Announcements
North Mill Announces $404 Million Term Securitization
September 3, 2024SEPTEMBER 3, 2024, NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“NMEF”), a leading independent commercial equipment lender located in Norwalk, Connecticut, announced the closing of its eighth asset backed securitization (ABS), NMEF Funding 2024-A (“NMEF 2024-A”). The $404 million transaction is NMEF’s first ABS transaction this year, bringing the total ABS proceeds raised by NMEF since inception to $2.3 billion. NMEF 2024-A features a strong, diversified collateral pool resulting from NMEF’s recent adjustments to its pricing and risk framework.
“The interest in the NMEF shelf continues to grow. We received 45 orders from 32 unique investors, including 12 first time buyers, that drove demand to a ~3.5x oversubscribed level and allowed for continued tightening of spreads from launch to pricing,” said NMEF’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Bonanno.
Mitch Tobak, NMEF’s VP of Corporate Development added, “NMEF was proud to present a strong collateral pool to investors, with a balanced mix that no longer contains long-haul trucking within the top five equipment types, along with the highest weighted average FICO of any NMEF issuance to date. Transportation collateral represents less than a third of the total pool, a testament to NMEF’s ability to originate profitable paper in a variety of industries. We are grateful for the continued support of our referral partner network and the ~14K active borrowers they have referred to NMEF.”
About NMEF
NMEF originates and services small to mid-ticket equipment leases and loans, ranging from $15,000 to $2,500,000 in value. A broker-centric private lender, the company accepts A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for many asset categories including construction, transportation, vocational, medical, manufacturing, printing, franchise, renovation, janitorial and material handling equipment. NMEF is majority owned by an affiliate of InterVest Capital Partners. The company’s headquarters are in Norwalk, CT, with regional offices in Irvine, CA, and Voorhees NJ. For more information, visit www.nmef.com. One of NMEF’s controlled affiliates, BriteCap Financial LLC, is a leading non-bank lender providing small businesses with fast, convenient financing alternatives such as working capital loans since 2003 from offices in North Hollywood, CA and Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.britecap.com.
Leading Fintech MoneyThumb Acquired by Iron Creek
August 29, 2024San Diego, Calif. (August 29, 2024) – MoneyThumb, a leader in automated document evaluation and fraud detection solutions announced today that it has been acquired by Iron Creek Partners LLC (“Iron Creek”), a private investment firm with a focus on investments in the software, data, communications, and business services industries. Iron Creek led the investment group, which also included Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: MAIN). The transaction will provide growth capital to help meet MoneyThumb’s strong industry demand, which has recently produced 100% year-over-year annual growth. The transaction closed on August 19, 2024.
Ryan Campbell, previously heading up MoneyThumb’s business development since 2017, has been named as the new chief executive officer and has joined the investor group. Ryan has played an integral role in leading MoneyThumb’s sales, marketing and business development strategy. Ralph Mayer, the company’s founder will step down as CEO and assume an advisory role and retain his board seat.
Founded in 2014, MoneyThumb is an industry leading underwriting automation software that improves workflows for funders, lenders, and accountants by converting and analyzing pdf financial documents in seconds. The company also helps detect fraud with its AI file tampering detection tool that identifies fraudulent activity in seconds, giving lenders a powerful defense against risk and loan losses.
“This acquisition underscores MoneyThumb’s proven technology and strong industry demand, and supports our long-term growth objectives,” said Ryan Campbell. “This partnership marks an exciting milestone for our company and with the support of Iron Creek, we are well-poised to accelerate our growth, continue to deliver exceptional software solutions for our customers and help lenders manage risk and deliver more capital faster to small businesses.”
“MoneyThumb has built a highly successful business through its algorithm-driven software, product innovation and a meticulous approach to delivering value and service to their customers,” said John Bingaman, Founder and Managing Principal of Iron Creek Partners LLC. “We look forward to working closely with MoneyThumb’s talented team to continue to grow the business and broaden the product suite.”
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
For more information on MoneyThumb, please visit www.moneythumb.com.
About MoneyThumb
MoneyThumb is an advanced automation software solution that streamlines the lending underwriting process by converting bank statements instantly into actionable data. By exponentially increasing efficiency, accuracy and the detection of fraud – MoneyThumb empowers lenders and accountants to make faster, more informed and accurate decisions. MoneyThumb is headquartered in Encinitas, California, and serves customers globally. For more information visit www.moneythumb.com.
