Ep. 04 - The USDA Solar Sunset Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!

Ep. 05 - The Business PAC Unpack Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!

For many business leaders, the idea of a PAC can feel outdated, misunderstood, or overly political. Add in generational turnover, growing skepticism around institutions, and confusion between business PACs and the super PACs people hear about in the news, and it is easy to see why many organizations are asking the same question: is the traditional business PAC model still relevant? The answer, according to this conversation, is yes, but only if organizations are willing to educate, engage, and evolve. In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, we "pick up the call" to unpack the business PAC with two experienced voices from the industry: Micaela Isler: President and CEO of the National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC) Chuck Kettenacker: Director of Political Banking at Capital Bank Together, they break down what business PACs actually are, how they differ from the more controversial political vehicles often discussed in the media, and why transparency, education, and year-round communication matter more than ever. From the origins of PACs and the rules that govern them to the challenges of engaging younger employees and adapting to a changing workforce, this episode explores how business PACs can remain a practical and credible part of a company's broader advocacy strategy. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * What a Business PAC Really Is: How employee-funded business PACs work, why funds must be kept separate, and how they are regulated by the FEC. * The Transparency Advantage: Why business PACs are among the most transparent and tightly regulated ways to participate in the political process. * The Gen Z Question: What new research suggests about how younger employees view PACs and why education is key to earning their support. * The Engagement Model That Works: Why the strongest PACs focus on consistent communication, peer advocacy, and long-term trust instead of one-time asks. * Why It Still Matters: How organizations use PACs as one tool within a broader public affairs and advocacy strategy to maintain a voice in Washington. Important Links & Resources Mentioned: · Join the National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC): nabpac.org/join-us/ [https://nabpac.org/join-us/] https://nabpac.org/join-us/ About Pick Up! Pick Up!: "Pick Up! Pick Up!" is a Capital Bank podcast where we tackle real business challenges. Each episode begins with a dramatized "client phone call" that outlines a pressing, timely problem. Moderated by Capital Bank's CMO, JJ Kaye, the show features a Capital Bank banker and a subject-matter expert who "pick up" the call to offer solutions. New episodes drop twice-monthly. Subscribe for more insights that turn complex challenges into solvable speedbumps. Connect with Capital Bank: Subscribe to this channel: / @capitalbankn.a.9456 Learn more about Capital Bank's Solutions: https://capitalbankmd.com/ [https://capitalbankmd.com/] Have a question for our experts? Leave it in the comments! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in Pick Up! Pick Up! are those of the guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Capital Bank, N.A. The information shared is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own qualified advisors before making decisions related to the topics discussed.

Ep. 04 - The USDA Solar Sunset Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!

For years, the playbook for rural investors was simple: lease land to solar farms and collect "mailbox money" subsidized by the government. But what happens when an executive order abruptly ends the era of easy money? The "Solar Sunset" is drying up incentives and leaving landowners wondering where to turn next. The "Pick Up" In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" to navigate the quiet crisis brewing in rural America with two industry veterans: * John Molinaro: Co-Founder of RES Associates and a career rural economic expert who helped add 30,000 jobs and double regional wages in Western Minnesota, and has since secured over $6 billion in investment for Appalachia. * Riddick Skinner: SVP of Government Guaranteed Lending at Capital Bank. The Solution They unpack why the end of solar incentives is actually the catalyst for a massive opportunity in rural re-industrialization. The experts debunk the "cows and plows" myth, explaining how the USDA—actually the largest civilian department in the U.S. government—funds everything from manufacturing to hotels. They reveal how investors can pivot from passive leasing to active business ownership in surprising locations across all 50 states, including "donut holes" in places like Long Island and Los Angeles County. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * The Solar Sunset: Why the REAP program is effectively ending and what it means for rural revenue streams. * Debunking "Cows & Plows": Understanding the USDA's role as a business lender for hotels, factories, and main street businesses, not just farms. * Total Landed Cost: How energy prices have shifted to make American manufacturing mathematically cheaper than overseas options. * All 50 States: Identifying the "Donut Holes" where USDA financing is available in unexpected areas like Long Island and LA County. * The Hidden Workforce: Debunking the labor shortage myth by identifying the 25% of rural residents currently commuting to metro areas. About Pick Up! Pick Up!: "Pick Up! Pick Up!" is a Capital Bank podcast where we tackle real business challenges. Each episode begins with a dramatized "client phone call" that outlines a pressing, timely problem. Moderated by Capital Bank's CMO, JJ Kaye, the show features a Capital Bank banker and a subject-matter expert who "pick up" the call to offer solutions. New episodes drop twice-monthly. Subscribe for more insights that turn complex challenges into solvable speedbumps. Connect with Capital Bank: Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@capitalbankn.a.9456 [https://www.youtube.com/@capitalbankn.a.9456] Learn more about Capital Bank's Solutions: https://capitalbankmd.com/ [https://capitalbankmd.com/] Have a question for our experts? Leave it in the comments! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Capital Bank, any agency, organization, employer, or company. This podcast is for general information and discussion purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always seek the advice of your own qualified professional for guidance specific to your circumstances.

