/PRACTICE NOTE Middle Market Lending: Overview
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Dealing with Secured Lenders1
CHAPTER TWO Dealing with Secured Lenders1 David Hillman2 Mark Shinderman3 Aaron Wernick4 With investors continuing to pursue higher yields, the market for secured debt has experienced a resurgence since the depth of the fi nancial crisis of 2008. For borrowers, the lenders’ willingness to make these loans has translated to increased liquidity and access to capital for numerous purposes, including (i) providing working capital and funding for general corporate purposes; (ii) funding an acquisition-related transaction or a recapitalization of a company’s balance sheet; or (iii) refi nancing a borrower’s existing debt. The increased debt loads may lead to fi nancial distress when a borrower’s business sags, at which point management will typically turn to its secured lenders to begin negotiations on the restructuring of the business’s debt. Consequently, the secured lenders usually take the most active role in monitoring the credit and responding to problems when they fi rst arise. Secured loans come in many different forms and are offered from a range of different investors. The common feature for secured debt is the existence of a lien on all or a portion of the borrower’s assets. Following is a brief overview of the common types of secured lending: Asset-Based Loans. The traditional loan market consisted of an asset based lender (traditionally a bank or commercial fi nancing institution) providing revolving loans, term loans, and letters of credit secured by a fi rst priority lien on accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and 1. Special thanks to Douglas R. Urquhart and Roshelle Nagar of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP for their contributions to earlier editions of this chapter. -
Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers & Acquisitions
Chepakovich valuation model 1 Chepakovich valuation model The Chepakovich valuation model uses the discounted cash flow valuation approach. It was first developed by Alexander Chepakovich in 2000 and perfected in subsequent years. The model was originally designed for valuation of “growth stocks” (ordinary/common shares of companies experiencing high revenue growth rates) and is successfully applied to valuation of high-tech companies, even those that do not generate profit yet. At the same time, it is a general valuation model and can also be applied to no-growth or negative growth companies. In a limiting case, when there is no growth in revenues, the model yields similar (but not the same) valuation result as a regular discounted cash flow to equity model. The key distinguishing feature of the Chepakovich valuation model is separate forecasting of fixed (or quasi-fixed) and variable expenses for the valuated company. The model assumes that fixed expenses will only change at the rate of inflation or other predetermined rate of escalation, while variable expenses are set to be a fixed percentage of revenues (subject to efficiency improvement/degradation in the future – when this can be foreseen). This feature makes possible valuation of start-ups and other high-growth companies on a Example of future financial performance of a currently loss-making but fast-growing fundamental basis, i.e. with company determination of their intrinsic values. Such companies initially have high fixed costs (relative to revenues) and small or negative net income. However, high rate of revenue growth insures that gross profit (defined here as revenues minus variable expenses) will grow rapidly in proportion to fixed expenses. -
Subordinated Debt As Bank Capital: a Proposal for Regulatory Reform
Subordinated debt as bank capital: A proposal for regulatory reform Douglas D. Evanoff and Larry D. Wall Introduction and summary probability that a greater reliance on market discipline Last year, a Federal Reserve Study Group, in which will cause a temporary market disruption. Addition- we participated, examined the use of subordinated ally, history shows that introducing reforms during debt as a tool for disciplining bank risk taking. The relatively tranquil times is preferable to being forced 2 study was completed prior to the passage of the 1999 to act during a crisis. U.S. Financial Services Modernization Act and the Perhaps the most important reason that now may results are reported in Kwast et al. (1999). The report be a good time to consider greater reliance on subor- provides a broad survey of the academic literature on dinated debt is that international efforts to reform subordinated debt and of prevailing practices within existing capital standards are highlighting the weak- the current market for subordinated debt issued by nesses of the alternatives. In 1988, the Basel Committee banking organizations. Although the report discusses on Banking Supervision published the International a number of the issues to be considered in developing Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital a policy proposal, providing an explicit proposal was Standards, which established international agreement 3 not the purpose of the report. Instead, it concludes on minimum risk-based capital adequacy ratios. The with a call for additional research into a number of paper, often referred to as the Basel Capital Accord, related topics. relied on very rough measures of a banks credit risk In this article, we present a proposal for the use exposure, however, and banks have increasingly en- of subordinated debt in bank capital regulation. -
