top of page

Client Portal

CPVA

Financial Services Marketplace

get-started-1.png

Get Started

cash-2.png

Cash Management

loan-1.png

Loan Placement

resources-1.png

Resources

Make your community's reserve dollars count.

Program benefits

  • Maximum interest income via higher rates

  • Ongoing account monitoring

  • Fully insured deposit offerings protect your assets

  • Electronic bank statements for timely monthly financials

What is the Cash Management Program

The program provides a competitive marketplace of banks specializing in working with community associations. Your custom cash analysis will compare current accounts to our marketplace alternatives. Then, it is simply a matter of completing a new account request form and watching your funds grow.

Get Started with a Reserve Cash Analysis

Receive a custom analysis showing where to maximize investment earnings.

  • How do associations plan to repay the loan?
    Associations evaluate the financial impact to owners when selecting how to repay the loan. Three options are usually considered: Build repayment into the regular budget, oftentimes increasing common charges. Implement a special assessment to match loan payments. Offer a hybrid approach where some owners prepay upfront while others participate in the loan. In this scenario, owners participating in the loan will have a monthly loan assessment in addition to their regular assessment. This approach has the advantage of giving owners flexibility while still providing a financing option to owners who need it.
  • Will a loan impact the ability for owners to sell their units?
    Lenders for this type of loan are not involved in the individual resale of units.
  • What is the Loan Placement Program?
    The Loan Placement Program provides an extensive marketplace for lenders to compete for your community’s loan. With a single point of contact and pre- qualification, it is a unique market solution that ensures competitive rates and support for all stakeholders.
  • What are the highlights of the Loan Placement Program?
    The Loan Placement Program provides a loan to the Association, not the individual. It is not a mortgage and there is no lien on individual units. Board Members sign the loan in their capacity as Board Members.
  • What are the costs associated with receiving a loan?
    Loans involve interest cost to the bank and closing costs that include the communities attorney, transactions fees and bank legal review.
  • What is the collateral?
    The collateral is a pledge of assessments. If the association's payments to the lender are current, there is no effect on the association. If there is a default, then, and only then, the lender will have a right to collect the assessments from the members and apply those sums to the payment of the loan.
  • What are the loan structures for Community Associations?
    here are two typical loan structures. The first is a term loan whereby there is no interest only period. Instead, principal and interest payments begin immediately after loan closing. This is usually the most cost-effective option. For this option, funds are typically given to the association at closing and the Association uses the funds as they would regular reserve funds. The second option is a loan with an interest only draw period followed by a predetermined payback period. The loan starts from $0 after which the association completes draw paperwork to draw funds until sufficient funds have been drawn to complete the project. The maximum interest-only period is usually 12–18-months. This type of structure may require additional lender fees due at closing.
  • Are associations pleased they placed loans with the program?
    Overwhelmingly, yes. The program provides association boards additional flexibility to address funding gaps while also providing competitive rates and support throughout the entire loan process.
  • What are the benefits of getting a bank loan?
    Loans enable a community to address funding gaps. Loans are often more palatable to owners than a large assessment, and potentially more cost-effective than a phased approach to completing necessary projects.
  • What is the length of the loan?
    Typical loans range in time from 5 to 15 years. Longer term alternatives may be available on a limited basis.
  • Do these alternatives provide FDIC coverage?
    Yes, all participating financial institutions provide deposit insurance through either the FDIC or the NCUA. Several institutions also provide full insurance coverage above standard limits, allowing a community to be fully insured regardless of total cash balances participating in the program.
  • How is community information kept secure?
    All community data is handled in compliance with strict financial institution guidelines. Data access is limited to authorized individuals or organizations.
  • What is reserve cash management?
    Reserve cash management is the process of actively monitoring and maximizing community reserve funds. Proper financial management includes analyzing cash balances, identifying earnings opportunities, reporting, and ensuring liquidity as your community requires.
  • Who are the signers on these accounts?
    Board Members are usually the signatories. Per federal regulations, signers on accounts will be required to provide their social security number, date of birth, and a copy of their driver’s license or passport. If Board Members do not want to provide their personal information, our company’s representatives will be signers for the accounts.
  • Why does your analysis exclude our operating and short-term maintenance reserve accounts?
    Capital reserve fund accounts require special attention and should have a strategy separate from those funds needed to operate the community on a day-to-day basis.
