Ep. 04 - The USDA Solar Sunset Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
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...
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Ep. 03 - The FinCEN Freakout Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
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...
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Ep. 02 - The GovCon Squeeze Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
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...
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Ep. 01 - The Community Blacklist Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
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"...
info_outlineMarch 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
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:
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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.