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Sean Murray, Publisher of deBanked, Honored
by Coleman Report

Sean Murray (left) and Carissa Sousa, AVP, Commercial Lending at Shoreham Bank,
winner of the SBA 7(a) Sales Executive of the Year

Sean Murray, deBanked Chief Editor/Publisher was honored at Coleman’s 2026 SBA Lender Professional Awards in Miami, FL

Murray was awarded "SBA Best Use of Media Award of the Year"

Full list of winners

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Dave Burrola was hired as Regional Sales Manager, Soterix Systems, Salt Lake City, Utah Metropolitan Area, working remotely. Previously, he was Senior Strategic Account Executive, Verkata (November, 2024 - March, 2026); Sr. Account Executive, Large Enterprise/Account Lead, Garner (August, 2021 - November, 2024); Enterprise Account Executive/Latin America, Pluralight (January, 2020 - August, 2021). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveburrola801/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveburrola801/

Zach Dean was hired as Senior Account Manager, OY6 Capital, Irvine, California. He is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Previously, he was Mid Market Account Executive, Fleetio (June, 2025 - March, 2026); National Account Executive, Mazola Capital Corp. (November, 2022 - June, 2025): Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachdean801/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachdean801/

Sean Feibusch was promoted to Vice President, Risk, Post Road Equipment Finance, LLC., Westport, Connecticut, He is located in Danbury, Connecticut. He joined Post Equipment Finance, April, 2024, as Assistant Vice President, Risk. Previously, he was at Wells Fargo, starting as Financial Analyst, June, 2018, promoted Underwriting Officer (June, 2020 - March, 2024). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-feibusch-571704137/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-feibusch-571704137/

Caleb Thompson was hired as Business Development Officer, Porter Capital, Irvine, California. He is working remotely from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Previously, he was President, Legend Business Bookkeeping (September, 2024 - Present); Regional Sales Manager, Commercial Funding, Inc. (February, 2024 - January, 2025). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-thompson-6663b4250/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-thompson-6663b4250/

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Diversis Capital Acquires LTi Technology Solutions to
Accelerate Innovation in Equipment Finance Technology

OMAHA, NE, March 23, 2026 – LTi Technology Solutions (LTi), a global leader in software for the equipment finance industry, today announced it has been acquired by Diversis Capital, L.P. (Diversis), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm focused on building and scaling high-growth software and technology-enabled services companies.

Founded in 1989, LTi has spent more than three decades developing technology that supports the complex operational needs of equipment finance organizations. Its flagship platform, ASPIRE™, is a highly configurable equipment finance lifecycle management system designed to streamline operations across originations, servicing, portfolio management, and reporting. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in LTi’s evolution and positions the company to accelerate product innovation and expand its global presence.

As part of the transaction, LTi’s Co-Founders Randy Haug and Russ Hallberg will retain minority ownership and remain actively involved with the Company, continuing to support the organization and its strategic direction. Jeff Van Slyke will continue to lead LTi as President and Chief Executive Officer, along with the existing leadership team, ensuring continuity of leadership, strategic focus, and operational stability as LTi enters its next phase of growth.

“This acquisition reflects the strength of LTi’s technology platform, the trust we have earned from our customers, and the extraordinary team that has built the Company over the past three decades,” said Jeff Van Slyke, President and CEO of LTi Technology Solutions.

“We see tremendous opportunity ahead to innovate in ways that further advances the equipment finance industry. Diversis recognizes the value of our people, our customers and our history as the foundation for what comes next. Their growth mindset, combined with deep operational expertise and strategic discipline, makes Diversis the right partner to help LTi capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead as we continue to innovate and support the evolving needs of the equipment finance market.”

The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for the equipment finance industry as organizations increasingly modernize legacy systems to support digital operations, enhance data transparency, and add more sophisticated reporting requirements. The acquisition will enable LTi to accelerate product development, harness expanding AI capabilities and ultimately strengthen its ability to support the increasingly complex operational, regulatory, and analytical needs of equipment finance organizations.

“From our earliest meetings with LTi, it was clear this team had built something exceptional—a highly configurable, deeply embedded technology platform powered by real industry expertise and an unwavering commitment to their customers,” said Ron Nayot, Managing Partner at Diversis. “We see tremendous opportunity to invest in product innovation, bring AI-powered capabilities to LTi’s clients, and build on a foundation of trust that few software companies can match. We’re excited to partner with Russ, Randy, Jeff and the entire LTi team to deliver best-in-class solutions to equipment finance organizations worldwide.”

KeyBanc Capital Markets served as the exclusive advisor to LTi Technology Solutions throughout the process of this acquisition.

