North Mill Announces Pricing of Largest Securitization Ever at $371M
March 4, 2022
MARCH 4, 2022 – NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“NMEF”) announced today the closing of its fifth commercial equipment backed securitization (ABS), NMEF Funding 2022-A (“NMEF 2022-A”). The $371,070,000 transaction represents North Mill’s largest ABS issuance to date, surpassing its $236,588,000 ABS issuance in March 2021. The transaction was well-received by institutional investors despite being in the market during a period of heightened macroeconomic volatility, pricing on the day of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. North Mill had no investors drop their order post announcement of the invasion, and ultimately priced at a WAL-adjusted spread of 1.54%. The transaction featured twenty-three investors, eight of whom were first time investors in NMEF.
NMEF 2022-A featured five tranches of notes, achieving an 88.35% advance rate through the Class D note. The Transaction was rated by Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc. (“KBRA”), who assigned a lower base case rating agency loss assumption for NMEF 2022-A vs. the company’s preceding issuance (“NMEF 2021-A”), permitting North Mill to achieve higher proceeds through the capital stack (88.35% in NMEF 2022-A vs. 86.03% in NMEF 2021-A). The $371.1MM transaction was backed by $420MM in equipment loan and lease contracts, $72MM of which will be contributed via a 3-month prefunding period post-close.
“I’m extremely proud of the team’s execution on this transaction, especially during such a challenging macro-economic environment and geopolitical discord,” said North Mill’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Bonanno. “The base case loss assumption assigned to this transaction by the rating agency was 115bps lower than our 2021 ABS transaction which is a testament to the quality of North Mill’s underwriting and servicing model and a validation of our business strategy of targeting higher credit quality obligors, diversified equipment and industry types, and a refined list of third-party originators with whom we partner to offer financing solutions.”
Truist Securities, Inc. served as sole book runner for the transaction.
About North Mill Equipment Finance
North Mill Equipment Finance originates and services small to mid-ticket equipment leases and loans, ranging from $15,000 to $1,000,000 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. North Mill is majority owned by an affiliate of WAFRA Capital Partners, Inc. (WCP). The company’s headquarters is in Norwalk, CT, with regional offices in Irvine, CA, Dover, NH, Voorhees NJ, and Murray, UT. For more information, visit www.nmef.com.
North Mill Reports 2021 as Best Year in Company’s History
January 10, 2022JANUARY 6, 2022, NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“NMEF”), a Monitor 100 commercial equipment lender headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, announced today that 2021 was the best year in the company’s six decades-long history. Organic originations reached an all-time high and delinquencies hit an all-time low.
“Although 2021 posed many challenges, it turned out to be an extraordinarily successful year as our key performance indicators skyrocketed across the board,” said David C. Lee, Chairman and CEO, North Mill. “In the last three years, North Mill has burgeoned into a premium lender that has established a proven track record of innovation, execution, and operational excellence. Most notably, the partnerships that we’ve forged with our referral partners has allowed us to attain a level of success never before realized at this company.”
According to Pier Snider, EVP, CFO, “NMEF’s annual volume for 2021 increased 69% over prior year to $309M. The number of submitted applications rose to more than 19k, representing a 13% increase over 2020 submissions. Demonstrating an improvement in both efficiency and quality, the company funded 3.6K of those deals, a 51% increase year-over-year. Weighted average FICO shot up 5 points to 718, the highest score in the company’s history, while average deal size rose by more than $9k per transaction to hit an all-time high of $87K.” The company’s average yield remained north of 14% even with the higher average credit quality borrowers.
While annual indicators exceeded expectations, quarterly and monthly figures were also record-breaking. The fourth quarter of 2021 was exceptionally noteworthy as it, too, exemplifies the progression in the organization’s efficiency. NMEF experienced a 95% increase in volume in the 4Q 2021 vs the same period in 2020 while processing the same number of applications during the two periods. Moreover, December saw yet another new record funding volume level of $36.3M, a year-over-year increase of 83% while weighted average FICO increased to 730.
