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Haynes Boone on the future of fund finance

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Haynes Boone on the future of fund finance

This article is sponsored by Haynes Boone

Albert Tan

As an asset class, private capital has experienced exponential growth in the past few decades, more than doubling its assets under management from less than $10 trillion globally in 2012 to more than $24 trillion in 2022. The fund finance industry has grown alongside it, starting from a nascent product in the late 1980s to an almost universal part in every fund’s capital structure today.

Fund sponsors now routinely include ‘bankable provisions’ for subscription line facility lenders in fund documents as anticipation for the use of this product by each of their funds, and are increasingly adding flexibility to expressly pledge their assets for use in net asset value (NAV) facilities.

Latest estimates put the global fund finance industry at more than $1 trillion. Many leading lenders in the space are operating at their maximum internal capital allocation. Nevertheless, they want to continue to maintain and expand their relationships with key sponsors. To that end, these institutions are turning to structured finance tools to reduce their capital reserve requirements, including credit facility ratings, conduit lending structures, securitizations, silent participations and capital relief trades.

Several leading rating agencies have expanded the scope of finance products they rate to include subscription line facilities, collateralized fund obligations and NAV financings. Once a predominantly European concept, ratings have been gaining ground in North America, with public and private ratings being requested by both borrowers and lenders. This trend is an attempt to attract different lenders, allow for higher holds from syndicate members due to enhanced capital treatment and offer more competitive pricing and terms.

Aleksandra Kopec, Haynes Boone
Aleksandra Kopec

Securitizations, capital relief trades and other capital market solutions are being explored by banks to help alleviate capital reserve requirement constraints. Early users of these tools are facing difficulties securitizing portfolios of facilities in an industry with private and bespoke terms, but as the pressure for solutions offering capital relief increases, the industry may begin to coalesce around a set of standardized terms that allows these capital market solutions to flourish.

Finally, a somewhat recent development in the industry has been the introduction of various non-bank lenders, primarily insurance companies. This has come with its own set of challenges, including the need to structure some deals with term and revolver components or include USD and alternative currency tranche lenders. But it has also come with opportunities to syndicate deals to a much broader pool of institutions.

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NAV financings

The growth in NAV financings reminds market participants of the early stages of subscription line facilities. Many of the same criticisms once levied against subscription line facilities (which are now an industry-wide accepted and beneficial leverage and cash management tool) are being raised with respect to NAV financings. Despite all the criticisms, there has been growth on both the supply and demand side for NAV financings, with lenders and borrowers highlighting the legitimate uses and trying to educate LPs, rating agencies, regulators and others on the benefits of this form of leverage.

More than 70 percent of sponsors and lenders at NAVember (an annual NAV-focused event hosted by Haynes Boone) expected growth in their NAV financings portfolio in 2024. Lenders that offer this product include traditional subscription line lenders expanding into NAV financings, but also specialized non-bank lenders, offering flexible and tailored terms and structures.

Interest rate environment

Rising interest rates and higher pricing has been one of the most significant changes in the fund finance market in recent years. Our data shows that pricing has largely stabilized over the last two quarters, after adjusting for the anticipated regulations surrounding the capital reserve requirements that banks must hold for these products and some of the supply side issues caused by regional bank failures in 2023. While rates and pricing have increased at a much faster rate than prior business cycles, it’s important to note that current rates are not unprecedented, and markets have weathered high rates in the past and continue to do so.

Brent Shultz, Haynes Boone
Brent Shultz

Funds are still actively utilizing the product, with industry surveys from H1 2024 indicating that 81 percent of PE funds are maintaining the use of their subscription line facilities notwithstanding the higher interest rate environment and, as of September 2023, more than 95 percent of private capital funds have access to subscription credit facilities. A survey by Haynes Boone of 120 sponsors, lenders and other fund finance market participants found that 74 percent of institutions are expecting some level of growth in their fund finance exposure in 2024, with 63 percent expecting an overall increase in the fund finance market in 2024.

And even if pricing does not return to the lower levels seen in the past decade, subscription line financings still provide certainty and flexibility of funding, quick access to liquidity and reduce the administrative burden. With higher rates, funds are more judicious on the sizes of their facilities and increasing/decreasing the size to better match their predicted needs, and also on the tenor of outstanding borrowings.

Geographic expansion

The fund finance industry is well established in North America and Europe, with the Fund Finance Association hosting its 13th and eighth annual symposium in these respective geographies. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region has been an area of recent growth, both domestically in APAC, but also with regional lenders entering the European and North American markets. This year, there was enough interest and participation in the Japanese market for FFA to launch a separate fund finance conference focused on Japanese sponsors, lenders and investors, and a discussion on some of the nuances and market practices in Japan – in addition to FFA hosting its sixth annual Asia-Pacific symposium in Singapore.