About Iron Creek
Iron Creek is a sector-focused, stage-independent private investment firm based in Santa Fe, NM, seeking attractive investment opportunities primarily in the software, data, communications, and business services industries. Iron Creek seeks to partner with strong management teams and to support its portfolio companies’ growth by leveraging its network of relationships and its sector experience.
About Main Street Capital Corporation
Main Street (www.mainstcapital.com) is a principal investment firm that primarily provides long-term debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies and debt capital to middle market companies. Main Street’s portfolio investments are typically made to support management buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings, refinancings and acquisitions of companies that operate in diverse industry sectors. Main Street seeks to partner with entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams and generally provides “one stop” financing alternatives within its lower middle market investment strategy. Main Street’s lower middle market companies generally have annual revenues between $10 million and $150 million. Main Street’s middle market debt investments are made in businesses that are generally larger in size than its lower middle market portfolio companies.
Main Street, through its wholly owned portfolio company MSC Adviser I, LLC (“MSC Adviser”), also maintains an asset management business through which it manages investments for external parties. MSC Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Media Contact
Tracy Rubin
JCUTLER media group
Tracy@jcmg.com
Velocity Capital Group Welcomes Jesse Guzman as New Chief Revenue Officer
August 28, 2024
Cedarhust, New York – 08/28/2024 – Velocity Capital Group is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jesse Guzman as its new Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). With a distinguished career in revenue leadership, Jesse brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in the financial services industry.
Jesse Guzman joins Velocity Capital Group after serving as Chief Revenue Officer at Nexi from 2020 to 2024, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and successful rebranding. Before his tenure at Nexi, Jesse was the Director at Arcarius LLC from 2017 to 2020, where he honed his expertise in financial strategy and revenue optimization.
In his new role at Velocity Capital Group, Jesse will leverage his extensive industry experience to lead the company’s revenue strategies, focusing on expanding funding options for merchants and enhancing support for Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs). His fresh ideas and innovative approach are expected to propel Velocity Capital Group to new heights, further solidifying its position as a leader in the alternative finance space.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Jesse Guzman to the Velocity Capital Group team,” said Jay Avigdor, President & CEO of Velocity Capital Group. “Jesse’s deep understanding of the industry, combined with his visionary leadership, will be instrumental in helping us achieve our ambitious goals. We are confident that his expertise will enable us to provide even more funding to merchants and offer our ISOs the best service they’ve ever experienced.”
Jesse Guzman expressed his enthusiasm about joining the company, stating, “Velocity Capital Group has an outstanding reputation for innovation and excellence in the alternative finance industry. I am excited to bring my experience and fresh perspective to the team and to contribute to the company’s continued success. Together, we will explore new opportunities to better serve our clients and partners.”
About Velocity Capital Group
Velocity Capital Group is a leading provider of revenue-based financing solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Leveraging advanced analytics and a deep understanding of the SMB sector, Velocity Capital Group offers tailored funding solutions that drive sustainable growth. With a commitment to innovation and customer service, the company partners with Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs) to deliver exceptional value to clients nationwide.
Media Contact:
Bogdan Klubuk
Marketing Director
Velocity Capital Group
Bogdan@velocitycg.com
www.Velocitycg.com
Five Leading Innovative Banks Join American Fintech Council (AFC), Expanding Collaborative Efforts With Fintech Industry Leaders and Regulators To Develop Future of Finance
August 28, 2024
Washington, D.C. (August 28, 2024) – The American Fintech Council (AFC), the premier industry association representing responsible fintech companies and innovative banks, has announced the addition of five new members representing regional and community banks committed to fintech innovation. In joining AFC, the five banks bring deep history and experience serving community needs, as well as leading fintech platforms and services that are driving unprecedented value for customers both local and national.
“We are immensely proud to welcome our five new innovative bank members, but this announcement is about far more than AFC,” said Phil Goldfeder, Chief Executive Officer of AFC. “Financial technology has been a disruptive force helping to expand access to financial services for millions, particularly underserved communities. Yet, regulators have far too often applied inconsistent and unclear standards to responsible fintech providers – failing to consider the needs of consumers and the realities of who benefits from the inclusive, transparent, customer-centric services our members provide. Adding five more responsible innovative banks to our membership, sends a clear signal that fintech is the future of finance, and the scope of responsible innovation happening across the industry is far too significant to be ignored.”