About LTi Technology Solutions
LTi Technology Solutions is a global provider of lease and loan finance software for the equipment finance industry. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, LTi’s ASPIRE™ _platform is a comprehensive, highly configurable lifecycle management system used by banks, captives, and independents across North America and the United Kingdom. With more than $180 billion in assets under management on its platform and a client base that includes 40% of the MONITOR 100, LTi is one of the most trusted and widely adopted technology platforms in equipment finance.
For more information, visit www.ltisolutions.com.

About Diversis Capital, L.P.
Founded in 2013, Diversis is a software and technology focused private equity fund that invests in lower middle-market companies, targeting situations where it can add unique value in helping a company reach the next level. With a collaborative approach to investing, its Operating Partners work alongside management teams to help build successful organizations positioned for long-term growth.
To learn more, please visit www.diversis.com.

Help Wanted Ad
Ameris Bank Equipment Finance

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Originator / Investor
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

Recently, while coaching an originator, he asked to review a transaction that had been declined over the past week. His concern was familiar: credit adjudication must have tightened dramatically in 2026.
He explained that the same end‑user had been approved for five schedules in 2025, funded internally, yet now his company couldn’t secure an approval for the end‑user’s largest request to date. After his internal credit team declined the deal, they submitted it to three external funding partners. All three declined it as well.

When I asked the originator to walk me through the credit package, the gaps were immediate and significant.
- He couldn’t state the end‑user’s leverage.
- He didn’t know the impact of the five prior financings on cash flow.
- He didn’t know whether the end‑user was profitable in 2025.

In other words, he had no ability to articulate the borrower’s financial condition, risk profile, or repayment capacity.

So I asked a more important question:
“Would you invest your own hard‑earned money in this transaction, knowing your company and three partners already passed on it?”

His answer was revealing—and honest.
- He admitted he isn’t a credit professional and doesn’t know how to evaluate a credit package.
- If he did have the capital, he would demand a higher return because the transaction appeared higher risk.
- Before investing his own money, he would want more information—proof of repayment ability, stronger collateral, and a clearer understanding of the end‑user’s financial health.

If you wouldn’t invest your own money, why should anyone else?

Top originators don’t just submit applications. They think like investors. Their priority is protecting their companies, funding sources, investors, and banking relationships. They understand the strengths and weaknesses of every submission. They know how to frame a credit story, anticipate questions, and address risk before a credit professional ever sees the file.

Originators who develop credit fluency and think like investors consistently outperform their peers. They win more approvals, structure better transactions, and build deeper trust with end‑users, vendors, and funding partners. They become advisors, not order takers.

Wheeler Business Consulting is working with individual originators and sales teams throughout the industry to ensure that they are well positioned in the market, capturing their fair share of business, and outperforming the competition.

To schedule a one‑on‑one meeting, contact Scott Wheeler at
scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

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Top Ten Most Read
March 17 to March 20

(1) New Hires/Promotions in the
Leasing Business
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2026/03_20.htm#hires

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2026/03_20.htm#hires

(3) In Iran, The Only Bad News Fit to Print?
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/on-iran-is-only-bad-news-fit-to-print- ac66649?mod=business_trendingnow_opn_pos3

(4) Preparing for Effective Prospecting
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2026/03_17.htm#pre

(5) The States Where Americans Pay the Most
— and Least — for Electricity
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2026/03_17.htm#states

(6) Verdant Commercial Capital Closes Exceptionally 2025 with $1 Billion
in Originations and
Acquisition by Axos Bank
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2026/03_20.htm#verdant

(7) Looking for Business - New Clients
Ken Lubin, Managing Director, ZRG Partners
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2026/03_20.htm#ken

(8) Tesla Finally Has Its First Semi-Truck
and It’s Already a Hit With Truckers
https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/truckers-tesla-fans-semi-b0a66e6e?st=xGHP76&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

(9) Equipment Finance Industry Confidence
Dips in March
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2026/03_20.htm#mci

(10) Help Wanted
Ameris Bank Equipment Finance
https://equipmentfinance.amerisbank.com/careers/

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Key Takeaways

California has the highest top marginal income tax rate at 13.3%, followed by Hawaii (11.0%) and New York (10.9%).
Nine states levy no income tax, including Texas, Florida, and Washington.
Several states are moving toward lower or zero income taxes, with Mississippi targeting full elimination by 2040.

In the U.S., where you live can significantly affect how much you pay in state income taxes—especially for top earners.

In 2026, the gap is stark. California leads with a 13.3% top marginal rate, while nine states levy no income tax at all.

Using data from the Tax Foundation, this map shows how top marginal income tax rates vary across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

As remote work gives Americans more flexibility in where they live, differences in state tax policy are playing a growing role in relocation and financial planning decisions.

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