★☆☆☆☆ — Absolutely Unacceptable Conduct From SLA Capital's Ownership

I've been in business long enough to understand that not every financing request meets a lender's underwriting guidelines. A simple, professional decline is perfectly acceptable. What isn't acceptable is arrogance, ridicule, and outright disrespect from someone representing a lending company.

On October 12, 2026, I submitted a legitimate financing inquiry to SLA Capital on behalf of a prospective borrower.

Instead of a professional response, Mike DeHaan, one of the company's owners, replied:

"Please dont waste our time with nonsense like this."

He proceeded to mock the borrower's credit score, experience, and proposed financing structure, even adding "lol" to his response. He finished by describing the inquiry as "about as bad as it gets."

Seriously? This is how a business owner communicates with another business professional?

Nobody asked SLA Capital to approve a loan that didn't meet its guidelines. Nobody expected special treatment. We simply presented a financing opportunity for consideration.

A competent lender can say, "Unfortunately, this transaction falls outside our lending parameters." It takes very little effort to demonstrate basic professionalism.

What makes this particularly disappointing is that this response came from an OWNER of the company, not an inexperienced employee having a bad day.

I am the CEO of Yoder Funding, and I deal with lending institutions regularly. I have received plenty of declines over the years. I have never considered a lender obligated to approve a transaction, but I do expect them to communicate with basic respect.

If this is how SLA Capital's leadership treats prospective business partners, it raises serious questions about the company's professionalism and approach to building long-term relationships.

My advice to fellow brokers: Think carefully before sending your clients' financing opportunities to SLA Capital. There are plenty of lenders who can decline a transaction without belittling the people who bring them business.

One star. Not because they declined the loan, but because of how they chose to conduct themselves.

— Jonas Yoder