Widespread vaccine availability later in 2021 will alleviate pressures on global structured finance (SF) asset performance by reducing the duration of the pandemic and likelihood of lockdown measures, mitigating downside risk in 2H21, Fitch Ratings says. Positive vaccine developments are a significant factor in Fitch’s expectations for global GDP growth in 2021, with further government support and policy easing expected until the health crisis is brought under control. However, delayed vaccine availability would result in significantly weaker growth in 2021.

The NFIB Research Center released its latest survey focusing on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic and imposed shutdowns have had on small businesses. This is the 14th survey since early March. One-in-four small business owners reported that they will have to close their doors in the next six months if the current economic conditions don’t improve, up 5% from last month. Another 22% of owners anticipate they will be able to operate no longer than 7-12 months under current economic conditions.

Data acquired by Finbold.com reveals that the total number of Commercial Banks in the US has dropped by 45.65%. The drop has been registered between 2000 and 2020. The data shows that Commercial Banks have closed at a rate of 3.15% yearly average.

Mike Colloton, Vice President – Business Development Officer, announced a closed and funded turnaround financing deal involving a $4,990,000 revolving line of credit facility, a real estate term loan, and an equipment term loan for a plastic injection molding business in Michigan.

CIT Group Inc's (NYSE: CIT) annual partnership with Feeding America® has helped provide Two Million Meals1 to people in need this holiday season. With the support of its customers, employees and followers, the company brought awareness to the pressing issue of food insecurity across the country.

UMB Bank, N.A., through its UMB Capital Finance Accounts Receivable Finance business channel, provided a $2 million credit facility to a Massachusetts-based data analytics service firm specializing as a software value added reseller. The facility will be utilized for working capital support needed for this quickly expanding business.

Tradewind Finance has provided a $1 million domestic factoring facility to a seafood importer and wholesaler based in the United States that sells a variety of fish, including snapper, tuna, swordfish, mahi-mahi, and grouper, to retailers and distributors in the USA. The company is a new subsidiary of a large seafood farmer and processor based in Costa Rica and is using the funding to expedite cash flow back to the parent company and support growth in the USA.

Varagon Capital Partners (Varagon) today announced it is serving as Administrative Agent, Lead Arranger and Bookrunner on a senior secured credit facility to support the acquisition of Red Monkey Foods (Red Monkey) by Norwest Equity Partners (NEP). Red Monkey Foods is a leading provider of premium organic, private label spices and seasonings, as well as branded salts sold through grocery, mass, specialty retailers, and e-commerce channels.

On December 11, 2020, the Company entered into a $20 million Third Lien Credit Facility with SK Financial Services, LLC (“SK Financial”). Interest and fees under the Third Lien Credit Facility are payable in kind. Proceeds from this facility were used to pay down the borrowings under the Company’s existing Revolving Credit Facility. In addition, on December 11, 2020, the Company entered into amendments to its existing Revolving Credit Facility and to its existing Term Loan Credit Facility.

Eastern Bank is pleased to announce Curate Partners LLC and its subsidiaries Curate Partners LLC, II and Curate Insights, LLC as new asset based lending customers in its Commercial Banking Division. Founded in 2014, Curate Partners is a specialized recruitment and consulting agency helping organizations achieve digital transformation. Eastern is providing an asset based lending (ABL) line of credit to meet Curate’s working capital and general corporate financing needs.

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. (NYSE: TPVG) (the “Company,” “TPVG,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), the leading financing provider to venture growth stage companies backed by a select group of venture capital firms in the technology and other high growth industries, today announced it has extended and expanded its revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”). Deutsche Bank AG serves as administrative agent and as a lender, together with existing lenders KeyBank National Association, TIAA, FSB, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., Hitachi Capital America Corporation and NBH Bank, and along with new lender, Customers Bank, under the Credit Facility.

TravelCenters of America Inc. (Nasdaq: TA) (“TA”) today announced the closing of a new $200 million senior secured term loan facility (“Term Loan”). Terms of the new loan include interest payable at LIBOR, with a floor of 100 basis points, plus 600 basis points and a seven-year maturity.

SG Credit Partners provided a $2.1 million unitranche loan to a sponsor-backed e-tailer of aftermarket auto parts focused on a niche of the broader aftermarket industry. The Company sells through its Company-owned DTC eCommerce channel as well as through 3rd party marketplaces.

Great Rock Capital, an asset-focused commercial finance company specializing in middle market lending, today announced the completion of a CAN$10 million senior secured revolving credit facility with Smart Employee Benefits, Inc. ("SEB"), a Canadian-based technology company that builds, customizes, implements, integrates, and manages data-processing solutions.

Tradecycle Capital, an Indianapolis-based trade finance provider, announced it funded two new revolving accounts payable funding facilities in November. One for $750M to a manufacturer of indoor/outdoor specialty lighted signage and another for $1.5MM to an automotive lighting and component manufacturer.

Gemino Healthcare Finance announced it provided a $44 million asset-based revolving line of credit in December 2020.

Vanessa Lopez was appointed VP, Controller, at Axiom Bank, N.A., a Maitland-based, leading community bank. Lopez brings nearly two decades of experience in accounting and banking to her new role.

Siena Lending Group LLC (“Siena”) is pleased to announce the closing of a $17.5 Million asset-based credit facility with a California-based Tire Company (“TireCo” or the “Company”). The two-year revolving credit facility was used to refinance existing debt and provide additional working capital to support business growth.

Lundin Energy AB (the ‘Company”) is pleased to announce that is has successfully completed the refinancing of its existing secured USD 4.75 billion Reserves Based Lending facility (“RBL”) and other corporate facilities, into a new, lower margin USD 5 billion five-year corporate facility, (the “Facility”).

Findings from a new survey show Chief Financial Officers ("CFOs") are taking on greater strategic and enterprise-building roles after guiding their organizations through the challenges of COVID-19. CFO Research of Argyle Advisory & Research Services and FTI Consulting, Inc. surveyed 325 corporate finance executives to better understand how CFOs and the finance function drive enterprise value. Five key themes emerged: