Holland & Knight is merging with Nashville-headquartered Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, the law firm said Wednesday, a move that further solidifies its stronghold in the South.

The tie-up, set to be completed in the first quarter, will give the combined firm 2,000 lawyers in 35 offices across the globe. Florida-based Holland & Knight, among the 30 largest law firms in the US, will add 280 Waller lawyers across Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas as part of the move, according to the firm.

Evans Transportation Services Inc. announced it has closed a new credit facility with PNC Bank, N.A. The new larger credit facility will serve as a vehicle for supporting the company’s current growth trajectory, which includes a revenue increase from $80 million to $400 million since 2018. Officials said newly expanded resources add support for Evans’ scalable growth, while allowing the company to return meaningful value to its client-carriers.

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.  

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.”

Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL) announced today the closing of the third amendment (the “Third Amendment”) to its existing Credit Agreement. The Third Amendment provides for an incremental term loan B of $300 million, which will mature on December 14, 2029 (the "Term Loan B").

The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Term Loan B, available cash on hand and revolving credit facility borrowings, to redeem, repurchase or repay its outstanding $400 million 3.90% secured notes due March 2023, and to pay related fees and expenses.

CELEBRATION, FL (December 14, 2022) – AmeriFactors Financial Group, LLC, provided $60,000,000 in accounts receivable financing to a communications contractor to assist their business through a heavy growth stage. The client will be building out the infrastructure for a large telecom company. Along with increasing their available capital, they will have the advantage of AmeriFactors accounts receivable management services.

Sharon Haggard has joined Gordon Brothers, the global advisory, restructuring and investment firm, as Senior Director focused on deals and origination to strengthen real estate and retail capabilities in North America and drive multi-disciplined growth.

Haggard is focused on originating, structuring and executing deals across the intersection of retail and real estate and leveraging existing relationships to deliver rapid, customized and integrated solutions for clients and partners.

BNP Paribas, Europe’s leading financial institution, announces today the appointment of several senior executives to its Global Markets Americas division. The appointments demonstrate the bank’s commitment to the Americas region and ambition to grow its Global Equities, Global Credit and Global Macro franchises.

Kunal Maini is appointed Co-Head of Global Macro - Americas. He will support the bank’s effort to strengthen its client-centric Global Macro business featuring a state-of-the-art digital offering and expertise across Rates, FX and Commodities. In addition, he will be responsible for globalizing our US Rates franchise by developing stronger client connectivity and product innovation.

SFNet has announced it is partnering with NYU Stern Executive Education to offer a course for SFNet members’ emerging leaders that will teach attendees how to recognize, develop, and master skills to become an effective and impactful leader.

The course, Impactful Leadership for High Potentials, will be held June 12-14, 2023 and introduce analytical leadership frameworks by combining a variety of learning approaches to ensure that participants learn self-reflective and supportive mechanisms for continued success on their path as a leader. In addition to the core curriculum, which comes with a certificate of completion from NYU Stern Executive Education, SFNet will introduce several guest lectures from successful leaders in the secured finance industry to speak on topics such as leading in complex systems, leading through change, the role of leadership in company culture, leading with diversity and more.

Curve, the fast-growing financial super app, today announced that the company has closed a deal to fund its first $1 billion in loans with a facility provided by Credit Suisse, enabling Curve to scale its lending business, Curve Flex, across the UK, the EU and the United States.

The Curve Flex product allows customers to split any transaction they've made with Curve – at any merchant, using any card, anywhere in the world – into monthly installments.

 CIT, a division of First Citizens Bank, today announced that its Asset-Based Lending business has provided a $35 million revolving credit facility to Utopia Deals.

Based in Plainview, N.Y., Utopia Deals is a leading seller of linens, towels, bedding and other products to consumers and to business customers in the hospitality, healthcare, restaurant, fitness and spa sectors, among others. The company also has a strong presence on leading online retail platforms. 

SFNet’s Annual Convention was held in Austin from November 9-11.  This article provides an overview of the key topics addressed. 

Listening to Convention keynoter Peter Zeihan’s geopolitical perspectives is a reminder of the many global and economic disruptors possible and all that one can’t control. However, in keeping with the event’s theme of "Mastering Disruption, Putting Capital to Work in the New Global Environment,” the breakout sessions triggered healthy discussion about what a new global environment for lending could look like, how data could be more strategically used to protect cross-border interests or prevent fraud, and how new supply chain models are forming. The factoring and asset-based lending sessions presented ways to master their markets while facing recessionary headwinds.

Besides the many opportunities to network with peers and clients, attendees in Austin, TX, could absorb others’ views on economic conditions affecting the industry and dive into niche topics of strategic importance.