SFNet's Asset-Based Capital Conference 2026

February 10 to 11, 2026

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Registration is now open
Now celebrating its 18th year, our Asset-Based Capital Conference is the premier conference for professionals engaged in asset-based and middle-market leveraged lending.

Though equity markets surged throughout 2025 and debt markets for both public and private debt were extremely attractive and active, the 2026 conference takes place against the backdrop of heightened uncertainty over the direction of interest rates, inflation, labor markets and the overall economy. This split screen makes ABCC 2026 the perfect place to gain insights into the important topics that will help you execute your strategic plans and grow your business. 

Benefit from expert panels and distinguished speakers covering economic and geopolitical updates, capital markets, legal developments, and offering perspectives on AI, insurance market impacts from climate events, and the rising demand for asset-based capital in private credit. This is also one of the best networking opportunities of the year for this lending community. Register today and position yourself for success in 2026 and beyond.

The Encore at the Wynn is our official conference hotel. We have arranged a special discounted rate of $299+tax per night for conference attendees, available until Sunday, January 18, 2026. To book your room, click here. If you have any questions about your room reservation, contact Jason Mills at jason.mills@wynnlasvegas.com or (702) 770-4715. You can also contact the hotel's reservation department at (702) 770-2707.

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Agenda*

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

8:00 am - 12:30 pm
Committee Meetings

11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Registration
Sponsored by Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

11:30 am - 5:00 pm
Networking Central
Sponsored by Mayer Brown LLP

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
All-Day Networking and Table-Top Exhibitors

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Hiding in Plain Sight: A Seismic Shift Underway Within Global Markets
Sponsored by Gordon Brothers
Every one of us is directly impacted by an unprecedented series of events unfolding within the global risk transfer markets. This interactive fireside discussion with Professor Donald D. Sheets will illuminate a series of interconnected catalysts, including weather and natural disasters around the world, that triggered a dislocation in the risk transfer market and is undercutting one of the largest segments of our economy–property ownership. Learn how we got here, when further risks will emerge, and why there’s a need to prepare for the storm. 

Moderator: Barry Bobrow, Managing Director, Head of Credit Markets, Regions Business Credit
Speaker: Donald Sheets, Lecturer in Real Estate, Harvard University

2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Break

2:45 pm -3:45 pm

Back in Business: The New Wave of Financial Services M&A
Sponsored by TD Bank
The change in administration and regulatory approach has led to a renewed interest in M&A in both banks and non-bank lenders. There have been several significant bank related transactions announced in recent months, and expectations are high that there could be more. This panel will discuss the causes and motivations for M&A in the financial services sector and discuss potential implications for both the bank and non-bank markets.

Moderator: Kirk Hovde, Managing Principal, Head of Investment Banking, Hovde Group
Panelists: Kathy Dick, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Salt of the Earth Consulting
Tim Stute, Managing Director, Hovde Group
Christopher Wolf, Managing Director, Fitch Ratings

3:45 pm - 4:00 pm
Break

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Smarter, Faster, Better: AI Meets Secured Lending 
Sponsored by Sidley Austin LLP
The age of artificial intelligence is upon us, with previously unheard of levels of investment globally. The impact of AI is the topic of endless speculation, playing out in real time in the equity markets as well as the real economy. How might AI impact the banking industry, debt markets, and secured lending specifically? What are the impediments to rapid expansion? This panel will  look around the corner for how our business will be impacted by AI in the near and distant future.

Moderator: Matt Ross, Banking Strategy Managing Director, Accenture
Panelists: Alister Bazaz, Head of International Asset-Based Finance, Bank of America
James Croke, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP
Manav Misra, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Regions Bank
Kevin Torno, Strategy and Consulting Managing Director, Accenture

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm
Opening Reception
Sponsored by Holland & Knight LLP

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

7:30 am - 1:30 pm
Registration
Sponsored by Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Networking Central
Sponsored by Mayer Brown LLP

9:00 am - 5:00 pm
All-Day Networking and Table-Top Exhibitors

9:00 am - 9:30 am
Breakfast

9:30 am - 10:30 am
ABCC Capital Markets Extravaganza 2026: When the Ducks Quack, Feed Them
Sponsored by Bank of America
Despite geopolitical concerns and economic uncertainty driven by trade policy, the broadly syndicated markets for bonds and loans set records for volume in 2025 and equity markets rallied to  new highs throughout the year. Private credit continued to expand its presence in 2025 despite the increased competition from broadly syndicated markets. While LBO volume increased over 2024 levels, it remained relatively low and refinancing volume dominated activity across all markets, driving aggressive terms and historically tight credit spreads. The asset-based market experienced strong refinancing volume throughout the year as the market worked through the substantial level of upcoming maturities. This panel of markets professionals will evaluate all these trends and discuss their outlook for 2026.

