TSL Feature Articles
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Navigating the Roadblocks: Challenges and Progress in the U.S. Electric Vehicle Revolution
May 1, 2024As the automotive industry moves toward electrification, lenders face an uncertain path forward. The successful transition to EVs will require substantial investment at all levels, from charging technology and coverage to dealership infrastructure. As the effect on total cost of ownership unfolds, the residual value models that underpin the entire industry will need to be redefined, impacting financing and leasing. Lenders to the mobility sector should be prepared for further disruption which will provide either opportunities or create credit challenges as companies navigate this dynamic landscape. -
Armstrong Flooring Bankruptcy: The Alchemy of Creating Value from Accounts Receivable
Apr 25, 2024Finding the right combination of capital resources and strategic knowledge in the sale and restructuring of a business is complicated; but when it works, this seemingly magical process of transformation creates incremental value for all constituents involved in the bankruptcy process. Take the case of Armstrong Flooring, and three affiliated companies, that each filed petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware seeking relief under Chapter 11 on May 8, 2022. -
The Ins & Outs of DEI Fatigue
Apr 11, 2024Since the DEI “field” is a potpourri of research, advocacy, political ideations,
and personal perspectives from multiple fields, it is difficult for people to know which sources of information to trust. One of the latest urgent fascinations that has captured our collective attention is “DEI Fatigue.” -
Ally and Affinity Groups: Helping to Bring Our True Selves to Work
Industry ally and affinity group members and leaders share their stories and discuss how their organization’s groups began and their benefits.
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2024 Threats to Manufacturing and Industrial Businesses – Lenders Beware
How will reduced consumer spending and increased leverage cost stress manufacturing & industrial companies in the year ahead? -
Perfection of Security Interests in Electronic Bills of Lading Under the UCC
Feb 21, 2024In an increasingly paperless world, electronic bills of lading are garnering attention as an industry choice for cross-border commercial and shipping transactions. This article provides an overview of the legal framework prescribed by Articles 7 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code for a secured lender seeking to perfect its security interest in electronic bills of lading.
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Gauging Credit Risk for 2024
Feb 8, 2024The credit risk panel at SFNet’s 79th Annual Convention focused on challenges such as consumer headwinds, the higher cost of capital, looming refinancing deadlines, and the prospect of more downgrades, bankruptcies and defaults. Overall, though, panelists were optimistic about credit appetite and the ability to negotiate risk through tighter deal structures and more in-depth borrower and sector analytics. -
Interview With Holland & Knight ABL Team Members
Feb 5, 2024TSL’s editor-in-chief sat down with key members of Holland & Knight’s ABL team, including Wade M. Kennedy, partner and co-lead of the Asset-Based Lending Team; Christopher S. Dillon, partner and co-lead of the Asset-Based Lending Team; Hamid Namazie, financial
services partner; Yoojin Lee, financial services partner; and Mark Spitzer, financial services partner. Here, they discuss H&K’s strengthening of its finance practice, how they got their start in this specialty and the threats facing lenders in 2024. -
Secured Finance Executives Predicting Modest Growth in 2024
Jan 22, 2024Despite economic headwinds and higher costs of borrowing, secured lenders are expecting a profitable year ahead -
The Saga of Serta: The Next Chapter—Subordination of “Non-Participating” Lenders Upheld by Bankruptcy Court
Dec 18, 2023“Liability Management Transactions” continue to grab headlines. Companies in distress are turning to the out-of-court restructuring of their debt in ways that leave lenders who made loans on the basis of a senior secured position either with certain assets no longer available as collateral pursuant to a “drop down financing” or subordinate to new tranches of debt pursuant to an “uptiering transaction.” This article takes a look at the arguments being made in some of the litigation that has often followed on such uptiering transactions and in particular the June 2023 decision of the Bankruptcy Court in the Serta case. -
Dealing with the Volatility of Commodities
Dec 11, 2023Commodity producers face volatile market swings due to factors such as macroeconomics and supply chain stability, creating risks for secured lenders. Understanding each commodity’s nuances, risk-management strategies, and regulatory considerations is crucial. To navigate these challenges, secured lenders must maintain strong industry knowledge, adapt lending structures, collaborate with third parties, and balance risk and return for their clients.
