Articles

This is a new feature providing advice from WISF members to young professionals on a specific topic.  We need your input.  If you have a question you would like to see answered in this column, please submit to Michele Ocejo at mocejo@sfnet.com.

Dear WISF,

“Once you are established within a job and/or have already experienced some degree of internal growth, what additional steps would you recommend to continue career growth and development? Early in the career, there are multiple paths and opportunities an early career individual can pursue.  However, once in the mid-level, the continued growth opportunities may not be as bountiful.”

Richard Hawkins, Georgia Quenby and John Alderton provide an overview of the potential impacts of the New Moratorium and consider actions that Secured Lenders may wish to consider in preparation.

(Editor’s Note: SFNet will be hosting a Webinar on UK Insolvency Reform: What Secured Lenders Need to Know, which will include the authors and other experts on June 10 at 11 AM ET.)

A Demica senior director explains how trade receivable securitization programs can be used as a valuable alternative to other funding solutions, especially in cross-border or challenging credit environments.

The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act was signed into law. While the implementing regulations are not required to be issued by the SBA until January 6, 2021, the Act does provide insight into the new and revised programs.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the Act to allow borrowers and lenders to take advantage of potential liquidity enhancements. 

SG Credit Partners today announced the extension of its comprehensive credit platform exclusively serving lower middle market entrepreneurs and new website illustrating its expanded capabilities. The broad platform was developed to provide tailored lending solutions ranging from $1 to $10+ million for entrepreneurs seeking a customized structure spanning both business and personal assets.  The platform delivers a complete range of credit solutions including: cash flow, collateral-based, hybrid structures, high net worth, technology & recurring revenue and special situations lending.

Secured Finance executives and an executive recruiter discuss how the industry can attract and retain more women.

Andrew (Andy) Cerussi has joined Tiger Financial, LLC as a Managing Director. Tiger Financial is an affiliate of Tiger Capital Group, the asset valuation and financial services firm.

From his base in Tiger's Boston office, the 20-year veteran of the asset-based lending and financial services industries will focus on identifying both secured debt financing and equity capital opportunities.

An Inventory and Purchase Order Lending Platform Targeting $500K to $10MM Opportunities

Black Olive Capital LLC (“Black Olive”) announced today the launch of its intelligent inventory and purchase order lending platform. Black Olive’s mission is to provide fast and easy inventory and purchase order financing to underserved small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs) to help them unlock capital to grow and create jobs. Its financing solutions work for businesses nationwide, and in most industries.

LSQ, a leading provider of working capital finance and payments solutions, recently expanded its relationship with Wilson Creek Energy by originating a $15 million credit facility for the Pennsylvania-based metallurgical coal producer.

The company will use the additional capital to expand their operations and take on new clients.

As part of the solution, LSQ will also provide Wilson Creek with comprehensive accounts receivable and credit management to help better manage repayment risk and monitor customer health.

Citizens announced today that it is lead left arranger of a $125 million asset-based loan for Virginia Beach, VA-based Franchise Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRG).

Franchise Group is an operator of franchised and franchisable businesses that continually looks to grow its portfolio of brands while utilizing its operating and capital allocation philosophy to generate strong cash flow for its shareholders.  This transaction refinances an existing ABL for two of its businesses – American Freight and Buddy’s Home Furnishings.

The acquisitive Canadian music rights and services company – formerly known as Olé Entertainment – has announced that it has secured a new revolving credit facility of USD $400 million, plus a USD $150 million accordion. 

Truist Securities served as Left Lead Arranger of Anthem Entertainment’s new $400 million credit facility. Fifth Third Bank acted as Joint Lead Arranger, Union Bank acted as Syndication Agent and Regions Bank acted as Documentation Agent.

Other banks in the facility include Bank of America, Bank Hapoalim, CIT Bank, First Horizon Bank, HSBC Bank, Pacific Premier Bank, Pinnacle Bank and Scotiabank.

Siena Lending Group LLC (“Siena”) announces the closing of a three-year $9.0 million revolving credit facility for the subsidiaries of Interactive Health, Inc., Human Touch LLC and Relax the Back Corporation. The asset-based credit facility was used to refinance existing debt and provide additional working capital to support business growth.

The time and cost of liquidating collateral can often be prohibitive and is always a nuisance. Of course, this problem is exacerbated when the asset value is less than the balance owed to the secured creditor(s), leaving no value for unsecured creditors. Lenders often step up and carve out an amount to be distributed to unsecured creditors to enable a Chapter 11 to proceed to effect a sale of the debtor’s assets free and clear of liens. Some consider this to be a price to be paid by secured creditors for the privilege of utilizing the bankruptcy court to sell their collateral. Thus, the cost of a bankruptcy can be very expensive not only to the debtor, but also to the secured lender. As a result, small and middle-market companies and their lenders have grown receptive to non-bankruptcy vehicles for the disposition of assets.

The Q3 2020 Asset-Based Lending Index reflects improving confidence for lenders, fears of a double-dip downturn subsiding, and exhibits the continuing impact of PPP funds distributed in April. The U.S. economy rebounded during Q3 as lockdowns subsided, leading to a GDP surge of 33%. This growth had a clear impact on portfolio health with non-accruals, special mention, and write-offs reducing quarter over quarter.

While sentiment from both bank and non-bank lenders was more positive from Q2, the overarching theme of Q3 can be told by the continued decline in utilization for both bank and non-bank lenders alike. Bank groups set their lowest level in the five years since these figures were collected by SFNet, with 75% of banks reporting decreases. Non-bank usage reduced slightly over the previous quarter but are back to levels not seen since the first and second quarter of 2017.