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With the continued expansion of private capital and renewed fundraising efforts on specific types of investors and new geographies, fund finance lenders are adapting to the regional needs of private capital firms and the shifting supply and demand of financing in different regions, while law firms are expanding and gaining expertise across various jurisdictions as a response to the increased diversification of investor jurisdictions that funds are exploring.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence is poised to disrupt almost all industries and markets, and the private capital, banking and legal industries are no exception.

In the coming years, funds will develop AI tools to analyze potential deals and suggest optimal leverage levels/techniques and employ AI strategies to add value to existing portfolio companies. Lenders will utilize AI to assist with diligence and underwriting, monitor portfolio exposure and run risk assessments. Lawyers and law firms will use AI to assist with due diligence, drafting and negotiating documents, reviewing large volumes of data, and more readily identify market trends. Although AI cannot replace the judgment, experience, common sense and analytical capabilities of our industry’s experts, it will continue to be a tool to enhance those capabilities and become more accurate, efficient and productive.


Albert Tan is a partner and co-head of fund finance, and Aleksandra Kopec and Brent Shultz are partners in fund finance, at Haynes Boone

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Plano-Based Finance of America Announces $2.5B Partnership with Funds Managed by Blue Owl to Expand FOA’s Home Equity Lending

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Plano-Based Finance of America Announces .5B Partnership with Funds Managed by Blue Owl to Expand FOA’s Home Equity Lending

Finance of America Companies, a leading provider of home equity-based financing solutions for a modern retirement, and funds managed by Blue Owl Capital, a leading alternative asset manager, announced an enhanced $2.5 billion strategic partnership to accelerate product innovation and distribution for the nation’s fast-growing retirement demographic.

With more than 10,000 Americans entering retirement age every day, the market for home equity access continues to expand. FOA said its collaboration with New York City-based Blue Owl positions it to capture significant share in this rapidly evolving sector.

“This is a pivotal moment not just for Finance of America, but for the senior finance market as a whole,” Graham Fleming, CEO of Finance of America, said in a statement. “By aligning with Blue Owl, we are creating a platform of scale and innovation to better serve one of the fastest-growing demographics in the United States.”

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The enhanced partnership includes, per FOA:

  • $2.5 billion commitment for new product innovation, providing scale and liquidity to support origination growth across multiple asset classes
  • $50 million equity investment in Finance of America, enhancing long-term alignment between the companies and supporting FOA’s continued growth initiatives
  • Joint innovation and product-development initiative focused on the continuous rollout of new, differentiated financial products tailored for people looking to maximize freedom, security, and opportunity throughout their retirement
 

This product expansion will complement FOA’s existing industry-leading reverse mortgage product suite while strengthening the company’s commitment to innovation and its role as a leader in delivering powerful financial solutions for retirees.

FOA said it continues to empower retirees with responsible, flexible access to capital to support aging in place, healthcare expenses, and lifestyle goals.

The partnership reinforces Finance of America’s mission to provide comprehensive, retirement-focused financial solutions, with the goal of expanding beyond reverse mortgages to become the nation’s leading, full-spectrum home equity lending platform, the company said.

“We believe Finance of America is uniquely positioned to redefine how financial products are delivered to retirees,” said David Aidi, senior managing director and co-head of Asset Based Finance at Blue Owl.

“This partnership provides the capital, the strategic alignment, and the innovation engine to build category-defining products at scale,” added Ray Chan, senior managing director and co-head of Asset Based Finance at Blue Owl.

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R E A D   N E X T

  • Little Elm’s Sachchit Balamurugan, an incoming senior at TOPS, flew to Japan Friday to present his ACC cancer detection app at the International Young Researchers’ Conference. He’s also won first place at a BPA national mobile app competition, won an award at the NASA Space App Challenge, started a nonprofit called Youth Opportunities in Tech Innovation—and done lots, lots more.

  • A slide showing Tremedics' award-winning technology for treating narrowed aortas in children (left). Their special dissolving stent (right) opens blocked blood vessels and then disappears as the child grows, eliminating the need for repeated surgeries and potentially helping thousands of the 40,000 U.S. babies born with heart defects annually. [Image source: Tremedics]

    Tre Welch, Tremedics Medical Devices Inc., Leon Jacobson, Ted Price, Nerveli Inc., Sarah Iselin, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, TechFW, MassChallenge, ClearLeaf, Feathery, Algas Organics, Coastal Protection Solutions

  • “We closed the first volume of our story—25 years in the making.” That’s how CEO Tom Spackman described Gigabit Fiber’s majority stake sale to Blue Owl, marking a new phase of growth as AI and cloud drive demand for hyperscale connectivity.

  • Topgolf said the limited-time experience is available at all Topgolf U.S. venues Feb. 1 through April 13. It’s accompanied by a national in-venue sweepstakes and limited-time menu items.

  • The bank’s Support Services team fills a critical role in BOA—acting as an in-house consulting firm for every line of business.

