TAMPA, FL – July 29, 2026 — Essex Capital Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the closing of a bridge facility for a private equity-owned foodservice holding company.
The financing provided growth capital for the company to open multiple new units and was completed within two weeks. The transaction reflects Essex’s unique ability to understand, address and execute financings for lower-middle-market operators and close time-sensitive financings, delivering flexible capital on terms aligned with sponsor objectives.
The announcement follows the Essex’s closing of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust’s $26.24 million portfolio acquisition earlier this month.
TAMPA, FL – July 9, 2026 — Essex Capital Group, Inc. is pleased to announce that it served as buyside financial advisor to Gulf Coast Bank & Trust in connection with its acquisition of a commercial factoring portfolio for total consideration of $26.24 million. The transaction expands Gulf Coast’s commercial finance platform with an established, yield-accretive portfolio and a complementary client base.
The portfolio was divested by a regional bank that recently launched a dedicated asset-based lending division and is reallocating resources to focus exclusively on asset-based lending going forward. The acquired book is performing, with a client base concentrated across the South and a meaningful presence in Texas.
“We sourced this deal through our regional bank relationships and brought it directly to Gulf Coast,” stated Rob Swain, President of Essex Capital Group. “Working alongside Ivan and his team through diligence and structuring, we executed an efficient close on a portfolio that is a strong strategic fit for their platform.”
Ivan Baker of Gulf Coast added: “Essex brought us an opportunity that fit our strategy precisely and managed the process with discipline from introduction to close. Their coordination across all parties made for a smooth transaction, and we look forward to working with the Essex team again.”
Essex Capital Group served as buyside financial advisor to Gulf Coast Bank & Trust in connection with this transaction.
About Essex Capital
Based in Tampa, Florida, Essex Capital is a corporate finance advisory firm, providing professional debt capital raising services to lower-middle market privately held companies throughout the United States, successfully raising over $1.5B in 150+ transactions since 2003.
Contact
Rob Swain
rob@essexcg.com
813.391.2773
Media Inquiries
Tripper Allen
tripper@oxandb.com
678.575.0711
