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SFNet has been working with the CA Department of Business Oversight as well as with other associations to obtain the best outcome for our members. SFNet submitted a comment letter to the DBO concerning the first draft.

Commercial lending transactions are memorialized with a comprehensive, and often voluminous, set of loan documentation. In an attempt to expedite closing, and reduce closing binder sizes, lenders (and their counsel) are always seeking ways to streamline the loan- documentation process. 

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.

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.

Last night the House and Senate approved a $900B next round of economic stimulus. The full text of the bill can be found here as well as a detailed summary. SFNet’s Advocacy Committee is reviewing the language and will hold an informative webinar as soon as practical in January. In the meantime, you may wish to consult your advisers. In addition to other broad reaching measures, the statute provides for:

• PPP extended through March 31, 2021
• CECL and TDR provisions potentially deferred until January 2022
• Additional allocations for EIDL Grants
• ERTC extended and expanded
• Rescission of emergency lending facilities, including MSLP, in their current form

To say a lot happened in 2020 doesn’t begin to capture what the year brought. In the economy, this included a significant increase in Chapter 11 filings for larger businesses from filings in 2019, particularly in retail. And for asset-based lenders it included a significant shift in their role in the larger bankruptcies. Asset-based lenders faced real challenges how to best protect their position and enhance the likelihood of a successful outcome. Confronted with a landscape that requires a new map to navigate, we look at what happened, how it happened and, most importantly, what should (or can) the asset-based lender do about it?

Encina Capital Partners, LLC (“Encina”) and an affiliate of certain funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”) announced today that they have launched Encina Lender Finance, LLC (“ELF”), a new independent lender finance platform targeting commercial and consumer specialty finance companies in the U.S. and Canada.

Headquartered in Atlanta, ELF offers revolving lines of credit and term loans ranging in size from $10 - $40 million to specialty finance companies (sponsored and non-sponsored) across a wide range of asset classes including, but not limited to, asset-based lending, factoring, equipment leasing, floorplan financing, commercial real estate bridge lending, tax lien/deed financing, venture debt lending, SMB lending & merchant cash advance, middle-market private credit, charged-off debt buyers, rent-to-own consumer leasing, unsecured consumer lending and specialized student lending.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Power and Energy business served as coordinating lead arranger for approximately $200 million in financing for the 149-megawatt Big River solar power project in White County, Illinois.

The project sponsor is D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), a leading provider of cost-effective renewable energy across North America. DESRI is part of the D. E. Shaw Group, a global investment and technology development firm with more than $55 billion in investment capital.

Runway Growth Credit Fund Inc., a leading provider of growth loans to both venture and non-venture backed companies seeking an alternative to raising equity, announced that it has expanded and amended its credit agreement with KeyBank Specialty Finance Lending and other lenders. The Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $215M, with an accordion feature that enables Runway Growth to increase the aggregate commitments up to $300M.

Three new banks, MUFG Union Bank N.A. (co-documentation agent and lender), Bank of Hope (lender), and First Foundation Bank (lender), join KeyBank Specialty Finance Lending (administrative agent, syndication agent and lender) and CIBC Bank USA (co-documentation agent and lender) as parties to the Revolving Credit Facility in support of the Fund's growth. 

At the 2021 annual SFNet Asset Based Capital Conference (ABCC), financial experts from four top companies gathered to discuss the economic and political outlook for the year ahead. The panel consisted of:

• Jeffery Wacker – head of U.S. ABL Originations, TD Bank Group
• David Mericle – chief U.S. economist, Goldman Sachs
• Lyuba Petrova – head of U.S. Leveraged Finance, Fitch Rating
• David Chmiel – managing director, Global Torchlight

Some key themes emerged throughout the panel discussion: 

Crestmark is pleased to announce the launch of a new division offering medical accounts receivable financing to businesses in the healthcare industry. The newly created division will be led by Ray Zilke, first vice president, division manager. Zilke is based in Franklin, Tennessee, and will report to Steven Tomasello, Crestmark executive vice president. Zilke joined Crestmark in November 2005 as an account executive for the Midwest region at Crestmark’s Troy offices. 

On June 16 & 23, SFNet’s live online Women in Secured Finance Conference will bring together women who are looking to grow professionally, share experiences, celebrate successes and advocate for each other. 

In response to feedback the WISF Committee has received from previous WISF conferences, SFNet is reimagining this year's event format by partnering with Corporate Class, Inc. to offer attendees an interactive, customized workshop focused on developing executive presence along with career progression and leadership skills.

WISF Committee chair, Paula Currie of PNC Bank, said, “After the past year of remote living and working, we all could use a recharge to help us get back in the game. This year’s WISF conference, promises to do just that! The two-day interactive workshop is facilitated by experienced and renowned instructors who will help you build the skills, tools and confidence needed to realize your full potential and take your career to the next level.”

The industry worldwide was profoundly shaken by the events of 2020, and the two-day SFNet International Lending Conference provided attendees with a broad global view of economic recovery and a deep dive into the new normal of covenants, risk management and other areas of the secured finance business.