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Structuring Credit Support Agreements in Fund Finance: ECLs, Guaranties, Keepwell Agreements, Comfort Letters

Recording of a 90-minute premium CLE video webinar with Q&A

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Conducted on Friday, September 6, 2024

Recorded event now available

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This CLE webinar will explore the recent rise in credit support transactions in fund finance. The panel will discuss structuring considerations and explain the differences between the common types of credit support including pledges of sponsor's rights with respect to investor capital commitments, equity commitment letters (ECLs), guaranties, keepwell agreements, and comfort letters.

Description

While credit support packages have always been a key component of lender underwriting, in the current fundraising environment there has been an increased focus on credit support arrangements in the fund finance market, particularly ECLs. It is expected that as private markets and the fund finance industry continue to evolve, there will be a heightened focus on credit support packages that lenders rely upon to underwrite these investments.

There are a variety of collateral and credit support packages including pledges of sponsor's rights with respect to investor capital commitments, guaranties, ECLs, keepwell agreements, and comfort letters. These forms of credit support and financing structures vary in form and complexity on a deal-specific basis and are utilized by funds to satisfy lenders' underwriting requirements. The types of credit support used by funds and lenders share much in common with traditional lending facilities and rely heavily on tried-and-true lending instruments. Counsel for lenders and funds should have a thorough understanding of each and how they fit into the private investment fund financing structure.

Listen as our panel provides practice tips for structuring and documenting credit support agreements in fund finance transactions. The panel will discuss the variations on each type of credit support and the pros and cons of each in different financing scenarios.

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Outline

  1. Current market conditions and trends with respect to credit support in the fund finance space
  2. Forms of credit support
    1. Pledges of capital call rights
    2. Guaranties
    3. ECLs
    4. Keepwell agreements
    5. Comfort letters
    6. Other forms of credit support
  3. Differences between the various forms of credit support and guidance on circumstances when each instrument should be used
  4. Benefits, risks, and considerations with each form of credit support
  5. Enforcing credit support agreements

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key issues:

  • What are the latest trends and developments in credit support in NAV and subscription loan products?
  • What are the key differences between guaranties, ECLs, keepwell agreements, and comfort letters and what are the appropriate circumstances when each instrument should be used?
  • What are the benefits and risks associated with the various forms of credit support agreements?
  • How does the lender enforce credit support agreements to repay a credit facility?

Faculty

De La Guardia, Saúl
Saúl De La Guardia

Senior Partner
Riemer & Braunstein

Mr. De La Guardia concentrates his practice on representing lenders in real estate finance and commercial loans, with a...  |  Read More

Gauff, Tonya
Tonya Major Gauff

Partner
DLA Piper US

Ms. Gauff is an experienced finance lawyer representing a broad range of clients in negotiating various debt...  |  Read More

Griffith, Daniel
Daniel P. Griffith

Attorney
Goodwin Procter

Mr. Griffith practices in the firm’s Business Law Department and is a member of its Real Estate Industry group....  |  Read More

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