Inside Commercial Banking

Robert Bezede
  • 5.0 (4)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A podcast made for commercial bankers, corporate bankers and middle market professionals interested in the business of lending money. We interview successful rainmakers and dealmakers in the commercial banking sector to uncover best practices to help you achieve career success.

Episodes

  1. JAN 26

    Ep 11. - Lessons from 30 Years in Commercial Banking and Leadership With Bill Huk

    In today’s episode, I sit down with Bill Huk, a 30-year veteran in the commercial banking sector. Bill started his career with RBC before joining Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank Commercial Banking where he focused on lending to high growth Canadian middle market companies for over 24 years rising to head up the Ontario region for the bank. Bill is a natural leader and expert lender having been involved in billions of dollars of transactions throughout his career. 👉 Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-huk-448bb39a/?originalSubdomain=ca We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) What are the early mistakes commercial bankers make when trying to build a book of business 2) Why commercial banking is a "human" business and how to collaborate with risk effectively 3) How do you actually assess the quality of management = effective customer calls! 4) Dealing with the early warning signs of an underperforming company and what to do 5) How to lead a team and be an effective leader in commercial banking Inside Commercial Banking is the #1 training resource for commercial bankers and aspiring students looking to break into the sector and rise to the top. Join us as we interview commercial banking professionals and unlock the secrets of their success and best practices to help you succeed in the business of lending money. The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/ 👉 Subscribe for more episodes on finance, private credit, dealmaking, and entrepreneurship

    1h 10m

  2. 12/09/2025

    Ep. 10 - Cold Calling, Door Knocking & Winning Deals in Commercial Banking with Dylan Kostka

    In today’s episode, I sit down with Dylan Kostka, Wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities in Ottawa, to break down the fundamentals of business development, prospecting, cold calling, and door knocking in commercial banking. Dylan works closely with commercial bankers and shares practical strategies on how a strong wealth partner can help uncover lending opportunities, deepen client relationships, and drive real value in the middle-market space. 👉 Connect with Dylan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkostka4/ We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) What a day in the life of a wealth advisor actually looks like 2) How commercial bankers and wealth advisors can uncover new business together 3) Managing imposter syndrome as a young banker 4) Cold calling & in-person door knocking — what really works and how to do it 5) How to add value to business owners beyond the financing you offer 6) The most common mistakes young bankers make Inside Commercial Banking is the #1 training resource for commercial bankers and aspiring students looking to break into the sector and rise to the top. Join us as we interview commercial banking professionals and unlock the secrets of their success and best practices to help you succeed in the business of lending money. The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/ 👉 Subscribe for more episodes on finance, private credit, dealmaking, and entrepreneurship

    58 min

  3. 11/18/2025

    Ep. 9 - The Art of the Deal: How to Be a Rainmaker in the Middle Market with Guy Jarvis

    In this episode, I chat with Guy Jarvis, CEO of Cre8ive Capital Corp and a 25+ year commercial banking veteran. We discuss what it takes to build a career in banking — from originating deals and underwriting credit to lessons learned along the way. 🎧 Inside Commercial Banking helps professionals and students break into the industry and rise to the top. Connect with Guy on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-jarvis-5326905/ The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank.

    1h 11m

  4. 11/05/2025

    Ep. 8 - Inside the Wild West of Asset-Based Lending (ABL) with Industry Veteran Mark Wilk

