M&A Activity in the Middle Market Remains Strong

The ongoing pandemic has not slowed down M&A activity, and valuations are high. Strategic and financial buyers are aggressively seeking well-run companies ​contemplating an exit or raising capital.

We’re racing to complete a handful of transactions by the end of 2021, and we’re looking forward to a robust 2022.

We‘d like to highlight a few deals including a sellside, buyside, and capital raising. 

OpenRoad Lending (sellside)

Colonnade advised OpenRoad Lending on its strategic investment from Clarion Partners. OpenRoad is a fast-growing direct-to-consumer auto finance company that provides an online marketplace for consumers to refinance their auto loans across a network of banks and non-bank lenders. OpenRoad is a longtime client of Colonnade, and we are excited to launch them into their next phase of growth in partnership with Clarion.

Input 1 (Capital raise)

Colonnade advised Input 1 and its subsidiary, gotoPremiumFinance, on its new senior credit facility with BMO Harris. The facility will enable gotoPremiumFinance to expand its national lending platform. Colonnade is a leading advisor to the insurance premium finance sector and was thrilled to continue to work with Input 1 on this strategic financing transaction.  

Northstar Leasing (buyside)

Colonnade advised Peoples Bank on its acquisition of Northstar Leasing, a small ticket equipment finance platform. Northstar represents Peoples Bank’s second specialty finance acquisition in less than 12 months. In July 2020, Peoples Bank acquired Triumph Premium Finance from Triumph Bank (Colonnade represented the seller in that transaction) and rebranded it Peoples Premium Finance. It is a pleasure working with the team at Peoples Bank. 

We look forward to working with new clients in the coming year. Please reach out to one of our team members to learn how we can support you in achieving your specific goals.