James Vargo, Cpa, Ctp, Cgma, Mba Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Green Bay, Wisconsin, Us

Hired to help expand and grow Associated Bank's premier Asset Based Lending group by providing competitive ABL lending products and outstanding customer service to new relationships, prior customers, Private Equity and other Center of Influence relationships while expanding and growing our Syndication Bank relationships. Responsibilities also include working jointly with our Commercial Banking, Sponsor and Equipment lending teams by providing the best possible customer solutions in ABL. Our products include traditional ABL leading products, tailored senior stretch products, later stage turnaround financings and additional term and real estate loans for qualifying small and middle market companies. In 2024 already closed transactions totaling $87,000,000 in new credit lines for new customers. Brought in deposits of over $5,000,000 and cross sold treasury management services providing a suite of bank services to our new customers while becoming a long term trusted advisor to their business and while expanding the banks revenues.I am happy to earn your business and provide an optimal all Bank lending and product solution tailored to your company needs after listening and understanding your current and future working capital needs. As a bank customer champion, I will use my tenured banking experience along with best practices learned as a prior CFO, I-Banker and Turnaround Consultant to earn your trust and become a sought after trusted advisor on all aspects of your business. Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $35 billion (small regional based Wisconsin Bank) and was founded in 1861. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a local market Midwest banking franchise offering a full range of financial products and services.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Us

Hired to build and expand BBVA's (now part of PNC) market presence in the Midwest for ABL and partner with and support 8 local commercial bankers and nationwide product team members to expand BBVA's reach with key Middle Market and Large Corporate prospects. Managed and nurtured customer relationships thereby expanding cross-sell opportunities and BBVA’s share of the commercial banking wallet. Self-source opportunities and managed internal underwriting and closing process on mandated deals. Developed and executed direct calling campaign to build long-term local lending relationships. Promoted BBVA's brand through personnel brand market relationships and continuous networking.

Banbury, Oxfordshire, Gb

Hired by past ABL colleague to expand Bibbys brand image from a factoring organization to a full service finance company. Successfully helped to build and grow Bibbys asset based lending presence by sourcing, originating, structuring and closing lending relationships while at the same time building long-term relationships with key COI's, referral sources and banks. Additional responsibilities included detailed deal profile pre-screens, drafting, presenting and negotiating proposal letters along with directing both the underwriting and the closing process. Increased Bibbys lending reputation by expanding local market penetration through hands-on deal review, quick turn around times and becoming a trusted credit and new-business advisor both internally and externally.

San Francisco, California, Us

Actively sourced and called on over 200 corporate middle-market prospects and helped to bridged the Industry gap between banking and corporate cultures by promoting best business practices and lessons learned as a previous CFO and banking executive. Helped to promote an organizational sales environment that stressed outstanding customer service and long-term consultative relationships with COI's, prospects and customers. Excelled at promoting the entire bank suite of services and bank-wide capabilities by assisting relationship managers with delivering premier client services focused on improving customer efficiencies or reducing their administration costs. Translated the bank’s middle-market business development strategy into daily tactics to help relationship managers increase calling activity and face-to-face meetings. Operated as a key member of the new business deal team and led preparation of proposals and pitches to prospective clients to maximize sector penetrations, promote integrity of product offerings and assure that the bank’s overall risk, regulatory and compliance objectives were met or exceeded. Participated in community service events and key business association functions to promote a positive image for the bank, expand banking relationships and generate corporate goodwill.

Hillside, Il, Us

Managed, directed and coached a staff of 7 direct reports and 32 employees. P&L responsibility for $150MM in revenues. Retained as key part of management team by new PE owners to help to build long-term business value.• Drove $5.3MM reduction in direct and indirect expenses during 2008-2009 economic downturn that offset a 29% decline in revenues and restored corporate business value.• Generated additional EBITDA of $900K+ annually by developing company-wide financial goals, operating metrics and managing ISO 9000 certification to ensure customer focus and best-in-class approach.• Sourced and negotiated 5 lending proposals from key money center banks and closed a $28MM cash flow credit facility to provide liquidity, covenant relief, acquisition funding and increased working capital.• Cut acquisition debt by $14MM by driving profitability and working capital improvements.• Negotiated annual savings in healthcare premiums with BlueCross BlueShield to keep costs relatively flat vs. industry average increase of 11%.• Reduced lease costs by $2.4MM for 2010-2012 by leveraging external market data to drive reductions in shared transition services and office facility costs from The Bekins Company.

Indianapolis, In, Us

Managed, directed and coached a staff of 6 direct reports and 42 employees. P&L responsibility for $340MM in revenues. Expanded HomeDirect USA business segment after spinning off the business into a separate subsidiary. • Orchestrated company expense reduction of $7.3MM in 1st year after buyout by negotiating lower insurance costs, targeted workforce reductions, vendor debt concessions and other surgical reductions in operating costs.• Saved $3.2MM of facility lease-related costs by completing a corporate office lease buy-out and negotiating a new mortgage from LaSalle Bank for $4.2MM.• Negotiated a GE lease buyout of 83 trailers that saved $830K in lease operating expenses.• Sourced a $28MM working capital line of credit with Merrill Lynch Capital, a $30MM replacement line of credit with U.S. Bank and a $5.2MM Technology line of credit with IBM Financial to support business.• Drove overall EBITDA improvements and higher business value resulting in 278% agent/owner buyout return within 2 years of purchase with sale of HomeDirect Subsidiary.• Acted as Corporate Development Officer by sourcing minority equity players and investment bankers that saved the company significant consulting costs and management resources.

New York, Ny, Us

New York, Ny, Us

New York, Ny, Us

Bachelor'S Degree, Accounting And Finance

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Finance And Financial Management Services