Fifth Street Management LLC ("Fifth Street") announced that it has been named "Lender Firm of the Year" at the 12th Annual M&A Advisor Awards Gala. In winning this prestigious award, the tribute recognizes the Fifth Street platform as the M&A lender of distinction for 2013, based on its differentiated offerings and overall impact on the industry.

During the gala ceremony held at the New York Athletic Club in New York, NY, Fifth Street's Chief Executive Officer Leonard M. Tannenbaum was also presented with the 2013 M&A Advisor Leadership Award. Tannenbaum was singled out for his numerous contributions to specialty finance, including his leadership in helping to establish Fifth Street as one of the country's leading lending platforms to small to mid-sized businesses.

"We are thrilled to receive these accolades, especially given the stature of the finalists," said James Velgot, Fifth Street's Chief Marketing Officer, adding, "To be chosen as 'Lender Firm of the Year' from among Golub Capital, Madison Capital, NXT Capital, Babson Capital and Monroe Capital is a tremendous honor. It acknowledges Fifth Street's evolution into a leading alternative asset manager under Len's vision and guidance."

The past year was a watershed for Fifth Street's platform. While Fifth Street Finance Corp. now ranks among the top five business development companies based on its $1 billion-plus market capitalization, several platform extensions were made beyond core middle market lending to better serve Fifth Street's clients. The platform now includes a second business development company, Fifth Street Senior Floating Rate Corp. (NASDAQ:FSFR), as well as a newly-formed FSC portfolio company in the aircraft leasing sector, First Star Aviation LLC. In 2013, Fifth Street also made forays into venture lending with its new group Fifth Street Technology Partners, enhanced its capital markets presence and Healthcare Finance Group, LLC, a specialty lender that provides asset-based lending and term loan products to the healthcare industry, became a portfolio company of FSC.

"By standing out in a group of extraordinary finalists, Fifth Street represented the best of the M&A industry in 2013," said David Fergusson, President of The M&A Advisor, adding, "The leading transactions, firms and individuals who earn these distinctions embody the pinnacle of performance."

With over $3 billion in assets under management, Fifth Street Management LLC is a leading alternative asset manager and the SEC-registered investment adviser of two publicly-traded business development companies, Fifth Street Finance Corp. and Fifth Street Senior Floating Rate Corp.