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Interview with SFNet’s New President Barry Bobrow
Nov 30, 2023Barry Bobrow is a managing director and head of credit markets for Regions Business Capital. He is a widely respected leader in middle-market leveraged finance and asset-based lending. He has spent the past 38 years working in banking, most of it as a debt capital markets professional, primarily in leveraged lending and supply chain finance. Bobrow is the creator and chairman of the Asset Based Capital Conference (ABCC), an SFNet sponsored conference focusing on the middle-market leveraged and asset-based markets, now in its 16th year. Here, Bobrow discusses his career trajectory, his outlook for the industry and his goals for SFNet in 2024. -
Seeking Growth, Small-Business Owners Can Tap a Variety of Loan Options
Nov 20, 2023What are the credit needs and opportunities for today’s small-business owners? This article explores results from Pathward’s new survey. -
Floating Charges: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly - The Evolution of the Floating Charge
Nov 16, 2023The capacity for a lender to take effective security over a changing pool of assets is of critical importance to the asset-based lending market. -
The Story of LaSalle Business Credit
Nov 13, 2023In this feature series, Charlie Perer sits with the key entrepreneurs and executives who have built leading commercial finance companies. This feature is about LaSalle Business Credit, told by some of the key executives who played seminal roles in the 1990s. The core team at LaSalle went on to be leaders throughout the entire commercial finance industry. Here to tell the story are Mike Sharkey, Marty Battaglia, Bob Corsentino and Bruce Sprenger. -
TLC For Your Dutch Collateral: Some Practical Considerations
Nov 9, 2023When a U.S. lawyer and a Dutch lawyer talk about anti-assignment clauses, each might misconstrue what the other is talking about. This is caused by differences in law. -
Interview with Courtney Jeans, Head of Regions Business Capital
Nov 7, 2023Courtney Jeans is executive managing director and head of Regions Business Capital. Jeans joined Regions Business Capital in January 2022. With nearly 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, his career has focused on lending activities within the middle-market and large corporate sectors in both banking and specialty finance, where he has held positions in business development, portfolio management and risk management. -
Lending on Government Receivables and Contracts
Nov 2, 2023Government contractors’ performance and lending requirements can change with the slightest turn due to financial regulations, acts of nature and geopolitical occurrences. Knowing you are secure in lending to, or financing, government contractors starts here.
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Transportation Factoring in a Freight Recession
Oct 30, 2023Factoring for trucking companies and brokerages has skyrocketed in the last 10 years. An estimate on factoring company purchases is $90 billion annually. There are about 250,000 active for-hire carriers with 96 percent having six trucks or less. Factoring remains a necessary and viable tool for smaller carriers who have limited access to bank lines of credit or asset-based lenders. The transportation factoring company fills this void through the built-in elasticity of its offering – helping companies expand when the transportation industry is booming and sustain business when the industry is down. -
The State of Retail: How Did We Get Here and What’s on the Horizon?
Oct 25, 2023While retail data reported at the mid-summer mark pointed to a strong labor market, steady consumer spending in certain categories and retail sales up from last year for several straight months, the data only tells one side of the story. The numbers are merely inching forward, as growth across many sectors has been sluggish, if not altogether fl at. This year has unexpectedly been a mixed bag for the retail and credit market, and with continued volatility and an overall lackluster economic forecast, businesses and lenders must be prepared for any scenario.
Click on the link below to meet some of the “difference makers” in the secured finance community. This issue of The Secured Lender celebrates those who are having a profound impact on both their communities and their organizations.
Previous TSL Articles
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Interview with SFNet’s Emerging Leaders Summit Keynote Speaker Dave Spandorfer, CEO & Co-Founder of Janji
Apr 15, 2025Now in its 8th year, the Emerging Leaders Summit is a dynamic conference designed to unite professionals with 6-15 years of experience in secured finance. This year’s keynote speaker is Dave Spandorfer, CEO & Co-Founder of Janji, a start-up apparel organization that links runners with exploring and giving back. We sat down to speak with Spandorfer to discuss the history of the brand, the role funding from Assembled Brands played in its growth, and its commitment to social impact.
