Marks the fifth consecutive year Churchill has received this recognition
New York, NY, December 1, 2025 – Churchill Asset Management LLC (“Churchill” or the “Firm”), an investment specialist of Nuveen, announced it was named the 2025 “Lender Firm of the Year” by The M&A Advisor. The Firm was honored at the 24th Annual M&A Advisor Awards Gala held in New York City on November 19, 2025. Ken Kencel, President & Chief Executive Officer of Churchill, was also presented the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the M&A Advisor Hall of Fame at the same ceremony.
“Being recognized as ‘Lender Firm of the Year’ for the fifth year in a row is a tremendous honor and reflects the strength and consistency of our market tested strategy,” said Mr. Kencel. “We are deeply grateful to our investors and private equity sponsors for their continued confidence, and to the Churchill team whose talent and commitment drive our success.”
The annual M&A Advisor Awards recognize excellence in dealmaking by honoring the firms and professionals whose activities set the standard in M&A transacting, restructuring and deal financing. Recipients of the prestigious awards, which are determined by an independent panel of M&A experts, are selected based on professional accomplishments, community involvement and industry impact.
“Approaching the 25th anniversary of the M&A Advisor Awards, honoring the leading M&A transactions, companies and dealmakers, it gives us great pleasure to recognize Churchill Asset Management as the winner of the 2025 ‘Lender Firm of the Year,” said Roger Aguinaldo, Founder and CEO of The M&A Advisor. “We are proud to honor Churchill and the impressive firms, professionals and transactions of this 2024-25 season that set the standard for excellence in the industry.”
With over $56 billion in committed capital, Churchill was named the second most active U.S. direct lender in H1 2025 by KBRA Direct Lending Deals.1 In addition to providing first lien, unitranche, second lien and mezzanine debt to U.S. middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies, Churchill also makes equity co-investments, private equity fund commitments, and invests across the secondaries landscape.
Note: Churchill was selected as one of five finalists for “Lender Firm of the Year” in September 2025 by an independent panel of judges appointed by The M&A Advisor. A nominal fee was required to submit. Churchill was chosen as the winner in November 2025.
About Churchill Asset Management LLC
Churchill, an investment-specialist affiliate of Nuveen (the asset manager of TIAA), provides customized financing solutions to U.S. middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies across the capital structure. With over $56 billion of committed capital, we provide first lien, unitranche, second lien and mezzanine debt, in addition to equity co-investments, secondary solutions and private equity fund commitments. Churchill has a long history of disciplined investing across multiple economic cycles and our unique origination strategy and investment approach are driven by over 200 professionals in New York, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles and Palm Beach. To learn more, visit www.churchillam.com.
About The M&A Advisor
Now in its 27th year, The M&A Advisor was founded to offer insights and intelligence on mergers and acquisitions, establishing the industry’s leading media outlet in 1998. Today, the firm is recognized as the world’s premier leadership organization for mergers & acquisition, restructuring and corporate finance professionals, delivering a range of integrated services, including the most active online community of M&A professionals called M&A Connects. www.maadvisor.com.
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Contacts
Prosek Partners
pro-churchill@prosek.com
- Source: Direct Lending Deals’ Lender Mandates’ Most Active U.S. Direct Lender as of June 30, 2025. Eligible transactions from January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 and encompass U.S. non-syndicated loans to private equity-backed companies. Ranking includes only senior transactions (Traditional Middle Market & Upper Middle Market).
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