Articles

The Women in Secured Finance e-newsletter's feature interview for this issue is with Melissa Mok, director of asset-based lending for Truist Securities. Mok joined Truist Securities in 2014.  Located in Texas, she is responsible for ABL originations of mid- and large-cap companies and is currently focused on the Financial Services, Energy and Industrial Services. TMT and TME industry verticals.

Sallyport is pleased to announce the provision of $7,000,000 in Accounts Receivable Finance to support a strategic acquisition in the entertainment services industry. Our new client, who successfully purchased the business - an existing Sallyport client, through an Article 9 Sale, chose us to ensure a seamless transition for existing debtors and customers. 

A trend towards superpriority debt exchanges that has begun appearing in out-of-court restructurings will continue to cause worry amongst minority debt holders and will likely result in continued litigation regarding the propriety of such exchanges. Examples of such troublesome exchanges began with an exchange conducted by Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC (“Serta”) and has continued with structurally similar transactions conducted by other companies, including Boardriders, Inc. (“Boardriders”) and TMK Hawk Parent, Corp. (“TriMark”).  

Tyler Layne and Lee Sands, attorneys at Waller Law cover three recent out-of-court debt transactions that have introduced a novel way for majority lenders and borrowers to improve their position at the detriment of the non-participating/minority lenders.

Modell’s Sporting Goods. America’s oldest family owned and operated retailer of sporting goods, athletic footwear, active apparel and fan gear, today announced that the Company has voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (“Chapter 11”) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey on March 11, 2020.
“We are extremely appreciative of the support that our lenders (JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo), vendors and landlords provided during this difficult period, engaging in extensive renegotiation efforts and allowing us to pursue every possible avenue to preserve the jobs of our loyal associates..." Modell’s Chief Executive Officer, Mitchell Modell, said.

Citizens announced today that it has provided a new asset-based revolving loan to Warminster, PA-based W. Atlee Burpee Company. Citizens is the sole lender.

Founded in 1876, W. Atlee Burpee Company is engaged in the wholesale distribution, direct marketing and retail sale of vegetable and flower seeds, plants, horticultural and other related products.

Northbrook-based private equity firm plans for succession

Big Shoulders Capital Chairman David Muslin has announced an expanded leadership team as the company plans for the next generation of growth. Joe Prudden has been promoted to President of the company from Chief Financial Officer, Alex Mazer is promoted to Executive Vice President from Vice President, Howard Spivack is promoted to Chief Financial Officer from Finance Director, and Evan Zwerman joins the company as Senior Vice President of Originations.

What are some effective ways to approach management regarding the sensitive topic of compensation, particularly as it relates to peers in the same role, and also within the current overall market?

It is not everyday that you are given an opportunity to live out the career you would have in an alternate universe, but that is exactly what happened to me, thanks to the SFNet Guest Lecture Program and SFNet MidWest Chapter President Jennifer Kempton, who kindly asked me to be the Guest Lecturer.   

Last month, Sarah Fyffe, vice president, Asset Based Lending, BMO Harris Bank, and I were able to virtually present ABL 101 to Professor Gregory Udell’s Entrepreneurial Finance Class at Indiana University on April 5.  It was without a doubt one of the coolest things I have ever done in my career and I am so grateful to have been involved. Education and mentorship are my favorite part of the job and, to do so in a university setting, was an incredible experience.  For Sarah, it was a chance to lecture to a classroom where she once sat as a student in Professor Udell’s class.  Talk about coming full circle!

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that it has named Chris Esposito as managing director in charge of its newly expanded Asset-Based Lending business.

In this role, Esposito is responsible for managing the Asset-Based Lending team, overseeing the national ABL business, building new client relationships, developing strategies to address new target markets and ensuring outstanding customer service and satisfaction.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Asset-Based Lending business served as agent and sole lender on a $75 million revolving credit facility for Skillsoft, a global leader in learning and talent management solutions

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Skillsoft enables organizations to unlock the potential in their employees by delivering a range of digital learning and talent management solutions. The financing will be used to support continuing business operations and growth objectives.

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.

Greg Eck and Bill Stapel are the new leaders of the ABL Group at Fifth Third Bank, N.A., one of the nation’s largest asset-based lenders, with $8.1 MM in commitments and serving customers in 38 states, Canada and Europe. They step into their roles following the retirement of Fifth Third Business Capital President Mike Sharkey, who was also past president and chairman of Secured Finance Network.

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.

Wingspire Capital LLC (“Wingspire”) announced that it has agented a $100 million credit facility consisting of an $80 million senior credit facility (co-led by Ares Commercial Finance) and a $20 million second lien credit facility (provided by Atalaya Capital Management) to Rubies II, LLC (“Rubies II”).

Proceeds from the financing were used to purchase substantially all of the assets of Rubie’s Costume Company, Inc. (“Rubie’s”) via a Chapter 11 363 sale process.  Proceeds will also be used to fund the on-going working capital needs of Rubies II.