FocalPoint Partners, a leading middle market investment bank and a B. Riley Financial Company (NASDAQ: RILY) specializing in strategic and financial advisory services, today announced that Andrew Hewlett has joined the firm as a Managing Director in its national healthcare practice.

Gridiron Capital, LLC (“Gridiron Capital”), an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, continues building capabilities with the addition of Daria Lupinacci as an Operating Partner focused on Digital Acceleration.

Rosenberg & Fecci Consulting, LLC is pleased to announce that Jaime Hantgan has joined the team as a Commodity Consultant. Ms. Hantgan comes to us with 15 years of experience in the world of commodity trading. She has held various positions, including accountant, trading analyst, and trade finance analyst for large and small trading companies.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management today announced that it has hired Arezu Moghadam as Managing Director and Global Head of Data Science. Ms. Moghadam will be based in New York and reports to Kristian West, Head of the firm's Investment Platform team, which is focused on building and managing best in class capabilities, maximizing return on investment and leveraging the scale of J.P. Morgan to deliver exceptional outcomes to clients.

Blank Rome LLP is pleased to welcome prominent finance partner Cynde H. Munzer to the firm’s Finance, Restructuring, and Bankruptcy group in Chicago. Cynde is the latest addition to the firm’s national finance team, which recently welcomed additional leading partners David E. Kronenberg in Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati, and Cassandra K. Mott and Sarah H. Frazier in Houston, as well as of counsel Bradley E. Wolf in Los Angeles.

Leader Bank is pleased to announce that Matthew Pierce has recently been promoted to the position of Chief Lending Officer. Since joining Leader Bank in 2008, Matthew has held several leadership roles with the Bank including Vice President of Commercial Lending, Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending, and most recently Chief Credit Officer.

Santa Cruz County Bank (OTCQX: SCZC), today announced the launch of its Asset-Based Lending Division led by Lee Shodiss and Shelly Medina. The Bank's new Asset-Based Lending Division will specialize in serving business clients and emerging growth companies requiring asset liquidity and flexible lines of credit in addition to full banking services.

Ocean Bank’s Factoring Division has financed a $5 million factoring facility to a private equity-owned distributor of interactive digital marketing displays. “Supply chain problems and the pandemic hindered our client’s ability to fulfill orders quickly,” said Daniel Krasna, vice president of Business Development. “With our financing, they will have the right factoring facility to grow their business.

Rotolo Consultants, Inc., a commercial landscaping company providing design, installation and maintenance services in the Gulf Coast region, approached Gibraltar while undergoing a management buyout. The company needed financing to accommodate seasonality whilst allowing the buyout to progress as planned. Leveraging their accounts receivable, including accounts receivable from longer term projects, Gibraltar provided a $12MM line of credit to support ongoing working capital needs.

The Interface Financial Group (“IFG”) announced the funding of a $26,000,000 digital supply chain finance for suppliers in the USA and South Asia. The click-through early payments program provided by IFG continues to help suppliers in challenging times of supply chain disruptions.

Wintrust Receivables Finance (WRF) is happy to announce the closing of a new $4,000,000 account receivable line of credit for a Midwest based transportation broker. The company was founded in mid-2020 by multiple veterans of the domestic freight industry and focuses on Full Truckload freight for companies across the country.

MidCap Business Credit LLC, announced today that it has completed a $12 million asset-based credit facility to Responsible Energy Operations, LLC, “REO”. The Company, headquartered in Petersburg, IN, is a thermal coal mining and processing business.

The Fundworks, LLC, a leading a tech-enabled small business finance company, announced today the closing of $30.0 million of Senior Secured Notes to a group of institutional investors. This transaction refinanced the Company's existing $20.0 million of Senior Secured Notes and provides substantial excess capital to fund the continued growth of its small business funding platform.

Louise Walker, Chief Executive Officer of First Northern Bank and First Northern Community Bancorp (OTCQB: FNRN), has formally announced her retirement, effective December 31, 2022. With unanimous support of the Board, Ms. Walker announced today that Jeremiah Smith, currently Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will be promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank effective January 1, 2023, as her successor.

Debt financing for the transaction was secured under an expanded senior credit facility provided by Regions Bank, UMB Bank N.A., Century Bank, and Third Coast Bank SSB. Legal representation for the transaction was provided by Winston & Strawn, LLP.

J.P. Morgan is the Administrative Agent; J.P. Morgan, Bank of America and Wells Fargo served as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners; Bank of America and Wells Fargo are the Syndication Agents; and Citizens Bank is the Documentation Agent.

Phoenix’s Q2 2022 “Lending Climate in America” survey asked lenders to identify that greatest risk to the U.S. economy. Fifty-six percent of the lenders surveyed believe supply chain disruptions will be the greatest risk to the U.S. economy. Of the lenders surveyed, twenty-two percent believe federal reserve policy will be the greatest risk, while 17% believe rising interest rates will be the greatest risk to the U.S. economy. Five percent of lenders stated that tight labor markets will be the greatest risk.

Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. ("AWH" or the "Company") (CSE: AAWH.U) (OTCQX: AAWH), a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator focused on bettering lives through cannabis, is pleased to announce that it has closed on $36.5M of additional funding under the increase option of its existing term loan credit facility.

Kolibri Global Energy Inc. (the “Company” or “KEI”) (TSX: KEI, OTCQB: KGEIF (temporarily: KGEID)), announces that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary BNK Petroleum (US) Inc. (“BNK US”) has entered into a new US $75 million revolving line of credit (“new facility”) from BOK Financial (“BOKF”) with an initial commitment amount of US$20,000,000.

Danny Queenan has assumed the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer, Real Estate Investments (REI). Mike Lafitte, who currently has dual roles as Chief Executive Officer of both REI and TCC, will now focus on his TCC CEO responsibilities to further build this business. Jack Durburg has assumed the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer, Advisory Services. Chandra Dhandapani has assumed the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer, Global Workplace Solutions (GWS). Chris Kirk, Chief Operating Officer of CBRE, has been given elevated responsibilities in this role.