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MAY/JUNE 2026
307-322-2545 • CHBEF.COM
PARTNERSHIP IN PRACTICE Father’s Day is coming up, and it often makes us think about our mentors, the people who take the time to guide us, share experience, and help us make better decisions. In many ways, that idea also appears in business. At CHB, I’ve always believed our role goes beyond financing deals. A big part of what we do is working closely with brokers to help them understand our credit box, improve their submissions, and make stronger financing decisions for their customers. That spirit of mentorship is one of the things that makes our partnerships work so well. When it comes to the types of deals we see most often, over-the-road trucking is a significant portion of our business. I would say about 50% of what we finance involves trucks and trailers. Construction equipment, or yellow iron, accounts for another 20%, and aircraft make up about 5%–10% of our work. We have financed everything from barber chairs to medical equipment, but the miscellaneous items represent really about 15% of our portfolio. Supporting Brokers Every Step of the Way
The first step is acquiring brokers, and then it’s truly teaching them about how CHB operates and what we do as a whole. We will work with you to see if our business is a good match for your needs. If, for example, there’s a broker who works in transportation seeking financing for taxis and buses in a metropolitan area, it’s not
Our broker partners are our customers. They are the ones going out and bringing business to us. As brokers, you’re the ones submitting deals and working through the process with our team. The end borrower is the one we ultimately finance and place on the books, but in most cases, we never interact with them directly. All of our communication and the relationship we build is directly with brokers. We value what you bring to the table, and that’s why we work hard to offer support and guidance to make your submissions easier.
the best fit. But if someone came to us who works near numerous trucking dealerships, that would be a more organic fit because it’s a big part of our credit profile. As a broker, you are more than just one deal to us. Because relationships matter at CHB, we value long-term partnerships. We believe mentorship goes both ways, and we learn just as much from you as we hope you are learning from us. We are a company that listens, and the more we learn about your business and goals, the stronger our important relationship grows.
A key benefit of this relationship is that we work to make the process as smooth as possible when brokers bring deals to us. One of the most important things we can do is help brokers understand
You provide so much value to your customers as they turn to you for the equipment financing they need to meet their business goals. If you have any questions about what we do at CHB or how to make your submissions easier, we are just a phone call or email away. We’re in this together.
our credit box and the types of deals that fit best with what we do. When you know what we are looking for, it makes submissions move faster. So much of this comes down to communication and education. We want to help you understand how we evaluate deals and how we can be most helpful as your lender partner.
–Erik Eddington
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Succeeding in business these days requires more than just the ability to change. It requires the ability to change faster than your competition, your customers, and your industry. And marketers are especially well-positioned this year to guide sweeping, technology-driven transformations in their businesses. First, marketers will help lead efforts to wring better results out of generative artificial intelligence (AI) apps. Merely achieving cost cuts with AI will no longer be enough. Instead, research shows that businesses must measure whether the new technology actually improves their marketing outcomes … that is, whether it attracts new customers and engages current ones more deeply. Also, public pushback against AI-generated content and services will grow, forcing brands to develop transparency standards for explaining AI’s role in creating content and making decisions. At risk is not only a company’s brand value in the public eye, but also its ability to comply with new regulations from U.S. states, the European Union, China, and South Korea. Second, while brands will continue to increase spending on social media influencers this year, they’ll set higher standards for trustworthiness, truthfulness, and transparency. More influencers will be required to disclose FUTURE NOW Top Marketing Trends to Watch This Year
paid relationships. Also, marketers will be monitoring their content even more closely for ethical breaches, misleading claims, and offensive language. And finally, the potential health hazards of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are likely to attract greater regulatory attention. As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization move toward setting more specific, targeted definitions of various UPF product categories, policymakers are likely to restrict marketing of items considered especially harmful. Marketers will need to show how they are limiting exposure of vulnerable groups, such as children, to UPF ads. As you respond to these trends in 2026, take a moment to congratulate yourself for staying abreast of some of the most breathtaking business changes in memory. The opportunities (and threats) these trends pose will make 2026 a watershed year.
Exit Smart Just Because You Can Sell Doesn’t Mean You Should
Are your business systems and assets well-established? A lack of solid accounting, human resources, and customer relationship management systems will put a big dent in a buyer’s offer price. Before you consider selling, establish and monitor key performance indicators over time. Make sure your financial reports are clean and accurate. Also, prepare to offer persuasive descriptions of business assets that AI cannot replace, such as community ties, deep niche expertise, and customer trust. Is your marketing reliable and sustainable?
Stories of entrepreneurs who sell their businesses for big bucks are alluring for any business owner. Running a company can be exhausting, and when a prospective buyer shows up, hinting at flattering valuations, it’s tempting to jump on the “deal.” Too often, though, business owners sell at the wrong time and regret it. To avoid exiting your company too early, it’s essential to understand what prospective buyers want. Here are three questions to ask yourself to make sure the time is right for your business. Can the business run without you? Savvy business buyers always
Business owners are often the primary drivers of their marketing strategy. Can your marketing plan run independently of you? A well-established system of generating new leads and closing sales is essential to instilling confidence in a prospective buyer. Don’t try to negotiate the sale of your business on your own. Remember that most buyers are experienced negotiators who have closed many deals. Call in trusted advisors, such as a mergers and acquisitions specialist, an attorney, and a tax expert. While completing all these steps may seem daunting, you’ll be glad you did. This rigorous approach is the best way to ensure you aren’t haunted by regrets as the sale of your business grows smaller in your rear-view mirror.
picture what the company looks like after they step away. To keep the business running smoothly without you, have you developed a second layer of leadership? Can your team continue to grow and remain profitable if you’re no longer involved day to day? And if a buyer does need to replace you, can that transition happen without hurting the company’s profitability?
