Velligan-Blaxall Consultants, LLC (VBC)
Background
Velligan-Blaxall Consultants, LLC (VBC) is an independent, full-service financial risk management consulting firm established in 2006. Headquartered in Haverford, Pennsylvania, VBC specializes in providing comprehensive risk management and consulting services to financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and fintech companies. The firm's mission is to assist these institutions in enhancing balance sheet performance, managing risk effectively, and ensuring regulatory compliance. VBC's vision is to be a trusted partner in transforming financial challenges into strategic opportunities for its clients. The company is recognized for its customized, data-driven solutions that address the unique needs of each client.
Key Strategic Focus
VBC's strategic focus centers on delivering tailored risk management solutions that align with the specific objectives of each financial institution. The firm's core objectives include:
- Asset-Liability Management (ALM): Providing strategic advice and modeling to manage balance sheet risks and optimize performance.
- Model Validation and Risk Management: Ensuring the integrity and compliance of financial models through rigorous validation processes.
- Financial Crimes Compliance: Assisting institutions in adhering to regulatory requirements related to financial crimes, including BSA/AML and fraud prevention.
- Product Analytics: Offering insights into product performance to inform strategic decision-making.
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC): Implementing frameworks to manage risk and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
VBC employs advanced technologies and methodologies, such as quantitative modeling and econometric analytics, to deliver these services. The firm's primary markets include community banks, credit unions, and fintech companies across the United States.
Financials and Funding
As a privately held company, VBC does not publicly disclose detailed financial information. However, estimates suggest that the firm generates annual revenues between $10 million and $25 million. The company has experienced steady growth since its inception, expanding its service offerings and client base. In January 2023, VBC acquired Seifried & Brew, LLC (S&B), a Bethlehem, PA-based firm specializing in community bank analytics and municipal credit analysis. This acquisition was part of VBC's strategic vision to enhance its analytics and advisory services, particularly in the areas of performance risk reporting and municipal credit analysis.
Pipeline Development
VBC's service pipeline includes:
- Asset-Liability Management (ALM) Modeling: Developing and implementing ALM models tailored to each institution's balance sheet complexity and objectives.
- Liquidity Modeling and Stress Testing: Creating customizable liquidity stress test models to assess the institution's resilience under various scenarios.
- Funds Transfer Pricing and Profitability Analysis: Integrating FTP and profitability applications to optimize lending and funding rate decisions.
- Budgeting and Planning: Utilizing balance sheet and income/expense projections to evaluate ALM analytics and balance sheet impacts of different strategies.
These services are designed to provide financial institutions with the tools and insights needed to navigate complex financial landscapes effectively.
Technological Platform and Innovation
VBC distinguishes itself through the following technological platforms and innovations:
- Proprietary Technologies: The firm utilizes advanced quantitative modeling and econometric analytics to deliver customized risk management solutions.
- Scientific Methods: VBC employs rigorous model validation processes and stress testing methodologies to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial models.
- AI-Driven Capabilities: While specific AI-driven capabilities are not detailed, VBC's focus on data-driven solutions suggests the integration of advanced analytics and potentially AI methodologies in its services.
Leadership Team
VBC's leadership team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive experience in financial risk management:
- Brian A. Velligan: Co-Founder & CEO. Brian has over 20 years of experience in financial risk management and consulting, having previously held senior positions at community, national, and global banks.
- Hugh Blaxall: Managing Member/President. Hugh brings a wealth of experience in financial risk management, having served in senior roles at various financial institutions.
- Jamie Sumner: Partner. Jamie leads the performance analysis team, providing financial institutions with risk vs. reward profiling, strategic and capital planning, and custom analytics.
- John-Carl Brew: Managing Director, Credit Review. John-Carl oversees credit review processes, ensuring compliance and risk management standards are met.
- Mark Calnon, Ph.D.: Managing Director, Quantitative & Econometric Analytics. Mark leads the quantitative and econometric analytics team, providing data-driven insights for risk management.
- Kiyomi Carbone: Managing Director, Model Risk Consulting. Kiyomi specializes in model risk consulting, ensuring the integrity and compliance of financial models.
- James Glueck: Managing Director, VBC Advisors. James co-leads VBC Advisors, offering specialized consulting services in model risk management, governance, risk compliance, data, and technology.
Leadership Changes
In January 2023, VBC expanded its leadership team through the acquisition of Seifried & Brew, LLC (S&B). This strategic move enhanced VBC's capabilities in community bank analytics and municipal credit analysis, broadening its service offerings and strengthening its position in the market.
Competitor Profile
Market Insights and Dynamics:
The financial risk management consulting industry is characterized by a diverse range of firms offering specialized services to financial institutions. The market is influenced by factors such as regulatory changes, technological advancements, and the evolving needs of financial institutions. There is a growing emphasis on data-driven solutions and compliance with complex regulations, driving demand for specialized consulting services.
Competitor Analysis:
VBC operates in a competitive landscape with several notable firms:
- ALM First: Specializes in asset-liability management and strategic consulting for financial institutions.
- Chatham Financial: Provides comprehensive risk management and advisory services, including hedging and debt management.
- Darling Consulting Group: Focuses on asset-liability management and strategic consulting for community banks and credit unions.
These competitors offer similar services, but VBC differentiates itself through its customized, data-driven approach and its recent expansion into community bank analytics and municipal credit analysis.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships:
VBC's acquisition of Seifried & Brew, LLC (S&B) in January 2023 is a significant strategic collaboration that has expanded its service offerings and client base. This partnership enhances VBC's capabilities in performance risk reporting and municipal credit analysis, providing a more comprehensive suite of services to its clients.
Operational Insights:
VBC's operational strategy focuses on delivering customized solutions that address the unique needs of each client. The firm's expansion into community bank analytics and municipal credit analysis positions it to serve a broader range of financial institutions, from de-novos to super-regionals. By integrating S&B's expertise, VBC strengthens its competitive advantage in the market.
Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions:
VBC is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for specialized risk management and consulting services. The firm's recent expansion into community bank analytics and municipal credit analysis opens new avenues for growth. Future strategic directions may include further diversification of service offerings, expansion into new markets, and leveraging technological advancements to enhance service delivery.
Contact Information
- Website: www.velliganblaxall.com
- Social Media:
- LinkedIn: Velligan-Blaxall Consultants, LLC
- Twitter: @VBC_Consultants