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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Kathleen (Kathy) Berryman was announced Managing Director, Ansley Park Capital, working remote from Franklin, Michigan. Previously, she was Executive Director, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance Technology, formerly GE Capital Equipment Finance (March , 2004 - June, 2025); VP Sales, Bay4 Capital (February, 2003 - 2004); Sales, Heller Financial (1996 - 2005); Inside Sales Representative, Dana Commercial Credit (1996 - 2001).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-b-9362611/

Dana Freeman was hired as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, 360 Equipment Finance, Austin, Texas. He is located in New Braunfels, Texas. Previously, he was Director, Broker Relations, Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC (March, 2019 - July, 2025); Director of Sales and Marketing, DFCO, LLC (April, 2007 - March, 2019); Marketing & Regional Expansion, First Pacific Funding, Inc. (2006 - 2007); Marketing Manager, Pawnee Leasing Corporation (1998 - 2006).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dfcodana/

Lynne (Carcia) Wilson announced retirement from CFO, PLM Fleet LLC dba PLM Trailer Leasing, Newark, New Jersey after 7 years, 6 months. She joined Beacon Rail Leasing as CFO (January, 2016 - November, 2017); Senior Vice President & CFO, Marlin Business Services Corp (June, 2006 - May, 2015); Manager of Finance, GE Equipment Services (2002 - 2006); Global Controller, GE Commercial Finance Fleet Services (1999- 2002). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynne-wilson-4785624/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynne-wilson-4785624/

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Companies Providing Knowledge and Assistance
to Succeed and Grow to Create More Sales
   By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

There are major changes which are positively affecting participants in the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry. These are shifts which will permanently alter the means by which participants conduct business in the future, especially independent companies.

There are leaders in the industry providing knowledge, advice, technique and many separate assistance. Below are two examples of major shifts:

Portfolio Management: From Reactive to Predictive

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Portfolio teams are evolving into strategic advisors. By leveraging predictive analytics, they’re identifying asset classes with higher approval and funding probabilities—essentially guiding origination teams toward smarter, faster wins.
• Prequalification via Real-Time Intelligence: Instead of chasing delinquencies, these teams are proactively identifying customer segments aligned with preferred asset types, improving conversion rates and portfolio health.
• Tech-Enabled Client Engagement: Advanced CRM and servicing platforms are allowing portfolio managers to anticipate client needs, flag early warning signs, and even recommend solutions before issues arise.
• Replacing Collections with Strategy: The traditional collections role is being absorbed into a broader portfolio strategy function—one that’s focused on retention, optimization, and growth.

This shift mirrors broader trends in equipment finance, where predictive modeling and automation are becoming essential for operational efficiency.

Formal Partnerships: From Informal to Integrated

The commercial equipment finance and leasing industry depends upon deep relationships. Industry leaders are formalizing these relationships into formal partnerships.

• Shared Infrastructure: Informal handshakes are giving way to integrated partnerships where systems, data, and risk are shared. This creates a more resilient and scalable platform.
• Mutual Value Creation: These formal arrangements allow for co-development of products, shared underwriting models, and joint go-to-market strategies—especially critical for smaller players seeking to expand their brand.
• Technology as a Bridge: Shared platforms and interfacing of systems are enabling seamless collaboration between funders, TPOs, and vendors. This not only reduces friction but also enhances transparency and trust.
• Sustainability Through Structure: In a market where volatility and competition are rising, formal partnerships offer stability and strategic alignment—making them indispensable for long-term success.

Formal relationships have always been a competitive advantage in the industry. These relationships are becoming a necessity for sustainability in 2025 and beyond. They operate separately, but
In reality, together to obtain and close more positive and profitable business.

