Welcome  
The Commercial Finance Association (“CFA”) is the international trade group of the asset-based financial services industry. Members include the asset-based lending arms of domestic and foreign commercial banks, small and large independent finance companies, floor plan financing organizations, factoring organizations and financing subsidiaries of major industrial corporations. For additional information about the Commercial Finance Association visit www.cfa.com.

The Ohio Chapter of the CFA was founded in 1990 and is one of fifteen regional chapters of the CFA located throughout the U.S. and Canada. Based in Cleveland, the Ohio CFA attracts members and service providers from Ohio and surrounding states.

The purpose of the Ohio CFA is to promote the asset-based financial services industry through networking and educational opportunities offered at our various meetings and events. The lasting relationships between the members and service providers, and their contributions to our organization, make the Ohio CFA a strong and vibrant chapter.

Chapter News
The Ohio Chapter's Holiday Party is scheduled for Tuesday December 9th and will be at The Terrace Club at Progressive Field.  Festivities will begin at 5:30pm.  See Meetings and Events for more details and the Registration Form.

The Fall Meeting on October 23rd featured Tom DeFrank, a nationally respected political journalist and author.  The meeting was attended by approximately 100 people who also enjoyed the networking reception that followed.

Contest Update
At the Winter Meeting in March, audience members were asked to complete a brief survey, including two questions asking people to guess, as of September 30, 2008, a) the Prime Rate, and b) the Dow Jones Industrial Average.  Prizes will be awarded at the Fall Meeting on October 23rd ($150/$100/$50) to the three people who correctly guess the Prime Rate and are one of the three closest guesses to the Dow Jones Industrial Average (tiebreaker). 

Contest Decided - At close of business on September 30, 2008, the Prime Rate was 5.00% and the DJIA settled at 10,851.  Fourteen of the sixty-one participants correctly guessed 5.00%.  The DJIA rallied on September 30, gaining 485 points.  When the dust settled, there was a tie for closest guess between John Doucette and Mark Schroeder.  John and Mark both guessed 11,000, missing by 149 on the high side.  Barry Sullivan saw the lead slip through his fingers and was 241 points light, but did not come away empty handed.

For the Final Standings click on the link below.  Congratulations John, Mark and Barry!

Contest Standings 9-30-08

2009 Officer Positions
The Board is accepting nominations for the Ohio CFA officer positions for the 2009 calendar year (President, Vice President and Treasurer).  The date of the officer election will be no later than March 2009.  If you are interested, contact a member of the Nominating Committee below.   

  Tim Griffin      

  216-277-7509

  Timothy.griffin@rbsbusinesscapital.com

  Jim Cannella

  216-222-2456

  James.cannella@nationalcity.com

Sponsors
The Ohio CFA is grateful to all of our Sponsors whose financial support helps to defray our costs and allows us to offer high quality meetings and events. See Sponsors for information on sponsorship opportunities.