In a strategic move to bolster its equipment financing platform, Empire Asset Finance, LLC has successfully closed its first institutional warehouse credit facility with Bank OZK. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in Empire’s growth trajectory, enabling the company to offer more flexible and competitive financing solutions to businesses across North America.
The new facility will support a wide range of financing options, including capital leases, operating leases, loans, and sale-leaseback transactions. This diverse portfolio allows Empire to cater to various industries and equipment types, providing borrowers with stable, long-term funding sources.
Enhancing Financing Capabilities
Empire’s Chief Executive Officer, Rick Rockhold, emphasized the significance of this milestone. “Closing our first institutional warehouse facility is a crucial step in our evolution,” he stated. “As our origination volume grows, having access to efficient, scalable funding enables us to offer competitive pricing while maintaining the speed, flexibility, and certainty of execution our clients expect.”
The facility is designed to finance a broad spectrum of equipment types and industries, ensuring that middle-market companies have access to the capital they need to grow and thrive. This expansion of Empire’s capital markets and direct origination capabilities is poised to make a substantial impact on the equipment financing landscape.
The Role of Bank OZK
Bank OZK, a regional bank with a strong reputation in specialty finance, brings valuable expertise to this partnership. Mike Miroshnikov, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Credit Officer of Empire, highlighted Bank OZK’s strengths. “Bank OZK has built an outstanding reputation as a leading lender with deep expertise in specialty finance,” he said. “We were highly selective in choosing our first institutional warehouse lending partner, and Bank OZK stood out because of its experience, responsiveness, and relationship-oriented approach.”
Matt Conley, Director of the Lender Finance Group at Bank OZK, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “Empire has assembled an experienced management team with a clear long-term vision and strong sponsor backing,” he noted. “We are pleased to provide our support in this credit facility.”
Expanding the Partnership
This facility is not just a financial arrangement; it’s the foundation of a long-term relationship between Empire and Bank OZK. The partnership is expected to drive disciplined, long-term growth for Empire, allowing the company to expand its reach and impact in the equipment financing sector.
As Empire continues to grow, this strategic alliance with Bank OZK will play a crucial role in supporting its mission to deliver flexible, competitive financing solutions to middle-market companies. The facility’s structure ensures that Empire can meet the evolving needs of its clients, providing them with the financial support they need to succeed.
With this new credit facility, Empire Asset Finance is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the equipment financing market, offering innovative solutions that drive growth and success for businesses across the U.S. and Canada.
