Key insights from the Q4 newsletter include: Lenders are cautiously optimistic heading into 2014.
– M&A volumes are expected to be thin driven by the landscape for large LBO deals, which remains challenging in the face of regulatory and market-based headwinds.
– However, lenders claim the drumbeat of deal screening continues but not at a pace that might rival 2006/2007.
– As a result, refinancings and recapitalizations are expected to remain the key drivers of loan production in 2014 – at least for the first half of the year.
