What kind of loans do you make and to whom?

Mezzanine debt loans with equity components to companies under the radar of Wall Street and the banks.

What can you do that a bank can’t?

We can work with companies to increase their equity values and help them when they have short-term problems.

What has been the biggest change in the

lending industry since the financial crisis?

The biggest change banks have made is that it’s more and more difficult for small companies to get the needed capital to grow and expand, and Wall Street is less enamored with doing financings of less than $100 million.

Has that helped or hurt you and other nonbank lenders?

It has helped us dramatically that banks have become more and more restricted in their lending to small companies.

What was your worst day at the office?

During 2007 and 2008, getting news that my old firm, Bearn Stearns, was collapsing and then hearing that Lehman Bros. did collapse.

Your best day?

When St. Cloud got official approval to start our first Small Business Investment Company fund, and when we closed our second fund with institutional investors.

What’s the best advice you ever got?

I’ve had many but the two best are: I never met a rich pessimist. And dress British, think Yiddish.

What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you?

I was born in Los Angeles, but grew up in Tujunga, so I like exploring small cities or areas that are out of the mainstream. I like visiting small towns all over the world.

For example?

Death Valley; Swan Valley, Idaho; and Greve in Chianti, Italy.

MARSHALL S. GELLER, 74

Managing Partner,

St. Cloud Capital, Westwood

RESIDENCE: Bel Air

FAMILY: Married to Patricia; two adult daughters and four grandchildren.

ACTIVITIES: Travel, fly-fishing and charity work.