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Equitable Bank partners with BridgePoint Financial Services on secured credit facility

TORONTO , March 5, 2020 /CNW/ – Equitable Bank, Canada’s  Challenger Bank™, is pleased to announce it acted as the sole lead arranger of a $60 million senior secured credit facility to support the recapitalization and growth of BridgePoint Financial Services Inc. (BridgePoint), Canada’s leading provider of specialized loans for the legal services market with a focus on loans to individuals involved in personal injury claims and loans/credit facilities to law firms.

“BridgePoint is a leader in Canada’s litigation finance industry and their long track record of high performance makes them an outstanding partner,” said Andrew Moor , President & CEO of Equitable Bank. “As Canada’s Challenger Bank this credit facility was attractive to us as it is non-market correlated and includes a diverse portfolio of secured assets in an area not typically well-served in Canada .”

“We are very excited to partner with Equitable,” said John Rossos , Co-Founder & Principal of Bridgepoint. “Our business is not a traditional lending business and it is difficult for conventional banks to understand what we do and how we do it. Equitable has a dynamic view of the market and has demonstrated its ability to offer innovative solutions. This partnership will enhance our ability to facilitate access to justice for our clients.”

This partnership highlights Equitable Bank’s latest achievement by its growing Specialized Finance group and demonstrates how it continues to challenge traditional banking. In the spirit of creating unique opportunities that generate value for Canadian businesses, Equitable Bank’s Specialized Finance group focuses on offering secured financing solutions to specialty lenders to finance their growth.

About Equitable Bank

Equitable Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Equitable Group Inc. (TSX:EQB and EQB.PR.C) (Schedule I Bank regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institution) with total Assets Under Management of over $33 billion . The Bank serves retail and commercial customers across Canada with a range of savings and lending solutions, offered under the Equitable Bank, EQ Bank, and Equitable Trust brands.

The Bank’s commercial lending business consists of Conventional Commercial, Insured Multi-unit Residential, Specialized Financing, and Equipment Leasing assets.

The Bank’s retail lending business consists of Alternative Single Family Lending, Prime Single Family Residential, and its decumulation businesses.

To learn more, please visit equitablebank.ca.

About BridgePoint Financial Services

BridgePoint Financial Services Inc. is Canada’s leading provider of litigation financing solutions designed to meet the specialized needs of plaintiffs, lawyers and the experts involved in advancing legal claims. BridgePoint’s goal is to level the litigation playing field and to protect its clients’ rights to full and fair access to justice.

SOURCE Equitable Bank

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Golden Pear Upsizes Corporate Note to $78.7M Amid Growth Plans

By John Freund |

Golden Pear Funding has extended and upsized its investment-grade corporate note to $78.7 million, further bolstering the firm's capacity to serve the expanding litigation finance sector. The New York-based funder, a national leader in both pre-settlement and medical receivables financing, said the proceeds will support working capital and fuel strategic growth initiatives.

A press release from Golden Pear outlines how the capital raise reflects continued investor confidence in the firm’s business model. CEO Gary Amos noted that the infusion is critical as Golden Pear seeks to scale alongside the “rapidly expanding litigation finance market.” CFO Daniel Amsellem added that the new funding aligns with the company’s capital allocation strategy, aimed at optimizing operational efficiency and executing strategic projects.

Brean Capital, LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent on the transaction.

Founded in 2008, Golden Pear has funded more than $1.1 billion to over 87,000 clients and remains one of the largest specialty finance companies in the U.S. Its business model spans legal case funding and medical receivables purchasing, with backing from a network of private equity partners that provide institutional support for continued expansion.

LionFish Updates Model Documents in Response to CJC Report

By John Freund |

LionFish Litigation Finance Ltd has released a new suite of model litigation funding documents, updating its original set from February 2021. The revision comes on the heels of the Civil Justice Council's (CJC) Final Report on Litigation Funding, issued on 2 June 2025, which calls for a regulatory structure informed by best practices, including key principles published by the European Law Institute (ELI) in October 2024.

A LionFish press release details that the updated suite incorporates several of the ELI Principles (notably 4-12) and broader CJC recommendations, except where doing so would require legislative or procedural reform. LionFish's goal, according to Managing Director Tets Ishikawa, is not to dictate market norms but to foster industry-wide standardisation and efficiency. This proactive move is also intended to spark further collaboration between funders, insurers, and legal practitioners to develop trade practices akin to those in mature financial markets, such as those promoted by the Loan Market Association and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.

The new suite includes three core documents: a litigation funding agreement, a priorities deed to define proceeds distribution, and an assignment deed for insurance benefits. Notably, LionFish has also added documentation for co-investment arrangements, reflecting a growing trend in syndicated funding deals. The funder has already closed seven such transactions.

Managing Director Tanya Lansky emphasised that while litigation funding remains complex, making documentation public enhances transparency and facilitates quicker deal closings—an essential factor for sustaining market growth.

As litigation finance continues to mature, this move by LionFish highlights a shift toward professionalisation and standardisation. With regulators increasingly focused on transparency and fairness, such initiatives may set a de facto benchmark for others in the industry. The question remains: will other funders follow suit, or will regulatory mandates be needed to compel alignment?

Backlit Capital Solutions Launches Legal Finance Consultancy

By John Freund |

Backlit Capital Solutions has announced the launch of its full-service legal finance consultancy. The firm aims to provide comprehensive funding solutions for legal claims, offering services that include litigation finance, arbitration funding, and judgment enforcement strategies.

An article in PR Newswire states that Backlit Capital Solutions is positioning itself as a comprehensive provider in the legal finance sector, aiming to serve a diverse clientele that includes claimants, law firms, lenders, and investors. The firm's service offerings encompass litigation finance, arbitration funding, and judgment enforcement strategies, indicating a broad approach to legal funding solutions.

The launch of Backlit Capital Solutions reflects a growing trend in the legal finance industry, where firms are expanding their services to address the multifaceted needs of legal claimants and their representatives. By offering a suite of services under one roof, Backlit Capital Solutions aims to streamline the funding process and provide tailored solutions to its clients.

As the legal finance landscape continues to evolve, the entry of firms like Backlit Capital Solutions underscores the increasing demand for specialized financial services in the legal sector. Their comprehensive approach may set a new standard for how legal finance consultancies operate, potentially influencing the strategies of existing and emerging players in the market.