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161
Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

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

Top Ten Most Read by Readers
July 28 to August 1

(1) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_30.htm#hires

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_28.htm#hires

(3) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_01.htm#hires

 (4) California Supreme Court Upholds Forum Selection  
  Clauses Good News for Lenders and Lessors
    By Marshall Goldberg
Leasing News Legal Editor
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_30.htm#ca

(5) Kris Roglieri's Asset Liquidation Yields Minimal  
  Recovery  -  No Where Near Claims, Will Disappoint    
     Creditors
Coleman Reports by Bob Coleman, Founder and Publisher
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_28.htm#kris

(6) Bob Sweeney passed away, formerly CFO  
  National Funding, EVP Chief Financial Officer,
 Direct Capital, American Express and Rockford Industries.
Hopefully more information in Wednesday's News edition. Capital

(7) Originators Are Hunters
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_30.htm#orig

(8 “The Loan Rangers” Celebrates 30 Years of Empowering      
Small Businesses with Easy Equipment Leasing Solutions
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_28.htm#rangers

(9) When It's Time to Move On
By Ken Lubin, Managing Director, ZRG Partners
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_30.htm#when

(10) Alternative Dispute Resolution: Friend Or Foe?
By Ken Greene, Leasing News Legal Editor, Emeritus
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_01.htm#alt

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Leasing and Finance  Help Wanted
Balboa Capital
We Are Growing Our Senior Sales Team Now

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###### Press Release #########################

Equipment Finance Industry Sees 3.1% Growth in New Business Volume
Amid Tightening Credit in 2024

Washington, DC,– Overall new business volume (NBV) growth in the $1.3 trillion equipment finance industry increased from 1.1% in 2023 to 3.1% in 2024, according to the 2025 Survey of Equipment Finance Activity (SEFA) released by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA). This annual SEFA report provides key statistical and financial benchmarks based on a comprehensive survey of around 100 equipment leasing and finance companies, offering a crucial resource for understanding the sector’s performance and outlook.

 (photo)
ELFA President and CEO Leigh Lytle said, “The 2025 Survey of Equipment Finance Activity shows a year of modest overall growth for the equipment finance industry despite persistent economic pressures and evolving credit conditions

“The data and analysis in this comprehensive resource empower industry stakeholders to benchmark performance, assess market dynamics, and chart a path forward in an increasingly competitive and dynamic environment. I encourage businesses to use the report and put the data to work for your success.”

Survey Highlights: Key 2024 Findings

The 2025 SEFA revealed several important trends from 2024:

• New business volume at equipment finance companies kept pace at about the same rate as the U.S. economy’s overall inflation rate of 2.9%. Just over half (50.5%) of surveyed companies reported an increase in volume in 2024.
• Portfolios remained healthy with delinquencies still low with 98.7% of portfolios reporting as current and non-accrual assets in line with recent prior reporting periods. However, there are signs of deterioration in overall charge-off (loss) data: gross charge-offs rose to 60 basis points (bps) in 2024, the highest reported since 2018 at 128 bps. Although net full-year losses as a percentage of average receivables remain low, they are on the rise. Recoveries were comparable to the prior year at roughly 14 bps.
• Credit is tightening with declining approval and booking rates signaling more cautious underwriting and tighter credit standards.
• Profitability pressures Intensified as a 13% rise in lease and loan revenue was offset by a 33% increase in interest expense—a nearly 50% increase in bad debt provisions—and 12.7% higher total expenses, driving a 14.5% drop in pre-tax income.
• Spreads were relatively flat at 2.59% as pre-tax yields rose slightly to 7.40% and cost of funds decreased by 5 bps to 4.81%.
• By organization type, banks saw a 1.3% NBV decrease, captives’ NBV grew by 5.9%, and independents, representing a much smaller group, saw a 17.7% increase. By market segment, NBV rose 6.2% year over year in the small ticket segment, 2.5% for middle ticket and 1.4% for large ticket.
• From an asset perspective, the top five most-financed equipment types were transportation, agricultural, construction, IT & related technology services, and materials handling. The top five end-user industries representing the largest share of new business volume were agriculture, construction, wholesale/retail, other services (including real estate leasing, professional services, repair services, etc.) and health services.
• Return on Average Assets (ROA) declined to 1.1% in 2024 (from 1.7% in 2023), while Return on Average Equity (ROE) declined sharply to 7.9% in 2024 (from 11.1% in 2023).
• Employment levels declined by 2.48% in 2024 compared to 2023. Both banks and captives had their headcount decrease by 3.7% and 4.7%, respectively. Independents increased their headcount by 4.3%.
• Functions with the highest implementation rates of artificial intelligence (AI) are sales and credit underwriting, both at 45%. Most respondents are exploring AI for documentation (71%) and underwriting (65%).

