New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Mathew Riordan was announced Vice President and Equipment Finance Senior Underwriter, Trustmark Bank, Houston, Texas. He is located in the Greater Chicago Area. He joined Trustmark BNK, March, 2025, Equipment Finance Underwriter. Previously, he was Portfolio Manager, Huntington National Bank (January 2022 - March, 2025). He joined Bank of America, September, 2012, Sr. Operations Analyst, Global Vendor Finance, September, 2012, promoted Vice President, Leasing Credit Officer (December, 2014 - January, 2022); Information Technology Intern, IBM (June, 3009 - August, 2009)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-riordan-5469b652/

John V. Santilli was hired as Head of Production, Unitas Funding, LLC, Cranford, New Jersey. He is located in Greater Philadelphia. Previously, he was Chief Revenue Officer, Rehab Financial Group, LP (July, 2019 - May, 2025). He joined Lenfest Media Group January, 2007, Senior Vice President, Sales Strategy & Business Development, promoted Director of Sales and Operations (August, 2005 - December, 2006); President, Sales Leader, American Business Financial Services (September, 1994 - May, 2005).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvsantilli/

Martina Schmidt was hired as Senior Account Executive, TopMark Funding, Roseville, California.  She is located in Oakland, California. Previously, she was National Fleet Manger, optic Truck Works (July, 2024 - November, 2024). She joined AP Equipment Financing May, 2015, Customer Service Supervisor, May, 2015, promoted Marketing Development Representative,  promoted Team Leader December, 2018, promoted National Account Manager (October 2021 - June, 2024). She began her career at Delta TRAK as Sales Development Manager, May, 2003, promoted Sales Development National Manager (November, 2007 - October, 2014).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinaschmidt2020/

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ELFA Capitol Connections, Capital Hill
Royal, Sonesta, Washington, DC.
By Randy Haug, Exec. VP, VP Chairman, Co-Founder LTi

Capitol Connections 2025 is officially in the Books with over 140 dedicated ELFA members who spent their day on Capitol Hill advocating for smart policy changes that support the entire equipment finance industry and the professionals who drive it. This important event unites leaders from across the equipment finance industry to engage directly with policy makers on the issues that matter most: tax reform, financial regulation, innovation and more. Equipment finance members handle a trillion annual dollar industry.

Additionally, this year the Equipment Leasing and Finance Industry hosted a full set of Business Council Best Practices Roundtable Sessions hosted by Industry thought leaders. These small/ boutique, highly interactive half-day programs were designed to bring ELFA members together for collaborative thinking and actionable dialogue on the everyday challenges industry leaders face. They were well-attended and there were nothing but positive comments as output from these well-prepared sessions.

Additionally, many of the leading policy makers and media pundits spoke to the ELFA members of the importance of coming together not as individuals with differing political viewpoints but as a united industry voice to advocate for the repeal of section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Bill and to make Interest expense deductions a permanent part of the tax code going forward. Having attended many of these ELFA Capitol Connections in the past, this year, there seems to be a great opportunity to get these ELFA advocacy positions passed up on Capitol Hill. The window of opportunity is now, with strong support from the current administration and from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The message we all left with is that there is still work to do but together, we accomplished a lot this week to make meaningful progress in the months ahead.

The events in Washington DC this week are a reminder to all of us who make our living in this great industry. Regardless of your personal politics, our mission as an industry remains the same: To protect, promote, and sustain our industry in the most positive and enduring way. Without question, the Equipment Finance industry is a strong and important industry that helps finance and propel the US economy forward.

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New Story Credit Financing Different Approach
Business Loans, SBA Loans, Working Capital
Footnotes First

To qualify for this list, the company may be a funder, who  also is a supper broker, sending deals that have reached a point to go elsewhere, or involves equipment they don't do, such as spray booths, steel fences, agriculture piping or cannabis equipment.

Here are funders who take "A" and "B" rated applicants. They are also more interested not in "application only."  They become more comfortable learning more, beyond reviewing financial statements and tax returns, additional collateral, learning more about the story behind the business as qualifiers.

Most have “Footnotes” that explain their abilities.

