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  • volz-nate-husch-blackwell Off Target: How the Main Street Loan Program Missed the Mark

    At the 2004 Athens Olympics, American air-rifle shooter Matt Emmons, the reigning world champion in the 50-meter three-position event, held a seemingly insurmountable lead.  Going into his final shot, Emmons was in first place and needed only a mediocre score to win gold.  Emmons aimed, fired, and hit his target – the wrong target, one lane over.  He received no score for that shot and finished in eighth place.  

    Emmons’ mistake illustrates the importance of aiming at the right target.  In April of 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department announced the Main Street Loan Program (the “MSLP”), which was designed to provide emergency liquidity to small and mid-sized businesses.  Although well-intentioned, the MSLP, like Emmons, was aimed at the wrong target, and ultimately missed the mark.

  • CIT Leads $225 Million Letter of Credit Facility for 8minute Solar Energy to Support Its Renewable Energy Development Projects
    CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Power and Energy business served as sole coordinating lead arranger for a $225 million letter of credit facility on behalf of 8minute Solar Energy (8minute), a leading developer of renewable energy projects nationwide.


    8minute intends to use the credit facility to arrange purchase power agreements and interconnection agreements associated with its development pipeline of solar and storage projects representing 18 gigawatts of power in California, Texas and the southwestern United States.

  • CIT's Financial Support Helps Designers Create Protective Masks with Style

    U.S. health officials say Americans should wear masks in public to combat the coronavirus. Financial support by CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) is helping two California apparel makers create masks that protect with style. Sanctuary Clothing and Karen Kane, both Los Angeles-based clients of CIT's Commercial Services business, have rolled out stylish face masks that can be worn by consumers to provide another layer of protection against COVID-19 transmission when out in public. Both clothing companies are using proceeds from sales of fashion masks to help finance donations of masks to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

  • Collectors Closes $125M Revolving Line of Credit with J.P. Morgan, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and California Bank & Trust
    Collectors Holdings, Inc. (“Collectors”), announced today the closing of a $125M revolving line of credit with a syndicate co-led by J.P. Morgan and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., with participation by California Bank & Trust.
  • Experity Ventures, LLC Closes on $100 Million Structured Credit Facility
    Experity Ventures, LLC (EV) is pleased to announce that it has closed on a structured credit facility for an initial $65 million and up to $100 million to support the growth plan for ProMed Capital. ProMed is a newly acquired portfolio company of Experity.
  • Touching Base

    From Disruption to Transformation. SFNet Responds to Meet the Needs of the Industry

  • LSQ Provides $7.5MM AR Facility to Marketing Services Firm

    LSQ, a leading provider of technology-driven working capital solutions, announced that the company originated a $7.5 million AR facility, including a $3.1 million payoff to the first position lender, for a resurging marketing services firm.

    Demand for the firm’s services is normalizing following a COVID-related revenue slump in 2020. It will now have sufficient capital to fulfill a growing number of orders and 2021 business development goals via this new, larger facility with LSQ.

  • SFNet Adds Chief Value Officer to Team

    The Secured Finance Network has hired Morten Kucey as Chief Value Officer, a newly created position. Prior to joining the SFNet team, Morten served as Senior Managing Director, Head of Corporate Development for SB360 Capital Partners, LLC.

  • AntonioMcKinney Headshot_x150 Interview with Antonio McKinney, Member of SFNet’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness Committee

    Antonio McKinney is a business intelligence analyst with over 10 years of professional sales, workforce management and factoring experience. Antonio is an HBCU alumni, hailing from Langston University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He currently works for TBS Factoring, LLC as the embedded analyst for the accounting division. Antonio resides in Oklahoma where he enjoys spending time with his wife and their 8-month-old daughter.

  • Soltage Raises $142M Debt Facility from Fifth Third Bank
    Soltage LLC, a leading independent power producer, announced that it raised a $142M senior construction-to-term credit facility with Fifth Third Bank, National Association.  

    Fifth Third served as Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger for this financing with Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) as Joint Lead Arranger on the investment. Soltage, working in partnership with Basalt managed funds, are deploying this investment through their previously established Helios capital vehicle.

  • morse, david Changes to PPP to Benefit Your PPP Borrowers: The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020

    The latest chapter of the PPP was just written with the enactment of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 on Friday, June 5, 2020. 

    There is a lot of good news in the new PPP “Flexibility Act” for those borrowers in the portfolios of asset-based lenders that have received or still expect to receive a PPP loan. Here are few of the changes that will have significant benefits for PPP borrowers.