In conjunction with the 2025 SEFA, ELFA also released the 2025 Small-Ticket SEFA, a report focused on small-ticket and micro-ticket equipment transactions among SEFA respondents. The companion report found that new business volume in the small-ticket space increased by 1.9% in 2024.

Access the Data
With more than 2,000 data points, the annual SEFA is the largest and most important source of statistical information about the equipment finance industry. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP administered the SEFA in collaboration with ELFA’s Research Committee.

The 2025 SEFA data are available in a variety of formats at www.elfaonline.org/SEFA:

• Full SEFA Report: This 400+ page report offers comprehensive performance metrics for about 100 equipment finance companies.
• Interactive SEFA Dashboard: This online dashboard provides executive summary data going back to 2006.

About ELFA

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) represents financial services companies and manufacturers in the $1.3 trillion U.S. equipment finance sector. ELFA’s 600+ member companies provide essential financing that drives business growth, creates jobs, and supports economic expansion. Learn more at www.elfaonline.org.

##### Press Release #########################

 

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Conferences and Forums - Updated
Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance

September 10-12: AACFB Commercial Financing Expo, Austin, Texas
Hotel Details: AT&T Hotel and Conference Center 1900 University Avenue, Austin, TX 78705
Meet the Funders
https://www.aacfb.org/events/calendar

List of Exhibitors
https://members.aacfb.org/Expo/Expo/Exhibitors.aspx
Women in Finance Breakfast
https://members.aacfb.org/Expo/
Charity Cruise in Austin
Sept. 10:  6pm - 8pm - $85.00
Dinner, drinks, Riverboat Cruise
https://conta.cc/40Oqh9J 
Mel Vinson, CLFP, Vice President of Marketing and Development, CLFP Foundation, will be covering The conferences for Leasing News reads.

September 17: Brokers Expo NYC Center415 on Fifth Avenue in Midtown  - Full Information:
https://thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com/ny/
Don Cosenza, CLFP, will cover the conference for Leasing News. Public Relations and spokesman for North Mill Equipment Finance for 10-Years, plus past National Equipment Finance Association past board member.
.

October 14-16: National Equipment Finance Association Fall Conference, Renaissance Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Registration and Information
https://members.nefassociation.org/Online/iCore/Events/Event_display.aspx?
EventKey=FLCONF25&hkey=4aadd378-30dd-4c01-ad48-05e0ecaace0c
Vicki Shimkus, CLFP, Balboa Capital Relationship Manager, will be covering the conference for Leasing News readers.

October 26-28: ELFA 64th Annual Convention, Marco Island, Florida
https://www.elfaonline.org/events-new/event-detail/elfa-64th-annual-convention
Randy Haug, LTi Technology, will be covering the conference for Leasing News

October 28-29: DeBanked B2B Finance Expo, Wynn, Las Vegas, Nevada
B2B Finance Expo is back for its highly anticipated second edition at the Wynn Las Vegas! We're thrilled to once again partner with the Small Business Finance Association (SBFA) to deliver an even bigger and better experience, uniting top professionals in the commercial finance industry.
Bob Coleman, Coleman Reports, will be a speaker. He us out with a  new book Book:   “Easy Money, Hard Time”   https://debanked.com/2025/07/coleman-reports-bob-coleman-is-out-with-a-new-book-easy-money-hard-time/

Questions? Email us at events@debanked.com

To Update, please email:  kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

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Bob Sweeney passed away, formerly CFO
National Funding, EVP Chief Financial Officer,
Direct Capital, American Express and
 Rockford Industries

Bob Sweeney, 67, of San Diego, CA, died Friday July 25, 2025, doing the thing he enjoyed the most: playing rugby. 

