Gridiron Capital, LLC (“Gridiron Capital”), a leading investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, is pleased to announce it has promoted Sean Kelley to Managing Director, Business Development and added and promoted Ty Black to Associate as part of the Business Development Team.

Carol Anne Huff announced today that Carol Anne Huff has joined the firm's Chicago office as a partner in the Corporate & Finance practice. Ms. Huff brings more than 20 years of experience in capital markets and M&A transactions, with a focus on the representation of private equity firms and public companies. Ms. Huff joins Arnold & Porter from an AmLaw100 firm.

Umpqua Bank, a West Coast regional bank, has released its “State of the Middle Market 2020,” a national survey gauging the confidence of companies that together account for one-third of all U.S. private sector GDP. More than 500 decision-makers at middle market companies across all industries and geographic regions were polled on issues impacting their economic confidence and decision-making heading into 2020, including U.S.-China trade, stock market volatility, the labor market and interest rate environment.

Newbridge Global Sourcing (“Newbridge”), a leading specialty finance company, recently provided a $40 million receivables financing facility to a telecommunications equipment manufacturer headquartered in Mexico. In addition, Newbridge provided $500,000 in supply chain financing to a leading designer and manufacturer of high-quality outdoor apparel to purchase inventory and fill customer orders.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) announced today that it has engaged JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. and MUFG Bank, N.A. to assist with the arrangement of a secured first lien last out 4.5-year term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $1.5 billion.

Encina Business Credit, LLC (EBC) announced today that it has provided a $30 million senior secured credit facility to a company that produces coal for blast-furnace steel production. The facility consists of a revolving line of credit based on accounts receivable and inventory. Loan proceeds will be used to provide a dividend and to support working capital, capex, and other corporate requirements.

The client was a Luxury Jewelry Retailer based in the Northeastern U.S. The financing will be used to refinance existing debt & provide additional working capital.

Notable regulatory compliance and risk challenges remain high in a number of key areas for U.S. banks and credit unions, according to results of Wolters Kluwer’s 2019 Regulatory & Risk Management Indicator survey. This year’s survey generated a Main Indicator Score of 95, a 10-point increase from the 2018 score, that was influenced by concerns about the impact of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) rules; cybersecurity, credit and compliance risks; and an increased level of regulatory agency fines.

The company has been an industry leader for forty years and has the largest privately held inventory of forming equipment in the world. The line of credit will be used to supplement cash flow during crucial times of need, meet payroll demands and increase sales and production.

Capital One announced today that it closed a $182 million loan to finance substantial improvements for a four-building, 288,000 sq. ft. office campus in San Diego’s University Town Center by BioMed Realty, a Blackstone portfolio company. Funding includes a holdback for the redevelopment currently underway, led by the conversion of certain office space to laboratory/life science use and the addition of a variety of Class A amenity features serving the entire campus.

SG was able to quickly get comfortable with the business due to the contracted recurring revenue, continued equity support, and opening liquidity. SG provided a $1.5MM non-formula, structured senior secured loan.

Since joining the firm in 2007, Webb has held positions of increasing responsibility and for the last two years has led the firm’s investment banking restructuring vertical alongside Partner Evan Tomaskovic.

White Oak Healthcare Finance, LLC (“White Oak”) announced today that it acted as sole lender and administrative agent on a senior credit facility for Virtus Pharmaceuticals (“Virtus”), a portfolio company of Linden Capital Partners (“Linden”). Proceeds were used to refinance existing debt and provide liquidity for strategic initiatives and working capital.

Jennifer Rabinowitz will be responsible for all aspects of Finvoice’s sales and marketing, leading sales efforts nationwide and overseeing critical marketing initiatives to create and deliver value to the company. She will be based in New York City.

Axovant Gene Therapies Ltd. (AXGT), a clinical-stage company developing innovative gene therapies, today announced the completion of an amendment to its loan and security agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc. (“Hercules”). The amendment provides for a 9-month interest-only period commencing December 2019, as well as the elimination of the covenant to maintain a minimum cash balance.

The syndicate of banks include The Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal, National Bank of Canada, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and Royal Bank of Canada. The Revolving Loan has a term of four years, maturing in December 2023.

Aphria Inc. (TSX: APHA) (NYSE: APHA) said Monday that its Aphria Diamond growing facility subsidiary obtained an $80-million credit facility Friday with a Canadian chartered bank that will serve as an arranger, book runner and administrative agent on behalf of lenders.

In his new role, Shah will have primary responsibility for expanding the business’s existing coverage network on the West Coast to better serve technology-oriented private-equity firms, venture capital firms and entrepreneurs. His focus will be to drive asset growth, underwriting business and cross-sell financial products and services.

Monroe Capital LLC (“Monroe”) today announced it acted as sole lead arranger and administrative agent on the funding of a senior credit facility and equity co-investment to support Centre Partners’ investment in Wisconsin Cheese Group Holding, LLC (“WCG”), a leading manufacturer of branded and private label Hispanic foods, including cheeses, desserts, meats and spices.

Tranche B provides McDermott with a $250 million Term Loan Facility and a $100 million Letter of Credit Facility. The Company expects to utilize the amounts available under Tranche B to continue financing working capital and support the issuance of required performance guarantees on new projects.