The International Factoring Association officially formed its southeast chapter this month. The new chapter will serve Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Southern Virginia. The chapter’s mission will be consistent with the IFA’s mission and will pursue spreading these values and benefits to its members and supporters. Members of the IFA will become members of the new chapter if registered. Interested parties should contact Sarah Kuhns at [email protected].

The IFA’s southeast chapter has established sponsorship opportunities to provide financial assistance to further its ability to grow and become a vital group in the southeast region. The price for gold membership is $750 and a silver sponsorship is $350. The IFA’s initial five gold and 10 silver sponsors have helped jumpstart the new chapter. Non-direct members are also welcome to join the chapter.

The IFA’s southeast chapter will hold monthly webinars and virtual chat rooms. The first webinar is scheduled for June 25 at 2 p.m. EST on the topic of fraud. Executive director Harvey Gross will moderate and the panel of experts, which will include Harvey Friedman of Lenders Funding, Michael F. Albanese of Cost Reduction Solutions and Jacob Cohen, Esq., of Jacob Cohen Law. The fraud webinar will discuss essential steps to take when a fraud is discovered and will review credit and lending measures, accounting and forensic best practices, and legal actions to take.

“The lineup of future webinars will be timely and informative,” Gross said.

The chapter’s virtual chat rooms will aim to assist with networking as social distancing remains in effect.

“These sessions will be a beneficial medium to discuss deal flow and current opportunities,” Gross said.

The first two virtual chat rooms are scheduled for July 9 and August 18 at 4 p.m. EST.

The board members of the new chapter are executive director Harvey Gross (HSG Services), chair Denise Albanese (Cost Reduction Solutions), president Gary Krasna (Gary M. Krasna, P.A.), VP of education Harvey Friedman (Lenders Funding), VP of membership Georgia/Florida Michael Kodinsky (Change Capital), VP of membership South Carolina/North Carolina/Southern Virginia Donald Serek (Simplicity Financial Solutions), treasurer Max Cohen (Southridge), secretary Jessica Weitzman (JSW Finance Solutions LLC) and associate director Sarah Kuhns (GMW Management).

The IFA’s southeast chapter was formed to assist industry firms by providing additional training and networking opportunities at the local level. The chapter serves factors, asset-based lenders, other receivables finance companies, purchase order companies, and service providers.