Last week marked the 50th anniversary of “Jaws” — the film that made us all a little nervous about the water. But beyond the fins and fear, “Jaws” still offers some surprisingly relevant lessons for today’s business and commercial lenders. Just like the town of Amity Island, the business lending world is full of unknowns, competing priorities and the need for courage under pressure.
Here are three takeaways from “Jaws” that every small business lender (and commercial lender) should keep in mind:
1. Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
When Chief Brody first sees the shark, it’s clear the threat is bigger than they thought. But leading up to that moment, town officials ignored early warnings to keep the beach open and protect the summer economy.
Lending parallel: Early red flags — whether it’s weak cash flow, outdated financials or risk indicators in commercial real estate — shouldn’t be brushed aside. Whether you’re underwriting a loan or managing portfolio risk, hoping things get better is not a strategy. Due diligence platforms like Baker Hill Radius powered by CREtelligent give lenders the tools to act before problems grow teeth.
2. Collaboration Beats Lone Wolf Heroics
Hooper, Brody and Quint couldn’t be more different — scientist, cop and grizzled fisherman — but they had to work together to solve the town’s shark problem.
Lending parallel: Business lending is never a solo act. It requires coordination from credit analysts, compliance officers and relationship managers — and often, third-party partners. Commercial lenders especially need access to environmental data, appraisals and borrower insight in one seamless workflow. Unified platforms like Baker Hill NextGen eliminate silos and speed up decisions. The more aligned your crew, the better you can tackle even the biggest risks.
3. Be Prepared for What You Can’t See
The shark in “Jaws” doesn’t show up much — but its presence drives the entire story. It’s what you can’t see that keeps you on edge.
Lending parallel: The same goes for lending risk. It’s not the obvious factors, but the unseen ones — market shifts, borrower stress, or real estate vulnerabilities — that can upend a deal or a loan in the portfolio. That’s why modern lenders are leaning into smarter data, predictive modeling and automated alerts, and using solutions like Baker Hill NextGen Portfolio Monitoring. The more you can surface risk before it surfaces you, the better your institution can adapt and thrive.
Final Thought:
Much like “Jaws,” lending isn’t just about the monster in front of you — it’s about what you do when the pressure rises. Whether it’s a small business owner seeking capital or a commercial project with multiple layers, the best lenders know how to stay calm, stay sharp and stay prepared.
And yes — sometimes you really do need a bigger boat.
