If you are like most companies, you have are a calendar year end firm.  You are finishing up your year end numbers.  You may spend a little extra time since it is year end.  You may also have an audit or review scheduled with outside auditors.

You get the year end done and then send the numbers off to your bankers.  You may also pass along your projection for the new year, trued up to tie out with your year end numbers.

Then you are done, right?

If you think so, you are missing out on a golden opportunity.  Now is the chance to show your stuff with your bank team.  Get all of them together, from both the loan and the treasury side, along with the members of your team.

Two reasons it works so well now:

1. One year has finished and a new year has begun.  It is a good break point to highlight the old and ring in the new.

2. You are doing it before you need it.  Bankers like to hear from clients on a regular basis, not just when clients need more money or are in danger of crashing covenants.  It makes a psychological deposit that you can cash in later when you need it.  Otherwise, if you wait until you have to talk to your banker, your well could be dry.

You might be surprised how few firms do this.  Often if it gets done, it is only because the banker requests it.

By taking the initiative, you are already one leg up.  Combine it with a great presentation and you could become one of the stars in their portfolio.

I have a client that does this every year.  The bank always appreciates it- it draws the entire team that services the account.  And the bank inevitably closes by saying the client is one of the best run clients that the bank has.

Take the initiative.  Reach out to your bank after year end.  Then when you really need them later, they will be more available for you.  They will be more likely to go to bat for you.