The Psychology of Liquidity: Uncovering the Entrepreneur’s Need

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Wealth Advisory Special Focus

The number one request from entrepreneurs to SVB Private Bank is access to more liquidity.

Our clients in the Innovation Economy are passionate about creating technologies, products, or companies that will disrupt the status quo. They thrive on the challenge, the effort, and the excitement. The path is an adventure with many twists and turns, but no matter where it ends up, they dream about emerging to pursue yet another. At SVB we exist to help these entrepreneurs and the companies they create make next happen now. And, we built the SVB Private Bank specifically to support these entrepreneurs personally as they navigate the less traditional path they chose.

Raising capital to support their endeavors is a central concern for every entrepreneur. Even as a project succeeds and grows, the need for more capital continues. This challenge to raise capital takes on an even more nuanced progression in entrepreneurs' personal lives. The individual may have invested significant savings and sacrificed salary for sweat equity to get things going, and now, despite the progress and value creation, the entrepreneur faces an even greater need to access liquidity. But access to liquidity can be a challenge.

The challenges entrepreneurs face often include the following:

  • There is value in my private securities, but how can I access this value?
  • My stock options are "in the money," but I need liquidity to exercise them and to pay the taxes.
  • The private securities I hold will become liquid soon, but I need liquidity today.
  • I want or need to retain my share ownership, but my family situation has evolved, and I need liquidity to support their needs.
  • My company has attained success, and my equity is now liquid. Should I diversify? What is my budget? How should I invest? How does this affect my next adventure? I need a plan.

These are not single transaction issues. The path to acquire personal liquidity is far more complex than pursuing a single transaction such as a loan or the sale of shares, and each circumstance is unique and may require a very different liquidity solution.

For example, two entrepreneurs facing very similar stock option exercise decisions might pursue different strategies. One might exercise and sell; the other might exercise and hold. Many variables need to be considered, including public or private shares, valuation, the company's operating trend, market dynamics, shareholder rights, and so many more. Clients come to SVB every day for advice and solutions that require insight about these variables, while we develop a plan that is tailored to their personal incomes, funding needs, risk tolerance, and short- and long-term goals.

Each entrepreneur needs an individual, holistic plan.

The need for a personal plan along with the awareness that the plan must be periodically reviewed or updated is essential. Today's strategy may not match the needs of tomorrow's evolving situation – a material valuation change; a life event such as marriage, children or divorce; changes in the tax code; or new investment opportunities. Entrepreneurs need to take the time to implement a strategy or simply assess the plan, in case there is a need to fine tune or update their overall assessments of risk, reward, liquidity, principal, time frames, and commitments. Scheduled assessments of estate, tax, and insurance planning are prudent. Unfortunately, there are no algorithms in the market, no hand-held app available to solve all the personal financial needs of today's entrepreneur. Despite the tremendous advances made by many financial technology companies, the varied needs of an entrepreneur are just too complicated for most of today's fintech solutions.

When an entrepreneur has an opportunity to solve for a liquidity need with an exit, loan, or other option, the plan should address key questions, including:

  • What is possible?
  • What is my budget?
  • What are the risks if market volatility impacts valuation or the timing of an exit?
  • Do I have enough capital and/or liquidity to withstand the volatility?
  • What is the capacity of the financial partner, bank, or other to lend?
  • Do I have any other assets that could support a loan?
  • What is my back-up plan?
  • Are there alternative funding sources available?

Just as the technology environment evolves, the market for financial solutions and the advice needed to solve for liquidity alternatives also evolves. Adding to the complexity is the continued evolution of compensation strategies – option plans, restricted shares, salary, and benefit programs – which many technology companies use to attract and retain talent. This continued evolution on all fronts underscores the importance of having a plan and a commitment to keep it updated.

Entrepreneurs need and deserve comprehensive planning to help manage their liquidity needs. Taking an interactive, holistic needs-based approach with trusted advisors – including a tax planner, banker, and wealth advisor – is key to uncovering and defining those needs. Then, the steps to building a plan include:

  • Digging deep to understand the full situation — liquidity needs, tax planning, asset location, estate planning, and more
  • Anticipating future needs and possibilities as well as possible outcomes
  • Modeling out different scenarios to assess the strategies that optimize both liquidity and risk

No doubt, even better financial tools will emerge in the coming years to help assist the various tax, wealth, and banking advisors to help solve the needs of entrepreneurs. But today, the many financial technologies that can serve the mainstream can't cover all the intricacies facing an entrepreneur's planning needs. Comprehensive liquidity planning and optimization through trusted advisors remain the best way to solve the ongoing liquidity needs for today's entrepreneur.

If you'd like to discuss how liquidity strategies can complement your comprehensive wealth management plan, email us at wealth@svb.com.

We'd be happy to discuss.


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This material, including without limitation the statistical information herein, is provided for informational purposes only. The material is based in part upon information from third-party sources that we believe to be reliable, but which has not been independently verified by us and, as such, we do not represent that the information is accurate or complete. The information should not be viewed as tax, investment, legal or other advice, nor is it to be relied on in making an investment or other decision. You should obtain relevant and specific professional advice, before making any investment decision. Nothing relating to the material should be construed as a solicitation or offer, or recommendation, to acquire or dispose of any investment or to engage in any other transaction. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Opinions and estimates are as of a certain date and subject to change without notice.

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About the Author

Jeff Schnitz is Head of Wealth Product for SVB Private Bank. Jeff and his team are responsible for the development and management of SVB products, services and client experience across the spectrum of wealth advisory, investments, banking, deposit, and lending.

Before joining Silicon Valley Bank, Jeff co-founded Exos Partners, a startup investment advisory and broker dealer firm. At Exos, he oversaw all aspects of the day-to-day business, including service, operations, compliance/regulatory and technology platforms. Prior to Exos, Jeff spent 13 years in a variety of key positions with Merrill Lynch, including Director of National Advisor Training and Regional Business Manager, where he created and executed strategic measures in the areas of client affinity and service, product and risk management solutions, and strategic business growth.

Jeff received his master’s in business administration from Santa Clara University and a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and planning from University of California, San Diego.