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Leveraged Finance

Leveraged finance and debt capital market expertise for issuers seeking to make acquisitions, finance growth, provide shareholder liquidity, or otherwise optimize their capital structure.

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How We Can Help You

William Blair's Leveraged Finance Group is a team of dedicated debt advisory bankers focused on delivering an optimal financing outcome for each client’s specific situation. We provide conflict-free advisory and arrangement services for middle-market companies across a wide range of industries and transaction types. Whether the objective is to finance an acquisition, refinance an existing facility, support growth with additional capital, or provide liquidity to existing shareholders, our team leverages a broad lender network to deliver the best financing solution available in the market. These relationships, along with our group’s extensive experience and proprietary 360° view of the leveraged finance market, allow us to provide our clients with a full menu of product options, including:

  • Senior bank debt
  • Leveraged loans
  • Unitranche facilities
  • Second-lien and subordinated debt
  • Late-stage or venture debt
  • Structured equity

Insights From the Front Lines

  • Opportunistic Activity Defies Gravity

    Opportunistic activity soared in the fourth quarter as borrowers capitalized on tightening spreads, closing out a record-setting year driven by the combination of rate cuts, a more stabilized economic outlook, and robust investor demand.

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  • Leveraged Finance Newsletter—Unmasking M&A Activity

    Left for dead for nearly two years, the M&A leveraged loan market came back to life in the third quarter, with the Fed’s first interest rate cut in years opening the door for a wave of activity.

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  • Lenders Eyeing Opportunistic Transactions; Borrowers Should Take Note

    A strong rebound in U.S. leveraged loan volume has lenders pivoting to opportunistic transactions—meaning that now is a great time for borrowers to consider refinancing existing debt or returning capital to shareholders.

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  • Refinancings Headline at ‘Loan-a-Palooza’

    After a hot start to the year, the leveraged loan market sparked a heat wave just in time for summer with volumes climbing to near-record levels.

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Enhancing Results With a Buy-Side Debt Advisor

Buy-side financing has become increasingly complex, with direct lending dominating middle-market leveraged buyouts and acquisitions. New lenders and strategies have emerged, while investment committees have become fickle and are frequently deterred by complex credit stories.

Using “Pre-Cap” Transactions to Optimize M&A Outcomes

William Blair’s Darren Bank discusses the benefits of pre-caps, why these transactions should be considered, and how William Blair can optimize these outcomes.

Selected Transactions

  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of PSG Equity

    has completed a dividend recapitalisation

    February 2025

    William Blair acted as exclusive financial advisor to Mapal OS, a portfolio company of PSG Equity, in connection with its dividend recapitalization.

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  • Not Disclosed

    Senior Secured Term Loan

    February 2025

  • Not Disclosed

    Senior Secured Facilities
    Related to Acquisition by

    July 2024

  • Not Disclosed

    Senior Secured Credit Facilities Preferred Equity

    June 2024

  • $75,000,000

    Senior Secured
    Credit Facility

    May 2024

  • Not Disclosed

    Senior Secured Credit Facility

    April 2024

  • $180,000,000

    Senior Secured Credit Facility

    March 2024

  • Not Disclosed

    Debt Placement

    December 2023

For More Information

Please contact a member of the leveraged finance team.