Apr 14, 2026

Why Does ABL Feel Less Competitive Than M&A — What Am I Missing?

I’ve spent time in lower middle market M&A, and one thing that stands out is how competitive that market is when it comes to winning mandates.  3-5 firms competing in bake offs, everyone is pitching the same approach, and it's very much a tombstone game.

Looking at ABL, it appears very different:

  • Fewer true intermediaries
  • More fragmented lender base
  • Less formalized processes

On the surface, it feels like a more open market.

For those actually originating ABL deals how competitive is it?

  • Winning the client?
  • Getting lender terms done?
  • Or is it just less competitive than it looks?
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