(P) Financial Pacific Leasing supports a nationwide network of Brokers and Lessors. We specialize in "B" and "C" credits for established companies as well as companies under two years in business. Broker Qualify - Please Call or see "Prospective Broker" section on website

(S) We at Summit Leasing consider ourselves to be primarily "B" credit lenders, working almost exclusively through brokers. Broker Qualify - Contact us

(W) Forum Financial Services, Inc., prefer venture capital backed start-ups and middle market to large corporate turnaround companies including companies in bankruptcy and post bankruptcy. Our absolute minimum sales for an established business with financial problems are $10.0 million. (this does not include venture capital backed start-ups). Broker Qualify - Please visit our website at www.forumleasing.com or call 972-690-9444 ext. 225

(Y) Gonor Funding specializes in hard to fund leases with D credit. Collateral based with good rates and commission program. Broker Qualify - Please Call

(Z) TEAM Funding Solutions is a C-credit funder that provides a unique alternative to credit scoring. We fund new business start-ups and older businesses with weaker credits when we roll up our sleeves to understand “their story.” Equipment leases are approved and funded based on common sense, the Lessee’s ability to pay and the Broker’s input.

(CC) Provides financing, leasing, and lending services to businesses and municipalities with “A” through “D” credit profiles throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America.  Since inception, FMEF has provided nearly $1 billion in financing to over ten thousand customers. Also seeks third party originations.

Financing programs, leases, and loans for equipment costing from $10,000 to $10,000,000+.  “Application only” programs (No financials or tax returns required) for equipment up to $350,000 and we generally make a credit decision on these transactions within 24 hours. www.netlease.com

(DD) Maxim Commercial Credit provides creative and flexible asset-based financing for today's challenging credit market.

(EE) BSB Leasing, Inc. is a direct funding source. In addition we offer an experienced Syndication Desk that can place transactions that fall outside of credit, equipment, geographic or dollar amount appetite.

(FF) NFS Leasing is a Technology Leasing Specialist which provides funding for B, C, and D and story credits. We make our own credit decisions, service the full lifecycle of transactions on our own balance sheet. We are fast, flexible, and easy to work with. IT & Computer Equipment, Medical, Scientific Equipment, & Office Equipment. We service Canada and the UK as well.

(GG) Bankers Capital will do ANY Type of equipment, in ANY industry (including cannabis), in ANY state. Our specialty is applicants new in business and/or with challenged credit. We require a full financial package on every applicant. Bankers Capital structures “story” or C&D credits with additional collateral which might include mortgages on residential or commercial real estate, additional equipment, assignment of marketable securities or life insurance policies with cash surrender value, security deposits, or vendor agreements Bankers Capital looks for a way to approve the request instead of looking for a way to decline it.

Quality
Quality funds titled and non-titled commercial equipment for A- to C+ customer profiles.  *Our sales team has over 100 years of combined experience in leasing and finance.  Some sales reps have long-standing vendor relationships, but we do not pursue vendor relationships that come to us from brokers."

Balboa Capital Corp. Bankers Capital Black Rock Capital Investment, LLC BSB Leasing, Inc Calfund, LLC Dakota Financial

Financial Pacific Leasing Forum Financial Services, Inc. Gonor Funding Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC

North Mill Equipment Finance P&L Capital Corporation Quality Leasing Co. Inc. SLIM Capital, LLC TEAM Funding Solutions

Leasing and Finance  Help Wanted
Balboa Capital
We Are Growing Our Senior Sales Team Now
Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC
Looking for Chief Operating Officer

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To Those Who Know There’s Another Gear
By Ken Lubin, ZRG

Most people fail not because they lack talent, but because they fail because they choose comfort over discomfort, safety over risk, routine over reinvention.

That’s the silent killer I explore in my latest playbook:
"The Comfort Crisis: Why Playing It Safe Is Killing Your Potential"

This isn’t your typical business advice. This is a wake-up call for executives, athletes, and high performers who feel like they’re playing smaller than they should.

Inside, I cover:

• Why busy doesn’t mean productive—and how to break out of the illusion of progress
• How elite performers manufacture discomfort to stay sharp and dominant
• The biggest traps executives fall into—and how to avoid becoming average
• A high-performance protocol I call “No Ceiling”—built on non-negotiable habits, radical truth, and calculated risk

If you’ve been feeling stuck, platitude, or just not quite at your best — It’s not a matter of effort. It’s a matter of comfort. I have that I can send that I can send to you.

The Comfort Crisis PDF
(It’s blunt, direct, and built for people who want more.)

Stop waiting for things to change. Start building the muscle of discomfort—and reclaim your edge.

