Sellinger Faculty Talk Microloans, Regulation and Investing to Baltimore Media
Professors from the Sellinger School of Business often serve as experts in the media. Here are a few excerpts of various faculty members sharing their knowledge on a range of business topics:
Peter Lorenzi, Ph.D., professor of management at Sellinger, spoke with The Baltimore Sun about crowdfunded microloans. Microloan programs provide upwards of $50,000 to small businesses and non-profits, with the average microloan valued at around $13,000.
The model is becoming more popular in developed countries and has great potential in cities like Baltimore, where there is a demand for jobs and where poverty may be a barrier to small business ownership, said Lorenzi.
“The philosophy of microfinance was to fund people who were poor, marginalized or lacked opportunity to regular financial services,” he said. “That describes Baltimore probably better than most American cities.”
Michael Runnels, J.D., associate professor of law and social responsibility law and social responsibility department interim Chair at Sellinger, spoke with WJZ-TV about regulating oil trains in Baltimore.
This past May, a derailment spilled a toxic chemical in Washington D.C. Then in July, tanker cars overturned in the Howard Street tunnel under Baltimore. Fortunately, nothing leaked, burned or exploded.
Unfortunately, a blast and fire three years ago in Rosedale, followed the collision of a train with a truck. There are federal rules for trains haulinga million gallons or more of oil.
“To disclose what they’re transporting, when they’re transporting it and also have a disaster plan,” said Runnels.
Sellinger Finance Professor Karyl Leggio, Ph.D., spoke with The Baltimore Sun about Raymond James Financial. The 54-year-old diversified holding company, based out of St. Petersburg, Florida, operates in multiple locations throughout the U.S., including Baltimore.
With less name recognition than its competitors, Raymond James Financial could benefit from attaching itself to a brand with Alex. Brown’s reputation, said Leggio.
“Raymond James is a growing company, but Alex. Brown is a legacy company,” Leggio said.
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Max Pulcini
Max Pulcini is a Philadelphia-based writer and reporter. He has an affinity for Philly sports teams, Super Smash Bros. and cured meats and cheeses. Max has written for Philadelphia-based publications such as Spirit News, Philadelphia City Paper, and Billy Penn, as well as national news outlets like The Daily Beast.
