Embattled financial startup Greensill Capital plans to file for insolvency in the U.K. this week, as it simultaneously moves toward a deal to sell its operating business to Apollo Global Management, according to people familiar with the matter.

Also Wednesday, in a dramatic ratcheting up of Greensill’s problems, Germany’s top financial regulator BaFin referred matters related to the firm’s banking unit, Greensill Bank AG, to criminal prosecutors, according to a spokesman for the Bremen prosecutors office. Details of the complaint sent to prosecutors couldn’t be learned; it is up to the prosecutors to decide whether to file any charges.

SFNet will be providing original content shortly on the unfolding Greensill Capital story. Continue to check TSL Express for updates.

The Federal Paycheck Protection Program loan funds did buy many struggling businesses time to weather the proverbial economic storm. Plus, secured lenders, not surprisingly, found it much more advantageous to work with borrowers and extend liquidity than deal with a bankrupt business. The idea was simply that the pandemic couldn’t last forever and that the economy, as it is now, does appear to be on the mend.

Asset-based lenders were aware of the problems going into the pandemic. Not surprisingly, brick and mortar retailers, already facing significant financial stress before the shutdown, did take the brunt of the pandemic and many were forced to shutter stores, says Dan Karas, executive vice president of Allied Affiliated Funding, a division of Axiom Bank, N.A. Many large retailer liquidations dominated 2020, including J.C. Penney and Pier 1. The silver lining for lenders, as it turns out, is that liquidations were generally not the order of the day for most businesses, he adds. According to data from Epiq, commercial Chapter 11 filings grew year-over-year, up 29% in 2020 compared to 2019.

Alterna Capital Solutions, a specialty and alternative financing lender to small businesses experiencing growth, today announced a $30-million increase to its asset-based credit facility with Wells Fargo Capital Finance. The line increase brings the firm’s total credit facility to $110 million, positioning Alterna Capital Solutions to meet growing demand in the small-business sector for customized options, with a financing partner capable of long-term guidance and flexible funding complementary to established bank relationships.

The acquisitive Canadian music rights and services company – formerly known as Olé Entertainment – has announced that it has secured a new revolving credit facility of USD $400 million, plus a USD $150 million accordion. 

Truist Securities served as Left Lead Arranger of Anthem Entertainment’s new $400 million credit facility. Fifth Third Bank acted as Joint Lead Arranger, Union Bank acted as Syndication Agent and Regions Bank acted as Documentation Agent.

Other banks in the facility include Bank of America, Bank Hapoalim, CIT Bank, First Horizon Bank, HSBC Bank, Pacific Premier Bank, Pinnacle Bank and Scotiabank.

Axiom Bank, N.A., a Maitland-based, leading community bank, recently expanded its factoring and asset-based lending division with the hiring of Mark J. Simshauser as SVP of Allied Affiliated Funding.

Based on Long Island, NY, Simshauser will be responsible for expanding Allied and Axiom’s existing commercial portfolio by working with business owners and centers of influence throughout the Northeast to find solutions that meet their individual financial needs. 

Capstone Headwaters (“Capstone”), a leading middle market investment banking firm, announced it has completed the acquisition of Amherst Consulting LLC (“Amherst”) as part of a continued plan to grow the company’s Financial Advisory Services (“FAS”) group.

The announcement marks the latest development in a multiphase strategy Capstone unveiled this past December with the addition of several new FAS professionals based in various locations, including Denver and Canada. The newly acquired Amherst team will be led by Sheldon Stone and Scott Eisenberg who are joining Capstone’s FAS Group as Managing Directors and will continue to be based in Michigan.

Otterbourg P.C. announced today that Valerie S. Mason and Nneoma A. Maduike have been named Co-Chairs of the firm’s Lender Finance Practice Group.

Otterbourg’s experienced Lender Finance team advises and represents the largest US and global institutional lenders and regional banks, as lenders and mature lenders, sponsor supported companies, and strategics, ranging from start-ups to mature traditional lenders and funds, merchant cash advance companies, asset-based lenders, factors and fintech lenders, as borrowers, in “lender to lender” secured revolving credit and term loan facilities.

Solar Capital Partners, LLC, a leading commercial finance platform with expertise across cash flow and specialty finance senior secured financing solutions for U.S. middle market companies, today announced that it will change its name to SLR Capital Partners ("SLR" or "the Advisor"), effective February 25, 2021. The new name, which utilizes a common brand across its affiliates and specialty finance investment teams, defines SLR's transition from its origins as a cash flow lender fifteen years ago to a multi-strategy diversified finance platform. 

