From the fourth quarter Phoenix Management “Lending Climate in America” survey results reveals supply chain constraints are the biggest concern for the U.S economy as we enter 2022.

Peter York is managing director and head of the Asset Based Lending (ABL) practice for the Corporate & Investment Bank of J.P. Morgan. He has been with J.P. Morgan for over 17 years and has more than 27 years of secured ABL experience. York’s strengths include large multibank syndicated financing, cross-border structuring, leveraged buyout finance, and bankruptcy and debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing.

Huntington Business Credit announced it closed a new $25,000,000 credit facility with Ames Copper Group, LLC on November 19, 2021.  Proceeds of the facility were used to finance start-up expenses and to provide ongoing working capital growth financing.             

Ames Copper Group, LLC, located in Shelby, North Carolina, is a start-up copper smelter producing copper cathode primarily used in the production of copper wire and rod.        

SFNet is pleased to present the latest SFNet Market Pulse, a periodic report that informs lenders about emerging economic trends likely to affect secured lending and their borrowers’ industries over the next one to two quarters.

Accord Financial is pleased to announce that it closed a $15M facility for an oil and gas services company.  Its newest client provides transportation, environmental and related services to the oil and gas sector. With operations in Alberta and BC, this company, a leader in its field, needed a solid financing structure to return to pre-pandemic levels and have access to sufficient cash flow to support growth, confident that its financial partner would be able to accompany them along this path.

The staff and volunteer leaders of the Secured Finance Network are saddened to hear of Ron’s passing. We express our sincerest condolences to his family. 

Ronald established a national reputation as a leader in the commercial finance industry. He was active in the National Commercial Finance Association, where he served for several years on its board, and as the organization’s President and Chairman. 

As 2021 is drawing to a close, lenders and borrowers are asking what to expect in 2022. In March of 2020, when the first Covid-19 lockdowns began, there was a great deal of fear and uncertainty, both for individuals and for businesses. As the government pumped liquidity into the market, many businesses used those resources to survive through the period.

Now in late 2021, as the liquidity sources have expired, and businesses must generate cash flow based on their performance, the level of performance stress is increasing. Not only has the “free money” been used, but now businesses are dealing with inflation, commodity price changes, labor issues and supply chain disruption as stresses to their financial performance.

eCapital Corp. (“eCapital”), a leading alternative finance provider in North America, has named Brian Gagel as Managing Director of General Factoring in its Commercial Finance division. He will report to Dave Ciccolo, the CEO of the division, and will lead a team of account management and operations professionals to support the continued growth of the general factoring business.

A key theme that emerged from sessions and keynotes at SFNet’s 77^th Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ, was the need to fortify and build resilience to prepare for challenges and increasing turbulence due to economic, regulatory, social and technological disruptions. And while the speakers said they appreciate more data, many recommended a greater focus on human connection that fosters trust. One independent said bluntly, “You want to look your borrower in the eye.”

“Everyone wants a crystal ball,” said another presenter, “but no one has one.”

Hilco Global announced today that long time Bank of America executive Betsy Ratto will join the Hilco Global team as Senior Vice President of Capital Solutions with responsibility to drive business for ReStore Capital and Hilco Corporate Finance.

In this new role, Ms. Ratto will be responsible for originating and executing corporate finance and capital markets transactions, with focus on the retail industry and other financing transactions. Ms. Ratto will be based in Hilco’s Boston office and will work on identifying and originating lending/investment opportunities through Hilco Global’s and her own existing network of professional contacts and relationships, including investment banks, private equity firms and hedge funds.