Ares Commercial Finance provides asset-based cash flow solutions to small and middle-market companies. The company is headquartered in New York City, New York and currently employs 3,200 full-time employees. The company went IPO on 2012-10-08. The firm invests primarily in first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans, which are loans that combine both senior and subordinated debt, generally in a first lien position), and second lien senior secured loans. In addition to senior secured loans, it also invests in subordinated debt, which in some cases includes an equity component, and preferred equity. The company also may invest up to 30% of its portfolio in non-qualifying assets. Its investment activities are focused on industries, such as software and services, health care services, commercial and professional services, financial services, commercial and professional services, insurance services, energy, food and beverage and others. The firm is externally managed by Ares Capital Management LLC (investment adviser).