Brook Scardina is a Managing Partner - Capital Markets & Investments with Atlanta, GA-based Oak Real Estate Partners (OREP). OREP is an institutional small balance sheet private credit bridge lender that invests in high-quality, short-duration senior-position loans on positive income-producing commercial real estate assets.

Brook and I discussed how investors can think about investing and navigating this period of volatility and market uncertainty, how alternatives and private credit generally, and real estate bridge lending specifically, can help mitigate portfolio volatility, offer enhanced diversification, and attractive risk-adjusted yields. 

The investment thesis at OREP is supported by increasing and tighter banking regulations which has created a unique investment opportunity for experienced private credit lenders to fill the lending void in the generation of attractive, uncorrelated returns that enhance diversification.

About Oak Real Estate Partners:
https://www.oakrepartners.com/about/

Brook Scardina Bio:
Brook Scardina is Managing Partner, Capital Markets & Investments, for Oak Real Estate Partners (OREP), where he leads the external capital markets strategy for the national fund manager focused on the institutional investment sector. He is responsible for advising on, solving and delivering alternative investment solutions that support the institutional return objectives of investors including foundations and endowments, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and corporate and public pension plans.

Over the past two decades, Brook has been involved in the participation and underwriting of more than $12 billion in capital deployed across multiple asset classes including equity, fixed income, diversifying strategies, hedge funds and alternative assets, and complex investment strategies. His career includes roles managing the financial and investment risk complexities for well-known organizations such as the Georgia Tech Foundation, UNC Management Company and UPS Group Trust, a $29-billion defined benefit trust. Immediately prior to joining OREP, Brook was Head of Institutional Consulting for Crescent Wealth Advisory.

Brook, who holds a Series 65 certification from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), earned master’s degree in business administration from Auburn University and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Georgia Southern University. He has served as a client advisory board member of the Bank of New York Mellon and is the current Chairman of the Board for the Roswell United Methodist Foundation in Atlanta, where he is based.

Disclaimer: Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. This conversation has been prepared solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. Viewers, listeners, and subscribers should not construe the contents of this conversation as legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or investment advice or a recommendation. Viewers, listeners, and subscribers should consult independent counsel, tax and financial advisors as to legal and related matters concerning any transaction or financial matter. Any views expressed on this podcast, related websites, related blogs, or other related platforms related to this content that you may visit, watch, or listen to, or any articles, interviews, conversations, or discussions therein, are those of the participants and are not intended as a forecast or as investment recommendations. Information provided are as of the dates described in the content and/or the time of the recording and are subject to change at any time.

Sreeni is a co-founder, Managing Partner and Group Chief Investment Officer at Angel Oak Capital and is responsible for the overall investment strategy of the firm. He is also the Chief Executive Officer and President at Angel Oak Mortgage REIT, Inc. (NYSE: AOMR).
 

Prior to Angel Oak, Sreeni was the Chief Investment Officer of the investment portfolio at Washington Mutual Bank in Seattle where he managed a $25 billion portfolio. He was also part of the macro asset strategy team at the bank. Sreeni previously worked for six years at SunTrust Bank in Atlanta, where he was responsible for investment strategies and served as Head Portfolio Manager for the $3 billion commercial mortgage-backed securities portfolio. He began his career at SunTrust in 1998 as a Bank Analyst focused on asset/liability management and liquidity strategies. 

Sreeni holds a B.B.A. degree in Economics from Georgia College and State University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Georgia State University.

Sreeni and I discussed his backstory which includes his being born and raised in India, his university years as a collegiate tennis player, his first jobs out of college, his career progression in financial services and how that led to the background needed to form Angel Oak, getting his firm started following the GFC with his co-founders, and key decisions and milestones that have allowed Angel Oak to reach its current size and scale.  

