Gordon Brothers, the global advisory, restructuring and investment firm, has named Tobias Nanda as President of Brands.

Based in Boston, Nanda is responsible for developing and executing Gordon Brothers’ brand investment strategies through acquisition and lending in all global markets. He has nearly 20 years of experience leading deals, serving on boards of directors and actively working with management teams in private equity to develop and implement their corporate growth strategies.

Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse acted as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers on the New Term Loan. Bank of America is the Administrative Agent. Additional details on the New Term Loan may be found in the Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Wingspire Capital LLC (“Wingspire”) announced today that it has provided a $50 million senior secured revolving credit facility to Vantage Mobility International (“VMI”), a leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vans with in-floor ramp systems.

VMI is using the proceeds to finance its inventory of vans purchased from original equipment manufacturers and fund its normal working capital cycle.

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 its Maritime Finance business served as sole lead arranger on a $56 million senior secured financing on behalf of Seamax Container Shipping II LLC.

The loan is secured by four containerships operated by Seamax Shipping, an existing CIT client. Seamax currently operates a fleet of 12 modern containerships in major trade lines worldwide.

A new year brings with it many unknowns, and this year is no exception. It remains to be seen how the pandemic will impact the industry in the year ahead, and companies are still evolving strategies and plans to address the increased uncertainty.

Norman Knight, Deputy Director of Flight Operations at NASA, is no stranger to the unknown. He specializes in human space flight, and he has seen everything in orbit. He spoke at SFNet's first-ever online Annual Convention in November 2020 to share what he has learned from his decades at NASA.

Knight shared advice about building a culture of technical truth, openly discussing mistakes to improve systems, and planning for the unimaginable. Here are a few flight rules he suggested for companies looking to manage risk and uncertainty in the year ahead.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, an omnibus stimulus and budget act that includes the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (Economic Aid Act), was enacted on December 27, 2020.  The Economic Aid Act amends, extends and expands several key stimulus programs as summarized below.

Retail has taken a huge hit from COVID-19. What sectors are expected to survive, even thrive? What areas are likely to be hardest hit as the pandemic continues?

Much has been written about the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the retail sector, as policymakers encourage consumers to wear masks and remain vigilant when leaving home, e-commerce sales have soared, and supply chain concerns persist. Retailers have been challenged to maintain operations and attract current “homebody” consumers, more than 68 percent of whom planned to continue their at home habits after restrictions were lifted, according to a study by management consulting firm McKinsey & Company.¹

Encina Business Credit, LLC announced today that it has provided a $40 million senior secured revolving credit facility to a food packaging company.

The senior secured revolving line of credit, which is collateralized by accounts receivable and inventory, was used to refinance the borrower’s existing bank facility.

Encina arranged to bring in another lender to provide an incremental $15 million term loan, which – when combined with Encina’s demonstrated ability to move quickly, provided the borrower and its private equity sponsors with the level of certainty they were seeking.

ForwardLine Financial, a leading provider of financing to small businesses, secures new credit facility from Ares Management.

ForwardLine Financial, a leading direct lender of small business loans, announced today that it has secured a new senior credit facility from funds managed by the Alternative Credit strategy of Ares Management. As part of this announcement, the company also shared that it has raised additional capital from Five Oceans Capital, a long-term investor in the company.

The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act was signed into law. While the implementing regulations are not required to be issued by the SBA until January 6, 2021, the Act does provide insight into the new and revised programs.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the Act to allow borrowers and lenders to take advantage of potential liquidity enhancements. 

Encina Business Credit, LLC announced today that it has provided a $30 million senior secured revolving credit facility to an e-commerce retailer.

The senior secured revolving line of credit, which is collateralized by accounts receivable, credit card receivables, and inventory, was used by the company’s private equity investor to finance its acquisition and ongoing working capital financing needs.

Citizens announced today that it has provided a new $30 million asset-based revolving line of credit to Cranston, R.I. based Ross-Simons, a leader in direct-to-consumer sales, specializing in offering unique and proprietary fine jewelry designs alongside a deep selection of classics such as diamond tennis bracelets and gold necklaces. Citizens is the Administrative Agent, Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner.

Ross-Simons reaches consumers through a company-operated website, catalog, and its flagship retail store in Warwick, R.I.  The company offers a wide selection of fine jewelry across a range of price points and is known for mixing materials and colors in unexpected combinations. The company was acquired earlier this month by Nonantum Capital Partners.