About us
AVANA CUSO is one of the most seasoned credit union service organizations (CUSO) focused on commercial real estate. Established in 1998.
Who We Serve
AVANA CUSO is one of the most seasoned credit union service organizations (CUSO) focused on commercial real estate. Established in 1998.
O’Connor-Masse Family Trust
/in Cannabis, projectsHow AVANA Companies’ Brands Serve Entrepreneurs
/in UncategorizedEntrepreneurs have a lot on their plates. So, it’s extremely valuable to them to partner with financial institutions that understand their needs and can support their growth.
As you know, AVANA Capital is a member of the AVANA Family of Companies, a member of the 2022 Inc. 5000. As a collective, AVANA is focused on delivering “capital for a better tomorrow.” We support American businesses and provide impactful, socially-driven investment opportunities that preserve wealth and create growth.
Here we’re breaking down our family tree so you know how we support both budding and seasoned entrepreneurs.
We at AVANA Capital have aided small and medium-sized businesses in the United States for over two decades.
Our focus is on customized commercial real estate loans. This includes construction loans, bridge loans and hospitality loans. We also help niche industries, such as cannabis and renewable energy. AVANA Capital is dedicated to helping business owners discover the financing method that is right for their business.
AVANA CUSO is simply the best credit union service organization (CUSO) out there. They partner with credit unions and brokers in the United States to support entrepreneurs by originating and servicing commercial real estate (CRE) loans.
With decades of experience behind them and a focus on customer service and long-standing relationships, AVANA CUSO allows for customized and competitive financing.
LendThrive is a transparent and painless platform that supports entrepreneurs in most industries. They do so by offering fixed-rate small business loans of up to $150,000 that can be accessed in as little as 24 hours.
Additionally, LendThrive’s financing is available without hidden fees, prepayment penalties, front-loaded interest expenses and a hard credit pull for pre-qualification.
All of this gives business owners more flexibility and liquidity to use their loans for:
EqualSeat provides a way for individual investors to access institutional-quality commercial debt investments through its intuitive and easy-to-use platform. Essentially, they’re democratizing access to investments in small business debt.
EqualSeat has created an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to easily and quickly invest in options that offer reliable monthly returns. Equally, entrepreneurs can utilize EqualSeat to boost their retirement savings as an alternative to volatile stock market investing.
Learn more about our recently Closed Projects
AVANA Capital Projects
AVANA CUSO Projects
Company Insights
Since 2002, AVANA has empowered businesses to grow and thrive through specialized lending and financing solutions. AVANA is comprised of a dedicated and diverse team of finance professionals with a unified mission to create jobs, stimulate economies and contribute to clean energy. Focused on supporting and providing impactful, socially-driven investment opportunities that preserve wealth and create growth.
$6.0 Billion Loans Funded
10,000+ Jobs Created
500,000 Homes+ Powered by Clean Energy
The Importance of a Commercial Real Estate Lawyer
/in InsightsFor any commercial real estate investor, there are few things more exciting than seeing the value of a portfolio grow and the number of properties expand. So, it can be of the utmost importance for investors to hire a commercial real estate lawyer who can help protect investments and navigate the complexities of the industry.
Why do Investors Need a Commercial Real Estate Lawyer?
Commercial property investors likely have peers who have hired a commercial real estate lawyer to represent them and wondered if they need one themselves. The truth is that commercial real estate (CRE) investing often involves complex deals and intricate negotiation of terms, not to mention a sizable upfront investment.
Therefore, it can be highly valuable to hire a commercial real estate lawyer that understands the nuances of the industry, the nature of making these deals, and how to protect investors’ investments and interests at all stages. Drafting and signing contracts is almost never a straightforward process, and it can be highly risky for investors to go it alone without a commercial property attorney weighing in with their expert knowledge.
Above all, the job of a commercial real estate lawyer is to protect investors’ rights and interests regarding a variety of aspects affecting CRE investments, including:
Hiring a commercial real estate lawyer can help save investors valuable time and money, and give them the peace of mind that they’re getting a fair deal while adhering to all laws and regulations.
When Should You Hire a Commercial Real Estate Attorney?
When hiring a commercial real estate attorney, investors have access to an expert in all things related to real estate law. Importantly, they can help successfully close deals, protect investors’ interests, avoid litigation, and represent them in any disputes.
Commercial real estate attorneys understand the necessary property inspections to be done and what the local real estate laws are so investors don’t enter into unfavorable deals. Thus, it’s beneficial for investors to hire a commercial real estate attorney at the onset, before making purchases or signing contracts.
That said, this attorney is a valuable asset at all stages of ownership and property management, as disputes and lease agreements can come up at any time.
How to Find a Qualified Commercial Property Attorney
All in all, hiring a commercial property attorney can protect investors in a number of ways and ensure CRE deals are fair and legal. Since commercial real estate investors are often not experts in contract negotiating and real estate law, expert representation in these situations is highly recommended.