    In this episode, I sit down with Mark Wilk, CEO of Wilk Capital Group, to explore the Wild West of Asset-Based Lending (ABL) and the alternative credit market in Canada. Mark is an ABL industry veteran and dealmaker who has spent over 30 years in commercial finance, helping Canadian middle-market companies access non-traditional lending solutions. After a successful career with several major Canadian banks, Mark transitioned into the private credit and asset-based lending sector, where for the past 15 years he’s structured billions of dollars in ABL loans and alternative debt deals. This episode is a masterclass in ABL and alternative lending — covering everything from how asset-based loans are structured, to risk assessment, underperforming credit scenarios, and why the ABL space remains one of the most dynamic areas in private credit. If you’re interested in private credit, alternative finance, middle-market lending, or how deals really get done in Canada’s lending ecosystem, this one’s for you. https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjwilk/ We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) What is asset-based lending (ABL) and how do you underwrite ABL deals? 2) What do you do when a loan starts to underperform? 3) Where does alternative ABL financing fit in the marketplace? 4) How does Mark analyze underperforming credit opportunities and determine if the business can be saved or not. What questions does he ask prospective borrowers? 5) What are the biggest lessons he learned when it comes to developing business. Inside Commercial Banking is the #1 resource for commercial bankers and aspiring students looking to break into the sector and rise to the top. Join us as we interview commercial banking professionals and unlock the secrets of their success and best practices to help you succeed in the business of lending money. The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/ 👉 Subscribe for more episodes on finance, private credit, dealmaking, and entrepreneurship.

    1h 12m

  5. 10/20/2025

    Ep. 7 - Building A Canadian Private Credit Fund With Trevor Simpson

    In today's episode, Trevor Simpson, Head of Private Debt at FirePower Capital, a leading Canadian Middle Market advisory firm, talks about his 10 year journey in the business and lessons learned. Trevor joined FirePower as an early employee and has helped build the fund over the last 8 years financing companies across North America that do not fit the traditional banking mold through alternative cash flow lending solutions. See below his LinkedIn if you would like to connect with Trevor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorsimpson/ We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) What is private credit and how does it differ to traditional bank financing? 2) How do private lenders underwrite deals? What key areas do they focus on? 3) What are the key skills required to succeed long-term in commercial banking? 4) How do you deal with imposter syndrome as a young banker? 5) What lessons did you learn building a private credit fund? 6) How do you become a successful people leader in commercial banking? What leadership lessons do you follow? Inside Commercial Banking is the #1 resource for commercial bankers and aspiring students looking to break into the sector and rise to the top. Join us as we interview commercial banking professionals and unlock the secrets of their success and best practices to help you succeed in the business of lending money. The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/

    45 min

  6. 10/01/2025

    Ep. 6 - Building A Successful Career In Asset-Based Lending (ABL) with Dave D'Cruz

    In today's episode, Dave D'Cruz, Senior Director in TD's asset-based lending (ABL) group talks about his journey building a successful career in the niche world of ABL and the lessons he learned working for both a Canadian and US bank. Dave is passionate about his business and shares his views on where ABL can fit in the marketplace and complement other lending groups within the banking ecosystem. See below his LinkedIn if you would like to connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-d-cruz-5053076a/ We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) What is asset-based lending (ABL) and how do you underwrite ABL deals? 2) What was it like working for a US-owned bank in Canada? 3) Where does ABL financing fit in the banking marketplace? 4) How does Dave source ABL deals and what advice does he have for junior bankers. 5) How can ABL complement other lending groups to enhance the total leverage and liquidity available to a client that may be struggling with working capital. Inside Commercial Banking is the #1 resource for commercial bankers and aspiring students looking to break into the sector and rise to the top. Join us as we interview commercial banking professionals and unlock the secrets of their success and best practices to help you succeed in the business of lending money. The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/

    51 min

  7. 09/11/2025

    Ep. 5 - 30+ Years Of Dealmaking & Lessons Learned with Dave Irving

    In today's episode I speak with Dave Irving, a 30 year veteran in the commercial banking sector having held various leadership roles with CIBC, HSBC and National Bank Canada. After a successful career, Dave applies his wisdom and deep credit skills today as a Director of Credit for an alternative working capital provider called Capitally Finance Corp. See below his LinkedIn if you would like to connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveirving1/ We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) What are the lending lessons he learned going through a recession in the 1990s? 2) How do you judge the character of a prospective borrower? 3) What do you look for when analyzing new credit opportunities & touring a business? 4) How do you develop new lending markets and build a book of business? 5) How do you transition from a "player" to a "coach", leadership lessons in commercial banking 6) How do you manage underperformers on your team to ensure everyone wins The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/

