Our Philosophy

At Boston Portfolio Advisors, our mission is to help financial services organizations improve their profitability by providing high-quality services delivered honestly and dependably.  It’s simple, but it helps us focus on the most important aspect of our business—our clients.  In our day-to-day operations, it means we only take on assignments where we can do a first-rate job (which means that sometimes we have to turn down business).  It means we do whatever it takes to complete the job when promised.  It means we give honest assessments and advice, even when it’s not favorable.  It means we answer all your questions, no matter how many or how frequent.  It means we provide responsive service, as determined by you.  It means the job’s not finished until you’re satisfied. 

Our tremendous success has come from consistently adhering to our value-driven approach combined with our management team’s keen understanding of the intricacies of financial services companies and the capital markets.  And, our continuous focus on quality and improvement insures that our services will continue to remain superior. 

Our Clients

Our clients include banking and thrift institutions, finance companies, mortgage banks, investment banks, hedge funds, and government agencies located throughout the United States, Europe, and Latin America.  We have represented equity investors, asset-based lenders, entire companies, sellers and buyers of loan portfolios, and everything in-between. Our knowledge of structured finance, enterprise risk, portfolio analysis, extensive industry contacts, ability to provide incisive answers and solve difficult problems, and mature leadership make BPA a unique resource.

Boston Portfolio Advisors has a mortgage brokerage license and has underwritten loans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, all Canadian provinces, six European countries, and three South American countries.  In addition, BPA is a member of the American Financial Services Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

The Human Touch

At Boston Portfolio, we really listen to our clients to find out what they want to achieve, and work with them to devise a solution that fits their timing, budget, resources, and any other constraints.  We communicate frequently during projects and promptly respond to our clients’ questions and concerns. 

Our focus has always been on the human aspect of business.  In an age where technology is constantly being substituted for human intervention, we are careful to use technology as a support tool, not as a substitute for human analysis and interaction. 

Key Management Profile

As President and founder of Boston Portfolio Advisors, Scott Calahan is responsible for the firm’s professional practice as well as its strategic direction.  Mr. Calahan brings a solid perspective on portfolio analysis backed by over 25 years experience in mortgage and consumer finance, auto finance, project finance, secondary marketing, underwriting, and systems development.

Mr. Calahan is co-author of Sub-Prime Consumer Lending (1999), co‑author of Direct Costing For Life Insurance Company Operations (1978), and was formerly Associate Editor of the Journal of Operations Research.  He is a frequent speaker for national trade associations and conferences, has authored numerous industry articles, and frequently testifies as an expert witness. He is also a member of the American Financial Services Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Mr. Calahan has been a pioneer in the use of operations research and actuarial methodologies to evaluate mortgage loan and auto loan portfolio performance.  The results of his work have been used for cash flow forecasting, loss prevention, loss reserve adequacy analysis, risk-based pricing, prepayment analysis, and strategic planning. 

In addition to being a licensed mortgage broker, Mr. Calahan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Pennsylvania State University; a master’s degree in business administration from University of Pittsburgh (Ford Foundation fellowship); and Ph.D. studies in operations research at Case Western Reserve University. 

Professional Staff Profile

With an average of 20 years experience in the financial services industry, Boston Portfolio Advisors staff contribute broad expertise supported by specific knowledge of the capital markets, asset-backed securitization, banking, consumer auto lending, financial services operations, enterprise risk analysis, mortgage loan processing, underwriting, auditing, procedure documentation, and large-scale systems development.  Their seasoned judgment, and continuing commitment to quality work enable Boston Portfolio Advisors to offer sound analysis and unparalleled service.