AUA Private Equity Partners announced its formation as a lower middle-market private equity firm aiming to invest in companies in the consumer, media and business services sectors. The firm is led by Andy Unanue, former COO of Goya Foods.
Signature Bank said it has formed a new subsidiary, Signature Financial, focused on equipment finance and leasing, transportation financing and taxi medallion financing. Walter Rabin, who joins Signature Financial as president in June 2012, will lead the team.
Ares Capital announced that its investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, has added a team of eight venture finance professionals formerly with BlueCrest Capital Finance GP. Bill DeMars will lead the group.
TCF National Bank announced the creation of a new commercial banking division called TCF Capital Funding. TCF Capital Funding’s president, Joe Gaffigan, joined TCF Bank after a 25-year career in the leverage finance business.
Perella Weinberg Partners announced that Perella Weinberg Partners’ Asset Based Value strategy partnered with a team of industry veterans to form Northpoint Commercial Finance, a non-auto inventory finance lender. In conjunction, Northpoint also secured a credit facility from Goldman Sachs Bank USA.
Wells Fargo Capital Finance said it has launched its Channel Finance division, which will provide worldwide channel financing solutions to resellers, distributors and vendors in the technology industry.
Bregal Investments announced the formation of Bregal Partners, a middle-market private equity fund with $500 million of committed capital. Robert Bergmann and Scott Perekslis will serve as managing partners and will lead the fund’s investment efforts.
Petroleum Capital Advisors, an advisory firm specializing in assisting lenders and note buyers of distressed gas station/C-Store loans announced its opening.
CoBiz Financial has formed CoBiz Structured Finance to provide asset-based loans to middle-market businesses within the company’s footprint. Chris Randall, previously a co-founder, board member and COO of MFC Capital Funding, will lead the group.
Bridge Capital Holdings announced the launch of its Energy and Infrastructure Group (EIG), which will offer specialized financing for clients with proven sustainable alternative energy projects located in the U.S. Scott Reising, senior vice president at Bridge Bank, will lead the new group.