AFC has consistently advocated for a unified and pragmatic regulatory approach towards innovation. Building on its mission to develop sound public policy, AFC has engaged significantly with federal prudential regulators and made its members’ views understood across the government.
More about AFC’s five new members:
- Lincoln Savings Bank, founded 1902, is owned and managed by Iowans and offers full-service community banking and financial services, as well as fintech and Banking-as-a Service (Baas) offerings through its LSBX division founded in 2014.
- New Horizon Bank was founded in 2009 by local business owners in Powhatan, VA looking for a community-focused bank; New Horizon combines traditional banking with technology and innovation that anticipate community needs.
- Republic Bank has served Chicagoans since 1964; in addition to traditional bank offerings, family-owned Republic Bank is the payments and fintech partner for Fortune 500 companies, national retailers, and nationwide auto insurers.
- Stearns Bank was founded in Minnesota in 1912 and has since grown to serve customers in Arizona and Florida; in 2021, Stearns entered the embedded finance and BaaS spaces with a continued focus on expanding access to responsible credit and capital.
- TransPecos Banks offers a full range of banking products as well as fintech services concentrated in the TransPecos region of West Texas and San Antonio; founded in 1928, TransPecos Banks embraces technology and innovation to better serve local communities and businesses.
A standards-based organization, AFC is the premier trade association representing the largest financial technology (Fintech) companies and innovative BaaS banks. AFC’s mission is to promote a transparent, inclusive, and customer-centric financial system by supporting responsible innovation in financial services and encouraging sound public policy. AFC members foster competition in consumer finance and pioneer products to better serve underserved consumer segments and geographies.
Airborne Capital Closes Its Debut Investment-Grade Corporate Note Financing
August 21, 202421 August 2024 – Airborne Capital Limited (“Airborne Capital”), a leading global aircraft asset manager, announced the closing of a US$20.0 million investment-grade rated corporate note financing offered through its U.S. subsidiary Airborne Capital USA LLC. Proceeds from the transaction will be used to refinance existing debt and for growth capital.
Airborne Capital currently manages in excess of US$2 billion of aircraft assets for a wide variety of institutional investors and airlines across the globe.
“This new capital raise paves the way for further growth and allows us to continue expanding our asset management business. This financing reflects our strong commercial position, and better positions us to serve our clients in the increasingly evolving aviation space” said Hari Raghavan, Partner at Airborne Capital. “This transaction marks a significant milestone for Airborne. It represents the confidence that institutional investors have in Airborne Capital.”
Brean Capital, LLC served as Airborne Capital’s Exclusive Financial Advisor and Sole Placement Agent in connection with the transaction.
About Airborne Capital Limited
Airborne Capital is a specialist aircraft leasing and asset management business headquartered in Ireland and with a presence in Shannon, Dublin, London, New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Airborne Capital manages approximately US$2 billion of aircraft assets through active relationships with a global set of investors. Airborne Capital is substantially owned by the management of the group.
For additional information about Airborne Capital, visit: https://airborne.capital/
Contact:
Christopher Simmons – Portland Communications
Christopher.simmons@portland-communications.com
Rapid Finance a Diamond Sponsor of B2B Finance Expo
August 8, 2024
Rapid Finance is a Diamond Sponsor at the inaugural B2B Finance Expo taking place at Wynn Las Vegas from September 23-24. The conference will bring together the leading lenders, funders, and brokers from across the spectrum of commercial finance, leasing, mortgage, and revenue-based capital products.
The Small Business Finance Association (SBFA), of which Rapid Finance is a founding board member, will play an important role at the event. The SBFA is a group of technology-driven financial service companies specifically focused on providing efficient and responsible capital to small and medium businesses – independent businesses – across America. Rapid Finance was founded in 2005.
“At Rapid Finance, we are deeply committed to empowering small business owners with the capital they need to thrive,” said Will Tumulty, CEO of Rapid Finance. “As a founding board member of the SBFA, we proudly support independent businesses across America. Events like the B2B Finance Expo are crucial in bringing together industry leaders and fostering collaboration and innovation, and we are excited to play a role in launching this event and contributing to the commercial finance sector’s growth.”
The B2B Finance Expo is powered by deBanked which has produced nearly two dozen commercial finance related conferences since 2017. To register CLICK HERE.
North Mill Sets New Monthly Origination Records in July
August 5, 2024August 5, 2024, NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“NMEF”), a leading independent commercial equipment lessor headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, announced today that the company had a record-breaking month in July as funded volume surged to more than $56 million, an increase in loan and lease originations of 33% from the same period last year.
