Citi® Commercial Bank: Nina Fairchild has joined Citi® Commercial Bank as a senior vice president based in New Jersey. In her new role, Fairchild will be responsible for expanding asset-based lending relationships throughout the Mid-Atlantic region with middle market and mid-corporate U.S. businesses seeking revolving lines and term loans based on underlying assets.

This is a newly created position within the Citi Commercial Bank asset-based lending unit, which was announced in October 2013 under the leadership of banking veteran John DePledge. The specialty group, which continues to grow talent across origination, portfolio management and underwriting, collaborates with 100-plus U.S. Citi commercial bankers who offer ABL options in addition to other capitalization needs. Fairchild will work as a product partner with the commercial banking teams serving New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Fairchild brings more than 25 years of experience in asset-based lending and commercial banking. In an earlier role at Citi, she was awarded the "Citi Star" two years in a row for commercial banking in the Mid-Atlantic Region and the "One Citi" teamwork award in Philadelphia. A native of Staten Island, she has spent most of her career in New Jersey and Philadelphia. She is a member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and serves on their Programs Committee. She is also an active member of the Turnaround Management Association.

Getzler Henrich & Associates announced that Robert Gorin assumed managing director responsibilities at Getzler Henrich & Associates.

"Rob's reputation as a seasoned leader and restructuring professional, with an impressive record of innovative strategies for growing business, is well respected," commented co-chairman Bill Henrich.

Most recently, Gorin served as chief operating officer for a $200 million consumer products company overseeing finance, order processing, logistics, customer service, IT, human resources, forecasting, and strategic planning.  He was also president and general manager of Camlog Bio-technologies, a dental industry supplier, where he established a U.S. presence and led an aggressive international growth program, and, prior to that, was president and chief operating officer of EGC, Inc., a consumer goods wholesaler, distributor and importer.  Gorin has been published in the ABF Journal and Journal of Corporate Renewal magazines.  He will be based in the New York office.

A new survey from TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, reveals a surge in both economic optimism and capital spending plans among middle market and large corporate finance executives.

According to TD Bank's fourth Annual CFO Survey, nearly 60% of respondents are optimistic about U.S. economic growth this year, compared to 46% last year, and half expect to increase capital expenditures due to stronger revenue growth. Among the CFOs surveyed, the top areas for increased spending include technology (64%), existing facilities (42%) and workforce hiring (40%) in 2014. The percentage of respondents who intend to hire additional workers rose significantly over 2013-nearly a 15% jump. 

"The increased appetite for capital investments confirms our view that businesses are finding ways to thrive in the 'new normal' economy," said Greg Braca, executive vice president and head of Corporate & Specialty Banking at TD Bank. "Increased spending at the corporate level bodes well for the long-term acceleration of growth and M&A, with companies recognizing that now is a great time to make a move before interest rates creep higher."

Middle Market Sees More Potential for Growth

Eighty-one percent of respondents expect their companies' revenues to increase in 2014, a 10% increase from 2013, with the majority anticipating relatively small increases in the 1-9 % range. Middle market finance executives reported they're more optimistic than their corporate counterparts with regard to revenue increases:

•         17% of middle market CFOs anticipated a revenue increase of 10-14%, compared with 10% of corporate CFOs
•         16% of middle market CFOs anticipated a revenue increase of 15% or more, compared with 14% of corporate CFOs

More than two-thirds of respondents currently have cash holdings stockpiled, but less than a quarter intend to put the funds to use as part of their business strategy this year. Most companies plan to hold the cash into next year at least.

Despite Optimism, Concerns Linger

Although the majority of finance executives surveyed are optimistic about the outlook for the U.S. economy and their own companies, government regulation, and political gridlock over the budget deficit and tax policy, continue to top their list of concerns:

•         Government regulation (22%)
•         Competitive environment (22%)
•         Political gridlock over U.S. budget deficit and tax policy (15%)
•         Global volatility (14%)
•         Cost of doing business (10%)

"While there's still unease about the business environment, CFOs are much less concerned than they were even just a few years ago," said Fred Graziano, executive vice president and head of Regional Commercial Banking for TD Bank. "Only the competitive environment was viewed with increased concern over 2013, but that's a good thing. Competition exists because the overall business climate has improved, which the Fed has confirmed by seeking to raise interest rates sooner than initially expected."

The full results of TD Bank's Annual CFO Survey, including regionally specific findings from the Carolinas, Florida, Massachusetts, Metro D.C., New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, can be found at:

https://mediaroom.tdbank.com/index.php?s=30403&item=34226