    1h 7m

  8. 08/26/2025

    Ep. 4 - The Art of the First Call and Building Trust with Brad Madigan

    In today's episode, Brad Madigan, Portfolio & Wealth Advisor at ScotiaMcleod based out of Toronto, Canada, shares his best practices and techniques that commercial bankers can leverage to drive sales and develop a value-add relationship with their clients and prospects. Brad works with several commercial bankers and explains how a good wealth partner can be a value-add to commercial bankers. See below his LinkedIn if you would like to connect with Brad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-madigan/ We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) What does an average day look like for a wealth advisor? What do they do? 2) How can commercial bankers partner with wealth advisors to uncover lending opportunities and drive value to clients? 3) How do you deal with imposter syndrome as a young banker? 4) What are the pain points for business owners from a wealth perspective? 5) How can you leverage cold calling in commercial banking to drive sales? 6) How do you run client meetings and uncover cross-selling opportunities when meeting with clients & prospects? The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/

    1 hr

  9. 08/13/2025

    Ep. 3 - Breaking Into Commercial Banking & Career Insights with Andrew Quercia

    Inside Commercial Banking is the #1 resource for commercial bankers and aspiring students looking to break into the sector and rise to the top. Join us as we interview commercial banking professionals and unlock the secrets of their success and best practices to help you succeed in the business of lending money. In today's episode, Andrew Quercia, a Senior Manger in TD's Commercial Banking Middle Market business unit talks about his 17 year journey in the business and lessons learned. Andrew is based out of North Toronto and focuses on financing middle market companies. See below his LinkedIn if you would like to connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-quercia-07b81341/ We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) How do you transition from retail branch banking to commercial banking? 2) What was the biggest lessons learned early on in your banking career? 3) How do you originate business as a commercial banker? 4) How do you underwrite credit and what key areas do you focus on? 5) How do you transition from being an originator to business unit leader in commercial banking? The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/

    45 min

  10. 07/30/2025

    Ep. 2 - Business Development & Leadership Insights With Dave Brophey

    In today's episode, Dave Brophey, a Senior Director of Commercial Banking at National Bank talks about his 20 year journey in the business and lessons learned. Dave primarily focuses on financing middle market companies in Central Ontario and is based out of Barrie, Canada. See below his LinkedIn if you would like to connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbrophey/ We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) What are common mistakes junior bankers make early on in their career? 2) How do lending styles differ between a Schedule A and junior lender? 3) How do you originate business as a commercial banker? 4) How do you underwrite credit and what key areas do you focus on? What key questions should you ask? 5) How do you transition from a "player" to a "coach", leadership lessons in commercial banking The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/

    51 min

  11. 07/23/2025

    Ep. 1 - Commercial Banking Career Insights With Sagar Sethi

    In today's episode we interview Sagar Sethi, a Senior Director of Commercial Banking at National Bank. Sagar talks about his 16 year journey in the business and lessons learned. Sagar is one of the leading bankers focused on financing Canadian lower middle market M&A transactions in Ontario. See below his LinkedIn if you would like to connect with Sagar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagarsethi1/ We cover several key topics in this episode: 1) What does an average day look like for a commercial banker? 2) What was the biggest lessons learned early on in your banking career? 3) How do you originate business as a commercial banker? 4) How do you underwrite credit and what key areas do you focus on? 5) How do you pivot from wealth management to commercial banking? The Inside Commercial Banking podcast is hosted by Robert Bezede, a Canadian middle market M&A investment banker focused on selling Canadian companies valued between $3MM to $30MM. He is a partner at Harmony Succession Partners (HSP), a boutique M&A advisory firm based in Toronto, Canada. Robert started his career in commercial banking working with Roynat Capital, a division of Scotiabank. If you have a client that is looking to buy or sell a business in Canada, contact Robert and the Harmony Succession Partners (HSP) team today at: rbezede@harmonysuccession.com https://www.harmonysuccession.com/

    46 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A podcast made for commercial bankers, corporate bankers and middle market professionals interested in the business of lending money. We interview successful rainmakers and dealmakers in the commercial banking sector to uncover best practices to help you achieve career success.

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