Subscription credit facilities are a widely utilized product in the fund finance market, offering sponsors access to a reliable source of financing to bridge capital call and to lenders collateral backed by investors’ capital...more
The recent closing by Goldman Sachs of its highly innovative and market leading US$475 million “capital call” securitisation of subscription credit lines has generated a lot of interest in both fund finance and structured...more
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - As part of its Climate Accountability Package, California passed a law last year that creates disclosure requirements related to greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions for thousands of U.S. companies,...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 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
Because banks receive favorable capital treatment when a credit facility’s tenor is shorter than one year, lenders increasingly offer financing with 364-day tenors and uncommitted extension option terms of up to 364 days. In...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
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
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
For funds that are nearing the end of their investment period and have limited or no remaining unfunded capital commitments, the need to continue a subscription line facility for ongoing liquidity may continue to exist for...more
In recent months, we have seen several requests to include a swingline facility in the capital call loan documentation for syndicated facilities. Swingline loans are normally made available as a component of a revolving...more
On October 11, 2017, the Fund Finance Association (the “FFA”) hosted its 3rd Annual European Fund Finance Symposium (the “Conference”) at the Landmark Hotel in London. Forty-two market participants sponsored the Conference...more