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Finance

Bérangère Michel announced as BBC Group Chief Financial Officer

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Bérangère Michel announced as BBC Group Chief Financial Officer

The BBC has announced that Bérangère Michel has been appointed to the role of Group Chief Financial Officer.

Bérangère brings extensive experience from her 16-year career at the John Lewis Partnership, where she held senior roles including Chief Financial Officer, Customer Service Executive Director, Operations Director and Finance & Strategy Director.

Prior to joining the John Lewis Partnership, Bérangère spent 11 years at the Royal Mail Group in a number of finance, change and strategy roles, including as Finance Director of the property division.

In an expanded role as BBC Group Chief Financial Officer, Bérangère will be responsible for the overall BBC Group financial strategy, with a remit across BBC Public Service, BBC Studios and the BBC’s commercial subsidiaries. She will play a leadership role and will sit on both the Executive Committee and, for the first time, the Board.

This position will strengthen the BBC’s financial leadership, support its transformation, and make the best use of the licence fee and commercial opportunities. Bérangère will report to the Director-General and will take up the role in early January.

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Director-General Tim Davie says: “Bérangère brings a wealth of experience from her time at the John Lewis Partnership and will play a critical role in shaping our new financial strategy. I’m pleased to welcome her to the BBC, and to both the Executive Committee and Board.

“Bérangère’s appointment to this expanded role comes at an important time for the BBC, as we look ahead to Charter renewal and continue to accelerate our transformation to deliver outstanding value for our audiences.”

BBC Chair Samir Shah says: “The role of Group Chief Financial Officer will be hugely important as we build a BBC for the future, and I look forward to welcoming Bérangère to the Board.”

Bérangère Michel says: “I am delighted to be joining the BBC, an institution whose purpose and mission I have always admired. It’s a privilege to be part of shaping its exciting future at such a crucial moment and I cannot wait to get started.”

BBC Press Office

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ATI Promotes Longtime Leader to CFO and SVP of Finance

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ATI Promotes Longtime Leader to CFO and SVP of Finance

ATI Inc., a Dallas-based manufacturer of high-performance materials for the aerospace and defense industries, announced that James Robert “Rob” Foster will be promoted to senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer, effective January 1, 2026.

Foster succeeds Don Newman, who will serve as strategic advisor to the CEO beginning January 1. As previously announced, Newman will retire on March 1, 2026, and serve in an advisory capacity in that time to allow for a smooth transition.

“Rob is a proven P&L leader with enterprise-wide experience in the areas that matter most to ATI’s continued growth,” Kim Fields, president and CEO, said in a statement. “He brings deep expertise not only in finance but also as an operational leader. Rob played a pivotal role in the successful Specialty Rolled Products transformation, consistently helping ATI to deliver strong returns and shareholder value. I look forward to partnering with him as we enter our next phase of profitable growth.”

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Foster, a longtime ATI leader, brings both operational expertise and financial discipline to the CFO role, the company said. He most recently served as president of ATI’s specialty alloys & components business, where he improved efficiency, grew capacity, and advanced the company’s role as a global leader in exotic alloys. Foster previously served as vice president of Finance, Supply Chain, and Capital Projects, overseeing ATI’s global finance organization, capital deployment processes, and enterprise supply chain performance. Earlier in his career, he led Finance for both ATI operating segments and the Forged Products business.

“I’m honored to become ATI’s next CFO,” said Foster. “ATI is well-positioned with a strong balance sheet, focused strategy, and significant opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with our team to drive disciplined investment, operational excellence, and long-term value creation for our shareholders.”

Newman added, “Rob is an exceptional leader who understands ATI’s strategy, operations, and financial drivers. He has delivered transformative results across the organization. I look forward to supporting a seamless transition as we pursue this next step in our succession planning.”

Before joining ATI in 2012, Foster held senior finance roles at API Technologies Corp. and Spectrum Control Inc., where he led ERP implementations, acquisition integrations, and internal control enhancements. He began his career as an auditor at Ernst & Young (EY).

ATI produces high-performance materials and solutions for the global aerospace and defense markets, and critical applications in electronics, medical, and specialty energy. 

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R E A D   N E X T

  • The company said Keith Schroeder brings more than 40 years of experience in accounting, corporate control and reporting, finance, operations, and CEO and CFO strategic roles.

  • James Cook announced his retirement after 24 years of service and will officially retire on June 30. James Gilligan will take his new post, effective June 16.

  • Anthony DiSilvestro joins KDP at a pivotal moment as it moves to close its $18 billion acquisition of Netherlands-based JDE Peet’s. His “significant” M&A experience will advance the combined company’s integration and its ultimate split into two “winning companies,” CEO Tim Cofer said.

  • Donna Guy brings more than 25 years of experience in financial leadership across public and private companies to her new position. 

  • Last week, Irving-based Caterpillar marked its 100th anniversary year with celebrations throughout the U.S. commemorating “a monumental moment” in the company’s history. The company officially turns 100 on April 15, marking a century of “customer-centric innovation and industry-leading transformation”

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