Moderator: Barry Bobrow, Managing Director, Head of Credit Markets, Regions Business Credit
Panelists: Kavian Boots, Capital Markets Managing Director, U.S. Bank
Kristin Holihan, Managing Director, Ares Commercial Finance
William Hughes, Managing Director, Citigroup
Coley McMenamin, Managing Director, Head of ABL Capital Markets, Bank of America

10:30 - 11:00 am
Break

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Clause and Effect: ABCC Legal Update 2026
Sponsored by Lathan & Watkins LLP
The past year saw change and evolution in a number of legal issues impacting the debt markets, and asset-based lending specifically. Liability management transactions continued to evolve and the growth in private credit is impacting everything from commitment letters to intercreditor and loan agreements. New EU regulations could impact the lenders participating in cross border ABL transactions. The recent announcements regarding potentially fraudulent transactions is leading to a broad discussion of additional legal safeguards in future documentation. This panel will explore a range of emerging and evolving legal issues as we move into 2026.

Moderator: Jennifer Ezring, Partner, Latham & Watkins
Panelists: Chris Marino, Managing Director, Citigroup
David Morse, Member, Otterbourg P.C.
J.W. Perry, Partner and Co-Head of Sponsor Finance, David Polk
Kathryn Scharre Podelnyk, Managing Director, Underwriting Manager - Corporate Asset-Based Lending, Wells Fargo Capital Finance
Conray Tseng, Partner, Latham & Watkins

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Economics Meets Geopolitics: Decoding the Forces Shaping Our Future
Sponsored by Rouse Services
With multiple ongoing wars and an increasingly complex trade policy environment globally, the link between the geopolitical and economic worlds has never been closer or more volatile. This session, featuring David Chmiel of Global Torchlight and Stephen Miller of UNLV, will bring context and clarity to both the geopolitics and economic environment and discuss their outlook for 2025 and beyond.

Panelists: David Chmiel, Managing Director, Global Torchlight
Stephen Miller, Professor, Research Director for Center for Business and Economic Research, UNLV

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
A Rose by Any Other Name: Asset-Based Lending Takes Center Stage in Private Credit
Sponsored by White Oak Commercial Finance
Over the past few years,  there have been announcements of the formation of billions of dollars in private credit funds dedicated to asset-based lending. While the investment methodology of many of these funds is very different from traditional asset-based lending, they are indicative of the high level of interest by private credit LP's financing a wide range of asset classes. This interest is leading to a broadening of the definition of asset-based lending. This panel will explore the emerging trend from both an LP and lender standpoint.

Moderator: John Ahn, Managing Partner, Co-Founder, Whitehawk Capital Partners
Panelists: Jeremy Harrison, Managing Director, Head of UK Asset Based Lending, White Oak UK
Brian Murphy, Portfolio Manager, Co-Chief Investment Officer, First Trust Capital Management
Adam Salter, Managing Director, Sixth Street
Jeff Topor, Portfolio Manager, Cliffwater Enhanced Lending Fund

2:30 pm - 4:45 pm
Capital Connections - the Intersection of ABL and Private Credit (invitation only)
Sponsored by Goldberg Kohn

5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
SFNet/TMA Joint Reception
Sponsored by Equify Financial;, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP; Siena Lending Group; White Oak Commercial Finance


*Agenda is subject to change.

Thank you to our conference sponsors

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Pricing
Member pricing applies to employees of SFNet member organizations. Not sure if your company is a member? Click here to confirm.

Cancellation Policy
All cancellation requests must be made in writing. Email requests to Betty Lam at BLam@sfnet.com.

• Registration open - January 9, 2026: Full refund, minus a 10% administration fee per registration
• After January 9, 2026: No refunds

Reminder
Please take a moment to review our Code of Conduct to ensure a positive and respectful experience for everyone.

Member Price: $1,800

Non-Member Price: $2,400

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