Are You Financially Ready for What is Next?
Join Univest and Beacon for a free, no-pitch evening with the bankers, lenders, and advisors who actually say yes or no to small business financing — Philadelphia, October 28.
Attendees receive a "Financial Readiness Checklist"
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 · 5:30–7:30 PM · Univest Mount Airy Financial Center, Philadelphia
The ground just shifted under small business financing, and most owners haven't caught up yet.
Borrowing just got more expensive. The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate on September 16 — the first hike in three years — pushing variable-rate SBA loans and working capital lines higher within a billing cycle or two.
Banks are quietly getting pickier. Even as headline approval numbers look steady, line-of-credit approvals have dropped sharply and SBA underwriting has tightened, with fees reinstated that weren't there a year ago.
The SBA rulebook changed — again. Lending volume swung sharply this year as banks adjusted to new policy. The playbook an owner researched six months ago may already be out of date.
Taxes are now the #1 complaint among small business owners nationally — the highest reading since 2021 — ahead of labor costs and inflation.
None of this means stop growing. It means walk in knowing what's actually happening before you ask a bank, a lender, or a buyer for anything — and that's the entire point of this evening.
Why Attend Now
The ground just shifted under small business financing, and most owners haven't caught up yet.
Borrowing just got more expensive. The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate on September 16 — the first hike in three years — pushing variable-rate SBA loans and working capital lines higher within a billing cycle or two.
Banks are quietly getting pickier. Even as headline approval numbers look steady, line-of-credit approvals have dropped sharply and SBA underwriting has tightened, with fees reinstated that weren't there a year ago.
The SBA rulebook changed — again. Lending volume swung sharply this year as banks adjusted to new policy. The playbook an owner researched six months ago may already be out of date.
Taxes are now the #1 complaint among small business owners nationally — the highest reading since 2021 — ahead of labor costs and inflation.
None of this means stop growing. It means walk in knowing what's actually happening before you ask a bank, a lender, or a buyer for anything — and that's the entire point of this evening.
What You'll Walk Away With
Know what a bank is really looking for before you ask — and what gets an automatic no.
Get the real SBA timeline and paperwork traps, straight from the people who approve the loans.
Discover community and alternative capital sources most owners don't know exist.
See how a small tax issue today quietly kills a financing deal two years from now.
Learn the difference between "profitable" and "fundable" — they are not the same thing.
Spot the legal blind spots that scare off lenders and buyers before they become dealbreakers.
Who This Is For
Small business owners and solopreneurs preparing to apply for financing in the next 12 months
Owners who've been told "not right now" by a bank and want to know why
Business owners exploring alternatives to traditional bank financing
Anyone planning to sell, bring on a partner, or grow significantly in the next 1–3 years
Meet the Panel
Gary Morgan, MBA — Moderator, Beacon. Business advisor and former multi-industry CFO.
Lisa Viscusi — SBA Relationship Manager, Univest. SBA financing and program fit.
James Sanders — SVP, Community Development Officer, Univest. Community and alternative capital.
Marianne Borneman, EA — Owner, Access Tax Solutions | Beacon. Proactive tax planning.
Amy Anderson, CGMA, CPA — Owner, Price Turner CFOs | Beacon. Financial readiness and lender-ready books.
Nella Bloom, Esq. — Managing Member, Bloom & Bloom, LLC | Beacon. Legal risk and due diligence.
Bill Jenkins, VP Financial Center Manager — Bankability and the banking relationship.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Univest Mount Airy Financial Center, 7226 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119
Cost: Free
Includes: Networking, refreshments, moderated panel discussion, and live audience Q&A
FAQ
Is this really free? Yes — Univest and Beacon are hosting this as a community education event. There's nothing to buy.
Do I need to be actively seeking a loan to attend? No. Most owners get the most value by coming before they need financing, not after.
Will there be time for my specific questions? Yes — the format includes dedicated audience Q&A with all panelists.
Who is this not for? Large or publicly traded companies — this is built specifically for small businesses and solopreneurs.
What should I bring? Just yourself and your questions. No financials or paperwork required.
Seating is limited and this event is free — both reasons it fills up fast.
Attendees receive a "Financial Readiness Checklist"
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 · 5:30–7:30 PM · Univest Mount Airy Financial Center, Philadelphia