Although I’ve been on the ABF Journal Team Since 2012, I am Thrilled to be Managing The Publication For The First Time! As I embark on a journey to immerse myself in the specialty finance industry this year and make this publication the best it can be, I would love to hear your feedback. What do you love about ABF Journal? What would you change? Please send your thoughts to [email protected].

I’m excited to introduce our inaugural Best Companies issue, which features profiles companies that are leading the industry when it comes to DE&I, industry advocacy efforts, technological innovations, leadership insights and professional development opportunities. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and congratulations to this year’s winning companies!

In addition to the best companies’ theme, we have four timely features. First, we delve into the evolving landscape of alternative lending and its significant role in today’s economic environment. As traditional banks tighten their lending activities, companies are increasingly turning to alternative lenders for critical support in exit and rehabilitation scenarios. Paul Schuldiner of Rosenthal & Rosenthal highlights the pivotal role alternative lenders play as economic pressures mount.

Maggie Arvedlund, CEO of Turning Rock Partners, provides a compelling overview of the booming private credit market, examining how credit tightening from traditional lenders has spurred growth in private credit, particularly in non-sponsor backed lending within the lower middle market. She identifies key opportunities for private credit lenders and underscores the sector’s potential for sustained expansion.

Jay Jacquin of Configure Partners presents a strategic guide for lenders, addressing a critical but often unwelcome scenario in which lenders must take control of a borrower company. Jacquin outlines the decisions lenders need to make to minimize risk and maximize value, offering a pragmatic approach to managing lender-owned businesses effectively.

Bill Papazian of Lightstone Solutions emphasizes the necessity of thorough due diligence, advocating for rigorous background checks to verify financial information and assess borrower credibility to protect lenders from fraudulent activities. This article serves as a crucial reminder of the fundamental practices that safeguard the integrity of asset-based lending.

Lastly, don’t miss our “By the Numbers” infographic on the inside back cover, which distills key data from this issue into an accessible and engaging format.

We hope this edition equips you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of the market and seize emerging opportunities. Stay tuned for our Q3 issue, which will feature profiles of Industry Icons.

Thank you and have a wonderful summer!