We get a lot of questions regarding the commercial loan business. Many are from our peers that want our opinions on the commercial loan business.Warren Buffet was on the radio this morning. He stated “when the markets greedy, be fearful. When the markets fearful, you be greedy.” I think we can all apply that perspective on our positions in the commercial loan business. In a few years, the credit crisis will have settled. The commercial loan business will be different, but it will still be viable.There will be more government regulation for sure and probably more intense review of the credit rating agencies out there, like moody’s etc. Perhaps there will be a new type of loan structure replacing the current CMBS platform, but the players that pulled out will be kicking themselves as they see their competition making serous money and they will still be learning the “ropes” of their new chosen field. The survivors will make big headway in market share.We believe that the problems can and will be fix. This is just another recession in a long list of them. We go through this every 10 to 15 years. Now is the time to adapt and refine your skills – not the time to pull out. We tend to think a lot about what is still funding. What lenders and banks are still looking at deals? Never mind what the borrower wants or thinks he should get. It’s more an attitude of take it or leave it.The commercial loan business is still moving forward, with a limp for sure, but it’s still moving forward. For example we are still closing loans. Both owner occ and investment. This is the time people build substantial wealth as they pick up bargain opportunities or take chunks of market share that just wouldn’t be possible during normal times.

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!

He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.

But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.

Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!

Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.

We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.

Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.

Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!

But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.

Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.

Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.

And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.

All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.

He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.