Articles

With over $370 trillion of global financial contracts referencing LIBOR (London Inter-bank Offered Rate), many oil and gas companies are curious about how the phase-out of LIBOR by 2021 could impact their organization. Many companies are beginning to ask how this transition will impact their organization and what steps can be taken now. The following is a discussion of:

• why LIBOR is being phased out;
• the transition plan for the phase-out;
• items companies should consider; and the steps that can be taken now.  

Hovde Group executives, Tim Stute and T.J. Humes, pictured above, provide an overview of the effects of the pandemic on M&A market conditions.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that CIT Northbridge Credit, through its investment advisor CIT Asset Management LLC, served as sole lead arranger on a $20 million senior secured credit facility for Marquis Construction Services LLC.

Headquartered in Clute, Texas, Marquis Construction Services is a multi-disciplined, soft-craft provider of industrial and construction services, including scaffolding, insulation, sandblasting and painting, environmental abatement, fireproofing and industrial siding.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Technology, Media and Telecommunications business served as co-lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a $165 million financing on behalf of iEnergizer, a leading technology services and media solutions company.

The financing, which includes a $150 million term loan and a $15 million revolving credit facility, will be used to refinance existing debt and fund a dividend to shareholders.

Founded in 2000, iEnergizer provides technology-enabled services to clients across a wide range of industries, including gaming, healthcare, publishing, travel, and financial services.

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.

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.

Gail K. Bernstein was executive vice president, national investment manager for PNC Business Credit, located in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to September 2013, she was the marketing manager of PNC Business Credit-Western Region, a de novo office that she opened in 1998. Besides her extensive experience in ABL, her career encompasses a specialization in international lending and investment management. She has traveled extensively in Latin America and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

After 20 years with PNC, Bernstein retired on August 30, 2019. 

Santander Bank, N.A. today announced the appointments of Taryn Phelan as Commercial Banking Chief Experience Officer and Michael McDonough as Head of Trade & Working Capital Solutions. Phelan will report to Joe Abruzzo, Head of Commercial Banking, and McDonough will report to Ken Deveaux, Head of Transaction Banking.

“Taryn and Michael are great examples of our investment in top talent to drive, develop and execute our Commercial Banking growth strategy,” said Abruzzo. “They bring a wealth of leadership, experience and energy with them to Santander, and I’m excited to have them on our dynamic team.”

While we are all continually reminded how important networking is to our careers and business development, the reality is that the Covid-19 pandemic simply does not allow us to use traditional methods to network because activities such as attending in-person networking events and meeting face-to-face for coffees and dinners are on hold for now. 

Does this mean that your networking efforts can be (or need to be) put “on hold”?  The answer is a resounding no. 

Two North Texas-based banks, Texas Capital Bancshares Inc. and Independent Bank Group Inc., are merging in an all-stock deal valued at $5.5 billion.

Under the agreement announced early Monday, the resulting holding company will retain the Independent Bank Group name and its bank will operate as Texas Capital. The merged company will be based in McKinney, where Independent recently moved into a new $52 million headquarters.

eCapital Corp. ("eCapital" or "the Company), a leading alternative finance provider in North America, today announced it has acquired UK-based specialty lender and factoring company Advantedge Commercial Finance. The acquisition will allow eCapital to continue building out its full suite of specialty lending solutions and geographically diversify its book of business.

Advantedge is a leading privately-owned invoice financing company providing cash flow solutions to small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. Founded in 2001, the Company currently provides funding to UK businesses seeking alternative financing. Since November 2016, revenues for Advantedge have grown almost threefold and EBITDA has increased by 2.5 times over that period.

The recruiting and retention landscape in commercial finance is increasingly becoming a “War for Talent,” according to speakers who explored that topic and much more at SFNet’s 79^th Annual Convention in Orlando, FL. Finding and keeping a quality workforce is of utmost importance these days as companies navigate the post-pandemic economy.

Also on the agenda was “AI and the Future of Secured Finance,” which featured a panel of experts who discussed industry trends in artificial intelligence including its anticipated impact on employment.