The Importance of the Capital Structure in Credit Investments: Why Being at the Top (In Loans) Is a Better Risk Position
Understanding the importance of the capital structure in credit investments: Why being at the top (in loans) is a better risk position Before making any investment decision, whether it’s in equity, fixed income or property it’s important to consider whether you are adequately compensated for the risks you are taking. Understanding where your investment sits in the capital structure will help you recognise the potential downside that could result in permanent loss of capital. Within a typical business there are various financing securities used to fund existing operations and growth. Most companies will use a combination of both debt and equity. The debt may come in different forms including senior secured loans and unsecured bonds, while equity typically comes as preference or ordinary shares. The exact combination of these instruments forms the company’s “capital structure”, and is usually designed to suit the underlying cash flows and assets of the business as well as investor and management risk appetites. The most fundamental aspect for debt investors in any capital structure is seniority and security in the capital structure which is reflected in the level of leverage and impacts the amount an investor should recover if a company fails to meet its financial obligations. Seniority refers to where an instrument ranks in priority of payment. Creditors (debt holders) normally have a legal right to be paid both interest and principal in priority to shareholders. Amongst creditors, “senior” creditors will be paid in priority to “junior” creditors. Security refers to a creditor’s right to take a “mortgage” or “lien” over property and other assets of a company in a default scenario. -
Infrastructure Financing Instruments and Incentives
Infrastructure Financing Instruments and Incentives 2015 Infrastructure Financing Instruments and Incentives Contact: Raffaele Della Croce, Financial Affairs Division, OECD Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs [Tel: +33 1 45 24 14 11 | [email protected]], Joel Paula, Financial Affairs Division, OECD Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs [Tel: +33 1 45 24 19 30 | [email protected]] or Mr. André Laboul, Deputy-Director, OECD Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs [Tel: +33 1 45 24 91 27 | [email protected]]. FOREWORD Foreword This taxonomy of instruments and incentives for infrastructure financing maps out the investment options available to private investors, and which instruments and incentives are available to attract private sector investment in infrastructure. The coverage of instruments is comprehensive in nature, spanning all forms of debt and equity and risk mitigation tools deployed by governments and agents. While the taxonomy is meant to capture all forms of private infrastructure finance techniques, a focus of this work is to identify new and innovative financing instruments and risk mitigation techniques used to finance infrastructure assets. Part I of this report provides the foundation for the identification of effective financing approaches, instruments, and vehicles that could broaden the financing options available for infrastructure projects and increase as well as diversify the investor base, potentially lowering the cost of funding and increasing the availability of financing in infrastructure sectors or regions where investment gaps might exist. Part II identifies the range of incentives and risk mitigation tools, both public and private, that can foster the mobilisation of financing for infrastructure, particularly those related to mitigating commercial risks. -
Our Practice
OUR PRACTICE Capital Raising Services Operating a business in the financial services industry requires raising and maintaining sufficient capital to comply with minimum regulatory requirements. During the past several years, these requirements have become more onerous for clients seeking to form new entities as well as those that are focused upon significant growth and expansion opportunities. Baker Donelson's team members are well-versed in both banking and securities laws, and we help our clients navigate the complex requirements of both sets of laws in raising capital. Some examples of the capital-raising services we provide for clients in the financial services industry include: Counseling clients on minimum capital regulatory requirements and working with clients to develop capital structures and transaction documents, plus offering procedures that comply with both banking and securities laws. Providing securities advice to clients seeking to raise capital for corporate needs, including evaluating various types of debt and equity instruments to meet those needs. Working with clients to structure capital-raises in conjunction with various types of corporate and regulatory events, such as acquisition opportunities, redemptions of securities from existing investors, and raising capital in response to regulatory enforcement actions. Helping clients with initial public offerings (IPOs) for those businesses whose strategy is to become a public company, and helping clients with going-private transactions for those whose strategy is to cease being a public company. Related Services In addition to assisting clients in the financial services industry with raising capital, our team provides Regulatory and Compliance Services, Corporate Services, and Merger and Acquisition Services. For more information about Baker Donelson's experience and attorneys who advise clients on all aspects of securities law, including raising capital, please refer to the description of our Securities and Corporate Governance practice group. -