Ep. 03 - The FinCEN Freakout Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!

March 1, 2026, is approaching fast, and for settlement agents, it brings a massive regulatory shift. The new FinCEN rule for residential real estate transfers demands collecting 111 data points on specific non-financed transactions. Many professionals worry this requirement will overwhelm their current workflows, disrupt closings, and force uncomfortable conversations with clients about their private data. In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" to navigate the "FinCEN Freakout" with two industry veterans: * Angela Saiz: SVP of Fiduciary Banking at Capital Bank * Elizabeth Berg: Vice President of Education and Training at Fidelity National Financial The group dispels the fear around these anti-money laundering regulations by reframing the mandate as a manageable data collection process rather than a crisis. They discuss practical workflows to flag affected transactions early and strategies for communicating with investors and real estate partners. This conversation provides a roadmap for turning a regulatory burden into an opportunity to demonstrate value as a trusted advisor. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * The "FinCEN Freakout" Call (The Client's Problem): Why the new data requirements feel overwhelming for settlement agents. * The "Why" Behind the Rule: How these regulations aim to align the U.S. with G7 standards and stop bad actors from using real estate to launder money. * Who is Impacted: Understanding the scope regarding cash buyers, trusts, and LLCs. * The 3-Step Survival Guide: Elizabeth Berg's advice on Education, Systems, and Communication to prepare for 2026. * Advocacy in Action: How the Title Action Network (TAN) helped delay the rule and how you can get involved. Important Links & Resources Mentioned: * Join the Title Action Network (TAN): ALTA.org/advocacy/tan [https://www.alta.org/advocacy/tan/] About Pick Up! Pick Up!: "Pick Up! Pick Up!" is a Capital Bank podcast where we tackle real business challenges. Each episode begins with a dramatized "client phone call" that outlines a pressing, timely problem. Moderated by Capital Bank's CMO, JJ Kaye, the show features a Capital Bank banker and a subject-matter expert who "pick up" the call to offer solutions. New episodes drop twice-monthly. Subscribe for more insights that turn complex challenges into solvable speedbumps. Connect with Capital Bank: Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@capitalbankn.a.9456 [https://www.youtube.com/@capitalbankn.a.9456] Learn more about Capital Bank's Solutions: https://capitalbankmd.com/ [https://capitalbankmd.com/] Have a question for our experts? Leave it in the comments! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in Pick Up! Pick Up! are those of the guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Capital Bank, N.A. The information shared is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own qualified advisors before making decisions related to the topics discussed.

Ep. 02 - The GovCon Squeeze Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!

