Early data on global business activity is beginning to trickle in, and it’s revealing an across-the-board collapse in service sector activity. Manufacturing has likewise sunk into contractionary territory but has not (yet) turned down as severely. So far, that trend belies what we normally see in economic downturns, where services tend to contract slower than the total economy.

Churchill Asset Management LLC (“Churchill”), an investment-specialist affiliate of Nuveen providing customized financing solutions to private equity firms and their portfolio companies, today announced that it has completed fundraising for Churchill Middle Market Senior Loan Fund II (and related investment vehicles) (the “Fund”) with $2 billion in limited partner commitments, exceeding its original target of $1 billion.

Crestmark secured a total of $20,250,000 in ABL financial solutions for seven new clients; Crestmark Equipment Finance provided $13,763,020 in 6 new lease transactions; Crestmark Vendor Finance provided $5,524,480 in 52 new lease transactions; and the Government Guaranteed Lending Division provided $9,900,000 in financing for five new client in the first half of March.

Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. ("Charlotte's Web" or the "Company") the market leader in hemp-derived extract products, has entered into a new Asset Backed Line of Credit with J.P. Morgan for $10 million with an accordion feature to extend the line to $20 million with a 3 year maturity. In addition, Charlotte's Web has engaged J.P. Morgan for commercial banking services including merchant processing services to support the Company's global growth.

Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus Group Inc is in talks with lenders to file for bankruptcy as it struggles to ease its $4.3 billion debt load, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Contura Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CTRA), a leading U.S. coal supplier, today announced the Company has drawn down $57.5 million in principal amount under its revolving credit facility as a proactive, precautionary measure in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential effects upon national and world economies.

Axiom Bank, N.A., a Maitland-based, leading community bank, is offering support for its commercial and consumer customers who are being financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Simshauser is based in the New York region and is responsible for connecting with business owners and trusted advisors and communicating the variety of flexible financing options offered by Hitachi Business Finance. He will act as a resource to help determine the most effective means to accessing capital for growing businesses.

Hilco Global has issued a series of short- and mid-term strategic recommendations to assist lenders with current portfolio exposure in the retail market to take appropriate and informed action during the near-term fallout of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Republic Business Credit partners with an industry expert to provide a scalable asset-based loan for a plant-based products company.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has announced that they have received a $2.2 billion secured loan facility to enhance the company’s liquidity position. The facility can be extended at the company’s option for an additional 364 days. The company has borrowed the full amount available under the term loan to further bolster its liquidity.

Capri Holdings Limited (NYSE:CPRI), a global fashion luxury group, today announced it amended the Company’s Revolving and Term Loan Credit Agreement. The maturity of Tranche A-1 Term Loans due in December 2020 was extended to December 2023 for $267 million of the outstanding balance of $315 million. The remaining $48 million for Tranche A-1 is the Company’s only debt maturity prior to 2023. The Tranche A-2 Term Loan, with a current balance of $700 million, and the Revolving Credit Facility continue to have maturity dates of December and November 2023, respectively.

Rabobank acted as Administrative Agent, Bookrunner and Joint Lead Arranger, and Natixis acted as Joint Lead Arranger and Syndication Agent.

LICT Corporation (“LICT” or the “Company”; OTC Pink ®: LICT) has borrowed the entire $50 million under its revolving credit facility with CoBank. The addition of the $50 million in new borrowings increases LICT’s pro-forma gross cash balance to just under $90 million with net cash of $76 million. LICT expects to continue to generate free cash flow throughout the year.

Mastro, who will be based in Chicago, most recently managed a team of professionals overseeing $6 billion of assets as the central region ABL Portfolio Management leader at Bank of America. He has held a variety of ABL roles over his 25 years as senior banker, including origination, underwriting, field examination and trainer. A graduate of Lake Forest College, he earned his MBA from Loyola University Chicago. He is a nationally certified hockey coach and Special Olympics volunteer.

Fitch says Coronavirus Crisis is crushing global GDP growth.

Amerisource Business Capital announced the closing and funding of a $1,000,000 DIP credit facility for a limestone quarry based in Missouri.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced it has entered into a $2.6 billion secured credit facility, enhancing the company’s liquidity as it manages through an unprecedented decline in air travel demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The company is also drawing $3 billion under its existing revolving credit facilities.

The ability of securitization notes to withstand the fallout of the pandemic will depend on its duration and issues including the strength of structural protections, according to a Moody's Investors Service analysis of bonds they rate. Moody's analysis partly reflects the rating agency's most recent baseline macroeconomic assumptions. The report notes that declines in interest rates, lower oil prices and ongoing government actions will have mixed effects.

Gibraltar welcomes Mark Pickering as the newest member of our expert business development team. He is an SVP based in Atlanta, covering the states of Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.