Today I posted our third and final episode of “The Asset Based Lending Masterclass” where I had the pleasure of spending time with Matt Edgar, Founder and CEO of Edgar Matthews & Co., to discuss the nuts and bolts of financing specialty finance originators, from non-bank ABL through securitization. Edgar Matthews & Co. is a financial services sector-focused investment bank established last year and is quickly becoming a go-to advisor for unique financing solutions, as well as M&A advice, for the specialty and alternative lending spaces. Matt and his team cover the ecosystem comprehensively, with experience across commercial finance, consumer finance and more esoteric and emergent asset classes and bring “big bank” capabilities to specialty finance companies of all sizes. I look forward to watching the Edgar Matthews platform continue to grow into a leader in the space and hope to have Matt join the Asset Backed podcast again soon

Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. This conversation has been prepared solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. Viewers should not construe the contents of this conversation as legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or investment advice or a recommendation. Viewers should consult independent counsel, tax and financial advisors as to legal and related matters concerning any transaction.

Topic we cover in Part III include:

Securitization
- At a stage where the track record is proven out and the firm is maturing, perhaps the ABS opportunity now is more realistic. What are those signals, markers?
- Why would you seek it out?
- What is a private securitization? Where does EM focus?
- What role do the rating agencies play, if any?
- At what stage should an originator begin to explore ABS and what type of advisors are typically required for an ABS transaction vs an asset-based financing for an early stage originator involving a warehouse or ABL facility?
- Will advisors and service providers differ in the private ABF space versus the earlier stages where the originator is setting up a warehouse, ABL or first facility or forward flow?

Specialty Finance
- Key considerations for specfin originators as they evolve and seek to tap the bank, securitization or broader cap markets?

Trends
- What costs are you seeing and how will these differ by stage and maturity of company?
- What do you expect to come from the private ABF market in the next 1-2 years?

Please reach out with any questions, comments, or thoughts about the show to [email protected].

The Asset Based Lending Masterclass Part II of III. Raising Debt Capital for your Specialty Finance, Fintech Lending, or Alternative Lending Platform with Special Guest and Asset Backed Podcast Contributor Matt Edgar, Founder & CEO of Edgar Matthews

Matt Edgar, Founder & CEO of boutique investment bank Edgar Mathews & Co., and I recently recorded part two of our three part series Masterclass in Asset Based Lending. This is episode II of III. 

In recent months specialty finance, asset based finance, and different related credit themes have gotten significant attention in the press and from market participants. Together Matt and I dive into the process of how a growing lending business raises debt financing. This content will be particularly beneficial we believe for growth-stage and middle-market sized originators and lending businesses who are seeking to execute their first securitization and rated transaction. Originators who have previously raised other financing and debt facilities from institutional capital providers and are evaluating the ABS market will find this conversation potentially relevant given the nuances and differences the ABS marketplace presents from other funding markets. I hope you enjoy and join us on each of these special episodes.

Disclaimer: Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. This conversation has been prepared solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. Viewers should not construe the contents of this conversation as legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or investment advice or a recommendation. Viewers should consult independent counsel, tax and financial advisors as to legal and related matters concerning any transaction.

The topics in Part II of III include:
 

- Term sheet basics and advanced concepts once you have identified lenders interested
- What are the main structures through which a specialty finance originator can access capital?
- What are the different types of investors that can be approached? 
- What are considerations for each cohort of investor?
- We walk through some of the key structural features of ABL facilities

• Eligibility Criteria
• Excess Concentrations
• Minimum Utilization & Accordions
• Financial Covenants
• Collateral Quality Tests & Triggers
• Events of Default
• Other

- An overview of the closing and funding process of asset-based financing facilities
- Biggest mistakes borrowers make when raising

Please reach out with any comments, questions, or feedback about this series or previous shows. You can reach me at [email protected]

Asset Based Lending Masterclass Part I of III. Raising Debt Capital for your Specialty Finance, Fintech Lending, or Alternative Lending Platform with Special Guest and Asset Backed Podcast Contributor Matt Edgar, Founder & CEO of Edgar Matthews

Matt Edgar, Founder & CEO of boutique investment bank Edgar Mathews & Co., and I are recording a three episode Masterclass in Asset Based Finance. In recent months specialty finance, asset based finance, and different related credit themes have gotten significant attention in the press and from market participants. Together Matt and I dive into the process of how a growing lending business raises debt financing. This content will be particularly beneficial we believe for startup, emerging, growth-stage and middle-market sized originators and lending businesses who are seeking to raise debt facilities from institutional capital providers. I hope you enjoy and join us on each of these special episodes.