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Fast Approvals, Stronger Deals
CREAMY SPRING SALMON
INGREDIENTS • 4 skinless salmon fillets • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp ground black pepper • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 1/2 cup dry white wine
WHY SPEED MATTERS IN EQUIPMENT FINANCING
• 1 cup
unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk
• Zest of 1/2 lemon • 1 tbsp lemon juice
Faster approvals are the backbone of our business at CHB. In equipment financing, where opportunities can disappear quickly, speed matters and can be the difference between success and a missed deal. It’s like walking into the car dealership. You don’t step through those doors to pick up a car three days later. You’re there because you want to drive away with a new vehicle now. Delivering that kind of speed requires the right processes, proactive brokers, and strong lender partnerships.
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives • 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill • 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
DIRECTIONS 1. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. In large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. 3. Add salmon and cook 2–3 minutes. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes. Remove from skillet. 4. To make the sauce, reduce heat to medium and add garlic and shallots. 5. Sauté for 1 minute, then add Dijon mustard and white wine. Whisk and cook for about 2 minutes.
Speed Builds Trust For any business, timing is critical. In industries such as
construction, farming, and trucking, equipment delays can lead to lost contracts, downtime, and reduced revenue. Your customers are relying on approvals within days rather than weeks, so they can meet project deadlines or replace or upgrade machinery essential to their business. Not only do faster approvals ensure your clients can continue operations as normal, but they also build credibility for you as a broker.
6. Add coconut milk and simmer on medium-low heat. 7. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, chives, dill, and tarragon. 8. Add salmon to sauce and cook, uncovered, 3–5 minutes.
Inspired by TheDefinedDish.com
Preparation Drives Approvals Missing or incomplete documentation can slow the entire process down, so ensure you have everything prepared and ready to go before you
Take a Break
apply. This can include financial statements, tax returns, quotes, and any other documents your lender requires. A thoughtful application shows you are organized and serious, often
helping to move things forward. The better you understand the financial cycle of your customer’s business and the market itself, the better
you can time your application.
Partnerships Move Deals When you build a strong, ongoing relationship with a lender like CHB, the approval process will run more efficiently. Your lender will get to know you, and their market expertise is a valuable perspective that can help you identify potential opportunities or problems before they arise. Over a few deals, your lender will recognize your creditworthiness and expedite your application. You will also learn about their process, which will help you secure funding faster. At CHB, we pride ourselves on funding deals promptly and doing them right. Our goal is to make a decision on new financing requests within one business day so you can move forward. Contact us today if you have any questions.
BLOOM CINCO COMIC DERBY
EMERALD GEMINI GRADUATION LILY
MEMORIAL MOTHER RENEWAL VETERANS
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
C.H. Brown Co., LLC A PLATTE VALLEY COMPANY 20 W. Frontage Rd. • Wheatland, WY 82201 307-322-2545 • chbef.com
Inside
1 Where Mentorship Meets Financing 2 Marketing Trends That Are Changing the Game
Ensure You Have the Right Reasons to Sell
3 Creamy Spring Salmon
Take a Break
The Power of Working With the Right Lender
4 Heritage on the Range
Step Into Wyoming’s Century-Old Ranches Where History Grazes
In Wyoming, history isn’t just something you find in the books; it lives in the land in wide open pastures and barn doors. The Cowboy State is home to ranches that have stood for generations, many of them dating back to territorial days. Over the years, these properties have seen cattle drives, harsh winters, and the settlement of the American West. Here are three of the state’s historic ranches that continue to keep Wyoming’s heritage alive. Mason-Lovell Ranch During its heyday, the Mason-Lovell Ranch in the Bighorn Basin was one of the largest cattle operations in the Wyoming territory. Rancher Henry Lovell and his business partner, Anthony Mason, moved their operations to this location in 1884 to be closer to the railroad. The ranch was home to up to 25,000 cattle until a cold winter in 1886 to 1867 decimated the herd. The remnants of this influential ranch are now part of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area,
where visitors can explore the old buildings and learn its history on guided tours. Sommers Homestead Living History Museum If you want to experience what life was really like for families in the state’s earliest days, the Sommers Homestead Living History Museum lets you try out activities like roping and milking cows. The cattle ranch, founded in 1907 by the Sommers family, is now a museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 100-year-old main home, log bunkhouse, meat house, and even the outhouse have been restored. Located in Pinedale, it remains a living lesson in what early ranchers experienced before highways and modern technology. Working Cattle Ranches Some of Wyoming’s oldest ranches are still operating today, many of them transformed into dude ranches where guests can stay overnight. The
TA Guest Ranch, just south of Buffalo, is the site of the Johnson County War in 1892. Guests can stay in its restored 150-year-old buildings, enjoy horseback riding, and take part in other immersive activities. Eaton’s Ranch in Wolf is one of the oldest dude ranches in the country. Started in 1879 as a horse and cattle ranch, it quickly became a place where guests stayed for extended periods. It’s remained in the family for five generations.
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