Articles

- Debt covenant amended

- Raised $120 million in additional revolver capacity

- Total liquidity position of $3.8 billion

- Cost reduction program launched with target 2020 savings of $500 million

Geopolitical Strategist Peter Zeihan is a global energy, demographic and security expert. Zeihan’s worldview marries the realities of geography and populations to a deep understanding of how global politics impact markets and economic trends, helping industry leaders navigate today’s complex mix of geopolitical risks and opportunities.  Zeihan will be the keynote speaker at SFNet’s Annual Convention in New York City, November 13-15.

This column highlights the hard work and dedication of SFNet committee volunteers. Here we speak with William Bence, the chair of SFNet’s Young Professionals (YoPro) Committee and principal, Wingspire Capital, who was profiled in the September 40 Under 40 theme issue of The Secured Lender magazine.

Monroe Capital LLC announced that it has expanded its opportunistic private credit team with the addition of four experienced professionals: Jason Starr, Darrick Ginkel, Joseph Valickus in the New York office; and Chris Spanel in the Chicago office.

White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC (“White Oak”), an affiliate of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, announced it provided a $50 million asset-based credit facility to a leading, U.S.-based digital media & advertising company to support its continuing growth.

The transaction was structured against the company’s accounts receivable, and the proceeds will be used to finance its growth and capex spending while improving its liquidity and working capital position.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that David Harnisch will join the company as president of Commercial Finance, effective Sept. 23, 2019. Harnisch will succeed the current president of Commercial Finance Jim Hudak who has elected to retire following a 20-year career at CIT, effective Sept. 3, 2019.

SFNet's Asset-Based Capital Conference offers you the opportunity to join your colleagues in asset-based lending, alternative asset management, private debt, private equity, distressed debt, and service providers such as attorneys and appraisers for panels and discussions on the rapidly changing economic environment and how it impacts your portfolios and business opportunities.

On March 9-11, we will bring ABCC to you live online, with the great content and opportunities for networking that you have come to expect from the conference. We caught up with ABCC Conference Chair, Barry Bobrow, managing director and head of Loan Sales & Syndications for Wells Fargo Capital Finance who discusses what will make this year’s Conference stand out. 

The lightning-fast spread of COVID-19 around the world has quickly transformed our commercial and financial outlook, ending one of the longest economic expansions in U.S. history and throwing future prosperity into doubt. As conditions deteriorate from here, the likelihood that lenders will need to consider a forbearance is high, and as such, now is a good time to identify at-risk credit facilities and perform any necessary due diligence.

The coronavirus-triggered downturn is pushing default rates higher and is also affecting the bankruptcy procedures used to address such credit defaults, according to Fitch Ratings. Several recent debtors have had their bankruptcy cases derailed as ability to access exit financing markets has been compromised. Similarly, decreased lender appetite for equitized debt as well as lack of third party interest in certain distressed assets has also disrupted the streamlined trend of pre-coronavirus Chapter 11s. Lender fears with respect to DIP facilities as well as an increased frequency of liquidation outcomes will likely further impede the goal of preserving value in U.S. bankruptcies during the crisis. Given that recoveries are tied to distributable value, a prolonged pandemic may contribute to lower creditor recoveries for debtors with disrupted processes.

Private credit investment manager WhiteHawk Capital Partners, LP (“WhiteHawk”) launched in 2020 with a focus on providing asset-based financing solutions to primarily middle market companies in need of liquidity and growth capital.

WhiteHawk is led by Managing Partners John Ahn, Robert Louzan and Harry Chung, formerly of Great American Capital Partners, also known as GACP, a division of B. Riley Financial. The Managing Partners were joined by their 10-member investment team, ensuring continuity of the firm’s demonstrated investment process.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Power and Energy business served as coordinating lead arranger on a $151 million financing for the 250-megawatt Galloway I solar farm planned for Concho County, Texas.

The financing was arranged on behalf of Skyline Renewables and 8minute Solar Energy (8minute), which will continue to jointly oversee development and construction of the project. Galloway I was acquired by Skyline Renewables, an experienced renewables company backed by the infrastructure team at Ardian, a world-leading private investment house.