Why Traditional Banks Don’t Get Film—and Why We Do
Positioning FilmMoney as the lender built by producers, for producers
If you’ve ever walked into a traditional bank and tried to explain how a tax credit, MG, or pre-sale works, you’ve probably been met with blank stares—or worse, rejection. That’s because traditional lenders were never built to understand the entertainment business.
FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC were. Founded by David Brown, a PGA producer and former DGA Unit Production Manager, our lending model was designed from the ground up to serve the real needs of working filmmakers. We don’t just understand production—we’ve lived it.
🏦 Why Banks Struggle with Film Financing
1. Film Doesn’t Fit Their Model
Banks want tangible assets and predictable revenue. But film production is built around intellectual property, pre-sales, and future earnings—all things banks can’t see, touch, or underwrite in their traditional systems.
2. They Don’t Understand the Timing
Rebates take months. Deliverables push back. Markets fluctuate. Traditional institutions are uncomfortable with uncertainty and creative risk—even when it’s structured.
3. They Fear What They Don’t Know
Try explaining a Direction to Pay, waterfall, or collection account to a regional lender. If it’s not in a textbook, they pass.
🎬 Why FilmMoney Was Built Differently
1. We Understand Collateral in This Industry
We know how to underwrite MGs, tax credits, rebates, and union deposits—because we’ve collected on all of them. At FM Lending LLC, we structure loans around assets banks don’t even recognize.
2. We Move at Production Speed
We don’t take weeks to approve your loan. If you’ve got clean paperwork and verified collateral, you can be funded in days—not months.
3. We’re Built by Producers, for Producers
David Brown created FilmMoney because he got tired of watching great projects stall over cash flow gaps. Everything we do—from how we secure loans to how we schedule repayment—is designed around the actual workflow of filmmaking.
💡 When FilmMoney Makes Sense
✅ You’re pre-approved for a tax credit or cash rebate
✅ You have signed sales or distribution deals
✅ You’re waiting on union deposits to clear
✅ You’re ready to shoot but funding is delayed
We fund those moments—fast, transparently, and without the friction of traditional finance.
✅ Final Thoughts
Traditional banks were never meant to understand your film. FilmMoney and FM Lending LLC were built to. With a producer-first approach and real industry expertise, we help you cross the finish line with confidence—not confusion.
Ready to work with a lender that speaks your language? Contact David Brown and the FilmMoney team today.