Steve Sala has over 33 years of experience in all aspects of bank lending, business management, and consulting. He has served as CFO, CLO, President, CEO and board director for multiple companies. Steve has worked extensively with retail, manufacturing and distribution companies in the capacity of turnaround advisor and debtor representation with financial institutions. He is an extremely skilled negotiator and has facilitated the sale of business units, inventory liquidation, collections and managed millions of dollars in litigation claims and defenses, including intellectual property matters.

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Steve’s experience includes start-ups to mature businesses. He has overseen major acquisitions, bank financing, and directing a corporate restructure for the nationwide retail operation, turnaround for regulated and non-regulated banks, credit unions and asset-based lenders. Additionally, he has worked as a consultant and advisor to numerous local, closely-held small businesses.

 

During his career, Steve has managed and executed successful turnaround, liquidating, and litigation strategies. He founded SFE Advisors as turnaround consulting practice for troubled financial institutions as well as underwriting services for distressed financial institutions. He has a long track record of working closely with regulators and developing successful strategies to rectify Corrective Action Orders and MOUs.

 

In addition, Steve has provided expert witness services and trial testimony in white collar criminal fraud cases for the U.S. Department of Justice. He has also worked with the FBI to provide critical information needed in criminal prosecution cases. 

 

Steve has an extensive background in credit risk assessment and loan portfolio underwriting. He has reviewed hundreds of real estate loans and developed unique and effective collection strategies on high-risk or non-performing real property asset. Also, he led collection and recovery for asset-based credit facilities and commercial lending loan portfolios for various financial institutions and private lenders. 

 

Steve has worked as liquidating trustee of a large financial institution exiting chapter 11 bankruptcy. He has managed hundreds of millions of dollars in litigation matters resulting significant recoveries. Steve’s experience includes a decades long banking career that included Bank One, Wells Fargo, First Interstate Bank, and TAB Bank, registered investment advisor with Shearson Lehman Bros., formerly E.F. Hutton, CFO, CLO, President, CEO and numerous board director roles.

 

He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance and a minor in Economics.