Houlihan Lokey announced that AmeriFactors Financial Group has been acquired by Gulf Coast Bank & Trust. Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor and assisted in initiating, structuring and negotiating the transaction on behalf of AmeriFactors.

AmeriFactors provides accounts receivable financing primarily on a non-recourse, full-notification basis to small and medium-sized businesses in various industries, including manufacturing, communications and other services businesses. The company finances its clients through the purchase of accounts receivable owed to its clients from their customers or other third-party debtors.

Founded in 1990 by Florida entrepreneur Kevin Gowen, the company has purchased approximately $3 billion in accounts receivable since 2007. The company is headquartered in Celebration, FL, outside of Orlando, FL and has 25 full-time employees.

Selling shareholders include Boyne Capital Partners, a Florida-based lower middle-market private equity firm, Midtown Capital Advisors, an Atlanta-based investment firm, and Gowen Family Holdings.

Gulf Coast, a New Orleans-based community bank, has approximately $1.3 billion in assets and 18 branch offices in Louisiana providing personal and business banking services. Gulf Coast was founded in 1883.