SM Energy Company ("SM Energy" or the "Company") (NYSE: SM) announced today the Fourth Amendment to its existing credit agreement.

North American private credit fund managers expect conditions around financial distress and defaults to stabilize and gradually improve over the next 12 months, according to new independent research commissioned by Ocorian, a leading U.S. and global asset services provider.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), parent company of U.S. Bank, announced today that Souheil Badran, its senior executive vice president and chief operations officer, will retire from the bank this spring.

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: PGC) and Peapack Private Bank & Trust are pleased to announce that Elizabeth "Liz" Martone has joined the organization as Senior Managing Director, Group Director. Operating from the Bank's Park Avenue Office in New York City, she will play a pivotal role as a part of James Handal's leadership team.

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) (“Ares”), a leading global alternative investment manager, announced today that Ares Credit funds served as the administrative agent on $1.6 billion in debt financing to support the merger of two Yellow Wood Partners portfolio companies, Suave Brands Company (“Suave Brands”) and Elida Beauty (“Elida”). The combined company, now called Evermark, LLC (“Evermark” or the “Company”), has launched as a leading global platform of iconic personal care brands.

More than 400 lots of surplus lighting and grip gear from a prominent Southern California studio will go to auction beginning on Feb. 3 in Tiger Group’s latest audiovisual sale.

Monroe Capital LLC (“Monroe”) announced it acted as administrative agent and joint lead arranger on the funding of a senior credit facility to support the investment in Norton Packaging (“Norton”) by private equity sponsor Platinum Equity.

Hilco Global announced today that Henry Jackson has joined the firm, based in its New York City office. Mr. Jackson has joined as an Executive Director – Originations and Transactions and will focus on growing the Hilco Global Capital Solutions and Hilco Global Professional Services divisions, with an emphasis on client relationship development across the private investment (both debt and equity) space.

Flagstar Bank, N.A. (NYSE: FLG), today announced the opening of its newest Private Client Office at 320 Park Avenue in New York City. The new location marks a major milestone in the Private Bank's strategic expansion and is designed to foster collaboration and strengthen client relationships with affluent and high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and professional service firms and their owners.

First Financial (FFIN) has promoted David Bailey to the role of CEO, according to a recent announcement by the company's Boards of Directors. This leadership change follows the tenure of F. Scott Dueser, who will now take on the position of Executive Chairman of the Boards. This strategic move is expected to guide the company through its next phase of growth and development.

Jupiter Power LLC ("Jupiter Power"), a leading developer and operator of utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), has closed a $500 million Senior Secured Green Revolving Loan and Letter of Credit Facility (the "Facility"), upsizing the company's existing $225 million facility originally closed in September 2024.

Pasadena Private Lending, Inc. (“PPL”), a leading private credit provider to lower middle-market businesses, and Eagle Point Credit Management LLC (“Eagle Point”), an innovative private credit investment manager, are pleased to announce that Eagle Point has become a strategic partner across the PPL capital structure, with a total capital commitment of $105 million.

Winston & Strawn LLP has elevated three proven leaders to managing partner roles in Charlotte and Dallas, underscoring the firm’s continued strategic growth.

Better Home & Finance Holding Company (Better) announced on Tuesday via an 8-K filing that it has amended and renewed a $175 million warehouse credit facility with a global banking institution, a move the digital mortgage lender said strengthens liquidity and improves financing terms.

Calumet, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLMT) (the "Company" or "Calumet") today announced that it has amended its existing asset-based loan (ABL) facility to extend the maturity date from January 2027 to January 2031. The amended facility provides for total commitments of $500 million, subject to borrowing base limitations, and is led by Bank of America, N.A., as agent for a group of lenders.

Neal Gerber Eisenberg (NGE) is pleased to announce that Jeffrey (Jeff) D. Glickman has joined the firm as a partner in its Private Wealth practice group. Jeff provides extensive estate planning, wealth transfer techniques and trust administration strategies, bolstering the reach of NGE's Private Wealth practice group.

Second Avenue Capital Partners (SACP), a leading provider of asset-based loans and structured financing solutions, provided a USD $20 million senior secured credit facility to RUDSAK, one of Canada's most iconic lifestyle brands, renowned for its timeless design in outerwear, apparel, and accessories.

JPalmer Collective (JPC), an asset-based lending firm committed to funding high-growth, women-led companies, today announced the closing of a $1.5 million debt facility to Wildfang, a bold, purpose-driven apparel brand built to be “a home for badass women everywhere.”

Utica is pleased to announce the closing of an $11,000,000 Capital Lease for a vertically integrated construction, trucking, turf-farming, and materials group operating throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Secured by a broad pool of heavy equipment including trucks, trailers, dozers, excavators, graders, loaders, and turf-farm machinery. This financing will be used to refinance existing equipment and other debt and to provide working capital across the enterprise.

Gordon Brothers, the global asset experts, has acquired the global LK Bennett brand and related intellectual property assets from the Joint Administrators of LK Bennett Fashion Limited.