Why are thousands of small government contractors suddenly finding themselves on the wrong side of the "Best Price, Best Quality" equation? For years, provisions like the "Rule of Two" and specific set-asides protected small disadvantaged businesses, ensuring they had a seat at the federal table. But a new Executive Order and sweeping updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) are stripping away these protections. With sole-source awards vanishing and major prime contractors now competing for smaller slices of the pie, small firms are facing a regulatory "sea change" that threatens their very survival. In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" to navigate these turbulent waters with two industry veterans: * Jill Cochones: GovCon Banking Specialist at Capital Bank * Shirley Collier: President of Scale to Market They unpack the reality of the "Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement" order and what it actually means for your bottom line. From the rise of M&A exit strategies to the new necessity of "teaming up" to compete against the giants, they provide a survival guide for the shifting landscape of federal contracting. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * The "GovCon Squeeze" Call (The Client's Problem) * Meet the Experts: Jill Cochones (Capital Bank) & Shirley Collier (Scale to Market) * FAR 101: How "Public Policy" was struck from the federal rulebook * The New Rule of Two: Why 8(a) and socio-economic set-asides are no longer guaranteed * Varsity vs. The Olympics: The new reality of small businesses competing against multi-billion dollar firms * The Pivot Playbook: "Shrink-wrapping" products and the power of Teaming Agreements * The M&A Option: When to buy, when to sell, and when to hold * Action Steps: How to leverage innovation to win new contracts Important Links & Resources Mentioned: * Executive Order 14275: "Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement" - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/18/2025-06839/restoring-common-sense-to-federal-procurement [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/18/2025-06839/restoring-common-sense-to-federal-procurement] * FAR Part 19 Changes: New rules restricting sole source awards - https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-19 [https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-19] * FAR 19.104: The "Rule of Two" Changes - https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-19#FAR_19_104 [https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-19#FAR_19_104] * Title VIII of the 2026 NDAA: Senate Armed Forces Committee recommendations (See page 143) - https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2296/text [https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2296/text] * Justification and Approval Thresholds: Ceiling increased to $500m for non-compete direct awards - https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2025/08/20/b5df7e81/afars-appendix-gg-delegations-of-authority-as-of-20-aug-2025.pdf [https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2025/08/20/b5df7e81/afars-appendix-gg-delegations-of-authority-as-of-20-aug-2025.pdf] * Administrative Procedure Act: Understanding the public comment period - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_Procedure_Act [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_Procedure_Act] * Take Action: Many FAR changes are not yet codified in law. If you are not happy with changes made via Executive Order, reach out to your elected officials here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials [https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials] About Pick Up! Pick Up!: "Pick Up! Pick Up!" is a Capital Bank podcast where we tackle real business challenges. Each episode begins with a dramatized "client phone call" that outlines a pressing, timely problem. Moderated by Capital Bank's CMO, JJ Kaye, the show features a Capital Bank banker and a subject-matter expert who "pick up" the call to offer solutions. New episodes drop twice-monthly. Subscribe for more insights that turn complex challenges into solvable speedbumps. Connect with Capital Bank: * Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@capitalbankn.a.9456 [https://www.youtube.com/@capitalbankn.a.9456] * Learn more about Capital Bank's GovCon Solutions: https://capitalbankmd.com/business/industry-solutions/government-contracting/ [https://capitalbankmd.com/business/industry-solutions/government-contracting/] * Have a question for our experts? Leave it in the comments! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in Pick Up! Pick Up! are those of the guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Capital Bank, N.A. The information shared is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own qualified advisors before making decisions related to the topics discussed.

Ep. 01 - The Community Blacklist Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!

Why are countless condo associations suddenly being "blacklisted" by insurance and mortgage lenders? For decades, many boards have voted to waive funding their reserves to keep monthly fees low, creating a "pay-it-later" culture. Now, a perfect storm of aging buildings, rising post-Surfside legislation, and sky-high insurance costs is creating a financial crisis. This "community blacklist" means residents can't sell or refinance, and board members are left wondering how to pay for millions in mandatory repairs. In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" with two of the industry's top experts to find a solution: * Dan Selzer: Head of HOA Banking at Capital Bank * Will Simons, RS: President of Florida & Southeast Regions of Association Reserves They break down the "Del Boca Vista mindset" and explain how a Reserve Study acts as a "credit score for your building"—providing a clear playbook for board members to navigate the crisis and protect their property values. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * The "Community Blacklist" Call (The Client's Problem) * Meet the Experts: Dan Selzer (Capital Bank) & Will Simons (Association Reserves) * The "Del Boca Vista Mindset": Why communities fail to fund reserves * The Banker's View: How to build a complete financial picture * What is "Percent Funded" (and why does it matter)? * Why Your Reserve Study is Your Building's "Credit Score" * The #1 Fear for Board Members (It's not what you think) * Final Advice for HOA & Condo Boards About Pick Up! Pick Up!: "Pick Up! Pick Up!" is a Capital Bank podcast where we tackle real business challenges. Each episode begins with a dramatized "client phone call" that outlines a pressing, timely problem. Moderated by Capital Bank's CMO, JJ Kaye, the show features a Capital Bank banker and a subject-matter expert who "pick up" the call to offer solutions. New episodes drop twice-monthly. Subscribe for more insights that turn complex challenges into solvable speedbumps. Connect with Capital Bank: * Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@capitalbankn.a.9456 [https://www.youtube.com/@capitalbankn.a.9456] * Learn more about Capital Bank's HOA Banking: https://capitalbankmd.com/business/industry-solutions/hoa/ [https://capitalbankmd.com/business/industry-solutions/hoa/] * Have a question for our experts? Leave it in the comments! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in Pick Up! Pick Up! are those of the guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Capital Bank, N.A. The information shared is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own qualified advisors before making decisions related to the topics discussed.