IPO vs. M&A: How to be ready for either—or both

Why financial risk is a leadership challenge

In this episode of Navigating Beyond the Expected, host Lynn Norris talks with Jeff Messner, head of financial risk management at Truist Securities. They discuss why companies often approach financial risk through too narrow a lens, and how a more strategic, policy-driven framework can help leadership teams better manage interest rates, currencies, and other potential exposures. Listeners will hear how Truist Securities helps clients translate market uncertainty into practical action and build a more disciplined approach to risk management. Also in the discussion: • Why transaction-level thinking can limit effective risk management • How companies can shift from reactive decisions to intentional frameworks • The role of discipline and judgment in managing financial risk • Why advice and strategy matter more than any single hedging instrument New episodes of Navigating Beyond the Expected arrive each month, featuring conversations with top Truist Securities experts about the challenges businesses are facing now. Be sure to subscribe to hear every episode.

The value behind the music: The rise of asset-backed strategies

Music catalogs are among the most interesting asset classes in modern capital markets, and a powerful example of how companies are using asset-backed securities (ABS) to meet their capital needs. In this episode of Navigating Beyond the Expected, host Lynn Norris talks with CJ Johnson, managing director of Media, Telecom & Entertainment investment banking, and Charlie Dann, managing director and Head of Esoteric ABS at Truist Securities. They discuss why music royalties and other revenue streams make such compelling candidates for ABS, how transactions work in practice, and what lessons other industries can learn from their success. Listeners will hear how Truist Securities guides companies through these complex transactions, from evaluating a catalog to closing the deal. Also in the discussion: • The characteristics of strong ABS portfolios • The impact of streaming and other data-intensive technologies on valuations • Other industries with high ABS potential • Public versus private ABS transaction strategies New episodes of Navigating Beyond the Expected arrive each month, featuring conversations with top Truist Securities experts about the challenges businesses are facing now. Be sure to subscribe to hear every episode.

IPO vs. M&A: How to be ready for either—or both

Deciding whether to go public or pursue a sale is one of the most consequential choices a company can make, and it’s rarely straightforward. In this episode of Navigating Beyond the Expected, Truist Securities leaders West Riggs and Ryan Hubbard break down how IPO and M&A paths really work, what drives confidence in each, and how executives can prepare their companies for the best possible outcome. Also in the discussion: • How IPO & M&A cycles tend to move together, and where they behave differently • The internal factors companies can control, even when markets are volatile • The strategic trade-offs involved in public offers and private sales • What it takes to run parallel IPO and M&A processes, and when the choice between them is made New episodes of Navigating Beyond the Expected arrive each month, featuring conversations with top Truist Securities experts about the challenges businesses are facing now. Be sure to subscribe to hear every episode.

Smart treasury, safer payments

The efficient movement of money is a strategic imperative in commerce today. New strategies in treasury and payments can have a major impact on a company’s growth potential. Jim Pirouz, head of corporate banking at Truist Securities, and Chris Ward, who leads the Truist enterprise payments team, join host Lynn Norris for a discussion of the ways smarter treasury management and modernized payment systems are reshaping how companies manage liquidity and risk. Also in the discussion: • The “three S’s” of smart treasury: safety, speed, and simplicity • Why treasury modernization is a boardroom-level issue • The role of APIs and real-time payments in improving cash flow • Fraud trends businesses must be watching New episodes of Navigating Beyond the Expected arrive each month, featuring conversations with top Truist Securities experts about the challenges businesses are facing now. Be sure to subscribe to hear every episode.

The future of healthcare: Investment trends to watch

Healthcare is a booming industry, but one that faces challenges on many different fronts, including government regulation, insurance industry upheavals, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Pat Stevens, head of healthcare investment banking, and Jefferson Rives, who leads the healthcare technology team, explore these challenges and offer their analysis on how these trends affect companies in the industry as well as institutional investors. Also in the discussion: • The growing role of consumer-driven care and digital patient engagement • What makes a healthcare company truly investable today • Why preparation and relationships are key to M&A success • How tech-enabled tools help providers address labor shortages New episodes of Navigating Beyond the Expected arrive each month, featuring conversations with top Truist Securities experts about the challenges businesses are facing now. Be sure to subscribe to hear every episode.