A Guide to Understanding the Complex Universe of Private Debt Assets
Alternative credit and its asset classes A guide to understanding the complex universe of private debt assets First edition, May 2017 For professionals Important disclosure: The opinions expressed and conclusions reached by the authors in this publication are their own and do not represent an official position. The publication has been prepared solely for the purpose of information and knowledge-sharing. Neither NN Investment Partners B.V., NN Investment Partners Holdings N.V. nor any other company or unit belonging to NN Group make no guarantee, warranty or representation, express or implied, to the accuracy, correctness or completeness thereof. Readers should obtain professional advice before making any decision or taking any action that may affect their finances or business or tax position. This publication and its elements may contain information obtained from third parties, including ratings from credit rating agencies. Reproduction and distribution of (parts of) this publication, logos, and third party content in any form is prohibited, except with the prior written permission of NN Investment Partners B.V. or NN Investment Partners Holdings N.V. or the third party concerned. © 2017 NN Investment Partners is part of NN Group N.V. NN Group N.V. is a publicly traded corporation, and it and its subsidiaries are currently using trademarks including the “NN” name and associated trademarks of NN Group under license. All rights reserved. Alternative credit and its asset classes A guide to understanding the complex universe of private debt assets Table of contents Preface ...............................................................................................................................................................6 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 8 2. The history and rise of alternative credit .....................................................................11 2.1. -
Private Equity Buyouts in Healthcare: Who Wins, Who Loses? Eileen Appelbaum and Rosemary Batt Working Paper No
Private Equity Buyouts in Healthcare: Who Wins, Who Loses? Eileen Appelbaum* and Rosemary Batt† Working Paper No. 118 March 15, 2020 ABSTRACT Private equity firms have become major players in the healthcare industry. How has this happened and what are the results? What is private equity’s ‘value proposition’ to the industry and to the American people -- at a time when healthcare is under constant pressure to cut costs and prices? How can PE firms use their classic leveraged buyout model to ‘save healthcare’ while delivering ‘outsized returns’ to investors? In this paper, we bring together a wide range of sources and empirical evidence to answer these questions. Given the complexity of the sector, we focus on four segments where private equity firms have been particularly active: hospitals, outpatient care (urgent care and ambulatory surgery centers), physician staffing and emergency * Co-Director and Senior Economist, Center for Economic and Policy Research. [email protected] † Alice H. Cook Professor of Women and Work, HR Studies and Intl. & Comparative Labor ILR School, Cornell University. [email protected]. We thank Andrea Beaty, Aimee La France, and Kellie Franzblau for able research assistance. room services (surprise medical billing), and revenue cycle management (medical debt collecting). In each of these segments, private equity has taken the lead in consolidating small providers, loading them with debt, and rolling them up into large powerhouses with substantial market power before exiting with handsome returns. https://doi.org/10.36687/inetwp118 JEL Codes: I11 G23 G34 Keywords: Private Equity, Leveraged Buyouts, health care industry, financial engineering, surprise medical billing revenue cycle management, urgent care, ambulatory care. -
Recent Trends in Second Lien Loans
VEDDERPRICE ® Finance and Transactions Group Winter 2008–2009 Special Report “SECOND LIEN” LOANS Executive Summary. During the past few years, the financial markets have enabled borrowers to issue multiple layers of debt in sophisticated fi nancings, particularly in the case of highly leveraged companies. Thus, second lien fi nancing has not only become a recognized part of the capital structure of such fi nancings, but has experienced impressive expansion. The “market” terms that govern the second lien layer of debt evolved in light of increased involvement of nonbank investors (i.e., private equity sponsors, hedge funds, distressed debt funds, etc.). As the continued level of involvement of these nonbank investors remains uncertain and the credit markets tighten, the relationships between senior and junior secured lenders will change and certain provisions not typically found in recent intercreditor agreements may once again surface. This article discusses in detail the recent progression of second lien fi nancing structures and certain relevant intercreditor provisions (including payment subordination, enforcement actions, amendment rights and rights in bankruptcy) that may face increased scrutiny by fi rst lien and second lien lenders alike. WWW.VEDDERPRICE.COM VEDDERPRICE RECENT TRENDS IN SECOND LIEN LOANS Over the past several years, lenders have offered quarterly reviews, between 2003 and 2005, borrowers many alternative fi nancing vehicles as second lien loan volume spiked from $3.1 billion to options for fi nancing their acquisitions, corporate $16.3 billion. By 2006, LCD that reported the restructurings or operations. The creative and volume increased to $28.3 billion; in 2007, the complex fi nancing structures that resulted gave volume grew to nearly $30 billion, with more than rise to many different classes and types of lien 90% of the loans funded during the fi rst three priorities. -
