At SFNet’s Asset-Based Capital Conference in Las Vegas this month, geopolitical analyst David Chmiel addressed how a Russian invasion of Ukraine could set off far-reaching geopolitical impacts and further accelerate China’s aggressive geopolitical plans. 

In a virtual fireside chat recorded Jan. 30 with questions posed by Business Editor Stuart Rock, founder of Devonia Road, Chmiel said China is certainly watching closely to see how unified the response to Russia’s escalation has been from Ukraine’s allies in Europe and North America.

Encina Lender Finance, LLC (“ELF”) and Georgia Banking Company (GBC) announced today that they have provided a $40 million senior credit facility to Microf LLC (“Microf”), a leading provider of rent-to-own and lease-purchase solutions for residential HVAC systems. The credit facility was used to refinance existing credit facilities and to expand debt capacity to fund Microf’s continued growth.

Crestmark, the Commercial Finance Division of MetaBank®, N.A., has announced a series of organizational changes as part of a company-wide initiative to enhance customer experience and improve operational execution.

“Refocusing our organizational structure gives us the ability to serve our customers’ unique financing needs,” said Christopher Soupal, Crestmark division president. “As we continue our quest to provide a best-in-class customer experience, we’ve re-organized the business with the customer at the center, merging business lines to enhance alignment and integration for exceptional customer service and future growth.”

After two years’ of virtual celebrations, SFNet is happy to announce that its 40 Under 40 Awards 2022 are back in person this year on June 16, 2022, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. The evening will offer great networking opportunities while honoring the secured finance industry’s rising stars.

Nominations for the 2022 40U40 Awards are open until today, February 8, 2022. The SFNet 40 Under 40 Award Committee Chair will again be Stewart-Hayes, managing director, Wells Fargo Capital Finance. The judging Committee also consists of Betty Hernandez, EVP & chief credit officer, SLR Business Credit; David B. Kurzweil, co-chair, Global Restructuring & Bankruptcy Chair National Financial Institutions, Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Hamid R. Namazie, partner, McGuireWoods LLP; Candice Hubert, SVP, Business Development, Republic Business Credit; Paula Currie, SVP, internal controls director, PNC Business Credit; and Caitlin Sanders, managing director, Origination, Callodine Commercial Finance.  This will be the first year as judges for Currie and Sanders. 

Here's what you'll need to know if you're thinking of nominating someone.

Otterbourg P.C. announced today that Jennifer Feeney and Pauline McTernan have been promoted to Members of the firm. A member of Otterbourg’s Bankruptcy Department, Ms. Feeney represents debtors, creditors’ committees, post-confirmation committees and litigation/liquidation trusts in large and complex bankruptcy cases. 

Ms. Feeney is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the New York Bar Association. She received her B.A. from Cornell University in 1994 and her J.D. from Fordham Law School in 1997.

A member of Otterbourg’s Litigation Group and co-chair of the firm’s Recruiting Committee, Ms. McTernan represents corporations, governmental agencies, financial institutions, and individuals in a wide range of litigation, arbitration, and bankruptcy matters.

U.S. Bank has hired two bankers with deep asset-based lending experience for its growing asset-based finance business. The hires are part of a strategy for the broader U.S. Bank Commercial Banking team to continue its expansion in Texas and across the country to better serve middle market clients.

Daniel Stampfel has joined the U.S. Bank Asset Based Finance division as a senior vice president. Based in Dallas, Stampfel will lead efforts to provide asset-based credit solutions for businesses across Texas. Mitch Rubin has also joined the U.S. Bank Asset Bank Finance division as a senior vice president. Based in New York City, Rubin will lead our efforts to provide asset-based credit solutions for businesses across the Northeast. 

Wingspire Capital LLC (“Wingspire”) achieved a milestone of exceeding $1 billion in commitments in just its second year of operations as it provided more than $600 million in senior secured financing commitments for 2021.

Wingspire’s 2021 transactions ranged in size from $40 million to $200 million and included tailored “one-stop” financing solutions such as revolving lines of credit, cash flow loans, fixed asset term loans and other hybrid financing solutions.