Course Overview

Modern corporate lending increasingly overlaps with leveraged buyouts, acquisition finance, and structured funding solutions. Without a disciplined structuring approach, lenders and advisors risk mispricing transactions, misallocating capital, and underestimating leverage, covenant, and security risks in complex corporate deals.

The Loan Structuring, LBOs & Acquisition Finance course by Transformentors Academy provides a comprehensive understanding of corporate lending principles, leveraged transaction mechanics, and acquisition finance structures. Delivered over five focused days, the programme covers key areas such as credit risk assessment, risk-based pricing, covenant structuring, Basel capital considerations, leveraged buyouts, valuation techniques, and project finance frameworks.

With a strong practical focus, participants will examine leverage mechanics, security structuring, financing optimisation, and risk allocation models across acquisition and infrastructure transactions. By the end of the programme, participants will be able to design lending solutions aligned with borrower objectives, capital efficiency requirements, and institutional risk appetite.

Agenda

Day — 1 Introduction to Corporate Lending and Credit Risk Assessment

• Understanding the core principles of lending and credit discipline in corporate finance
• Reviewing major lending facilities and products, including:
  • Term loans
  • Revolving credit facilities
  • Working capital facilities
  • Trade finance instruments
• Introducing business and industry risk and its impact on credit decisions
• Exploring credit rating methodologies and internal/external rating models
• Applying guidelines for assessing creditworthiness using financial statements
• Reviewing financial modelling and evaluation techniques, including Excel-based approaches

Day — 2 Loan Structuring Fundamentals

• Aligning loan purpose, amount, repayment structure, and overall terms to borrower requirements and risk profile
• Understanding key loan documentation requirements in corporate lending
• Exploring the core components of loan agreements, including different types of covenants
• Applying risk-based pricing principles in loan structuring decisions
• Understanding interest rate structures and various fee components in lending facilities
• Linking loan pricing strategies to Basel capital adequacy requirements and regulatory considerations
• Case Studies: Review and analyse real loan agreements and covenant structures to understand practical structuring approaches

Day — 3 Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs)

• Understanding the concept of leverage and how it is used in financing acquisition transactions
• Examining collateral structures commonly used in leveraged deals
• Identifying the key characteristics of effective bank security in LBO transactions
• Discussing the strategic rationale and objectives behind Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs)
• Explaining hostile takeovers and their mechanics in corporate acquisitions
• Defining and understanding reverse leveraged buyouts and their applications
• Case Study: Analyse a real-world LBO transaction to understand structure, risks, and financing strategy

Day — 4 Structured Acquisition Finance

• Understanding the distinction between mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and their strategic use in corporate growth
• Exploring methods for valuing target companies, including key valuation approaches used in acquisition analysis
• Examining acquisition financing structures, including:
  • Debt financing
  • Equity financing
  • Mezzanine finance
• Understanding stock swaps and the mechanics of share-based acquisition transactions
• Analysing the impact of mergers and acquisitions on shareholder value, dilution, and control
• Case Study: Evaluate a structured acquisition finance transaction and its effects on stakeholders and valuation outcomes

Day — 5 Project Finance and Infrastructure Funding

• Understanding the definition and key features of project finance as a structured financing method
• Exploring the main structural components of project finance, including:
  • Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)
  • Key stakeholders and participants (sponsors, lenders, contractors, government entities)
  • Risk allocation mechanisms among parties
• Examining typical project finance structures used in infrastructure development
• Understanding equity and debt financing frameworks within project finance arrangements
• Comparing recourse, limited-recourse, and non-recourse financing structures
• Reviewing credit enhancement tools used to strengthen project financing, including:
  • Bonds
  • Guarantees
  • Letters of Credit
• Case Study: Analyse a sector-specific project finance transaction to understand structure, risk sharing, and funding strategy

Learning Outcomes

After completing the Loan Structuring, LBOs & Acquisition Finance training course, participants will be able to:

• Apply corporate lending and credit risk assessment principles to evaluate borrower quality, industry risk, and overall financial strength
• Identify appropriate lending products and facilities based on borrower requirements, risk profile, and transaction purpose
• Structure and document loan facilities by aligning purpose, tenor, repayment terms, covenants, and pricing with borrower risk characteristics
• Link risk-based pricing models with Basel capital adequacy requirements to support informed credit and return decisions
• Analyse leveraged buyout (LBO) transactions, including leverage structures, security arrangements, and associated risks
• Evaluate acquisition finance structures and select appropriate valuation methods and financing instruments to optimise cost, control, and risk
• Understand project finance structures, including SPV arrangements, risk allocation frameworks, recourse levels, and credit enhancement techniques

Who Should Attend

The Loan Structuring, LBOs & Acquisition Finance programme is designed for professionals involved in corporate finance, acquisition advisory, and structured lending, including:

• Corporate bankers and credit officers
• Investment banking and M&A professionals
• Private equity and leveraged finance analysts
• Risk and capital management specialists
• Treasury and structured finance professionals
• Legal advisors supporting acquisition and financing transactions