A Primer on Second Lien Term Loan Financings by Neil Cummings and Kirk A
A Primer on Second Lien Term Loan Financings By Neil Cummings and Kirk A. Davenport ne of the more noticeable developments in can protect their interests in the collateral by requiring the debt markets in the last year has been second lien lenders to agree to a “silent second” lien. Othe exponential increase in the number of Second lien lenders can often be persuaded to second lien fi nancings in the senior bank loan mar- agree to this arrangement because a silent second ket. Standard & Poor’s/Leveraged Commentary & lien is better than no lien at all. In addition, under Data Team reports that second lien fi nancings raised the intercreditor agreement, in most deals, the more than $7.8 billion in the fi rst seven months of second lien lenders expressly reserve all of the 2004 alone, compared with about $3.2 billion for all rights of an unsecured creditor, subject to some of 2003. important exceptions. In this article, we discuss second lien term loans All of this sounds very simple, and fi rst and second marketed for sale in the institutional loan market, lien investors may be tempted to ask why it takes with a goal of providing both an overview of the pages of heavily negotiated intercreditor terms to product and an understanding of some of the key document a silent second lien. The answer is that business and legal issues that are often at issue. a “silent second” lien can span a range from com- In a second lien loan transaction, the second lien pletely silent to fairly quiet, and where the volume lenders hold a second priority security interest on the control is ultimately set varies from deal to deal, assets of the borrower. -
Unpacking Private Equity Characteristics and Implications by Asset Class
Unpacking Private Equity Characteristics and Implications by Asset Class www.mccombiegroup.com | +1 (786) 664-8340 Unpacking Private Equity: Characteristics & implications by asset class The term private equity is often treated as a catchall, used interchangeably to describe a broad variety of investments. Such loose use of the phrase fails to capture the range of nuanced business ownership strategies it refers to and risks branding an entire asset class with characteristics and implications that are typically relevant to only a particular sub-category. Recently, this has especially been the case given the outsized global attention placed on the leveraged buyout deals of Bain Capital, a private equity firm founded by Republican U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney. In this context, popular discourse has inappropriately attached the label of private equity to a general practice of debt-fueled corporate takeovers that disproportionately focus on cost cutting. In reality, however, private equity refers to an array of investment strategies each with a unique risk-return profile and differing core skillsets for success. This article is intended to help family office executives better understand the nuances of the various sub-categories of private equity. It seeks to draw high-level distinctions, serving as a practical guide for investors entering the private equity arena, be it directly or through a more curated fund structure. Ultimately by understanding the characteristics and implications of each asset class, the reader should be equipped to make an educated choice regarding the most relevant and appropriate strategy for their unique profile. From a technical perspective, private equity is nothing more than making investments into illiquid non-publicly traded companies— i.e. -
The Odyssey of Financial Restructuring Under the US Bankruptcy Code
The Odyssey of Financial Restructuring Under the US Bankruptcy Code Carlos A. Abadi December 11, 2019 Abstract I present a model of a financially distressed firm with outstanding bank and bond debt. I rely on the objective criterion of investment efficiency to lead the reader through the journey and choices facing the distressed firm and its creditor through the many choices facing each constituency along the long and tortuous way { seen from the perspective of US corporate and bankruptcy law { culminating in the firm’s financial restructuring either in- or out-of-court) or its liquidation 1 During the late 1980s there was a dramatic increase in the leverage of U.S. corporations, raising concerns about the corporate sectors' financial stability. Indeed, by June 1990, 156 (24%) of the 662 companies that issued high-yield bonds between 1977 and 1988 had either defaulted, gone bankrupt, or restructured their public debt. The face value of those distressed bonds amounted to nearly $21 billion. The central question raised by those distressed firms is easy to put but hard to answer: What is the effect of financial distress on a firm’s operating performance? There are two competing views. The first, an application of the Coase Theorem, holds that there are no real effects of financial distress.1 Critical to this view is the distinction between financial and economic distress. Admittedly, most firms in financial trouble also suffer from poor operating performance. No amount of financial maneuvering can save these economically distressed firms. If, however, a firm’s capital structure prevents from pursuing its value- maximizing operating strategy, creditors will restructure their claims to maximize firm value.