Mezzanine refers to a layer that falls between two others. In the case of finance, it comes between debt and equity. Essentially, it is debt capital that has been subordinated to that provided by senior lenders (such as banks) and therefore carries a higher rate of interest.
It is generally used in management buyouts, and in other cases where a company has difficulty borrowing from a bank - perhaps because it is a new business, or simply because there is a lack of assets against which the bank can obtain security.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
-
'We face a £6m inheritance tax bill under Reeves's changes – it's sheer terror'Thousands of families fear they’ll have no option but to look at selling their firms in a fire sale to pay inheritance tax bills, due to Rachel Reeves’s changes to business property relief
-
Millions of over 50s fear pension investment risk – how should you position your portfolio?To de-risk or not to de-risk, that is the question. Act too late and you could face irreversible losses. Move too early and miss out on significant gains that could transform your retirement.
