CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Maritime Finance business served as sole lead arranger on a $45 million financing for a portfolio of seven container ships. The financing was arranged on behalf of a fund managed by Mangrove Partners, a New York City-based value-oriented investment manager with substantial expertise is shipping assets. All seven vessels are covered by existing charters with leading container ship operators.

Morgan Lewis is again adding strength to its global finance team with the addition of Luis Herrero, who joins from Sidley as a partner resident in the Chicago office. Luis’s move to Morgan Lewis follows the recent arrival of former Sidley global finance practice co-leader Mark Kirsons.

Amerisource Business Capital announced the closing and funding of a $12,000,000 senior credit facility for a Texas based field services firm. The proceeds were used to support the company’s growth plans.

B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY), a leading provider of financial services and business advisory solutions, today announced the addition of a Compliance, Risk and Resilience practice to its financial consulting division, B. Riley Advisory Services. Scott Corzine and Duane Lohn join B. Riley Advisory Services to lead a team of experienced risk management practitioners who specialize in business continuity, cybersecurity risk management, crisis management, ERM, and operational resilience.

Tom Duffy has been with Praesidian Capital for more than eight years. In that time, he has played a key role in investment sourcing, due diligence, structuring and execution. He has also been integral in monitoring the portfolio. Prior to joining Praesidian, Mr. Duffy was formally credit trained at Bank of America, Merrill Lynch through its MBA Credit Leadership Program.

Churchill Asset Management LLC (“Churchill” or the “Firm”), an investment-specialist of Nuveen providing customized financing solutions to private equity firms and their portfolio companies, today announced promotions across the firm. Notably, Randy Schwimmer, Senior Managing Director, Head of Origination and Capital Markets, and Mathew Linett, Senior Managing Director, Head of Underwriting and Portfolio Management, have been named Co-Heads of Senior Lending. The Firm also announced the promotion of Christopher Cox, formally Chief Risk Officer for the senior lending strategy, to Chief Risk Officer for the entire Churchill organization.

Cowen Inc. (NASDAQ:COWN) (“Cowen” or the “Company”) today announced that Adam Chazan has joined the Company’s Investment Banking division as a Managing Director with leadership responsibility for the firm’s Tools and Diagnostics banking practice. Mr. Chazan will be based in New York and report to George Milstein, Head of the Health Care Investment Banking Group.

Texas Capital Bank, N.A., and its parent company Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: TCBI), collectively referred to herein as “Texas Capital Bank,” today announced two additional executive leadership appointments. Tim Storms has been named Chief Risk Officer of both companies, effective immediately following the decision by John Turpen to step down as Chief Risk Officer. Mr. Turpen will continue to support Mr. Storms and the Company until March 31, 2021, to ensure an effective transition. Shannon Jurecka has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Human Resources Officer, effective April 1, 2021, to advance the Company’s commitment to developing world-class talent and a high-performance culture.

Commercial Finance Partners is pleased to announce the closing of 6 new SBA 7a facilities in 2021. With additional benefits being presented by the SBA, Commercial Finance Partners has seen an uptick in volume for business looking to refinance debt, engage in an acquisition or buyout, purchase real estate, and other capital expenditures.

New York State has extended the effective date of its new financial disclosure legislation to January 22, 2022 and increased the transaction cap to include lenders making annual advances to borrowers of $2,500,000 or less.

Freeport Financial Partners, LLC (“Freeport”), a U.S. lower middle market direct lending manager, today announced the appointments of James Colletti and Ryan VanDagens as Associates, responsible for sourcing, structuring, and managing middle-market debt investments for the Freeport loan funds. Both Mr. Colletti and Mr. VanDagens are based in Chicago.

First Trust Advisors L.P. (“First Trust”), a leading exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) provider and asset manager, announced today that it has launched a new actively managed ETF, the First Trust TCW Emerging Market Debt ETF (NYSE Arca: EFIX) (the “fund”). The fund seeks to provide high total return from current income and capital appreciation by investing in emerging market debt. The portfolio is sub-advised and managed by TCW Investment Management Company LLC (“TCW”).

BIZCAP® (Business Capital since 2002) secured a $15MM multi-tranche credit facility for the largest trader, processor and distributor of high quality garbanzo bean (chickpea) products in the U.S. Capitalizing on the surging hummus market, the company was able to quickly grow from a small family owned operation to the leader in this market processing over 98 million pounds of product at its three production plants. The beans are bagged and shipped to all 50 states and 6 continents, to small family owned companies and international food suppliers.

TCF’s Middle Market team has been named a winner of the 2020 Greenwich Excellence Award for U.S. Middle Market Banking in two regional categories: Cash Management - Overall Satisfaction (Midwest) and Likelihood to Recommend (Midwest)

Arlington Capital Partners (“Arlington”), a leading middle market private equity firm, today announced a passive, non-voting, minority equity investment by Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s (“GSAM”) Petershill program, creating a strategic relationship with one of the world’s leading investment managers and accelerating Arlington’s growth and success.

Scoggin previously served as Vice President of Business Development at Goodman Capital Finance. Her role entailed negotiating favorable financing proposals for new business prospects, offering lending options to achieve profitability objectives for the company and maintaining client relations.

Stifel Financial (NYSE: SF) today announced an agreement to acquire the future business of North Atlantic Capital Corporation, based in Portland, Maine. The acquisition further positions Stifel as an active manager of small business investment corporations (“SBIC”) and of venture capital (“VC”) funds. In addition to the acquisition, Stifel has made a financial commitment to invest in the next North Atlantic SBIC. North Atlantic has been re-branded North Atlantic Capital – a Stifel Company.

Topaz Energy Corp. (TSX: TPZ) ("Topaz" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with a syndicate of Canadian banks providing for a $300 million combined operating and syndicated credit facility due February 19, 2024 ("Amended Credit Facility").

New York State has extended the effective date of its new financial disclosure legislation to January 1, 2022 and increased the transaction cap to include lenders making annual advances to borrowers of $2,500,000 or less.

North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“North Mill”), a leading independent commercial equipment lessor located in Norwalk, Connecticut, announced today the promotion of Mark Bonanno to President, Chief Operating Officer effective immediately. Bonanno, a CPA, joined the company as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer in September 2016 and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in August 2018.