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.

Screen shots of the various First Place Teams from the Go Game festivities held on October 27. Attendees had a great time competing in trivia and lip syncing competitions.

This is a new feature providing advice from WISF members to young professionals on a specific topic.  We need your input.  If you have a question you would like to see answered in this column, please submit to Michele Ocejo at mocejo@sfnet.com.

Dear WISF,

“Once you are established within a job and/or have already experienced some degree of internal growth, what additional steps would you recommend to continue career growth and development? Early in the career, there are multiple paths and opportunities an early career individual can pursue.  However, once in the mid-level, the continued growth opportunities may not be as bountiful.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the global economy and led to paralyzed supply chains, export restrictions and closed borders. This shock brought about several significant changes to a number of industries and accelerated existing trends such as automation, digitalization, supplier base diversification and supply chain operational efficiencies. Cross-border trade is at the center of everyone’s attention.

What of back rooms?

One important thing that we have learned over the recent past, through our observations of societal upheaval and current events, is that words matter.  Reflecting on the often-misleading references that are used in our lives, and industry, is an opportunity to open our minds, deepen our sensitivities, and expand our learning opportunities to what exists in our current collective reality.

I've often heard the term, back office, used by some ABL and/or other leaders within bank organizations.  Users of this term surely do not intend to be offensive, however, it is an outdated reference that has no place in the more complex secured lending operations of today. 

Bobbi Acord Noland is a partner at Parker Hudson Rainer & Dobbs LLP in Atlanta, Georgia. As head of the Commercial Finance practice, Bobbi guides global banks, regional banks and finance companies through domestic and cross-border transactions ranging from $5 million to more than $1 billion. She has handled practically every aspect of commercial lending, from single-lender deals to syndicated facilities involving multiple lenders, borrowers, creditors and multi-tiered debt tranches. In addition, Bobbi frequently advises her clients on workouts and restructurings.

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.

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.

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.

Interview with Betty Hernandez, chair of SFNet’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness Committee.