KERN CHIU
COMMERCIAL CAPITAL ADVISOR
Complex financing requires more than access to lenders. It requires knowing how to structure the opportunity, who should fund it, and how to get it across the finish line.
$400M+
CAPITAL ARRANGED
SINCE 2019
30+
YEARS
EXPERIENCE
150+
LENDER
RELATIONSHIPS
TRANSACTION PROOF
A sample of transactions across operating businesses, commercial real estate and complex capital structures.
WHY KERN
STRUCTURE
Build the financing around the opportunity — not the lender’s standard box.
ACCESS
Bring the right combination of banks, credit unions, private capital and alternative lenders to the table — drawn from 150+ lender relationships.
EXECUTION
Manage the process, negotiate terms and stay involved through closing.
BANKS · CREDIT UNIONS · PRIVATE LENDERS · ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL · FAMILY OFFICES · EQUIPMENT FINANCE · LEASING
SOLUTIONS
Most financing conversations start with a goal, not a product. Kern works across the full range of commercial financing structures — choosing the right one is part of the advice.
Operating lines and revolving facilities to fund receivables, inventory and day-to-day cash flow.
Purchase financing for office, industrial, retail, land and multi-family assets.
Funding to buy a company, buy out a partner or complete a management buyout.
Loans and leases for machinery, vehicles, technology and production equipment.
Project financing for ground-up construction and major redevelopment.
Short-term capital to close quickly or hold a position until permanent financing is in place.
Financing for new locations, added capacity, acquisitions or entry into new markets.
Reorganizing existing obligations to restore stability and cash flow headroom.
Capital for time-sensitive or complex situations where conventional lenders have stepped back.
HOW IT WORKS
01
The business, the assets, the objectives and the timeline.
02
Build the financing strategy and the lender profile that fit the opportunity.
03
Approach the appropriate lenders and compare the offers that come back.
04
Negotiate terms and coordinate through due diligence to closing.
No upfront advisory fee
Fees are success-based — payable when financing closes
Initial consultation is free and without obligation
ABOUT KERN
After years working the bank side of the desk, I saw that businesses needing capital deserved more than any single institution could offer. So I built relationships across a wide network of banks, credit unions, private lenders and alternative capital—because the right financing partner matters more than the nearest one.
As that network grew, so did my ability to give clients the certainty and speed they need. Today I serve as Managing Broker of the Vancouver office at Ashdown Capital, and clients count on me to know the terrain—weighing what a company qualifies for against what actually serves it best. I'm based in Vancouver, BC, where I focus on BC-based financing and M&A transactions.
Outside of financing, I'm a husband, father, and long-time supporter of small business in my community. I serve as a board member for the Developmental Disabilities Association, and I've helped organize community events like Ashdown Capital's annual pickleball tournament.
When I'm not working, you'll find me on the golf course, the pickleball court, out cycling and snowboarding, or suiting up for my men's hockey team. Hockey is also a big part of family life — I'm head coach of my son's U21 minor hockey team and assistant coach of my daughter's U18 minor hockey team, which keeps my weekends full and my priorities straight.
TESTIMONIALS
$10 million secured.
6 offers in 4 weeks.
Many consultants promise more than they can deliver. Kern at Ashdown Capital delivers. In my 50 years in business, I have never worked with a more effective consultant. Kern was tasked with securing $10 million in competitive bank financing. In just 4 weeks, he obtained 6 offers and provided comprehensive recommendations. When our initial choice fell through after 4 months of due diligence, Kern quickly secured a replacement. If you need financing and don't consult with Kern at Ashdown Capital, you're making a mistake.
Jeffrey Goldberg
CEO, The Goldberg Group
Office purchase and tenant improvements — financed with options from multiple lenders.
It was a pleasure to work with Kern & Ben from Ashdown Capital. They were great to help position us to be a strong position to obtain financing that we needed to own our own office and to pay for the tenant improvements. Their ability to liaise with different lenders was helpful in understanding different options even with traditional big banks! Ashdown made the whole process easy and seamless once agreements were executed. I am used to advocating for clients, but it was a nice change to have Ashdown advocate for me and ask for options I may not have asked for myself! I would work with Ashdown again.
Denise Wong, CEO
Mirai Consulting Inc.
REFERRAL PARTNERS
Kern works alongside lawyers, accountants, M&A advisors and appraisers whose clients need financing expertise or access to lenders — keeping the relationship collaborative rather than transactional.
COMMUNITY & INVOLVEMENT
A look at community involvement and events — from charity tournaments to local fundraisers.
INSIGHTS & RESOURCES
A business loan calculator and a live look at the benchmark rates that shape commercial financing conditions in Canada.
This calculator provides an estimate only. Actual financing terms are subject to lender approval and may vary.
ESTIMATED MONTHLY PAYMENT
TOTAL PAYMENTS
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TOTAL INTEREST
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Results are estimates for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a loan offer. Actual rates, terms, and payments may vary based on lender criteria.
MARKET DATA
A quick reference for the benchmark yields and rates that shape commercial financing conditions in Canada.
| SERIES | RATE | AS OF |
|---|
Source: Bank of Canada Valet API. Canada Prime Rate is published weekly, not daily. CMB (Canada Mortgage Bond) yields reflect the Bank of Canada's most recently completed CMB purchase for each term, so they update only when a purchase occurs rather than on a fixed schedule.
GET IN TOUCH
Acquiring, refinancing, expanding, developing or working through a complex situation — start with a conversation. Share a few details and Kern will follow up personally to talk through your options.
Free consultation. No obligation.
Success-based fees — payable when financing closes.
Typical financing $1M–$50M. Needs outside this range are still welcome.
BORROWER INQUIRIES
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