MUFG Union Bank today announced that Rob Swanson has joined as Managing Director, Northern California Market President. Based in the Bay Area, Swanson reports to Bita Ardalan, Head of Commercial Banking for Union Bank.

In his role, Swanson will lead the strategy and management of the bank's middle market activities in Northern California and the Central Valley. He will oversee a high-caliber team of professionals providing advisory services and solutions specifically tailored to the unique business objectives of corporate clients across industries, as well as spearhead the Technology and Venture Banking industry verticals within the Commercial Bank.

 

SFNet's Asset-Based Capital Conference offers you the opportunity to join your colleagues in asset-based lending, alternative asset management, private debt, private equity, distressed debt, and service providers such as attorneys and appraisers for panels and discussions on the rapidly changing economic environment and how it impacts your portfolios and business opportunities.

On March 9-11, we will bring ABCC to you live online, with the great content and opportunities for networking that you have come to expect from the conference. We caught up with ABCC Conference Chair, Barry Bobrow, managing director and head of Loan Sales & Syndications for Wells Fargo Capital Finance who discusses what will make this year’s Conference stand out. 

Citizens announced today that it has provided a new $325 million senior credit facility to Orangeburg, NY-based Nice-Pak, the leading global producer of wet wipes. Citizens is the Lead Left Arranger.

Founded in 1957, the family-run company pioneered wet wipes with the founder’s invention of the first disposable wet napkin. The company’s Wet-Nap® became a foodservice staple, first at Kentucky Fried Chicken and later at establishments across the country.

COVID-19 has placed an extreme emphasis on physical well-being, but the pandemic has also caused a mental health crisis. How can managers assist their team members during this unprecedented time?

Encina Business Credit, LLC announced today that is has provided a $25 million senior revolving credit facility to an e-commerce retailer.

The senior secured revolving line of credit, which is collateralized by accounts receivable, and inventory, was used to provide working capital financing.  In addition, the facility offers a $10 million accordion feature that allows for future growth.

Otterbourg P.C. announced today that Thomas P. Duignan has been named co-chair of the firm’s Finance Department.

Mr. Duignan represents many prominent banks, commercial finance companies and other institutional lenders in connection with a wide range of transactions. He will join co-chair David Morse in guiding a financial group at Otterbourg that is firmly established as an industry leader.

Credit cycles typically bring about two correlated occurrences – consolidation and credit voids. This last cycle has been no different as several market segments experienced consolidation, which has created unique and unrelated voids in both small-ticket ABL and the asset-backed term space. New firms are emerging to fill the voids as we are about to enter a new cycle of competition and innovation.

White Oak Commercial Finance ("White Oak") is pleased to announce that Garrick Tan has joined the firm as a Managing Director and Business Development Officer of its expanded ABL and Lender Finance platform. This is one of three new senior BDO positions filled to join the existing five-member Originations team, which focuses on sourcing transactions with committed capital needs ranging from $15 - $250 million. He will report to Vice Chairman, Andrew McGhee.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that its Asset-Based Lending business committed to $25 million in financing while serving as joint lead arranger on an asset-based credit facility of up to $145 million on behalf of a commercial finance company serving government contractors.

IDS, a leading provider of asset and equipment finance technology has completed the acquisition of William Stucky and Associates (WSA), the leading provider of ABL and factoring software. The combination of the two companies creates a powerful, cloud-based technology platform providing industry-leading secured finance solutions to our customers and financial firms globally.

Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) a business development company (Nasdaq: GBDC), today announced the closing of a new senior secured syndicated revolving credit facility (the “Facility”). The Facility is led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and includes a total of six bank participants.

The Facility closed on February 11, 2021. Under the Facility, the lenders have agreed to extend credit to us in an initial aggregate amount of up to $475.0 million in U.S. dollars and certain agreed upon foreign currencies with an option to request, at one or more times, that existing and/or new lenders, at their election, provide up to $237.5 million of additional commitments.

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN; www.huntington.com) today announced that Tom Shafer, CEO of TCF National Bank, will join Huntington's Executive Leadership Team as co-President of Commercial Banking following the completion of Huntington's merger with TCF, which is expected to occur late in the second quarter, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Mike Jones, President & COO of TCF Bank, also will join Huntington's Executive Leadership Team as Senior Executive Vice President. Jones will be Huntington's senior executive and community leader in Minnesota and Colorado as Chair for Minnesota and Colorado. He will be responsible for the strategic growth and expansion of Huntington in these critical markets, as well as for deepening Huntington's commitment to invest in local communities.