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Jennifer Palmer, CEO, Gerber Finance,  Paul Schuldiner, executive vice president and purchase order finance division manager, Rosenthal & Rosenthal and Ken Wengrod, co-founder/president, FTC Commercial Corp. discuss the impact of Coronavirus.

Current headwinds affecting asset-based lending (ABL) portfolios and emerging opportunities and challenges in various industry sectors are on the agenda at the Secured Finance Network (SFNet)  Asset-Based Capital Conference 2020 Feb. 4-5 in Las Vegas.

KKR & Co. expanded its global private credit team with two hires to further its reach within asset-based financing and secured lending.

The firm tapped Giacomo Picco and Stephanie Yeh as managing directors. Picco will lead a new effort focused on so-called receivables and inventory-backed debt, while Yeh will co-lead sourcing of ABF investment opportunities in the U.S., according to a statement viewed by Bloomberg. Both will be based in New York.

It is an unfortunate reality that, as the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt, an increasing number of businesses will face financial and operational distress. For many of these businesses, bankruptcy may be an appropriate or necessary path to restructure their balance sheets. However, it is not the only option and lenders must keep that in mind as companies increasingly default under their credit agreements.

Bankruptcy can be an extremely useful tool for restructuring a company, but can also be expensive, lengthy and frustrating. That’s why more lenders are considering a Strict Foreclosure process executed under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. This strategy can offer many of the same benefits as a bankruptcy filing while requiring less time and fewer financial resources. In order to properly assess the benefits and risks of this approach, lenders must have a firm grasp on what it entails, when best to use it, as well as how to manage people throughout the process.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that it has hired Calvin Navatto as a business development officer in its Commercial Services business.

Navatto will be based in New York City and focus on business development across a wide range of business verticals supported by Commercial Services, including apparel, footwear, housewares, consumer electronics, health and beauty aids and more.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Power and Energy business served as lead arranger for approximately $185 million in financing for a 66-megawatt portfolio of community solar projects.

The financing was arranged on behalf of Clearway Energy Group, one of the largest developers and operators of clean energy generation facilities in the U.S.

The portfolio consists of 19 separate projects totaling 66 megawatts of solar generation capacity located in Massachusetts, Illinois and New York State.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, an omnibus stimulus and budget act that includes the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (Economic Aid Act), was enacted on December 27, 2020.  The Economic Aid Act amends, extends and expands several key stimulus programs as summarized below.

CIBC Innovation Banking today announced it has extended a $15 million credit facility to Yello, a provider of early talent acquisition and recruiting scheduling software. The credit facility will be used to support Yello's continued growth as it further establishes itself with organizations seeking to hire the best and most diverse talent.

Yello is a Chicago-based portfolio company of JMI Equity and First Analysis. Financing was provided by CIBC Bank USA, CIBC's US banking subsidiary.

MidFirst Business Credit, Inc., is pleased to announce the addition of William “Bill” Bogatay as senior vice president, business development officer. Based out of Dallas, Texas, Bill will assist with originating senior secured debt facilities for companies throughout the Southwest, including, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Kansas.

Garrington was established in January 2019 as part of a greater blueprint to develop a leading North American loan origination, underwriting and operations platform; handling asset-based lending, factoring, and specialty finance loans ranging from $1 million to $30 million. Garrington’s creation comes from its acquisition of Liquid Capital at the start of the year.

SFNet’s Annual Convention was held in Austin from November 9-11.  This article provides an overview of the key topics addressed. 

Listening to Convention keynoter Peter Zeihan’s geopolitical perspectives is a reminder of the many global and economic disruptors possible and all that one can’t control. However, in keeping with the event’s theme of "Mastering Disruption, Putting Capital to Work in the New Global Environment,” the breakout sessions triggered healthy discussion about what a new global environment for lending could look like, how data could be more strategically used to protect cross-border interests or prevent fraud, and how new supply chain models are forming. The factoring and asset-based lending sessions presented ways to master their markets while facing recessionary headwinds.

Besides the many opportunities to network with peers and clients, attendees in Austin, TX, could absorb others’ views on economic conditions affecting the industry and dive into niche topics of strategic importance.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused ecommerce to transition from “convenient” to “essential,” but what does the post-pandemic world hold for this sector?

Citizens Bank announced today that it has provided a $290 million Revolving Line of Credit to Boca Raton, Fla.-based International Materials, Inc.

Founded in 1987, International Materials, Inc. (IMI) operates as a global broker/trader of bulk commodity materials, most notably cement/clinker, gypsum, bauxite, iron fines and coal/pet coke and will use the $290 million RLOC for working capital.

Gordon Brothers, the global advisory, restructuring, and investment firm, announced today that it has provided a $20 million secured term loan facility to Brooks Brothers Group, Inc, the prototypical American apparel retailer headquartered in New York, New York.  A family business founded in 1818, the company has grown into a truly global brand with stores across the United States and Canada as well as a footprint that spans over 70 countries.