“We are firing on all cylinders and well poised to continue our growth trajectory,” said David C. Lee, Chairman and CEO, North Mill. “We have a strong capital base, a loyal and ever-expanding group of referral partners who consider NMEF their primary lender, and a diversified portfolio that helps us mitigate the economic woes that plague specific industries like the trucking sector.”
According to Lee, NMEF has been steadily rebalancing its book of business, providing its referral partners with more opportunities to finance a variety of equipment. “Historically, trucking related collateral, both local and long-haul, represented an average of 40% of our originations whereas today it embodies just 15% of what we finance,” he said. “Medical, franchise, and construction collectively now represent almost 60% of our funding volume.” In another pivotal move to diversify, NMEF has grown its vendor program in partnership with referral partners, including banks, captives and other funding sources. In addition to the high watermark in originations, the company’s weighted average FICO reached 735, weighted average yields are north of 13%, and submission approval rates are approaching 60%.
While many equipment lenders have reduced or even ceased funding operations over the past year, NMEF has been selectively adding to its team. Joining the company as an Assistant Vice President, Relationship Manager, is Mary E. Armstrong, CLFP who brings over twenty years of referral partner relationships while holding similar roles at Financial Pacific, Marlin, and Canon. “We are very excited to welcome Mary to the NMEF family of companies,” said Paul Cheslock, VP of Customer Relations, NMEF. “Her reputation is stellar. Brokers, customers, and colleagues alike have commented on her talent, innate sales ability, and professionalism.” Ms. Armstrong reported “making the decision to join NMEF was not difficult. For quite some time, I’ve been aware of NMEF’s reputation as a progressive leader and trailblazer.”
Also joining NMEF is Zacchary Lee, Sr. Analyst, Corporate Development, who will assist the finance team with budgeting, portfolio analytics, and the execution of strategic initiatives. An honors graduate of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Lee brings 5 years of experience in financial services.
About North Mill Equipment Finance
NMEF originates and services small to mid-ticket equipment leases and loans, ranging from $15,000 to $2,500,000 in value. A broker-centric private lender, the company accepts A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for many asset categories including construction, transportation, vocational, medical, manufacturing, technology, franchise, renovation, janitorial and material handling equipment. NMEF is majority owned by an affiliate of InterVest Capital Partners. The company’s headquarters are in Norwalk, CT, with regional offices in Irvine, CA, and Voorhees NJ. For more information, visit www.nmef.com. One of NMEF’s controlled affiliates, BriteCap Financial LLC, is a leading non-bank lender providing small businesses with fast, convenient financing alternatives such as working capital loans since 2003 from its main office in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.britecap.com.
New Lender Designed to Support Underserved SMEs
July 23, 2024A new specialist lender has today been launched in response to evolving SME funding needs.
Rapital is set to transform the financial landscape to support both brokers and SME businesses facing difficulty in securing funding from existing lenders and banks.
Rapital will focus on offering a direct route for clients with challenging credit situations, such as poor credit, existing loans, CCJs and defaults with loans ranging between £5,000 and £250,000. With a focus on offering fast funding, Rapital aims to make decisions in as little as three hours so SMEs can access the cash boost they need quickly.
Access to funding is an evergreen issue for the UK’s vital SME community, with many struggling to get approval from traditional lenders. Indeed, according to the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers’ (NACFB) annual lender and broker survey, 32% of new clients successfully funded by its members last year had been previously denied funding elsewhere – a 3% increase from 2022. Rapital has been launched to help close the gap and enable SMEs who might have been denied financing from traditional lenders to get the cash boost they need to succeed.
Rapital’s ambition is to help turn a “no” into a “yes” for SMEs needing rapid and flexible financing solutions. The service promises an easy, transparent process and same-day funding, empowering businesses to thrive and grow. In these challenging operating conditions, it is vital that smaller businesses have access to rapid and flexible capital. Rapital will offer a much-needed financial lifeline to the business profiles and industries that are often rejected by banks and other SME lenders.
About Rapital
Rapital’s mission is to empower businesses of all sizes, credit backgrounds and industries by providing brokers and SMEs with funding solutions tailored to meet the real-world challenges they encounter.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rapital Media Team
Email: info@rapital.co.uk
Phone: 0161 884 0767
Website: rapital.co.uk
