Corporate credit spreads have started to widen, but they remain well below long-term averages. For CFOs, that means refinancing a credit facility may still offer strategic advantages like locking in terms, reducing interest expense, and improving liquidity. Acting now, before spreads rise further, could be a smart financial move.

The closing phase of a business sale is one of the most underestimated stages in the M&A process. Executive leadership and M&A advisors work diligently to ensure a smooth, timely close by managing key stakeholders and verifying legal and financial conditions. This helps sellers minimize liability and achieve an optimal outcome.

Choosing the correct buyer is the most critical decision when deciding to sell your business. We detail the types of M&A buyers–strategic vs financial - and how business owners can best navigate the sale process.

During periods of economic volatility, business leaders must proactively identify and manage risks that can threaten profitability, liquidity, and long-term survival. Here are 5 proven steps to identify and evaluate business risks, assess their impact and likelihood, and develop actionable strategies to ensure financial and operational resilience.

Tariffs, potential disruptions to supply chains, and the possibility of an economic recession are causing uncertainty in financial markets and Board rooms. To navigate effectively, CEOs and CFOs must ensure effective cash flow management and ample liquidity under a wide range of possible scenarios. One of the most important tools available to these executives is the 13-week cash flow model.

The right M&A deal team drives results that help business owners meet their M&A goals. Who should be on your M&A team?

M&A activity showed signs of recovery in late 2024, but market uncertainty in early 2025 has stalled deal momentum. Despite declining borrowing costs and a record $2.6 trillion in private equity dry powder, investor hesitation has grown due to unpredictable trade and economic policies. Companies considering a sale should focus on financial preparedness and operational efficiencies to position themselves for success when dealmaking accelerates.

Selling your business is a complex process, and you must be prepared. We cover internal business reviews, key performance metrics, and adjusted EBITDA.

Understanding the motivations behind selling a business should guide a robust M&A strategy. We explain how goals, timing and market consideration impact M&A and why and when business founders should consider selling.

Hiring a generalist investment banker instead of an industry specialist investment banker might be the best decision you could make to ensure a successful business sale or capital raise. Generalist investment banking advisory firms bring broad transaction experience, offer creative deal strategies, and have access to a wide network of buyers, investors and partners.

Learn how EBITDA addbacks can maximize your business’s sale price. Discover key strategies to boost valuation and attract top buyers in M&A transactions.

Private equity funds serve as a critical source of capital for business owners seeking liquidity or looking to grow, scale, or restructure. Understanding the type of private equity fund, the size of the fund, and where a private equity fund is in its life cycle is important when considering a potential investment or acquisition proposal.

Is a Leveraged Buyout (LBO) a good strategy for business growth? Leveraged buyouts rely on debt and can enhance equity returns for investors and provide companies with additional access to capital for value creation. But they are not without risk. Disciplined execution is key to success.

Acquisition activity by private equity funds influence mergers and acquisitions (M&A) across many industries, but Q3-24 volume was down 64% from the peak. What does this mean for founder-owned and private companies who want to exit in 2025?

With corporate credit spreads at their narrowest level in 20-years, now is the time for CFOs and corporate finance teams to consider refinancing debt, including their corporate credit facility.

An essential tool for every CFO, learn how to build a dynamic budget model and explore the benefits of implementing the best practices of a dynamic budgeting model into your existing process. Complete primer for corporate finance executives that will help increase visibility and prioritize growth, cost savings and capital allocation opportunities.

For CFOs, understanding the intricacies of credit facilities is essential for optimizing capital structure, ensuring liquidity, and managing cash flow efficiently. Download our in-depth playbook that considers best practices and guidance on how to negotiate the most competitive terms.

Organic growth or growth by acquisition? This is a strategic and tactical decision that CEOs, CFOs, and executive teams must constantly weigh. If you do choose to pursue M&A as part of a long-term growth strategy, building your M&A playbook is the key to success. ​

Private equity firms have a proven track record of delivering strong returns to investors and outperforming broader equity markets. But how do they do it? Check out our Top 10 Strategies for Founders, CEOs, and CFOs at private companies to drive stronger growth and value creation for their own shareholders.

The terms and loan covenants associated with a credit facility are critically important for the CEO, CFO and other key stakeholders to understand. These terms are heavily negotiated during the drafting of the credit agreement which can be aided by an experienced financial advisor.

Keene Advisors acted as financial advisor to Systems & Technology Research, LLC (“STR”) in connection with their new $120,000,000 credit facility

A revolving credit facility helps businesses meet short-term needs and fuel growth. Learn how to size it properly to balance liquidity without overpaying for unused credit.

Learn the five key steps to successfully refinancing your credit facility. From understanding market conditions to selecting the right lenders, ensure your company secures the best terms with expert guidance.

Dig deep with the Keene Advisors' Insights Series on corporate debt financing.

What is the optimal level of corporate debt for a company? If you are a CEO, CFO, Executive Board member, or corporate finance professional, you are tasked with asking and answering this question on a regular basis. Striking the right balance is challenging, but the benefits of achieving the optimal corporate debt structure can be significant. 

Refinancing corporate debt is a strategic process that companies use to optimize their capital structure, reduce interest expense, or extend their debt repayment period. We break down the benefits and considerations of debt refinancing and how to optimize the process for your company.

Corporate Social Investment (CSI) refers to the practice of allocating a company's resources—whether in the form of cash, services, products, or employee time—toward social, environmental, and community initiatives that align with its business goals. We dive into the benefits of implementing CSI for your business.

OpenAI, the company behind the popular generative AI product, ChatGPT, has hinted at launching an IPO and becoming a public company. Currently OpenAI has a unique corporate structure as a hybrid non-profit/for-profit entity but may transition to a for-profit public benefit corporation (PBC). Keene Advisors is also a benefit corporation and we’ll explain what this transition might mean for OpenAI.