California Bank & Trust (CB&T), a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A., announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire four branch locations in Palm Desert and Indio from FirstBank, headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado. Under the agreement, California Bank & Trust will acquire approximately $730 million in deposits and $420 million in loans.

Blue Owl Capital Inc. led the $3.2 billion private debt financing supporting Blackstone Inc. and Vista Equity Partners’ buyout of software firm Smartsheet Inc., with 20 other lenders participating, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

Cadex Solutions Corporation ("Cadex"), in partnership with Trivest Partners LP ("Trivest"), is pleased to announce it has acquired Receivables Control Corporation ("RCC"). Founded in 1970, RCC is a trusted leader in global commercial debt recovery that offers a comprehensive suite of accounts receivable management solutions, including pre-collections, first-party and third-party collections, commercial asset recovery and liquidations, and consulting services.

TriumphPay announced today the addition of Ascent Global Logistics ("Ascent"), a leading global provider of expedited, time-critical logistics solutions, to the TriumphPay Network, as a full audit and payments participant. By joining the TriumphPay Network, Ascent is taking a significant step toward providing a more streamlined payment experience.

Nationwide executive search firm, Lender Recruiting, LLC, has been acquired by Asset Based Lender, Corporate Banking and Commercial Finance industry veteran Dennis Phelps.

John Galt Solutions, a global leader in automating supply chain planning to empower businesses to make better decisions faster, today announced that its market-leading Atlas Planning Platform was successfully implemented at Myers Industries Inc., to help the company standardize processes and support growth across its separate business units.

Concord Financial Advisors announced it arranged a $35 million senior secured revolving line of credit for a Wireless Telecommunications company in the Southern US to refinance existing debt and support working capital.

Citizens M&A Advisory served as the exclusive financial advisor to Blue Mantis, Inc., a premier IT services provider with deep expertise in managed services, cybersecurity and cloud solutions, on its recapitalization by Recognize Partners.

Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that Louis J. Jenull has joined the Dallas office as a partner in the Transactions Department and the Tax Practice.

Cambridge & Counties Bank, which specialises in asset finance, has strengthened its team with three new appointments. The new hires will operate from the bank's recently established office in Reading, which serves as a hub for asset finance clientele.

Crestline Investors ("Crestline") is pleased to announce that funds managed by its U.S. Direct Lending business have served as the administrative agent and sole lender on a senior secured credit facility for Afore Insurance Services, LLC (Afore), an independent retail insurance brokerage firm. Afore operates across 20 agencies in 10 states and serves clients nationwide, offering a comprehensive range of commercial lines, personal lines, life, health, and group employee benefits insurance products.

WhiteHawk Capital Partners, LP ("WhiteHawk"), a private credit investment manager focused on asset-based financing solutions, has entered into an agreement with West Side Transport, Inc. (the “Borrower” or “West Side”) to provide a $111 million senior secured first lien credit facility (the "Facility"). Proceeds from the Facility were used to support EVO Transportation & Energy’s (“EVO”) acquisition of West Side and provide additional working capital.

Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTNR) ("Vertex" or the "Company"), a leading specialty refiner and marketer of high-quality refined products, today announced it entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement (the “RSA”) with overwhelming support of 100% of the Company’s term loan lenders (the “Consenting Term Loan Lenders”).

KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the final closing of KKR Ascendant Fund SCSP (“Ascendant” or the “Fund”), a $4.6 billion fund dedicated to investing in middle market businesses in North America. Launched in 2022 as part of KKR’s Americas Private Equity platform, Ascendant is the first KKR vehicle solely focused on opportunities in the middle market.

Porter Capital, a premier provider of flexible funding solutions, has extended a $15 million line of credit to a leading cold-rolled steel manufacturer. This partnership will provide the manufacturer with enhanced working capital to support its continued growth and operational expansion.

SG Credit Partners, through its SG Software + Technology division, is excited to announce its partnership with Munetrix, a leading provider of performance analytics solutions for K-12 schools. The financing provided by SG supported Munetrix’s merger with SchoolData Solutions, a top education technology company renowned for its innovative data analytics.

Castlelake L.P. ("Castlelake"), a global alternative investment manager specializing in asset-based investing with nearly 20 years of experience in aircraft investing, leasing and servicing, today announced it has secured commitments for over $1 billion of aviation financing in a term loan facility to support its continued investment in and acquisition of in-demand aviation assets.

A group of banks led by Wells Fargo & Co. launched a $1.6 billion term loan B to help support Tempur Sealy International Inc.’s acquisition of Mattress Firm Group Inc., according to a person familiar with the matter, as the Federal Trade Commission is moving to block the deal.

Persistent inflation and election-year uncertainty will lead to lower spending across the board this holiday season. Shoppers are more likely to start shopping after Halloween, hunt for deals and consider value brands, and cut back on gifts for themselves, according to a forecast and Holiday Outlook Survey released by AlixPartners, the global consulting firm.

Ares Commercial Finance announced today that it has provided a $30 million senior secured revolving line of credit to Shapiro Metals. (“Shapiro” or the “Company”). The Company, based in St. Louis, Missouri, creates customized recycling programs for manufacturing partners across a broad range of industries, in addition to trading materials with consumers across the globe. announced today that it has provided a $30 million senior secured revolving line of credit to Shapiro Metals. (“Shapiro” or the “Company”).