Business Banking
Manage cash flow, mitigate risk, and strategically invest with business banking solutions encompassing both traditional commercial banking and alternative specialty finance options.
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Make strategic investment and asset liability decisions with a partner that knows how to ask the right questions.
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Today’s Stories of Successful Business Exits

Business Banking Solutions Private Wealth Business Leadership

Against a backdrop of record-level earnings and mergers and acquisitions activity, our panelists’ discussion centers on selling your business, what that entails, and how to achieve a successful sale. This informative video provides valuable input from advisors and a business founder who recently sold a business after 21 years. Topics include:

• Motivations behind the current M&A market
• Common reasons deals go off the rails
• Tips for assembling internal and external teams
• Communication strategies — who needs to know when?
• Preparing to sell from a banking perspective
• Advice for managing time and energy during an acquisition

Tune in and make sure to also watch our other panel discussion with experts speaking about how to grow your business through acquisitions.

Featured Experts

Jim Hartlieb

President & CEO and First Business Bank Board Member of First Business Bank

im Hartlieb joined First Business Bank in 2009 as Senior Vice President and has served as President since 2015. In 2023, he became President & CEO of First Business Bank. Jim has over 30 years of experience in the commercial banking industry and is focused on serving middle-market companies in the Dane County area.

Mathew Peterson, JD

Shareholder & Attorney of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.

Mathew Peterson is a member of the Corporate Law Practice Group in Godfrey & Kahn’s Milwaukee office. Mathew's practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, equity financings and general corporate law matters

Nathan Herbst

CEO of Paradigm

Nate Herbst is CEO of Paradigm. Nate started the company in 1999 as the most innovative software company in the building products industry. An entrepreneur with nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Nate is responsible for driving the vision of the company and positioning the technology to bring further opportunities to building products companies.

Dara Biederman, JD

Dara Biederman, JD, has 16 years of experience working in finance in various roles, including as an Investment Advisor, Director of Operations, and as Chief Compliance Officer. She received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She earned the Certified Financial Planner™️ designation as well as the Certified Financial Divorce Practitioner designation.