Managing Director
Texas Capital
Chris Capriotti is a modern day pioneer in the asset-based lending industry – he has played a strong role in transforming ABL from a ‘lender of last resort’ into a powerful financing solution for growing businesses. As a managing director at Texas Capital, Capriotti has leveraged his deep expertise and leadership to build a best-in-class ABL platform.
Capriotti’s path in banking began more than 30 years ago when he joined JPMorgan, starting his career in a traditional cash flow credit training program and then joining JPM’s commercial banking team in Houston.
ENTERING ASSET-BASED LENDING
“After some time in corporate banking, I was looking to continue my career growth and was evaluating different options within the finance industry, even considering an MBA for a potential career pivot,” Capriotti says. “The opportunity to help open JPMorgan’s ABL office in Dallas came at just the right time, and I realized that ABL lending made a lot of sense and offered significant career growth potential.”
During his tenure at JPMorgan, Capriotti was instrumental in developing the bank’s ABL product and helping establish it as a cornerstone of the bank’s commercial lending offerings. He played a key role in expanding the ABL office in Dallas, which became a model for other regional offices, and contributed to the bank’s ability to handle increasingly complex and high-stakes deals.
Throughout the course of his career, Capriotti has witnessed the ABL product transform into the widely accepted financing option for well-performing companies. Capriotti also observed large sponsors on corporate deals increasingly favoring ABL paired with high yield bonds, a trend that eventually permeated the middle market.
BIGGER BANKING IN TEXAS
In 2016, Texas Capital hired Capriotti to build its ABL platform. It was clear that there was ample opportunity to bring the asset-based product to underserved middle market and corporate businesses, and his objective was to create a division that could compete with the banks headquartered outside the state, ensuring it had the credibility to be a significant market force.
Over the ensuing eight years, Capriotti has assembled a team with expertise across all disciplines — origination, credit underwriting, portfolio management, collateral monitoring, field exams and operations — to deliver top tier products and experiences for clients.
Under Capriotti’s leadership, Texas Capital’s ABL platform has experienced remarkable growth, with the division securing numerous high-profile deals and expanding its market share significantly. Texas Capital’s transformation starting in 2021 to become the first full-service financial services firm headquartered in Texas has been a crucial accelerator. Capriotti’s strategic vision led to the successful
integration of the ABL division into the firm’s broader investment banking services, providing clients with a seamless, full-service experience. Capriotti most recently led the expansion of Texas Capital’s ABL capabilities into the healthcare industry, where specialized underwriting expertise is critical to superior client service. Capriotti attributes this long track-record of innovation and success to consistently delivering on promises to clients.
LEADING WITH INTEGRITY
The proudest achievements of Capriotti’s career are the quality of the team and business he is building. Capriotti’s leadership is characterized by his commitment to empowering his team. He believes in hiring the right people for the right roles, providing them with the necessary tools, support and resources, and then allowing them to do the job.
By hiring top talent and fostering an environment where collaboration and innovation thrive, he has created a culture where employees are encouraged to think creatively and take ownership of their work. This approach has not only driven the success of Texas Capital’s ABL division but has also positioned the bank as a leader in the industry.
A strong sense of integrity underscores Capriotti’s approach to business. “There’s no substitute for integrity, trust and honesty,” he says. This commitment to doing the right thing, even when the path isn’t clear, has earned him the trust of clients and colleagues.
One of Capriotti’s key goals is nurturing the next generation of talent. He believes the firm’s full-service structure offers young professionals unparalleled opportunities for growth and experience. His advice for the up-and-coming generation of ABL professionals is to seek out the tremendous opportunities the industry offers. “Regardless of your role, commit to it for a couple of years — your performance will open doors to bigger and better things.”
Looking ahead, Capriotti is focused on further expanding Texas Capital’s ABL capabilities, with plans to tap into the full potential of the firm’s investment banking services. He envisions Texas Capital as a national leader, offering unparalleled services to a diverse range of clients.
As he continues to mentor the next generation of ABL professionals, Capriotti remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry and providing training and education through trade associations.
While Capriotti’s professional achievements are significant, he remains grounded by his passion for family, friends and a wide array of hobbies, from college sports to music. This balance between work and personal life not only fuels his success but also keeps him motivated as he looks toward the future, both in his career and beyond. •