  • Is this a broker or money manager service?
    No. The platform accesses a preferred network of financial institutions that specialize in helping Community Associations maximize interest income for their communities.
  • Are there fees associated with this program?
    Fees may be charged for the placement of Certificates of Deposit. Access to the platform’s money market network is paid for by participating financial institutions and partners.
  • What are the benefits of this program if we work with a financial advisor or broker already?
    This program does not require you change any existing relationships. We find it advantageous for our communities to have access to multiple value-added products and services. We are pleased to offer this program as Community Associations selecting the platform’s CDs and money market accounts earn greater interest income compared to most alternatives.
  • How are financial institutions selected to participate in the program?
    We are highly selective in inviting banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to our cash and reserve management program. Our partners have decades of experience working with Community Associations to maximize their investments. Among other criteria, financial institutions are selected by evaluating both their technical capabilities and financial stability using Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) financial intelligence ratings. For additional information, visit www.kbra.com.
  • Who is American Deposit Management (ADM)?
    American Deposit Management (ADM) participates in the platform’s financial institution network. It specializes in offering nationally-competitive rates for CDs and money market accounts. The company manages over $6B in assets. ADM is a municipal advisor registered with The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) #K0353.
  • Does the management company earn compensation from this program?
    The platform provider may share compensation it earns from participating financial institutions and partners with the management company to offset costs for its assistance in administering the program.
  • Who is Ampersand, Inc.?
    Ampersand, Inc. is a financial services firm revolutionizing deposit management – partners with CommonArea to offer you industry leading rates and unparalleled service. With Ampersand, you ensure the safety of your deposits while unlocking their full potential. Ampersand, also known as Ampersand Public Advisors, LLC., is a registered Municipal Advisor with The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) #K1337.
  • Can you help us get a loan?
    Yes! Our platform will pre-qualify your association based on standard underwriting guidelines. The board will be presented various options, allowing you to select the best choice for your community's needs.
  • It is easy for boards to lose track of maturing CDs. How do we combat that?
    We send alerts for CDs coming due - plus any custom hot opportunities for investing community cash - and then serve you custom investment opportunities in a board-ready report.
  • How do you deliver 2x the investment earnings than previous solutions?
    We built the only platform specifically designed for community managers to easily and actively manage reserve and cash investments. Our clients - who manage over 7,000 communities - are doubling their communities' annual earnings by getting the best rates with the only financial marketplace tailored to the needs of the industry.
  • Is CommonArea a one-stop shop for association investments?
    Yes, the digital tools organize data and create efficiencies while the network of association banks offer nationally-competitive rates for greater earnings. No need to call around for rates and create a document for boards.
  • What is CommonArea Financial?
    We are industry veterans who set out to improve the financial health of communities. We do this by empowering managers and their communities with tools to drive better financial outcomes (i.e., incremental, compounding revenue!!).
  • Do you work with my bank?
    Most likely! Our marketplace offers over 500 FDIC-insured, community association-focused financial institutions. If you don't see your bank, we can invite them to our platform. Additionally, our program does not require you to change any existing relationships.
  • What investment products do you offer?
    CommonArea's marketplace only provides products that will not lose principal. We offer CDs and Money Market accounts with great returns so your communities can plan their budgets with confidence. All deposits are insured through FDIC or NCUA.
  • Are there fees?
    The CD and Money Market rate is net of fees, so there is no fee charged to communities or managers. For loans, there is a fee for loan placement.

Request a Reserve Cash Analysis

Primary Interest Required
Primary Concern Required
Cash Page form anchor

The purchasing of products and services from participating financial institutions and partners within the Reserve Cash Management Program is carried out directly by the community, and is subject to the terms, fees, and conditions of each financial institution or partner. This program is not a financial advisory or money management service. Common Area, Inc. (“CommonArea”), an independent financial technology firm specializing in working with community associations, provides the preferred network of financial institutions, partners, and tools. CommonArea receives compensation directly from participating financial institutions and partners, which it may share with your property management company to offset costs for their assistance with the management of the service.

bottom of page