John Whalen is a Managing Director with SC&H Capital and Head of the Firm’s Capital Solutions Group. He brings more than 30 years of investment banking and capital markets experience, specializing in capital intermediation, transaction execution, and advising clients on cap structure, liquidity, and go-to-market strategy. John plays a key role in developing client relationships and delivering high-touch, customized financing solutions across a range of industries.
Prior to joining SC&H, John built and led the Capital Advisory Investment Banking Group at Matrix Capital Markets focused on sponsored and founder-owned, middle market as well as mid-corporate companies. Earlier in his career, he spent three decades at M&T Bank Corporation where he founded and directed the Bank’s Debt Capital Markets platform and, as Head of Investment Banking, John also led the Leveraged Finance, Private Equity/Sponsor Coverage, Corporate Finance, M&A, and Corporate Securities Origination teams.
Over the course of his career, John has structured and executed more than $200 billion in complex debt transactions across bank loans, leveraged finance, structured credit, and private debt markets. His expertise includes a wide range of capital instruments including senior secured bank debt, rated institutional term loans, private placements, direct lender execution, mezzanine/subordinated debt, and structured equity.
John’s industry expertise spans healthcare, food & beverage, transportation & logistics, consumer products, downstream energy, automotive, and general industrial sectors. Sitting on the client-side of the table, John approaches each engagement with a deep understanding of market dynamics and keen focus on delivering strategic, outcome-driven solutions for his clients.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Williams College and holds FINRA Series 63 and 79 licenses. John is committed to giving back through his previous involvement with numerous boards including organizations such as the JDRF, United Way, and Health Care Initiatives. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and supporting causes that drive lasting community impact.
