Aequum Capital Financial, a specialty finance lender backed by global investment manager Castlelake, announced it has closed a $250 million debt facility led by Wells Fargo & Company. The financing marks a significant step in Aequum’s growth strategy, significantly increasing its lending capacity and reinforcing its institutional partnerships.
The new facility will allow Aequum to expand its asset-based lending platform, which provides customized senior debt solutions ranging from $5 million to $35 million for small and medium-sized businesses across the United States. The additional capital will support both organic growth and strategic opportunities, including loan participations and potential portfolio acquisitions in the specialty finance sector.
Aequum Capital operates as a technology-enabled lender, using its proprietary platform to streamline underwriting, funding, servicing, and portfolio management. This approach enables faster loan closings and a smoother borrower experience, positioning the company as a competitive player in the middle-market lending space.
Wells Fargo, one of the largest financial services companies in the U.S. with approximately $2 trillion in assets, brings deep expertise and resources to the partnership. Castlelake, Aequum’s equity backer, specializes in asset-based private credit and manages around $22 billion in assets globally.
By combining Aequum’s technology-driven lending model with the financial strength of Wells Fargo and the strategic support of Castlelake, the company is positioned to scale its operations and serve a broader range of businesses seeking flexible, tailored financing solutions.
This deal underscores the growing role of specialty finance lenders in meeting the capital needs of underserved segments of the U.S. business market.
KEY QUOTES:
“This transaction with Wells Fargo represents a significant milestone for Aequum. It not only validates the strength of our platform and our institutional backing by Castlelake, but also positions us to deliver even greater value to our borrowers, investors, and partners as we continue our rapid growth trajectory.”
John Stanfield, CEO of Aequum Capital
