The loan markets saw a continued rise in middle market unitranche financings in 2013. Unitranche loans combine separate senior and subordinated debt financings into a single debt instrument. While unitranche financing is not new, the increased use of this type of financing, both domestically and abroad, creates new opportunities for middle market loan participants. However, unitranche financing also poses risks, and lenders who participate in unitranche financings must understand the related legal issues to adequately mitigate these risks.

This article provides an overview of unitranche financing and looks at recent developments in this area. Specifically, it...

Originally published in Practical Law The Journal – Transactions & Business on June 11, 2014.