.
“We’re thrilled to launch this innovative loan fund to benefit both buyers and sellers,” said Travis Goodman, CFA and Principal of ALM First. “In our role as a trusted advisor to credit unions across the country, we’re among the first to pinpoint emerging trends and industry needs. Our goal is to help our clients prudently solve today’s challenges while positioning themselves for future growth and stability.”
About ALM First
ALM First was founded in 1995 as a strategic partner for depositories, offering an array of financial advisory services. The firm’s expertise in asset liability management, investment management, balance sheet strategy, secondary market solutions, and specialty financial services, has allowed it to deliver deeper insights into financial institutions’ balance sheets, strengthening their performance and building efficiencies. With approximately $70 billion of investments under management (as of September 30, 2024), ALM First Financial Advisors is an SEC-registered investment advisor, acting as an unbiased third party, offering commission-free, fee-based services to over 300 financial institutions across the country. In recent years, ALM First Group has expanded to include several wholly-owned subsidiaries including DDJ Myers, an ALM First Company and ALM First Executive Benefits, LLC. Driven by client needs, the firm now offers various services to help financial institutions optimize their greatest assets – their people. “ALM First” is a brand name for a financial services business conducted by ALM First Group, LLC (“ALM First”) through its wholly owned subsidiaries: ALM First Financial Advisors, LLC (“ALM First Financial Advisors”); ALM First Advisors, LLC (“ALM First Advisors”); ALM First Analytics, LLC (“ALM First Analytics”) and ALM First Executive Benefits, LLC (“ALM First Executive Benefits”). Investment advisory services are offered through ALM First Financial Advisors, an SEC registered investment adviser. Access to ALM First Financial Advisors is only available to clients pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement and acceptance of ALM First Financial Advisors’ Brochure.
About Platform Partners LLC
Founded in 2006, Platform Partners LLC is a private investment company based in Houston that makes investments in lower middle-market companies with the intent of growing these businesses into industry leaders through a combination of organic and acquisition growth. Platform invests through a perpetual holding company structure allowing for a long-term, patient approach to partnering with entrepreneurs to build companies. The company manages total assets of approximately $850 million. For more information, please visit platformllc.com.