When looking to hire a commercial property attorney to protect interests and save both time and money, explore the following resources to find the best commercial property attorneys in the area:
AVANA Companies Celebrates 20 Years of SupportingSmall Business Owners
/in UncategorizedPeoria, Ariz. (November 17, 2022)— AVANA Companies (AVANA), a family of lending and investment platforms dedicated to supporting small businesses and preserving wealth, is celebrating 20 years of making a positive impact for and through their customers. Brothers Sundip and Sanat Patel founded AVANA with a vision to provide entrepreneurial capital to disadvantaged business owners. With a […]
Top Digital Banking Solutions Credit Unions Should Consider in 2023
/in UncategorizedEvery new year brings new innovations in the financial services space. So, now’s the time – before competitors beat you to the punch – to reassess if members’ digital needs and preferences are met for 2023.
In today’s ever-evolving environment, if credit unions aren’t looking for ways to improve the customer experience and add more value for members, they risk falling behind the curve and even losing members.
To avoid that outcome, let’s look at some of the top value-adding digital solutions that credit unions can utilize this year.
Mobile-First or Omnichannel Banking Access
Nowadays, if banking isn’t easily accessible via an app, the truth is that most new customers simply won’t view your CU as a viable option for their finances. In fact, nearly 97% of Millennial banking customers use mobile banking.
Understandably so, people like immediate access to their accounts from mobile devices. Equally, they want an efficient user experience free of glitches and delays.
So if your credit union doesn’t already have a quality mobile app available, or one in the works, this is definitely something to prioritize. It’ll not only aid in your CU’s growth but also in the satisfaction of members.
AI Implementation
There are still a lot of questions out there regarding AI and what it can and cannot do, particularly in the world of finance. However, the fact of the matter is that many financial institutions are adopting AI into their processes to help them accomplish routine tasks with better efficiency.
While full-on AI integration is a large investment and takes quite a bit of time, this doesn’t mean that credit unions can’t, or shouldn’t, begin with smaller AI projects at first.
Some of the main ways to implement AI into banking solutions include adding a chatbot on your website, credit-scoring loan applicants and more.
As you can see, AI can play a relevant role across various business functions for credit unions. It just depends on how it can best serve yours and bring members the most value.
More Personalization
As competition in the financial solutions space expands, the push for increased personalization in terms of member engagement will likely continue in 2023 and beyond.
When it comes to digital interactions, members want to feel like their needs and preferences are safeguarded and prioritized, despite not being face-to-face with staff.
With this in mind, many credit unions this year will likely take action by adopting software programs that help them collect more customer data, extract valuable insights and more thoughtfully serve members, all in order to provide more personalized service and expertise.
Even beyond our own financial services industry, consumers’ digital expectations are that they receive personalized product recommendations, top-quality customer service interactions and much more. It’s essential that financial institutions keep up with those expectations as well.
Are Credit Unions Safer Than Banks?
/in InsightsHospitality entrepreneurs in the USA acquire, develop, and reposition commercial real estate properties by securing credit from different commercial real estate lenders, including banks, non-bank institutes, and credit unions. However, they ensure financial stability by using safety and security in financial institutions as key criteria for selecting a lender.
The criteria help them secure funds despite adverse economic conditions. Both banks and credit unions meet the varying needs of hospitality entrepreneurs while ensuring financial safety and security. However, they differ from each other in many aspects. In this blog post, we discuss what makes banks and credit unions different and why credit unions are safer than banks.
How do Banks and Credit Unions differ?
Banks are for-profit financial institutions that act as intermediaries between depositors and borrowers. In addition to accepting deposits, they generate profits for shareholders by offering a slew of credit products and financial services. Commercial and saving banks in America protect depositors against financial losses securing deposit insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Credit unions are nonprofit financial cooperatives established, owned, and managed by their members. Members can be stakeholders in an organization, employees of a company, or residents of a community, etc. Credit unions usually provide conventional banking services to their members. They safeguard members’ money using deposit insurance provided by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). There are many benefits of a Credit union for their members, e.g. offering better interest rates and lower service fees.
Are credit unions better and safer than banks? Let’s find out!
Banks vs. Credit Unions (Key Operational Differences)
Goals
As noted earlier, banks operate as for-profit financial institutes, while credit unions operate as non-profit cooperative financial institutes. Banks are owned by shareholders. They focus on generating higher returns to stakeholders. On the other hand, credit unions prioritize superior service delivery to members over profit maximization.
Deposits
Credit unions offer fewer financial products and services than banks. Banks offer a wide range of deposit products, while credit unions offer specialized deposit products. However, credit unions offer a higher rate of interest on savings and CDs in comparison to banks.
Credit
Banks offer a wider range of credit products and solutions than credit unions. They minimize lending risks by setting stricter lending criteria and robust underwriting processes. On the other hand, the member-focuses approval process enables credit unions to provide loans faster than banks. However, they do not offer many complex loan products offered by banks.
Interest Rates
Banks increase profits by setting lower interest rates on deposits and higher interest rates on loans. Despite offering flexible lending solutions, they support differential interest rates. On the other hand, credit unions deliver better returns on deposits and offer loans at affordable interest rates. Hence, depositors and borrowers save money by prioritizing credit unions over banks.