North Mill opened three new regional offices in 2021. An office in Irvine, CA was opened to better service larger referral partners for the company’s discounting programs while an office in Vorhees, NJ was established to leverage NMEF’s expanding workforce on the east coast near the Philadelphia metropolitan area. NMEF’s acquisition of Aztec Financial in September added an office in Murray, UT.
About North Mill Equipment Finance
North Mill Equipment Finance, a Monitor 100 company, originates and services small to mid-ticket equipment leases and loans, ranging from $15,000 to $1,000,000 in value. A broker-centric private lender, the company handles A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for a wide variety of asset categories including construction, transportation, vocational, medical, manufacturing, printing, franchise, renovation, janitorial and material handling equipment. North Mill is majority owned by an affiliate of WAFRA Capital Partners, Inc. (WCP). The company’s headquarters is in Norwalk, CT, with regional offices in Irvine, CA, Dover, NH, Voorhees NJ, and Murray, UT. For more information, visit www.nmef.com.
North Mill Equipment Finance Hit All-Time Quarterly Loan/Lease Originations Record
October 14, 2021
North Mill Equipment Finance just had its best quarter in 60 years. The company originated $129.1M in Q3. That was up from the record set the previous quarter of $120M.
Contributing to the company’s growth rate is the recent joint acquisition of 100% of the stock of parent company Aztec Financial, LLC.
“This has been an exceptional year,” said David C. Lee, Chairman and CEO, North Mill. “In addition to introducing a new category of equipment through the acquisition of Aztec, we recently purchased a $50.3 million portfolio of seasoned truck and trailer leases to help diversify our portfolio even further.”
The company is on pace to surpass $400M in originations in 2021.
North Mill Restructures Working Capital Solution and Expands Customer Benefits
April 12, 2021NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“North Mill”), a leading independent commercial equipment lessor providing small-ticket financing through its network of referral agents, announced today that it has restructured its working capital solution to make it more competitive with other, less cost-effective options on the market.
The financing arrangement, called “Cash Out,” allows a customer to borrow the equity of paid-up business equipment and channel the proceeds back into the company. Although similar in concept to a sale leaseback, Cash Out is structured as a loan. It delivers a well-deserved reprieve for borrowers looking for a less expensive alternative to finance day-to-day operating expenses.
“There are many ways a company can obtain working capital,” explained Paul Cheslock, VP of Customer Relations, North Mill. “Some of the more common include a merchant cash advance (MCA), a revolving line of credit and accounts receivable factoring. And while they all fill the same need, they are not created equal. Cash Out in particular offers a long list of customer benefits including better rates, monthly vs. weekly payments, and terms up to 60 months. It’s a powerful tool for our referral agent partners looking to grow their customer base.”
According to Cheslock, the product’s loan-to-value ratio was restructured to enable customers to borrow a larger percentage of equity from an unencumbered asset. One of the most significant advantages of Cash Out is that it includes an early pay-off feature. Customers can pay off the loan without premium or penalty after 18 consecutive, on-time payments — a benefit that other products simply do not offer.
“The product is simple and straightforward. There are no fees tied to accounts receivable, invoices, or credit card sales,” said Cheslock. “What’s more, the equipment that’s used for the loan stays put on site, so business operations remain uninterrupted. And if that were not enough, the borrower retains title.”
For more on Cash Out and other financial solutions from North Mill, register for the company’s upcoming webinar “Meet North Mill and Its Financial Solutions” on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST.
About North Mill Equipment Finance
Headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, North Mill Equipment Finance originates and services small-ticket equipment leases and loans, ranging from $15,000 to $300,000 in value. A broker-centric private lender, the company handles A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for numerous asset categories including, but not limited to, construction, transportation, vocational, healthcare, manufacturing, printing, franchise opportunities and material handling equipment. North Mill is majority owned by an affiliate of Wafra Capital Partners, Inc. (WCP). For more information, visit NMEF.com.