Ken Lubin
Managing Director
ZRG Partners, LLC
Americas I EMEA I Asia Pacific
klubin@zrgpartners.com
C: 508-733-4789
https://www.linkedin.com/in/klubin

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Top Ten Most Read by Readers
June 2 - June 6

(1) Complaints About Dallin Hawkins Keep Coming
  By Ken Greene, Leasing News Chief Legal Editor, Emeritus
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_04.htm#hawkins

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
    and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_06.htm#hires

(3) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_04.htm#hires

(4) The Platform Matters
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_06.htm#plat

(5)  Fastest Growing
    Job Sectors
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_04.htm#fastest

(6) U.S. Goods Imports Drop in April After
     Pre-Tariff Spike U.S. Trade
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_04.htm#us

(8) Dext Capital Announces Record-Breaking Start to 2025
    After Monday exceeding $2 Billion in Originations
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_04.htm#dext

(9) U.S. Small Business Job Growth
Remains Largely Unchanged in May
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_06.htm#us

(10) Prospect Smarter:
  Take Control of Your Results
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_04.htm#prospect

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Conferences and Forums – Coverage  Updated
Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance

September 10-12: AACFB Commercial Financing Expo, Austin, Texas

• Gain industry insights from expert-led sessions  
• Explore tools and trends shaping the future of finance 
• Experience top-tier networking — all in a dynamic, fun-filled setting!
• Register today and be part of the energy, the innovation, and the harmony that will make this event unforgettable.

Hotel Details: AT&T Hotel and Conference Center1900 University Avenue, Austin, TX 78705
Group Rate: $199/night
Bonus Night: Discounted rate of $299 available for Friday, September 12
Cut-Off Date: August 18, 2025
https://members.aacfb.org/Expo/

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 returns at Center415 on Fifth Avenue in Midtown 
Register Now:
https://thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com/ny/

Don Cosenza, CLFP, will cover the Expo as he did last year for Leasing News readers.

October 14-16: National Equipment Finance Association Fall Conference, Renaissance Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Conference Details Coming Soon

Vicki Shimkus, CLFP, Balboa Capital Relationship Manager, will be covering the conference for Leasing News readers.

October 26- 8: ELFA 64th Annual Convention, Marco Island, Florida
Annual Convention: Call for Presentations Coming Soon!
The 2025 ELFA Annual Convention, Oct. 26-28 in Marco Island, Fla., will open our Call for Presentations SOON! Keep your eyes open for emails, promotion, banners, LinkedIn posts and more. We want YOUR ideas and innovative sessions. Additional details and session topics coming soon

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.
This groundbreaking event will bring together leaders from Small Business Lending, Equipment Finance, Real Estate Lending, Merchant Cash Advance, and beyond.  Over the course of this exclusive two-day event, brokers, lenders, funders, and service providers alike can expect networking opportunities, expert panels, and much more.

Join us for an exceptional networking and educational opportunity as we bring together the best in the industry!

Questions? Email us at events@debanked.com

To Update: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

News Briefs

Employers added 139,000 jobs in May,
    a solid gain amid economic headwinds
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/06/06/jobs-report-may-unemployment/

Gas Stations Are Adding E.V. Chargers
   and Reasons to Wait Around
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/business/gas-station-expansion-evs.html

Trump administration races to fix a big mistake:
     DOGE fired too many people
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/06/06/doge-staff-cuts-rehiring-federal-workers/

Venmo Unleashes Next Phase of Commerce
with the Venmo Debit Card and Venmo Checkout
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/venmo-unleashes-next-phase-of-commerce-with-the-venmo-debit-card-and-venmo-checkout-302473152.html

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Read the Letter From the Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom
  to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/08/us/office-of-the-governor.html

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Sports Briefs---

The N.B.A. Has a Star Problem
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/07/business/dealbook/the-nba-has-a-star-problem.html

The Ashton Jeanty hype is so insane he can't
     possibly live up to it ... or can he?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/mike-freeman/2025/06/05/ashton-jeanty-running-back-las-vegas-raiders/83841219007/

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California News Briefs---

Bay Area hit hard by federal job cuts
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/08/economy-jobs-government-federal-work-layoff-trump-bay-area-doge-musk/

Historic bank is undergoing a transformation
into Sacramento’s 1st 5-star hotel - Photo
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article303678281.html

To keep the middle class in California, should developers
   build homes to rent? Or own?
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/08/middle-class-rent-own-policy/

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Gimme that Wine

 

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

Roederer Estate Receives First Ever 100-Point Score
Awarded to U.S.-Made Sparkling Wine
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/303856

The Latest Victim of Trump’s Tariff War? American
    Vintners
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/trade-war-winemakers/