Pep Boys has entered into a definitive merger agreement under which it will be acquired by investment firm The Gores Group. Total enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $1 billion.

Industrial Growth Partners has sold O’Brien Corporation to AMETEK for approximately $175 million.

Axum Capital Partners has acquired a controlling interest in Wild Wing Cafe, a 32-unit restaurant company based in Mount Pleasant, SC. Fifth Third Bank provided debt financing for the transaction.

SunTrust Banks has signed a definitive agreement to acquire online lender FirstAgain, a developer and operator of proprietary technology that offers completely digital and paperless origination, underwriting and servicing.

Prospect Capital announced that it and other third-party shareholders have executed a stock purchase agreement to sell their ownership interests in NRG Manufacturing Inc., a manufacturer of oilfield equipment. RBC Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor to NRG for the sale.

Greenbriar Equity Group announced the acquisition of PetroChoice, a distributor of petroleum lubricant solutions, from KRG Capital Partners. The Senior Secured Loan Program provided senior secured debt financing for the transaction.

American Capital announced it completed the sale of its portfolio company CIBT Solutions to ABRY Partners. American Capital received $215 million in cash proceeds from the sale.

99-Cent Only Stores completed its acquisition by affiliates of Ares Management, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Gold/Schiffer Family. RBC Capital Markets, BMO Capital Markets and Deutsche Bank Securities provided committed financing for the transaction.

Crystal Financial has provided financing to The Gores Group to support its recent acquisition of Mexx International, a mid-market apparel retailer in Europe and Canada, from Liz Claiborne.

According to AdMedia Partners’ results of its annual survey of executives at media and marketing services companies, respondents are generally optimistic about prospects for their industries and their own businesses in 2012.