Many subscription credit facilities will provide for the issuance of letters of credit in addition to the funding of loans. A letter of credit is an irrevocable undertaking for the payment of money issued by a bank at the...more
Cascading pledges are frequently used in subscription finance to avoid legal impediments, avoid tax implications and mitigate prohibited transaction risk under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended...more
With four major interest rate benchmarks ceasing to be published by the end of last year, we thought now would be a good time to provide a refresher on alternative currency rates. In this article we first discuss the key...more
In the evolving fund finance market, lenders are constantly assessing ways to mitigate risk and enhance credit support in order to provide for the smooth operation of subscription-based credit facilities. One such credit...more
Jersey and Guernsey (collectively, the "Channel Islands") remain popular for both private equity buyout structures of UK and international corporate groups across various industries and asset classes, and for leverage...more
The credit agreement for a subscription credit facility will list several conditions precedent that are required prior to the credit agreement becoming effective and/or the first extension of credit occurring thereunder....more
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Net Asset Value ("NAV") credit facilities are lending arrangements underwritten on the borrower’s portfolio of investments, where the amount available for borrowing is based on the value of such...more
The key component of any subscription credit facility is the underlying capital commitments that are pledged to secure the facility. Virtually every lender will require some level of over-collateralization – meaning, investor...more
Executive Summary - Net Asset Value (“NAV”) credit facilities are a tool that borrowers may use to access financing based on the value of their underlying investment portfolio. The users of these facilities are generally...more
We have said it before – the “credit cornerstone” of a subscription credit facility is the limited partnership agreement (the “LPA”) – it is the primary contract, together with any side letters, governing the relationship...more
Section 23A and Super 23A can create additional complications for lenders in the fund finance market. Intended to protect the stability of financial institutions by restricting transactions with affiliates, Section 23A and...more
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - In the evolving landscape of the subscription credit facility market, the introduction of fraud allegations by an investor against a fund as a new exclusion event marks a pivotal shift....more
The primary purpose of a capital call facility is to provide bridge financing to a fund borrower that may be drawn upon, in lieu of calling capital, to make investments in accordance with the fund’s business purpose. In...more
The year 2023 presented the fund finance industry with many challenges that it rose to face with an inventiveness and rigour that showed just how mature and multi-faceted the market has become. At Cadwalader in London we saw...more
Net asset value based credit facilities (“NAV Facilities”) are credit facilities pursuant to which the availability thereunder is based on the net asset value of the investments of the borrower, typically a private fund. The...more
In this article we look at the lender's right to challenge a sponsor’s valuation of their investments in the context of a NAV-backed financing. This right to challenge is a relatively recent development in these transactions,...more
Welcome to the latest edition of the Spectrum, covering hot-topic issues in the structured finance markets in the U.S. and UK. This edition features smooth sailing through safe harbors, the English Court doing the cross-class...more
Guaranties are a common feature in fund finance transactions. Particularly in NAV loans, upstream and affiliate (or “sideways”) guaranties are used. Below we discuss some of the context for the use of these types of...more
In years past defaulting lender mechanics in a subscription credit facility may have been viewed as boiler plate language and, in most cases, the relevant provisions have not received much attention. In light of recent events...more
As leveraged loan markets have been impacted by a challenging macroeconomic environment, private equity sponsors are sharpening their focus on flexibility in their portfolio companies’ loan documents Given the sharp...more
For our eighth installment in the FFF Sovereign Immunity Series, we consider the doctrine of sovereign immunity in England & Wales. We begin with our usual disclaimer that sovereign immunity is a complex legal and tax...more
The 2023 edition of the Fund Finance Association’s annual conference was again filled with interesting insights from a wide range of industry participants and leaders. The panel titled “Market Evolution & Industry...more
Following on Mike Mascia’s Closing Remarks delivered to young Fund Finance professionals at last month’s FFA University 1.0, I wanted to take things back to the basics for those who are just starting their careers in fund...more
When we think about parties to a subscription credit facility (the “Facility”), all eyes are generally on the fund and the general partner (the “GP”), but the investment manager (the “Manager”) is also a party to watch. For...more
In the days leading up to the closing of a credit facility, it is not uncommon for the administrative agent to ask each lender a simple question, “do you need a note?” For many lenders, the response is in the affirmative, but...more