Carl Marks Recognized by M&A Advisor During Annual Middle-Market Financing Awards

NEW YORK, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Carl Marks Advisory Group LLC, the investment banking and corporate revitalization firm headquartered in New York, was honored for its outstanding achievement in the middle-market financing industry by M&A Advisor.  The firm was acknowledged for its financial advisory services to Lifetime Brands, a nationally branded kitchenware and home decor products company, with the "Debt Financing Deal of the Year" recognition.  Carl Marks received the honor during the 6th Annual Middle-Market Financing Awards held last month.

Lifetime Brands engaged Carl Marks in 2010 to refinance its junior securities, which were due to mature the following year. Continued turmoil in the capital markets meant that access to capital for middle-market companies was still very limited, as the market for second lien facilities was very thin after the financial crisis, and many of the historical lenders in this space were not considering true second lien structures.  The investment banking group at Carl Marks utilized its extensive experience and capital provider contacts to establish a subset of lenders that were still active to successfully secure the optimal credit facility.

"It's an honor to be recognized by M&A Advisor with this distinguished award," said Mark L. Claster, partner of Carl Marks Advisory Group and president of its parent company, Carl Marks & Co.  "At the time that our team was working to secure new credit facilities for Lifetime Brands, the market was exceptionally difficult.  Our investment bankers possessed the knowledge and aptitude to skillfully supersede the market conditions and obtain the financing to help our client in achieving its long-term business objectives.  We're very fortunate to have such talented professionals representing our firm."

"As we continue through this period of recovery, we are proud to recognize those firms and individuals who are leading the financing of American business," said Roger Aguinaldo, CEO of The M&A Advisor.  "All of our financing award recipients are true industry leaders who have performed at the highest level."

About Carl Marks Advisory Group LLC and Carl Marks Securities LLC

Carl Marks Advisory Group LLC, with offices in New York, Vienna, Va., Bedminster, N.J., and Charlotte, N.C., provides a wide array of investment banking and financial, operational and real estate advisory services to the middle market, including mergers and acquisitions advice, sourcing of capital, financial restructuring plans, strategic business assessments, improvement plans and interim management.  Carl Marks is the 2010 recipient of the Turnaround Management Association's Turnaround of the Year Award in the Large Company category.

Carl Marks Securities LLC, based in New York, assists its clients in executing private placements of debt and equity. The firm is a member of FINRA and SIPC. Additional information about Carl Marks Advisory Group LLC and Carl Marks Securities LLC is available at www.carlmarks.com.

SOURCE Carl Marks Advisory Group LLC