Claros Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYSE: CMTG) (the “Company” or “CMTG”) today announced the closing of a $500.0 million, four-year secured term loan credit facility provided by investment funds and accounts managed by HPS Investment Partners, LLC (“HPS”). The term loan credit facility has an annual variable rate of SOFR plus 675 basis points and may be prepaid at any time, subject to certain conditions.

The global law firm Jones Day announced today that Caroline Gregson and Nath Curtis have joined the Firm as Partners in its Financial Markets Practice. Both lawyers are based in the Firm’s London Office.

H.I.G. WhiteHorse, the credit affiliate of H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with $74 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that it has provided a new first lien, senior-secured credit facility to Büter Group (“Büter”, or “the Company”), a portfolio company of NPM Capital (“NPM”). Based in Emmen, the Netherlands, Büter is a manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic lift solutions.

Celtic Capital Corporation today announced its most recent new client relationship – a South-Central United States manufacturer of eyeglass lenses. This Company was seeking financing to pay off a small bank line of credit and a high-priced merchant cash advance loan, as well as secure additional working capital to fund the Company’s anticipated growth

Pretium Packaging, a leading manufacturer of plastic containers and a portfolio company of private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.

Brean Capital, LLC ("Brean Capital"), a leading independent investment bank focused on capital markets and advisory services, is pleased to announce that it has completed its acquisition of strategic business units from Janney Montgomery Scott LLC ("Janney"). With the closing of this transaction, Brean Capital adds a team of approximately 50 capital markets professionals across the acquired business units, representing a meaningful influx of sector expertise and leadership.

The M&A Advisor announced the winners of the 20th Annual Turnaround Awards. Commercial Finance Partners was named a winner for the Restructuring of the Year (Up to $25MM) Category. The awards will be presented at a Black-Tie Awards Gala on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at The Four Seasons Resort, in Palm Beach, Florida.

Womble Bond Dickinson announced today that Andrew S. Wein has joined the firm’s Consumer Financial Services Team as a partner in its New York office. Wein brings more than 25 years of experience advising financial institutions and related businesses on consumer financial services regulatory compliance, litigation, and enforcement matters.

Tiger Group today announced the first auction in a series of receiver-ordered liquidation sales of trucks, tractors and other assets formerly owned by a national transportation company, Mongomery Transport.

Apollo (NYSE: APO) today announced that Apollo-managed funds have completed an approximately €900 million senior secured financing of a pan-European logistics and industrial portfolio owned by a joint venture between an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management (“Cerberus”), a global alternative investment manager, and Arrow Capital Partners (“Arrow”), a specialist investor, credit provider, developer and manager of real estate in Europe and Asia-Pacific .

Gibraltar Business Capital (GBC) has completed a $20MM senior secured facility for a portfolio company (the “Company”) of a premier private equity firm (the “Sponsor”). This financing provides additional working capital to support the Company’s continued operational momentum and strategic investments for its next phase of growth.

SM Energy Company ("SM Energy" or the "Company") (NYSE: SM) announced today the Fourth Amendment to its existing credit agreement.

North American private credit fund managers expect conditions around financial distress and defaults to stabilize and gradually improve over the next 12 months, according to new independent research commissioned by Ocorian, a leading U.S. and global asset services provider.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), parent company of U.S. Bank, announced today that Souheil Badran, its senior executive vice president and chief operations officer, will retire from the bank this spring.

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) (“Ares”), a leading global alternative investment manager, announced today that Ares Credit funds served as the administrative agent on $1.6 billion in debt financing to support the merger of two Yellow Wood Partners portfolio companies, Suave Brands Company (“Suave Brands”) and Elida Beauty (“Elida”). The combined company, now called Evermark, LLC (“Evermark” or the “Company”), has launched as a leading global platform of iconic personal care brands.

More than 400 lots of surplus lighting and grip gear from a prominent Southern California studio will go to auction beginning on Feb. 3 in Tiger Group’s latest audiovisual sale.

Monroe Capital LLC (“Monroe”) announced it acted as administrative agent and joint lead arranger on the funding of a senior credit facility to support the investment in Norton Packaging (“Norton”) by private equity sponsor Platinum Equity.

Hilco Global announced today that Henry Jackson has joined the firm, based in its New York City office. Mr. Jackson has joined as an Executive Director – Originations and Transactions and will focus on growing the Hilco Global Capital Solutions and Hilco Global Professional Services divisions, with an emphasis on client relationship development across the private investment (both debt and equity) space.

Flagstar Bank, N.A. (NYSE: FLG), today announced the opening of its newest Private Client Office at 320 Park Avenue in New York City. The new location marks a major milestone in the Private Bank's strategic expansion and is designed to foster collaboration and strengthen client relationships with affluent and high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and professional service firms and their owners.

First Financial (FFIN) has promoted David Bailey to the role of CEO, according to a recent announcement by the company's Boards of Directors. This leadership change follows the tenure of F. Scott Dueser, who will now take on the position of Executive Chairman of the Boards. This strategic move is expected to guide the company through its next phase of growth and development.