Disclaimer: Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. This conversation has been prepared solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. Viewers should not construe the contents of this conversation as legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or investment advice or a recommendation. Viewers should consult independent counsel, tax and financial advisors as to legal and related matters concerning any transaction.

The topics in Part I of III include:

1. Intro: Firm overview, background, etc.
2. A broad overview of the capital raising process and how Edgar Matthews works with originators/lenders seeking to raise debt financing 
   1. The process for each issuer/lender will differ quite a bit depending on the vertical, stage of the company, collateral, debt solution required, etc. We focus on private ABL facilities more than securitizations in Part I. 
3. Preparing for the capital raising process
4. Key structural features of warehouse and ABL facilities
5. Best practices for moving from term sheet to closed transaction

The topics in Part II of III include: 

1. The main structures through which a specialty finance originator can access capital
2. The different types of investors (or providers of debt capital) that can be approached. Considerations for each cohort of investor.
3. Key structural features of ABL facilities

• Borrowing Base / Advance Rate (also covered previously)
• Eligibility Criteria
• Excess Concentrations
• Minimum Utilization & Accordions
• Financial Covenants
• Collateral Quality Tests & Triggers
• Events of Default

4. The closing and funding process of asset-based financing facilities

The topics in Part III of III include:

1. Biggest mistakes to avoid in the debt capital raising process
2. Biggest struggles for originators when working with investors
3. Advisors and specialists you may want to engage when executing an asset-based financing

4. Key considerations as specialty finance originators evolve and grow and want to tap into the bank, securitization or broader capital markets

5. The current cost of capital and market terms and how this differs by stage and investor type

6. The growth and evolution of private asset-based finance and what we may see over the next 12-18 months

About Cesar Bello:
Cesar Bello is Partner, Research and Portfolio Management lead of the Litigation Finance ("LitFin") effort at Corbin Capital Partners. Cesar also works more broadly on the firm’s private investment program. Prior to joining Corbin, Cesar worked at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Ivy Asset Management. Cesar is the Portfolio Manager of the LitFin strategy at Corbin Capital, which has been active in commercial litigation finance since 2018, deploying approximately $400mm with a differentiated approach focused primarily on shorter duration, credit-like opportunities with downside protection. 

About Corbin Capital Partners:
Corbin Capital Partners is a woman-led independent alternative asset management firm that specializes in multi-strategy hedge fund and opportunistic credit investing. Corbin has experience creating and managing differentiated commingled and bespoke portfolios for investors globally. As a firm that strives to create high-quality solutions for clients, Corbin deploys a broad toolkit of investing techniques, including external fund investments, opportunistic co-investing and direct trading capabilities. The firm is focused on maintaining its client centric model and continuing to serve as a trusted partner to clients.  As a woman-led firm, Corbin Capital is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization, inspired by its diverse leadership team. As of April 1, 2024, Corbin had $9.10 billion in assets under management.

About Litigation Finance:
Litigation finance is the provision of third-party capital to help finance law firms or plaintiffs pursuing legal claims in exchange for a portion of proceeds received.  This is an emerging asset class in the U.S. that is generally underbanked and misunderstood, in part because the "collateral" is often difficult to value. Cesar and the Corbin Capital team recently published a great white paper on LitFin that I recommend checking out.

About the Episode:
In this episode Cesar explains the background of the LitFin industry, what it is, how the asset class works, and the various ways to access it. We spend the majority of the conversation talking about the different investment approaches, and Corbin Capital's focus on shorter duration credit-like cases with emphasis on downside protection as well as multiple off-ramps and levers to express risk and unlock value, with examples from real cases. We discussed risk factors, challenges, and how LitFin firms are differentiated in their approach to portfolio construction and case origination plus much more.

Additional Resources:
Cesar was interviewed for a story by Bloomberg Law on LitFin and you can read that article here.

