Category: 2018

Community Banks: Darkhorse Competitors to Super-Regional and National Banks

A virus of acquisitions has enabled national and super-regional banks to bulk up over the last decade. Their smaller cousins — community banks — are often dismissed as warehouses for customer deposits and little more. Charlie Perer points out that when community banks acquire some some specialty lending platforms and pair them with deep hometown relationships, they can rival the big boys.

ABL Lenders Face Challenges, But Expect Strong Economy to Keep Them Afloat

Every year, ABL lenders face new challenges. Last year, people were nervous about the impact of prospective tax cuts. This year, the effect of tariffs has both borrowers and lenders shaking their heads. ABL lenders are facing increasing competition as 2019 prepares to roll in. Lisa Miller catches up with five top ABL executives who look back at 2018 and anticipate a strong year ahead.

Out of Retirement, Into a New Challenge: Fagnani Leads New Bank Leumi ABL Division

With roots in Tel Aviv and branches the world over, Bank Leumi lacked only one thing — an ABL division. The bank corrected the situation this spring and hired Mark Fagnani, a veteran of many outstanding ABL institutions, to lead it. Fagnani shares his vision for Leumi and his mantra for success with ABF Journal editor Nadine Bonner.

Benefits of Fund-Level Debt in Acquisition Finance

Fund financing is one of the fastest growing areas of the leveraged loan market. Frederick C. Fisher, Zachary K. Barnett, Christopher M. Chubb and Anastasia N. Kaup explain the advantages of using fund level debt financing over traditional financing when acquiring portfolio companies.

The Cryptocurrency Conundrum — A Primer for Secured Lenders Entering the Cryptocurrency Space

Like personal computers, smartphones and the internet, cryptocurrencies are here to stay. For the secured lender, the blockchain technology that protects the privacy of the borrower can present an obstacle to securing collateral and receiving repayment. Alan Rosenberg provides a detailed explanation of the technology and a guide for lenders to protect themselves in cybercurrency transactions.