About Us

Driven by Strategy. Fueled by Capital.

The partners spent years in the high-stakes world of commercial banking, sitting at the intersection of capital and ambition. They didn’t just see balance sheets; they saw dreams. They saw innovators, creators, and builders who were ready to change their industries but were being held back by a financial system that didn’t always speak their language.

For many business owners, “access to capital” felt like a locked door. The banks had a specific appetite, and if you didn’t fit the mold, your innovation stayed on the drawing board. As bankers, the partners had the tools to help, but they were limited by the very institutions they served. To them, the world was full of potential, but it was being stifled by red tape.

It was this realization that inspired them to take matters into their own hands. In 2017, the partners came together to start Forbes Capital and Treasury Advisory Inc., with a simple goal:

To help Canadian businesses achieve their dreams by accessing the funding they need to grow.

Tall corporate buildings from a worm's eye view

Over the years, we’ve grown alongside the businesses we support, evolving through innovation and transformation to better serve our clients. In 2026, we’re proud to begin our next chapter as Drive Business Lending Solutions. While our name has changed, our purpose hasn’t.

Today, we don’t just finance deals; we champion visionaries. Our “insider” knowledge is no longer a bank’s secret: it’s your unfair advantage. We translate the complex language of lenders to ensure your story is heard, your risks are understood, and your capital is secured on your terms.

With offices in Richmond Hill and Ottawa, Ontario, we continue to support businesses across Canada by building strong relationships and helping our clients move forward with confidence.

Learn More About Our Services

Our Mission

is to provide strategic financial advisory services, backed by deep expertise, integrity, and execution excellence, that help Canadian businesses unlock capital, optimize financial performance, and scale with confidence.

Our Vision

is to be the most valuable partner for business financing in Canada. We aim to be a high-performing national advisory platform powered by a connected team of expert consultants delivering local insight with national reach.

Our Values

Drive

Operate with energy, ambition, and a focused intensity that fuels progress.

Integrity

Communicate with honesty and transparency, always acting in the client’s best interest.

Expertise

Provide sharp thinking and proven frameworks delivered with clarity and conviction.

Collaboration

Value partnerships and co-creating solutions with clients and team members.

Execution

A commitment to discipline, quality, systems, and measurable results.

Our Team

Peter Smith's headshot

Peter Smith

Partner

About Peter
Peter Smith's headshot

Peter Smith

Partner

My LinkedIn

Peter Smith is a Partner and co-founder at DBLS, with a career dedicated to driving strategic growth and innovation for small-to-medium enterprises across Canada. Peter established DBLS with the vision of moving beyond the transactional nature of traditional big-box banking, opting instead for a high-touch advisory model that provides entrepreneurs with sophisticated, insider advocacy.

With over a decade of experience at TD Bank before co-founding the firm, Peter has managed complex credit portfolios and led large financial services teams. His deep understanding of the lender’s credit review process allows him to specialize in securing and restructuring business debt.

Peter’s expertise spans a comprehensive range of debt solutions, including owner-occupied real estate financing, construction loans, equipment leasing, and M&A financing. He is particularly skilled in client advocacy, leveraging a vast national network of Tier 1 banks, credit unions, and private debt funds to negotiate market-leading rates and flexible terms for his clients.

In addition to securing new capital, Peter provides critical support for businesses in Special Loans situations, creating credible action plans to repair lender relationships or facilitate smooth transitions to new funding partners. Peter holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Dalhousie University. His objective is to act as a long-term capital partner, translating complex financial needs into bank-ready strategies that lower the overall cost of capital for Canadian entrepreneurs.

Kumail Hasan's Headshot

Kumail Hasan, CPA

Partner

About Kumail
Kumail Hasan's Headshot

Kumail Hasan, CPA

Partner

My LinkedIn

Kumail Hasan is a Partner and Co-Founder of DBLS, bringing over 20 years of specialized experience in commercial banking, debt restructuring, and credit structuring to the firm. Throughout his career, Kumail has established himself as a strategic expert in navigating the complexities of commercial financing, helping small and medium-sized businesses secure the capital they need to grow and thrive.