Bob was born on June 1, 1958, in the Bronx, NY and grew up in Stony Point, Rockland County. He went to college at Iona University in New Rochelle, NY and graduated with a B.B.A. and eventually went on to obtain an M.B.A. 

He started his career in NYC and as he developed professionally, he moved to southern California and New Hampshire to pursue his dreams and tackle new challenges. Later on in his life, he was recognized as 2016 “CFO of the Year” in San Diego, CA and was an established leader in the equipment leasing industry. Through the years, he inspired us all to work harder, work together and be happy. He was a fierce friend and strong mentor for many people. 

His biggest passion was rugby. He began playing in college at Iona and never stopped. He was dedicated and contributed greatly to the rugby community. His number one dream was to travel the world and play rugby, which he achieved while his family and friends cheered him on. The love he showed for the game throughout his whole life was truly legendary.

Bob will be dearly missed by all those that were fortunate enough to know him. He had a very big family and many friends across the world.

Bob leaves behind his wife Kelley, as well as his two children Owen and Megan whom he shared with their mother, Janet. He also leaves behind son-in-law, Ye; grandchildren, Sydney, Brooklyn, Layla, Declan, Kayden, Jacksen, and Madysen; stepchildren, Chris, Sean, Josh and Rylie; siblings, Karen, Johnny, Jackie and Raymond; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

He was predeceased in death by his father, Eugene Sweeney; his mother, Edna Flynn; his brother, Michael; and his niece, Jennifer. 

LinkedIn  Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gosween/details/experience

News Briefs

OPEC Plus Will Increase Oil Output
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/business/opec-plus-oil-output.html

25% of workers ‘very likely’ to seek a new job
https://www.cfo.com/news/25-of-workers-very-likely-to-seek-a-new-job/756346/

It’s Trump’s economy now. The latest financial numbers
    offer some warning signs.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/02/nation/its-trumps-economy-now-latest-financial-numbers-offer-some-warning-signs/

Unemployed Americans Endure Longer Job Searches
    in a Cooling Market
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/unemployed-americans-endure-longer-job-searches-in-a-cooling-market-4ab9fce3?mod=business_whatsnews_pos3

Trump fires labor statistics chief hours after data
    showed jobs growth slowed
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/01/trump-fires-erika-mcentarfer-labor-statistics

Larry Summers says Trump's accusations of
    manipulated jobs numbers are ‘preposterous’
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/larry-summers-trumps-accusations-manipulated-jobs-numbers-preposterous/story?id=124321470

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America is becoming a nation of homebodies
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/08/03/americans-homebodies-isolation/

[headlines]
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Sports Briefs---

 

[headlines]
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California News Briefs---

University of California admits record number of students
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/07/28/uc-admission-rate-c

Trump administration releases $1 billion in frozen    
    California education funds
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/08/01/trump-administration-california-

Economic upswing sprouts on multiple fronts in downtown   
    San Jose, report shows
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/01/san-jose-economy-jobs-store-home-office-build-property-develop-

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Gimme that Wine

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8

Sonoma County winegrowers and vintners explore
    a 'Wine Improvement District'
https://norcalpublicmedia.org/2025073198766/news-feed/sonoma-county-winegrowers-and-vintners-explore-a-wine-improvement-district

Former Google executive David Drummond buys Reeve
    Wines in Healdsburg and Martha Stoumen Wines in Sebastopol
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/reeve-martha-stoumen-sold-20794968.php