Fees
Most credit unions offer free monthly checking accounts and do not charge monthly maintenance charges. It becomes easier for them to curtail fees as the profits go back to members. Banks, on the other hand, increase profits by charging various fees to customers. Most banks charge ATM fees and overdraft fees while charging monthly maintenance charges.
Customer Service
Banks have a larger and wider customer base than credit unions. Most banks deliver onsite and remote customer service using cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence. However, they prioritize profits over customer service experiences. On the other hand, credit unions foster strong relationships with members by providing personalized customer service. Members still lack the option to access 24/7 customer service across communication channels.
How do Banks and Credit Unions Ensure Financial Safety and Security?
Both banks and credit unions promote financial security in several ways – insuring deposits, implementing risk management strategies, and meeting compliance requirements. However, they ensure financial safety and security in different ways.
Deposit Insurance
Banks insure deposits using the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The independent government agency currently protects every bank depositor up to $2,50,000. A depositor receives the insurance amount in case the FDIC-insured bank fails. At the same time, credit unions safeguard share owners at the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) provides $2,50,000 per credit union member in adverse financial conditions.
Risk Management
Banks ensure prudent risk management by diversifying loan portfolios, assessing credit risks, implementing robust underwriting processes, and conducting regular audits. In addition, they boost financial health and combat adverse economic conditions by conducting stress testing regularly. Credit unions ensure financial stability by assessing and addressing various types of risk – credit risks, interest rate risks, liquidity risks, operational risks, and compliance risks.
Compliance Requirements
Banks in the USA have to comply with federal and state regulatory requirements. They meet compliance requirements by defining capital requirements, loan limits, consumer protection, and anti-money laundering. Federal and state agencies ensure regulatory compliance through the supervision and examination of banks periodically. On the other hand, credit unions must comply with the regulations set by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). They ensure compliance by updating policies and conducting compliance audits regularly.
Why are Credit Unions Considered Safer than Banks?
Member-Focused Structure: Credit unions are owned and managed by members. Each member must meet specific eligibility criteria to join the union. As part owners, members can influence operations as well as the decision-making process. Hence, credit unions, unlike banks, do not make high-risk and profit-driven decisions.
Favorable Lending Terms: Credit unions offer higher returns and favorable terms to members. They provide higher interest rates on interest-bearing accounts. At the same time, they enable members to secure credit at lower interest rates without paying additional fees.
Lower Failure Rates: According to a study by the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, credit unions have a lower failure rate than banks. After the Great Recession, over 400 banks failed while 100 credit unions failed. The lower failure rates help credit unions enhance their reputation and credibility in the volatile finance sector.
Personalized Services: Along with prioritizing members’ best interests, credit unions boost their experiences by offering personalized services. They customize deposit and credit products according to the precise needs of individual members. The personalized services contribute towards improving their safety and stability.
When do Banks Offer More Security than Credit Unions?
Credit unions have a reputation for being safer and more secure than banks. However, there are many situations where banks beat credit unions in the category of financial security.
Large-Scale Financial Backing: Stronger capital reserves and global market access enable banks to fund large-scale investment and lending opportunities. In addition to helping high-net-worth individuals get higher ROI, they facilitate mergers, acquisitions, and issuance of shares in the corporate sector.
Extensive and Advanced Infrastructure: Banks have a more extensive infrastructure than credit unions. Along with having branches across locations, they accelerate financial transactions by supporting digital and mobile banking. They further ensure financial safety by implementing cutting-edge data security systems and AI-powered fraud detection tools.
Wider Range of Financial Products: Banks cater to the diverse financial needs of customers – students, working professionals, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large enterprises. In addition to providing a variety of credit solutions, they allow customers to choose from a wide range of savings, investment, and wealth management options.
How does AVANA CUSO Support Credit Unions and Their Members?
As a leading Credit union service organization, AVANA CUSO has been fostering the financial well-being of credit unions and their members in several ways. Firstly, our end-to-end customer service helps credit unions offer tailored financial solutions at competitive rates without undertaking higher risks. Secondly, credit unions promote sustainable lending and deliver higher returns by leveraging our experience, expertise, and technologies.
Conclusion
When availing financial services, borrowers prefer credit unions to banks to leverage several safety and security advantages. In addition to getting higher interest on accounts, they get credit products at lower interest rates and on favorable lending terms. As highlighted by several studies, credit unions have built a reputation of being safer than banks. Furthermore, they pool resources and curb service costs using credit union service organizations (CUSO) as backend and profit centers.
About AVANA CUSO
Established in 1998, AVANA CUSO is one of the most seasoned credit union service organizations (CUSOs) with a focus on commercial real estate lending.
Driving excellence through end-to-end customer service and our investments in technology, AVANA CUSO connects credit unions with commercial real estate entrepreneurs, brokers, and small business owners through participation lending.
Our mission is to help credit unions diversify their lending portfolios by expanding their lending programs beyond local communities, mitigating concentration risk while enhancing loan-to-share ratios.
Part of the AVANA Family of Companies, AVANA CUSO is an ESG lending organization that strives to improve communities by funding socially responsible projects that boost economic growth and foster job creation. AVANA CUSO is headquartered in Glendale, Arizona.