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Empowering or Overshadowing? Balancing Technology and Expertise in ABL
When asked, “Is technology empowering or overshadowing expertise in asset-based lending?” the answer is simple: Yes.
We’re in an era where technology’s efficiency and human expertise should work together, and if balanced thoughtfully, we can absolutely have both. But this requires intention. As we lean into technology, we must preserve the critical thinking that defines the art of ABL.
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Empathy from the C-Suite: Michael Haddad’s Lessons Learned From His Self-Run Job Process
Apr 7, 2025In this installment of our executive interview series, Charlie Perer sits down with past SFNet president Michael Haddad to discuss the current commercial finance hiring market and his unique, self-directed approach to securing his next leadership role, among other topics.
For those who haven't been following, Michael has been sharing insightful weekly updates on LinkedIn about his personal journey in finding his next opportunity.
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PKF O’Connor Davies Expands Advisory Service Offerings with PKF Clear Thinking Integration
Apr 1, 2025PKF O'Connor Davies announced that its subsidiary, PKF Clear Thinking, integrated under the PKF O'Connor Davies name, effective January 29, 2025. TSL Express’ senior editor sat down with Stuart Kessler, senior advisor at PKF O’Connor Davies and Jonathan Moore, partner-in-charge of Advisory Services at PKF O'Connor Davies, to discuss the integration and how combining the expertise of both firms creates added value.
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Mastering the Art of Communication: Strategies for Building Stronger Business Relationships
Mar 24, 2025In an era when technology and business move faster than ever, mastering communication is key to professional success. SFNet’s webinar, “The Art of Communication,” held March 4, brought together secured finance industry professionals at various career stages to discuss the evolving communication landscape in 2025. Panelists explored best practices for balancing technology with human connection, choosing the right mode of communication for different scenarios, and improving overall efficiency and productivity.
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Recognizing Excellence: Women in Secured Finance Profiles
Mar 19, 2025In our annual Women in Secured Finance issue of The Secured Lender we recognize and celebrate more than 40 remarkable women in the secured finance industry.
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Selling with Experience: Bob Seidenberger on His New Role at Franklin Capital and Market Outlook
Mar 13, 2025With almost 40 years in commercial finance, including recent roles at Bridgeport Capital and Bay View Funding, and a strong commitment to helping businesses secure working capital, Seidenberger brings substantial industry knowledge to Franklin Capital’s senior team. Here we sat down with Seidenberger to learn more about his new role at Franklin Capital and his predictions for the industry this year.
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Key Takeaways from SFNet’s Asset-Based Capital Conference
Feb 27, 2025SFNet's Asset-Based Capital Conference was held February 11-12, 2025, at the Wynn in Las Vegas, NV. Now in its 17th year, it is the premier event for those in the middle-market leveraged finance and asset-based finance world. Attendees walked away with up-to-date market insights from industry leaders, with panels ranging from the current state of the economy and industry, while benefitting from networking opportunities with key decision makers. Here, conference attendee Cheryl Mayo of Haversine Funding shares some of the key conference takeaways.
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Top Gun: Maverick and a New Generation of Lenders
Feb 24, 2025There is a generational change going on in the BDO role with more NextGen BDOs getting promoted and doing the job in their own way while at the same time still learning from the “Maverick” BDOs who pioneered the role.
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Interview with Vincent Roldan, Member of SFNet’s Inclusiveness Committee
Feb 24, 2025Vincent J. Roldan is a Partner in Mandelbaum Barrett PC's Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights, and Banking and Financial Services groups. He has represented parties in interest in various aspects of bankruptcy proceedings and out of court workouts across the U.S. Here we spotlight Vincent as a member of SFNet's Inclusiveness Committee.
The Secured Lender
SFNet's The Year Ahead Issue
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