###
CONTACT: Don Cosenza, SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
PHONE: (203) 354-1710
EMAIL: dcosenza@nmef.com
North Mill Continues Record-Setting Trajectory as March Volume Hits All-Time High
April 2, 2021
NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“North Mill”), a leading independent commercial equipment lessor providing small-ticket financing through its network of referral agents, announced today that the company reached an all-time high in monthly loan and lease originations in March. Funded volume surged to more than $24 million, a growth rate of 53% from last March and an increase of 22% from the company’s previous high-water mark last December.
“We’re firing on all cylinders,” said David C. Lee, Chairman and CEO, North Mill. “We reported a record breaking year in 2020 and I anticipate that we’ll continue to see an upward trajectory as the economy opens up. First quarter volume topped $54 million, an increase of more than 18% from Q1 of last year while our weighted average FICO climbed an additional 9 points to 717.” Average deal size also hit a record for March, according to Lee, as it reached nearly $90k per transaction.
A strategic initiative that has had a resounding impact on North Mill’s success is its continued commitment to financing assets across an array of industries. Transportation, which made up nearly 100% of the firm’s asset portfolio a few years ago, now accounts for about 40% of funded volume. The company has expanded into many types of equipment including, but not limited to, construction, health care, franchise opportunities and livery.
As referral agents continue to turn to North Mill to obtain financing for their customers, the capital markets have also demonstrated confidence in the company. Last month, North Mill closed NMEF Funding 2021-A, its fourth commercial equipment backed securitization (ABS), its largest ever. The $236,588,000 ABS issuance was well received by institutional investors as evidenced by strong oversubscription levels across all tranches of notes. Capital was raised from a total of 23 investors, more than double the number from the company’s previous issuance (NMEF 2019-A).
About North Mill Equipment Finance
Headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, North Mill Equipment Finance originates and services small-ticket equipment leases and loans, ranging from $15,000 to $300,000 in value. A broker-centric private lender, the company handles A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for numerous asset categories including, but not limited to, construction, transportation, vocational, healthcare, manufacturing, printing, franchise opportunities and material handling equipment. North Mill is majority owned by an affiliate of Wafra Capital Partners, Inc. (WCP). For more information, visit www.nmef.com.
eCapital ABL North America Division Funds $95 Million in Q4 2022
January 23, 2023MIAMI – January 23, 2023 –eCapital Corp. (“eCapital” or “the Company”), a leading finance provider for businesses across North America and the U.K., issued $95M in lines of credit during the fourth quarter of 2022 through its eCapital ABL North America division. With this working capital, the companies – which include CPG products in the home and lawn categories – plan to grow their businesses by expanding product lines, scaling customer reach, and driving operational efficiency.
“Our team continued the momentum through the very end of 2022, by providing unparalleled financial solutions to our clients,” said Brian Cuttic, Chief Executive Officer Asset-based Lending at eCapital. “The dedication of our team is evident in our ability to understand and meet the unique needs of each business we serve, allowing them to achieve their goals with custom financial solutions that support their growth. We are proud to have closed out another successful year working alongside such amazing businesses and look forward to continued growth in the future.”
The businesses funded by eCapital ABL North America in the fourth quarter of 2022 include, but are not limited to:
- A $20M facility for the creators of the popular first-of-its-kind bathroom fragrance and other home fragrance products. The company will use the funding to sustain operations through peak seasons and accelerate the business for the future.
- A $35M facility for a manufacturer and distributor of watering products and accessories. Backed by a prominent private equity sponsor, the company will use the working capital from eCapital to support operations across its multiple brands and manufacturing and distribution facilities.
- A $40M facility for one of the largest candle producers in the U.S. Also backed by a private equity sponsor, it will use the line of credit from eCapital to support continued product innovation and expansion among its multiple brand names and private labels.
eCapital ABL responds quickly to a business’ unique and changing needs, whether trade cycles, seasonality, customer base or other critical factors impacting growth. With international reach and expansive expertise in multiple sectors, eCapital ABL is uniquely positioned to support businesses with customized lines of credit that provide maximum flexibility to meet their goals and achieve long-term, profitable growth.
