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Mac Fowle is the global head of Asset-Based Lending (ABL) for J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. He is responsible for the end-to-end strategic leadership of the ABL group in supporting the financing needs for clients across Commercial Banking and the Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB).

In this installment of our series of executive interviews, Charlie Perer sits with Tim Knight (pictured) to hear his perspective on executive development, advice for lenders, the growth in the non-bank market, what every executive should be thinking about, the importance of diversity and lessons learned, among other things.

Knight is the vice president and senior managing partner with ThinkingAhead where he is responsible for operations, training and recruiting for the firm. He also leads the partner group that heads up the firm’s Commercial Banking and Commercial Finance, Legal, Life Sciences and Security/Physical infrastructure search practices.

Backed by Silicon Valley Bank, Goldman Sachs and Comerica Bank, TripActions secures up to $500 million debt facility to launch first-of-its-kind, end-to-end global corporate travel management and payments solution.

eCapital Corp. (“eCapital” or “the Company”), a leading capital solutions provider for small and medium-sized businesses in North America and the UK, today announced it achieved substantial growth in 2020 and consolidated a total of eight acquired entities into a simplified corporate structure.    

In its 2020 growth surge eCapital provided its clientele access to over $4 billion in financing across 80 industries in the US and Canada, and also achieved an ~66.5% YoY increase in gross revenues and an ~56% YoY increase in portfolio size. 

Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse acted as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers on the New Term Loan. Bank of America is the Administrative Agent. Additional details on the New Term Loan may be found in the Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

BHI, a full-service commercial bank led by CEO Gil Karni, announced a restructuring of the bank’s business team to accommodate its current growth, fulfill the execution of BHI’s strategic plan, position the bank for further expansion and reinforce its industry expertise in specific sectors.

John Yoler, Executive Vice President and Division Executive, has been appointed Head of BHI Commercial & Industrial, overseeing BHI’s C&I teams in New York, New Jersey, Florida and California.

Santander Bank today announced that its Commercial Banking division closed a $25 million term-loan facility on behalf of Horizon Group USA. Santander acted as sole lead arranger for the transaction. Horizon Group, headquartered in Warren, New Jersey, is a craft and toy supplier with a customer base that includes major retail chains such as Walmart, Target, Costco, Amazon and Michaels. The financing will help Horizon Group monetize the significant growth in its value over the past few years.

What’s it like to be a woman executive in a historically male-dominated industry?  What do you wish you knew when you were 30?  Young professionals had the chance to listen to top women executives in the ABL industry offer advice on career moves, leadership, diversity, and more at the SFNet’s YoPro Leadership Summit held in Chicago, IL on August 28^th.

The third quarter saw continued confidence in the asset-based lending market, according to data released by the Secured Finance Network, and that was welcome news as the country wrestles with inflation, rising interest rates and a slowed economy.

SFNet surveyed bank and non-bank asset-based lenders (ABLs) on key indicators for its quarterly Asset-Based Lending Index and SFNet Confidence Index.  

“Despite the challenges, the asset-based lending industry remains on solid footing,” said SFNet CEO Richard D. Gumbrecht. “Portfolio performance is strong by historical standards, commitments are up, and lenders anticipate strong demand. Overall, the industry is decently-positioned to weather worsening business conditions and a potential recession.”

The thing I love most about stoicism is the ability to combine its philosophy at work and home.  Most people, myself included, do not truly look at themselves dispassionately in either setting.  We are great, we are smart, we are everything someone should be and capable of everything; until we are not.  I experience this recently when I had to look deep inside myself and acknowledge that like all people, I am flawed and have weaknesses.  Most people overestimate their skills while failing to give themselves credit for what they are really great at.  When you truly understand who you are, you will be better at every aspect of your job.  What does this have to do with lending, you might ask; patience is another stoic virtue.

Gerber Finance, the leading finance partner for companies experiencing accelerated growth, today announced the completion of their CEO succession strategy, naming longtime President Jennifer Palmer as CEO with Founder Gerald Joseph transitioning to his new role as strategic advisor and Chairman of the Board.

The Merchant Opportunities Fund, a Vancouver-based diversified credit opportunities fund focused on prudently compounding capital over the long-term, today announced that it has closed a revolving debt facility with the Bank of Montreal ("BMO"). The facility consists of a $15 million funding commitment with a two-year term along with a $12.5 million accordion.

The Merchant Opportunities Fund invests in well-selected proprietary specialty finance portfolios, that in many cases consist of loans or advances that are originated, underwritten, and serviced by their primary originator, Merchant Growth. The BMO debt facility specifically provides funding for the Merchant Growth portfolio.

Second Avenue Capital Partners, LLC (“SACP”) (www.secondavecp.com) announced it has closed on a $17,000,000 senior secured credit facility to Crown & Caliber, an online marketplace leader in authenticated pre-owned luxury watches. The credit facility will be used to support growth opportunities and provide additional working capital.

White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC (“White Oak”), an affiliate of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, announced it provided a $50 million asset-based revolving credit facility to a leading, athletic footwear and apparel retailer based in the U.S. 

The retailer recently activated a roll-up of several brands led by a private equity firm, and the transaction was structured with advances against the company’s inventory, accounts receivable, and intellectual property. The proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt and provide for ongoing working capital needs.

Jeffery Wacker, head of U.S. Asset Based Lending Originations, TD Bank, with contributed insights from Elizabeth Rust, Senior Economist, Keybridge in Washington D.C. and David Chmiel, Managing Director, Global Torchlight Limited from London, U.K.