Derek is a former client and runs a successful investment management organization based in Tampa, Florida. He is a husband, father, founder, and investor that specializes in small and mid-cap financials. He and I caught up and talked about banks, private credit, financial industry stocks, his research and investment process, and much more in this episode. He has grown his firm largely through word-of-mouth and his excellent investment letters and research notes. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

In 2008, Derek Pilecki founded Gator Capital Management. He currently manages a long/short financials strategy, long-only financials strategy, and various other individual portfolios. Derek has managed a private fund for 11 years. He launched one mutual fund and took over management of another mutual fund.

From 2002 through 2008, Derek was a member of the Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) Growth Equity Team (Co-Chair of the Investment Committee for the Growth Team and a Portfolio Manager).

Prior to GSAM, Derek was an Analyst at Clover Capital Management in Rochester, NY and Burridge Growth Partners in Chicago, IL. He covered the Financials sector at both firms. Before entering graduate school, Derek worked at Fannie Mae providing interest rate risk analysis for the company’s mortgage investment portfolio.

Derek holds an MBA with honors in Finance and Accounting from the University of Chicago and a BA in Economics from Duke University. He is also a CFA® charterholder.

Vadim Verkhoglyad is the Vice President, Head of Research Publication at dv01. 

• His LinkedIn is here. 
• He has over 16 years of experience across structured credit, finance, and technology, and has an extensive background in data and performance analysis, research, and capital markets. He kickstarted his career as an analyst at Fitch Ratings and then transitioned to hedge fund Tricadia Capital, where he rose from systems analyst to senior vice president over his 12-year tenure
• He has worked at dv01 for over five years, and regularly produces in-depth research on dv01 and industry data on asset classes including consumer unsecured, mortgage, student loan, auto and credit cards
  • These reports are available here, and Vadim also breaks down actionable insight from these reports on dv01's podcast In the Tranches of Structured Finance

dv01

• dv01 is a leading capital markets fintech company driving technological innovation and loan-level transparency and loan-level lending data in structured finance. 
• Founded in 2014, the company was acquired by the Fitch Group in 2021
• It has over 230 million loans, 1,200 securitizations, and $6 trillion in original balance across the consumer unsecured, mortgage, auto, student loan, point of sale, home efficiency and small business asset classes.
• dv01 was born out of the founder's frustration at the lack of transparency as a mortgage bond trader at Bear Stearns & JPM. Data was scarce, technology was outdated.
• dv01 addresses the challenges by providing analysis-ready data (i.e., clean data) AND embedded analytics (reducing the vendor subscriptions a firm needs), ultimately streamlining their workflow
• dv01 works with both issuers and investors and the company brings a wealth of knowledge to alternative investment firms.

Topics / Questions that Vadim and I discussed on this episode:

• Overall picture of consumer balance sheets, and what performance is like for various asset classes 
• The financial health of the American households
  • Loan performance trends (delinquencies, modifications, prepayments) and highlights of certain segments (regions, DTI, FICO ranges)
  • Impact of student loan repayments and broader consumer debt (credit card)
• Discussion of the financial health in Florida in particular where insurance costs have soared recently
• Origination trends
  • How credit underwriting has impacted origination volume
• Economic health of different generations
  • Why Gen Zs' debt management is different to previous generations and why they are in a stronger relative position than Millenials
• Why consumer ABS is poised for a strong year
• Why media reports that subprime auto could be the next credit crisis are potentially inaccurate

Part I of my interview with Lucas Timberlake, General Partner at Fintech Ventures Fund. Luke and I discussed alternative lending business models, what founders of tech-enabled specialized lending startups need to know before raising capital, and some of the red flags he sees in startups who think they have created something unique in the alternative credit space. Part II of our interview will cover related topics in more depth and how fintech lending startups can accelerate originations, deliver unique customer experiences, and more.

Howard Abrahams, Founder and President of Morewood Funding, LLC discusses how companies can access alternative source of lending and debt capital. Howard is ex-MAN Group, Perella Weinberg, and Vida Capital and spent 25 years mostly in sales roles across these alternative asset management firms. He specializes in complex situations and companies overlooked or not financeable by traditional banks and financing sources. He has developed a network of 250+ lenders, primarily finance companies and other specialized lenders who provide various types of lending solutions and debt products to borrowers. His sweet spot is $7M to $12M financings with deals up to $25M and as small as $1M.