Before co-founding DBLS, Kumail had senior roles with TD Bank within the Commercial Banking and Financial Restructuring Groups. During his tenure  he grew the book of business targeting healthcare, manufacturing, professional services and renewable energy sectors. His background also includes significant expertise in managing complex, distressed accounts, where he collaborated with legal and risk management professionals to develop high-stakes restructuring solutions.

Kumail’s approach is rooted in a deep understanding of risk assessment and credit monitoring. He has a proven track record of structuring diverse financing requests, including leveraged buyouts, equipment loans, and real estate financing, while conducting the rigorous due diligence required to ensure long-term stability for his clients.

Kumail holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science and Statistics from Queen’s University and is a designated CPA. His unique combination of technical analytical skills and decades of “big bank” experience allows him to provide sophisticated, lender-focused insights that bridge the gap between business owners and the capital they require.

Max Hebert's headshot

Maxime Hébert

Partner

About Max
Max Hebert's headshot

Maxime Hébert

Partner

My LinkedIn

Max Hébert is a Managing Partner at DBLS, where he leverages a robust background in commercial banking and credit underwriting to help businesses secure essential growth capital. With over five years of high-level experience at RBC Royal Bank, Max specializes in engineering complex financial structures for small and medium-sized enterprises navigating growth phases, expansions, and restructuring.

Before joining DBLS, Max served as a Senior Relationship Manager at RBC, specifically focusing on the Supply Chain and Real Estate Construction sectors. In this role, he was responsible for managing diverse portfolios and providing expert credit advice to ensure businesses achieved their funding goals while strategically mitigating risk. His tenure at RBC also included significant work in the Agriculture sector and international expansions, where he successfully guided high-growth companies through complex market entries.

Max is known for his ability to bridge the gap between traditional and alternative capital markets, developing strategic partnerships that enhance client access to financing. His professional versatility is further supported by a background in wealth management and trade execution for high-net-worth clients at MD Financial Management.

Max’s deep technical knowledge and “big bank” pedigree make him a vital resource for business owners seeking sophisticated, lender-aligned financing solutions.

Mercedes Daniels' headshot

Mercedes Daniels

Operations & Business Consultant

About Mercedes
Mercedes Daniels' headshot

Mercedes Daniels

Operations & Business Consultant

My LinkedIn

Mercedes Daniels is an experienced operations leader and Certified Business Consultant by the Six Sigma Global Institute with over a decade of executive-level experience supporting multi-million-dollar organizations through growth, operational transformation, and process optimization.

With a strong foundation in accounting and executive management, Mercedes specializes in helping business owners build scalable systems, strengthen internal controls, and create operational clarity. Her work focuses on aligning people, processes, and performance metrics to improve efficiency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Throughout her career, she has overseen complex operational environments, managed compliance in regulated industries, led cross-functional teams, and delivered executive-level reporting to stakeholders and decision-makers. She is known for translating complex business challenges into structured, practical action plans that drive measurable results.

Mercedes partners closely with founders and leadership teams to move businesses from reactive management to proactive strategy, ensuring operations are not only efficient, but positioned to support the business owner’s goals.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Nipissing University and continues to work at the intersection of operations, strategy, and performance improvement.

Izabella Khalatyan, MBA

Associate Vice-President

About Izabella
Izabella Khalatyan's headshot

Izabella Khalatyan, MBA

Associate Vice-President

My LinkedIn

Izabella Khalatyan is an Associate Vice President with a proven track record of driving strategic growth and delivering tailored financial solutions for large-scale commercial clients. With a career spanning over 18 years at Tier 1 financial institutions including RBC and TD Bank, she has cultivated a deep expertise in both commercial banking and wealth management operations.

In her previous roles, Izabella Khalatyan excelled at managing extensive portfolios of large commercial borrowers, consistently mitigating risk through thorough qualitative and quantitative analysis. Beyond traditional lending, she has a strong foundation in operational change management, having successfully led organizational readiness for large-scale regulatory initiatives. She is a natural collaborator who leverages a vast network of industry partners to assist her clients.

A passionate believer in continuous growth, Izabella Khalatyan holds an MBA from Queen’s School of Business and a Corporate Social Responsibility Certificate. Throughout her career, she has also been a dedicated advocate for her peers, serving as an active member of many community volunteering initiatives.

Let’s Work Together

Contact Us