  • David Gittleman Joins Wingspire Capital as Head of Capital Markets
    Wingspire Capital, a leading specialty finance firm focused on providing asset backed credit facilities to the middle market, today announced that David Gittleman has joined the firm as Head of Capital Markets. Mr. Gittleman is based in Atlanta and will support Wingspire’s growth as it implements its strategy of originating and arranging senior secured credit facilities for private and publicly traded companies throughout the country.
  • MarkFagnani Meaningful Networking in a Virtual World: It CAN Be Done

    I was a lender for over 40 years and have been a member of SFNet for most of that time.   I have attended many conferences over the years.  I especially enjoy the SFNet Annual Convention.   A different city every year, an opportunity to catch up with all the people I know in the industry, but haven’t seen in a while, and an opportunity to meet lots of new people that I didn’t know or only knew by telephone or e-mail.   When I was a lender, our syndications group would arrange a lot of meetings with existing and potential new partners and very often was able to pitch new deals.   This was a time to solidify relationships, expand your professional and personal network and maybe get some business done.  For years, I never came home from the convention without at least one new potential deal to review.   And, of course, there were always exceptional keynote speakers and terrific panels to attend as well. 

  • Siena Lending Group LLC Closes $50 Million Credit Facility for MD Helicopters, LLC
    Siena Lending Group LLC ("Siena") today announced the completion of a $50 million asset-based revolving line of credit to MD Helicopters, LLC (“MDH”), a manufacturer of high-performance rotorcraft solutions that support operators flying military, commercial, law enforcement, utility, and VIP mission profiles. The proceeds from the facility will be leveraged to partially repay a debtor-in-possession credit facility and for future working capital needs.
  • matt-headshot_150 An Interview with Matthew Bjonerud, Founder and CEO, Cerebro Capital
    In this installment of our series of executive interviews, Charlie Perer sits with Matthew Bjonerud of Cerebro Capital to hear his perspective on the state of the debt capital markets, building a new distribution channel, the future of lending and technology, among other things.
  • CharliePerer_2023 headshot_150 Succession: ABL Industry Needs a Plan
    The ABL industry is struggling with succession challenges. Founders are synonymous with their firms, yet many lack succession plans despite good health and changing industry dynamics. The generational shift demands innovation and client-centric approaches. Planning and communication are crucial. Unlike TV drama, ABL leaders must ensure smooth transitions to secure their legacies and firms’ futures amidst industry upheaval.
  • Citizens Commercial Banking Leads $150 Million Credit Facility for Steve Madden
    Citizens Commercial Banking announced today that it is lead left arranger of a $150 million asset-based revolver for Steve Madden (Nasdaq: SHOO), a leading designer and marketer of fashion-forward footwear, accessories and apparel for women, men and children.

    “We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Citizens team whose strong personal commitment has been felt throughout this process,” said Edward Rosenfeld, Chief Executive Officer of Steve Madden. “Citizens bankers are experienced, trusted advisors and we greatly value the advice and results that the Citizens team delivers.”
  • Ascena Retail Group Signs Asset Purchase Agreement with Sycamore Partners
    Ascena retail group, inc. (OTCMKTS: ASNAQ) and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, “ascena” or the “Company”) today announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement (“APA”) with Premium Apparel LLC, an affiliate of Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm specializing in consumer, retail and distribution investments, to sell ascena’s Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant and Lou & Grey brands. Premium Apparel will acquire the brand assets for a purchase price of $540 million, on a cash-free and debt-free basis, subject to certain adjustments, and the assumption of certain liabilities. Under the APA, Premium Apparel has committed to retaining a substantial portion of the retail stores and associates affiliated with these brands.
  • Papa John’s International, Inc. Successfully Completes Senior Notes Offering and Refinancing
    Papa John’s International, Inc.(NASDAQ:PZZA) announced today that it has successfully completed its previously announced senior notes offering and the refinancing of its revolving credit facility, providing the Company with enhanced financial flexibility and additional liquidity. Concurrently with the closing of the offering of the Notes, Papa John’s amended and restated its existing credit agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, Inc., as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto
  • Kowalski Eileen -  WISF Headshot - PNC-150x150 Interview with Denise Albanese

    Denise Albanese of Cost Reduction Solutions discusses the origin of her firm that was started by her husband, Michael F. Albanese, CPA, as a sole practitioner field examiner. 

    Denise also discusses the new procedures implemented when the Covid-19 crisis began, what field exams in the future may look like and what makes a business successful. 

     

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