First Bank has promoted 38 employees who played key roles supporting customers and communities while helping the bank thrive and grow amid a record 2023.

Deerpath Capital Management, LP announced the closing of Deerpath CLO 2024-1, a $452.61 million collateralized loan obligation (CLO). This marks Deerpath's first new issuance CLO in 2024. Including a CLO reset and upsize in July 2023 and CLO 2023-2, this transaction represents the firm's tenth CLO over the past 6 years. Deerpath Capital is one of the largest providers of customized, cash-flow based senior debt financing to lower-middle market companies across North America.

Danimer Scientific, Inc. (NYSE: DNMR) (the “Company” or “Danimer Scientific”), a leading next generation bioplastics company focused on the development and production of biodegradable materials, announced today, that on April 19, 2024, it entered into an asset-based revolving credit and security agreement with Mountain Ridge Capital secured primarily by the Company’s accounts receivable and inventory.

Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) announced today that it has completed a $435 million debt financing, proceeds of which will be used to refinance the company's existing debt and fund a distribution to shareholders. Moreover, the refinancing enhances the company's financial position with extended maturities, increased liquidity, lower borrowing costs, and broader access to the public loan markets.

Leading Northeast-focused dental support organization ("DSO") The Smilist Management ("The Smilist") has closed a $285 million unitranche debt facility. Fidelity Direct Lending acted as Administrative Agent on the transaction and Manulife Investment Management served as Joint Lead Arranger.

Ravinia Capital LLC, a boutique investment bank, announced today that veteran investment banker Ken Hachikian is joining the firm as Managing Director, effective immediately. Ken is an experienced Investment Banker to middle market companies focusing on sales of companies and debt advisory.

First Citizens Bank today announced that its Healthcare Finance business provided $58.4 million in financing to Anchor Health Properties for the construction of a 92-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility in Miami, Florida.

Monroe Capital LLC (“Monroe”) today announced it acted as administrative agent and joint lead arranger on the funding of a senior credit facility to support the growth of Bishop Lifting Products, Inc. (“Bishop Lifting”), an existing portfolio company of Altamont Capital Partners.

Gridiron Capital, LLC (“Gridiron Capital” or “Gridiron”), an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, is pleased to announce that Nate Krause and Spencer Oakes have been promoted to Accounting Manager, and Pranav Maganti has joined the firm as an Associate.

Advantage Business Capital / Far West Capital announced today a clarification of corporate identities. Moving forward, all Austin, TX employees will operate under the Advantage Business Capital name. Operations in El Paso, TX, solely focused on the transportation industry, will continue under the Far West Capital name.

Asda Group Ltd. is planning a bond issuance to help refinance the debt pile that supported its acquisition by Mohsin and Zuber Issa, according to people familiar with the matter.

Touchstone Exploration Inc. ("Touchstone", "we", "our" or the "Company") (TSX:TXP)(LSE:TXP) announces that, further to the Company's news release on March 4, 2024, Touchstone Exploration (Trinidad) Ltd., our wholly owned Trinidadian subsidiary, has entered into the third amended and restated loan agreement with our Trinidad based lender (the "Amended Loan Agreement").

Mattr Corp. (“Mattr” or the “Company”) (TSX: MATR) announced that it has successfully closed on its credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with The Toronto-Dominion Bank and National Bank Financial Markets as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and Royal Bank of Canada, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Export Development Canada and ATB Financial as lenders. The Credit Facility extends the US$300 million senior secured revolving facility through April 2028.

Kirkland & Ellis represented Benchmark Energy (Benchmark), a subsidiary of Acacia Research Corp. (Nasdaq: ACTG) and McArron Partners, in obtaining a new $150 million secured revolving credit facility from Frost Bank, along with a syndicate of other Texas-based regional banks.

eCapital Corp. ("eCapital" or "the Company"), a leading technology-enabled provider of financing to small and medium-sized businesses across North America and the U.K., announces Edward Irvin as the newest member of its business development team. Irvin's appointment strengthens the Company's presence in the Southwest and West Coast regions, enhancing its ability to serve clients.

The Federal Trade Commission today sued to block Tapestry, Inc.’s $8.5 billion acquisition of Capri Holdings Limited, a deal that seeks to combine three close competitors – Tapestry’s Coach and Kate Spade brands and Capri’s Michael Kors brand. If allowed, the deal would eliminate direct head-to-head competition between Tapestry’s and Capri’s brands.

Mitsubishi HC Capital Canada, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi HC Capital America, the largest non-bank, non-captive finance provider in North America, announces it is launching a new division and introducing additional financing solutions customized for Canada’s growing technology sector.

Kraken Robotics Inc. (TSX-V: PNG, OTCQB: KRKNF) ("Kraken" or the "Company"), announced that it has entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with The Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Lender”) for credit facilities (the “Credit Facilities”) that are expected to provide added financial flexibility to support the Company’s continued growth.

Fashion retailer Express Inc (EXPR.PK), opens new tab has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States and intends to close more than 100 stores, it said on Monday. The retailer whose portfolio includes brands such as Express, Bonobos and UpWest Express, listed assets and liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion, according to a filing with the bankruptcy court in Delaware.

B. Riley Farber, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley Financial (NASDAQ: RILY) ("B. Riley"), is pleased to announce the addition of Ryan Adlington as Senior Managing Director, based in Calgary, Alberta.