“Fun” is not always the word a CEO wants to hear during a sales forecast or portfolio review, but it is appropriate when dealing with unpredictable situations.
“In like a lion, out like a lamb.” Sometimes. March 2025 Newsletter
I think I first heard this weather proverb in kindergarten. Ever since, every March, I’ve done my own personal evaluation of its truth.
This year, on March 5, we got 12 inches of heavy, wet snow — the kind that demands lion-like strength (or at least a good two-stage snowblower). So far, the proverb seemed on track. Then, on March 17, the local weather forecasters predicted another 6–10 inches of snow for midweek. On March 20, they backtracked—no snow, no accumulation. It’s still cold, though, and the lamb’s arrival remains uncertain.
I consulted Wikipedia on the Lion-Lamb proverb and found the following explanations – one from historians and one from weather forecasters:
Historians: The saying is weather folklore that stems from ancestral beliefs in balance, suggesting that if the month starts with bad weather, it should end with good weather.
Hmm, “balance.” Sounds like a novice gambler’s belief that “The coin flip came up tails three times so the next one has to be heads.” March is our transition month from winter to spring, but I have never expected any balance, just untimely and inconvenient bad weather during the state hockey and basketball tournaments.
Weather forecasters: March is known for its unpredictable weather, with the possibility of snowstorms, severe weather, and then transitioning to warmer, spring-like temperatures.
But in the end, this is the reason I enjoy March in Minnesota – it’s unpredictable. We can usually still ice fish – unless the lamb is early – and the most unpredictable event in sports, March Madness, reliably gets underway. March in Minnesota is fun in an athletic sort of way due to the prediction challenges.
“Fun” is not always the word a CEO wants to hear during a sales forecast or portfolio review, but it is appropriate when dealing with unpredictable situations – like customer price acceptance, credit underwriting and delinquency forecasting. Prediction guides us through unpredictability, but we must be prepared for all outcomes. Sometimes this means hedging risk; sometimes, strictly avoiding certain situations; and sometimes, just having a Plan B.
Never put your snow shovels back in the attic until May, always include at least two 12-seed upsets, and be emotionally agile enough to enjoy dealing with whatever the lion brings.
And, keep the ibuprofen out on the counter just in case.
Quality Equipment Finance implements AI to drive operational efficiency and growth
Quality Equipment Finance has implemented Tamarack AI® DataConsole™ and AI Predictors to support growth and drive operational efficiency both internally and with broker partners. Through the AI platform, Quality is empowered to make better informed decisions that will improve customer engagement. The fully integrated enterprise technology solution combines back-office software with a business intelligence system to provide actionable insights from a holistic view of data.
The future of Section 1071: A legal panel discussion at AACFB - April 11th
On April 11 at the 2025 AACFB Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Tamarack’s Daniel Nelson will join a legal panel discussion on Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Since its issuance in March 2023, Section 1071 has sparked ongoing debate regarding its impact on institutions within the equipment finance industry. Now, with the Trump administration’s decision to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the future of Section 1071 remains uncertain. This panel will provide updates on its current status and address key legal questions surrounding compliance and regulatory challenges. For more information, contact Daniel Nelson.
ELFA Legal Forum to close with AI ethics discussion - May 6th
The ELFA Legal Forum will conclude on Tuesday, May 6, with a session on “AI in LawPractice – Ethics.” The interactive discussion featuring Tamarack’s Scott Nelson and legal experts, will explore the ethical and legal challenges of integrating AI in equipment finance. Through real-world scenarios, the session will highlight best practices for responsible AI adoption, addressing critical topics such as AI-driven decision-making, bias, data privacy and compliance. For more information, contact Scott Nelson.
Exploring AI-driven strategies at Equipment Finance Connect - May 15th
In its second year, the Equipment Finance Connect 2025 conference, taking place May 14-15, will bring together equipment dealers and finance providers for dynamic, interactive discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation. As part of the event, Tamarack’s Scott Nelson, alongside leaders from DataCRaiM, Mitsubishi HC Capital and Oakmont Capital Services, will participate in a panel discussion on “Technology and AI Strategies for a More Successful Finance Business.” The session will explore how to assess emerging technologies, identify key business areas for digitalization and automation, and guide customers through the evolving digital and AI-driven landscape. For more information, contact Scott Nelson.
Fintech partners key to smooth tech implementation
According to a recent article in Equipment Finance News, “As tech adoption proliferates in the industry, equipment lenders must form strong partnerships with fintechs to ensure seamless implementation and maximize returns on investment.” The informative piece features input from Tamarack’s Tim Appleget and Scott Nelson along with Erik Tyvoll from ZAXIS Financial Services Americas, LLC.
Webinar recording: “Money has rules!” and the rules are a-changing!
Now available: the recording of ELFA’s webinar exploring how private capital is reshaping the funding ecosystem and redefining syndication rules for sellers. Moderated by Tamarack’s Scott Nelson, a panel of capital markets experts from Compass Capital Solutions, Oakmont Capital Services, PrivateCap and KLC Financial explored how digital transformation and data-driven strategies are shaping syndication, providing valuable insights for professionals navigating today’s market.
How AI is transforming business strategy—A Risk Never Sleeps conversation
Recently Scott Nelson was a guest on the Risk Never Sleeps podcast. During the discussion on the application of AI technology, Nelson shared that a majority of businesses are looking to implement AI within the next six months and that trust in AI is growing. In the episode, Scott and host Ed Gaudet also discuss AI’s rapid adoption in business strategy, the shift from GenAI to operational AI and predictive capabilities, and how leaders can navigate AI-driven transformation.
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