Liquidity powers the growth ambitions of mid-sized companies

At its most impactful, medium-term liquidity can be the catalyst for an effective transfer of value from one generation to the next. But how to access liquidity remains a persistent question. 

Mid-sized companies’ difficulty in doing so is a serious problem for economies everywhere. Research by the European Central Bank, for example, reveals that access to lending is a significant challenge for a substantial share of small and medium-sized enterprises and that gaps remains between the needs of these companies and the funding available in the market.[1]

Flexible and transformative funding

A leading provider of private capital solutions, EquitiesFirst has developed an innovative approach to providing liquidity for long-term investors, entrepreneurs and listed companies. Through a sale and repurchase transaction structured as a non-recourse loan, a major shareholder can pledge a portion of its holding as collateral for an injection of capital.

The tenor of such a deal is typically three years and the borrower typically receives between 60% to 65% loan-to-value (LTV) and pays fixed interest rates in the low single digits. EquitiesFirst will lend against the collateral shares while holding them in its own proprietary portfolio. For the duration of the loan, this makes EquitiesFirst a co-investor in the shares alongside the borrower. The same number of shares will be returned to the borrower when the loan is repaid. During the life of the transaction, the original shareholder retains exposure to the performance of the shares and the right to receive dividend payments.

Unlike many traditional lending arrangements, the flexible liquidity obtained through this kind of equity-backed financing does not stipulate how the capital must be used. The shareholder may loan the proceeds to the company, which is free to decide how best to deploy the funds in meeting its particular needs. Not all may choose to invest in growth; KPMG notes that during the Covid-19 pandemic, many small and mid-sized enterprises facing lost income are simply looking for capital to weather the storm until the economy recovers.[2] An equity-backed loan can help protect the legacy, as well as build on it.

Value transfer

In situations where the company is family-held, loans of this nature can be used to achieve a transfer of value across the generations.

Typically, the first generation has built a successful business – often in traditional sectors – into which the family’s wealth is locked in the form of shares. An equity-backed loan can harness the value in these shares to generate liquidity. This liquidity is, in turn, invested in the second or third generation’s new ventures, perhaps in an acquisition or in research and development. It then becomes equity itself, potentially in “new economy” sectors such as technology or healthcare where successful business models can generate very attractive returns.

In this kind of scenario, the equity-backed loan is the catalyst for a chain reaction in a family-owned company. It allows the vision and achievements of previous generations to finance entrepreneurs in the next generation as they chart a course for the future. Flexible, non-dilutive and attractively-priced, the loan can enable the stewards of a family business to pass on an enhanced legacy. For the owners of mid-sized companies that are underserved by conventional lenders, this potential surely makes equity-backed lending a compelling option to consider.


[1] https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/economic-bulletin/articles/2020/html/ecb.ebart202004_02~80dcc6a564.en.html#toc2

[2] https://home.kpmg/xx/en/blogs/home/posts/2020/04/banks-balance-surge-in-sme-business-loans.html

Disclaimer

Past performance does not guarantee future returns, and individual returns are not guaranteed or warranted.

This Document is intended solely for accredited investors, sophisticated investors, professional investors, or otherwise qualified investors, as may be required by law or otherwise, and it is not intended for, and should not be used by, persons who do not meet the relevant requirements. The content provided herein is for informational purposes only and is general in nature and not targeted to any specific objective or financial need. The views and opinions expressed in this Document have been prepared by third parties and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of EquitiesFirst.  EquitiesFirst has not independently examined or verified the information provided herein, and no representation is made that it is accurate or complete.  Opinions and information herein are subject to change without notice.  The content provided does not constitute an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to purchase) any securities, investments, or any financial products (“Offer”). Any such Offer shall only be made through a relevant offering or other documentation which sets forth its material terms and conditions. Nothing contained in this Document shall constitute a recommendation, solicitation, invitation, inducement, promotion, or offer for the purchase or sale of any investment product by First Holdings, LLC or its subsidiaries (collectively, “EquitiesFirst”), nor shall this Document be construed in any way as investment, legal, or tax advice, or as a recommendation, reference, or endorsement by EquitiesFirst. You should seek independent financial advice prior to making an investment decision about a financial product.

This Document contains the intellectual property of EquitiesFirst in the United States and other countries, including, without limitation, their respective logos and other registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks. EquitiesFirst reserves all rights in and to their intellectual property contained in this Document.  The Document should not be distributed, published, reproduced or otherwise made available in whole or in part by recipients to any other person and, in particular, should not be distributed to persons in any country where such distribution may lead to a breach of any legal or regulatory requirement.

EquitiesFirst make no representation or warranty with respect to this Document and expressly disclaim any implied warranty under law. You acknowledge that EquitiesFirst is not liable under any circumstances for any direct, indirect, special, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, any lost profits or lost opportunity, even if EquitiesFirst has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

EquitiesFirst makes the following further statements that may be applicable in the stated jurisdiction:

Australia: Equities First Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd (ACN: 142 644 399) holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number: 387079). All rights reserved.

The information contained on this Document is intended for persons located in Australia only and classified as a Wholesale Client only as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. The distribution of information to persons outside this criteria may be restricted by law and persons who come into possession of it should seek advice and observe any such restriction.

The material contained in this Document is for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell financial products.

The information contained in this Document is intended to be general in nature and is not personal financial product advice. Any advice contained in the Document is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should seek independent financial advice and read the relevant disclosure statements or other offer documents prior to making an investment decision about a financial product.

Dubai: Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Ltd (DIFC Representative Office) at Gate Precinct Building 4, 6th Floor, Office 7, Dubai International Financial Centre (commercial license number CL7354) is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) as a Representative Office (DFSA Firm Reference No.: F008752). All rights reserved.

The information contained in this document is intended to be general in nature, and, to the extent that it is perceived as advice, any advice contained in this document is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation, suitability of the financial products or your needs.

The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice, including an offer or solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell financial products. The information contained in this document is intended to be general in nature and any advice contained in this document is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation, suitability of the financial products or your needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

This document relates to a financial product which is not subject to any form of regulation or approval by the DFSA. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with this financial product. Accordingly, the DFSA has not approved this document or any other associated documents nor taken any steps to verify the information set out in this document, and has no responsibility for it.

Hong Kong: Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Limited is licensed under the Money Lenders Ordinance (Money Lender’s Licence No. 1681/2023) and to carry on the business of dealing in securities (Type 1 licence) under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”) (CE No. BFJ407).  This Document has not been reviewed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. It is not intended as an offer to sell securities or a solicitation to buy any product managed or provided by Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Limited and is only intended for persons who qualify as Professional Investors under the SFO. This document is not directed to individuals or organizations for whom such offers or invitations would be unlawful or prohibited.

Korea: The foregoing is intended solely for sophisticated investors, professional investors or otherwise qualified investors who have sufficient knowledge and experience in entering into securities financing transactions.  It is not intended for, and should not be used by, persons who do not meet those criteria.  

United Kingdom: Equities First (London) Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”).  In the UK, this Document is only being distributed and made available to persons of the kind described in Article 19(5) (investment professionals) and Article 49(2) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.) of Part IV of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (‘’FPO’’) and any investment activity to which this presentation relates is only available to, and will only be engaged in with, such persons. Persons who do not have professional experience in matters relating to investment or who are not persons to whom Article 49 of the FPO applies should not rely on this document. This Document is only prepared for and available to persons who qualify as Professional Investors under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive.