Why AI-Built Models Get Investment at Much Lower Rates and What to Do About It with Taimour Zaman
In this episode of Financial Modeler's Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Taimour Zaman to discuss why AI-generated financial models often fail to convince lenders, what investors really look for when evaluating financing opportunities, and how financial modelers can build more credible models by focusing on risk, capital protection, and realistic exit strategies. Taimour is the Founder and Chief Capital Strategist of AltFunds Global, a financial advisory firm with offices in Canada and Switzerland. With more than 11 years of experience, he has advised operators and project sponsors on structured finance transactions ranging from $1 million to $500 million. He has developed 13 structured finance programs and built a network of more than 900 brokers. Expect to Learn: Why AI-generated financial models often fail to meet lenders' expectations. The three critical factors investors look for: capital protection, returns, and exit strategies. How to approach financial modeling from a lender's perspective rather than a borrower's. Why geopolitical risks, currency fluctuations, and unexpected events matter in financing decisions. Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode: “Put yourself in the lender banker's shoe. Know and understand the world is full of shocks and surprises and build me a model that protects and manages my risk.” — Taimour Zaman “So it's AI assisted model building rather than AI building the entire model.” — Taimour Zaman Taimour explains that a strong financial model is not simply about projecting growth or presenting impressive numbers. It must demonstrate how investors can protect their capital, receive their expected returns, and recover their investment when things do not go according to plan. Follow Taimour: Website: https://altfundsglobal.com/ Substack: https://taimour1.substack.com/ Follow Financial Modeler's Corner: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/ Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984 Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at https://bit.ly/497oAqW Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration that has undergone human editorial review. In Today's Episode:[00:00] - Trailer [06:16] - Taimour's Journey Into Structured Finance [10:34] - Real Estate & Alternative Financing [16:55] - Building Models From an Investor's Perspective [19:57] - Managing Risk & Exit Strategies [22:20] - What Lenders Look for in Financial Models [27:17] - Real-World Financing Risks [32:14] - The Right Role for AI in Modeling [36:00] - Rapid Fire & Closing Advice