About eCapital Corp.
eCapital is committed to accelerating access to capital for companies in the United States, Canada, and the U.K. By leveraging a team of over 800 experts and proprietary, industry-leading technology, eCapital is creating the future of business funding. With a full suite of products such as freight factoring, invoice factoring, lines of credit, asset-based lending, payroll funding, and equipment financing, eCapital ensures businesses have the funds they need to do more. Through its Transportation, Staffing, Wellness, Healthcare, Factoring and ABL divisions, eCapital delivers customized funding solutions for over 80 industries. To learn more about eCapital, visit eCapital.com.
# # #
NorthOne is Building Finance Departments For Small Businesses
October 20, 2022
NorthOne recently received $67 million in Series B funding from investors including former NFL star Drew Brees, Battery Ventures, Don Griffith, Ferst Capital Partners, FinTLV, Operator Stack, Redpoint Ventures, Tencent, Tom Williams, and Next Play Capital.
Founded in 2016 by CEO Eytan Bensoussan and COO Justin Adler, NorthOne was designed for small business owners to build a finance department without the complexity of a bank. Coming from an entrepreneurial background, Bensoussan noticed that being a great owner does not make one a great financial manager. With the idea of building good banking and accounting for businesses and combined with Adler’s professional career in the tech space, NorthOne was born.
“We want to build finance departments out of every small business in America, bring the sophistication of what so many of the biggest companies around us enjoy but bring it to the small businesses that could never dream of being able to build a finance department for their small business,” said Bensoussan. “I think that’s the gap that we’re closing.”
Through NorthOne, customers not only get access to a bank account but also technology that organizes and manages other business functions. Business owners can pay invoices, do payroll, and send ACHs or wires in seconds, for example, all while integrating with their existing accounting, e-commerce, and POS software.
Conducting all this from a desk or mobile device without having to go to a bank is a service directed at small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, that are family owned, and are managed locally in the community.
“…here we are talking to a lot of these business owners explaining that there’s so much more that a bank account could offer if it was designed to be more than just a store of money,” said Bensoussan. “I think that’s this eye-opening moment when we talk to them, and we get a lot of folks saying I never even thought that it could go that far. And it’s an exciting moment for us as well.”
Clearco to Invest €100 Million into Digital-First Irish Businesses
April 6, 2022
Clearco, the world’s self-proclaimed largest e-commerce investor that provides revenue-based financing capital solutions to e-commerce businesses, is making yet another move. Directed by CEO Michele Romanow, a star in the hit TV show “Dragon’s Den,” Clearco recently announced that it will be introducing its product to Irish founders and entrepreneurs. Upon continuation to support the 15+ % growth predicted in the Irish economy in 2022, the company plans to put €100 million into digital-first Irish businesses.
An international sales and business development hub has been developed in Dublin. The Clearco team currently consists of 75 members with a plan of adding 125 employees in the future. This will support Clearco’s plan to grow in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific in 2022.
This year Clearco plans to expand its products and services within current European operations and into new key markets across the continent. This includes Western Europe, Central Europe and the Nordic region.
Clearco has invested over $3.2 billion globally into 7,000+ businesses across three continents. Ireland is the fourth international market for Clearco. To be able to serve as many founders as possible internationally, the creation and development of its sales and development team is key.
Romanow stated “Clearco is excited to bring our revenue-based funding model to Irish founders. Ireland has one of Europe’s strongest economies and a dynamic start-up sector. We are confident that we will have a meaningful impact on the Irish e-commerce economy. Clearco is excited to establish this International Sales hub in Ireland to support our growth in the EMEA region. We’re impressed by the talent and tech skills here and I look forward to building the team to serve our growing customer base.”
Businesses in all 50 states have been funded by Clearco within the US market. However, over half of the company’s funding goes to businesses outside of California, New York, Illinois and Massachusetts, which received about 70%. Clearco believes the same trends will be seen in the Irish marketplace as they hope to help fund traditionally underserved communities.
