Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright today announced a powerful expansion of its business practice with the addition of an impressive group of corporate, private equity, healthcare, finance and tax lawyers who further enhance the firm’s robust transactional capabilities. Andrew Smolik and Michael Flood join Norton Rose Fulbright’s St. Louis office, as Seth Aigner, Virginia Duong and Gordon Klein arrive in Chicago.

Winston & Strawn LLP announced today the addition of David Love to the firm’s Chicago office. He joins the firm’s Transactions Department as a partner in the Finance Practice. David represents leading private equity sponsors in leveraged finance transactions, with a focus on acquisition financings across the large-cap and middle markets. He also advises clients on liability management transactions.

Cross River Bank (“Cross River”), a technology infrastructure provider that offers embedded financial solutions, today announced it has provided a $100 million revolving credit facility to an investment vehicle managed by MidOcean Partners, LP (“MidOcean”). The facility, structured by Cross River’s Principal Finance Group (“PFG”), is secured by home equity investment contracts (“HEIs”), and originated by Point Digital Finance, Inc. (“Point”).

Monroe Capital LLC (“Monroe”) announced it led the debt financing and made an equity co-investment to support the majority recapitalization of CST Academy (“CSTA”) by Golden Bear Partners.

Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Nicole Islinger has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C., office as a partner in the Corporate, M&A, and Securities group and as a member of the Aerospace, Defense & Government Services (“ADG”) and Technology industry teams. She brings deep transactional experience centered on mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), with substantial experience in government contracting, technology, and private equity.

Great American Holdings, LLC ("GA Group"), an industry-leading provider of advisory, valuation, field exam, liquidation, retail, and real estate services, and majority-owned by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("Oaktree"), today announced two significant strategic developments.

SouthStar Capital is pleased to announce the funding of a $500,000 accounts receivable financing facility for an Indiana-based commercial flooring contractor. The company serves both residential and commercial markets, with a growing focus on large-scale projects including schools and government-related facilities.

The global law firm Jones Day announced today that Dr. Christoph Wolf, a seasoned capital markets and corporate lawyer, has joined the Firm as a partner in its Financial Markets Practice. He is based in Frankfurt.

Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Banco Santander, S.A. (“Santander”) (NYSE: SAN, Madrid: SAN) will acquire Webster in a cash-and-stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, Webster stockholders will receive $48.75 in cash and 2.0548 Santander American Depository Shares for each Webster common share. Based on Santander’s closing stock price on Monday, February 2, 2026, the transaction has an aggregate value of approximately $12.3 billion.

M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) today announced the appointment of Jeff Carpenter as its new Regional President of Massachusetts. With more than two decades of corporate and specialty banking experience, Carpenter brings deep regional knowledge, financial expertise and a strong record of leadership to this role, reinforcing M&T's commitment to delivering exceptional service to its customers.

South State Capital Finance (SSCF) is the asset-based lending division of South State Bank N.A., a leading regional bank with $66 billion in assets and based in Winter Haven, FL. SSCF focuses on providing flexible senior secured capital solutions for middle market and large corporate clients with a relationship-focused approach.

First Citizens Bank today announced that Robert Horne has joined the company as Director of Middle Market Banking for Florida. Based in Tampa, Horne will lead efforts to grow First Citizens' middle market banking presence throughout the state.

Milestone Bank, a national leader in equipment finance and SBA lending, today announced the launch of its new Asset-Based Lending (ABL) division, expanding its credit solutions for small and mid-sized businesses nationwide.

Exponent Financial, Inc. ("Exponent") has secured a senior secured revolving credit facility from Jovian Capital Management ("Jovian") with total commitments of up to $20 million.

Aypa Power, a Blackstone portfolio company and leading developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects, today announced the closing of its $1.5 billion construction warehouse revolving credit facility, with an additional $0.5 billion accordion feature.

TrueBlue entered into a Second Amendment to its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to convert its revolving credit facility into an asset-based lending structure. The amendment establishes a borrowing base tied to eligible accounts and unbilled accounts, and reduces the revolver size to $175 million while preserving an option to increase by $150 million subject to lender approval.

Stellus Capital Management, LLC ("Stellus"), alongside its affiliates, provided senior debt financing and an equity co-investment to support the acquisition of Caring, LLC ("Caring.com") by SilverAssist, a comprehensive senior assistance network connecting families with trusted information, expert guidance, and quality services to simplify aging and senior living decisions. SilverAssist is currently backed by Growth Catalyst Partners.

Commercial finance industry leader Robbie Faucett will oversee business development, strategic growth to address flexible working capital financing needs of businesses in the Carolinas and nationwide, further developing Oxford Commercial Finance’s product and delivery platform

MidCap Financial, a leading commercial finance company focused on middle market transactions, today announced it has provided a $21.5 million senior secured credit facility to Wilde Brands Inc. (“Wilde” or the “Company”). The credit facility consists of a revolver with an accordion feature, term loan, and delayed draw term loan.

MONTICELLOAM, LLC (“MONTICELLOAM”), a specialized seniors housing and multifamily bridge lending platform, along with firm affiliates, funded a two-facility skilled nursing portfolio in South Carolina with $21,800,000 in combined bridge and working capital financing.