April 28, 2025 | by Mallory Smith, Account Manager, LTi Technology Solutions.
Attending the 2025 ELFA Funding Conference for the first time this year was nothing short of eye-opening. Held in the heart of downtown Chicago, the energy from April 15-17th was electric. I arrived with curiosity and a notepad. I left with a deep appreciation for the relationships that drive our industry, and a much better sense of how LTi Technology Solutions fits into the future of funding.
If I had to sum it all up in one sentence? “The best partnerships in this industry aren’t built on rate sheets—they’re built on relationships.”
The Human Side of Capital Markets
Heading into ELFA, I assumed the focus would be all about funding structures, credit policies, and liquidity strategies, and those topics were certainly front and center. But, what truly surprised me was how human the experience was. From the first introduction and handshake in the lobby to the last coffee chat, the message was clear: this is an industry rooted in trust, transparency, and collaboration where connections matter.
The tone was lively but genuine. People were approachable, eager to share ideas, and even amid packed schedules, conversation flowed easily. Unlike traditional conferences packed with sessions, ELFA’s format is intentionally open, creating space for meaningful conversations and strategic dialogue. And that mattered. It gave me, as a new sales executive at LTi, the opportunity to listen, ask questions, and absorb how clients in the capital markets view the road ahead.
What’s Buzzing in the Capital Markets?
The hottest topic at the ELFA conference? Tariffs. The uncertainty around trade and its ripple effects on deal flow was something I heard again and again. Funders and lenders are navigating a lot of moving pieces: liquidity pressures, inflation, and market timing, and looking for ways to stay agile and mitigate risks.
What stood out was the emphasis on flexibility. Funders want more than just great platforms; they want adaptable partners who can move quickly with them.
Where LTi Stands Out
That’s where LTi truly excels. Across conversations with banks, captives, and independents, it was clear: Clients are seeking a trusted partner who can support end-to-end workflows, enable better reporting, and help simplify complexity.
I had a great conversation with one client whose team is actively investing in automation. When I mentioned how LTi’s ASPIRE platform supports automated workflows, offers robust functionality, flexibility and adaptability, their response was immediate and genuine: “That’s exactly what we need.” It was a lightbulb moment.
The Three Big Themes: Tech, Trust & Timing
- Relationships drive everything. The most successful players in this space are not just negotiating terms, they’re building alignment and trust.
- Flexibility is the new standard. Speed, responsiveness, and the ability to pivot, are no longer a differentiator, they’re expected.
- Technology must lead to efficiency. Clients are prioritizing platforms that streamline their day-to-day operations and deliver measurable ROI.
Hearing these themes reinforced the work we’re doing at LTi. It’s exciting to know we’re already helping clients meet these expectations and pushing to go even further.
My Key Takeaway: Relationships First
The initial insight I shared? It stuck with me all week. “The best partnerships in this industry aren’t built on rate sheets—they’re built on relationships.”
It is something we believe deeply at LTi. We refer to it as #TheLTiDifference. At LTi, it is not just about a robust list of platform features, it’s about learning a client’s business goals, understanding their process, and configuring solutions that make their business run smoother, more efficiently and unlock sustainable growth.
Since the conference, I’ve refined how I approach client conversations. Now, I ask more pointed questions like:
- What does growth look like for your team this year
- What are your key business challenges?
- Where do you see friction in your current funding process?
- How can we help you simplify, scale, or unlock growth?
Looking Ahead: LTi’s Role in Capital Markets
So what’s next? To truly stand out, I believe LTi has a unique opportunity to serve as the bridge between originators and funding sources. We understand both sides, and our technology reflects it with highly configurable, end-to-end solutions built to scale with speed, clarity and transparency.
To better serve the funding and capital markets space, LTi offers:
- Automation that accelerates deal flow.
- Highly configurable solutions that scale to support growth and expansion
- Tools that support regulatory compliance and market agility.
Our mission continues to be to help clients move faster, collaborate smarter, and unlock the full potential of their capital markets strategies.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If you’re looking to improve your funding workflows, embrace automation, or just want to compare notes on how the market is shifting, Contact Us.
