Tree Line Capital Partners announced the expansion of its lower middle-market direct lending platform adding a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC), an Austin, TX office and three new team members.

2020 presented significant volatility and market challenges to nearly all asset classes yet Tree Line was able to achieve significant growth through a continued focus on building a cycle-durable senior secured loan portfolio. In 2020, Tree Line issued loan commitments of $430 million, with nearly $325 million coming in the second half of the year, delivering flexible and reliable financing solutions to lower middle-market sponsors and borrowers.

In September 2020, Tree Line received a license from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish an SBIC which became the sixth direct lending fund on its platform. The SBIC invests alongside Tree Line's other direct lending funds subject to eligibility and capital availability.

"2020 was a defining year for Tree Line," said Managing Partners Tom Quimby and Jon Schroeder. "The market challenges of 2020 provided an opportunity to highlight the durability of our senior secured and data-driven strategy. We took a differentiated approach late in the cycle and aimed to deliver our investors yield in disciplined structures. Our results in 2020 are a testament to the work our team has put in and the infrastructure we have built to perform in all phases of a cycle. Adding the SBIC fund is a great accomplishment and this will only further our ability to reach lower middle-market businesses seeking flexible financing solutions in a time when reliability from a lending partner matters most. As we enter 2021, Tree Line is healthy, liquid and in a strong position to achieve continued growth."

In May 2020, Tree Line established its presence in Austin, TX with the hire of Tina Badciong as Chief Financial Officer. Tina was formerly the Chief Financial Officer of Meritage Capital based in Austin, TX. Under Tina's leadership, Tree Line hired Grant Heatley, Senior Vice President of Loan Servicing, and Rick Green, Accounting Manager, and anticipates adding investment professionals to Austin in 2021. Austin is the fourth Tree Line location in the U.S. and expands its national footprint with existing offices in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles.  

"I was thrilled to join such a dynamic and growing organization," said Chief Financial Officer, Tina Badciong. "Austin presents an opportunity for Tree Line to expand its growing footprint in the U.S. and we are excited about the team we are building here."