Julie Hoffman has more than 20 years of banking experience, starting in retail banking and transitioning into commercial loan operations. During her career, she has led various departments including the life cycle of a commercial loan, predominantly in documentation review and loan servicing.
Hoffman’s current role at TriState Capital Bank includes leading the operations teams for equipment finance, commercial bank and swaps. At the end of 2018, TriState Capital Bank started an equipment finance division. Hoffman jumped at the opportunity to create the operations process and implement the new system. She did so while acting as the liaison for the bank’s operations department.
At the time, Hoffman had limited experience with financing equipment. She leaned on the equipment finance sales manager to assist with the additional requirements and quickly earned her Certified Lease & Finance Professional designation to advance her knowledge in the equipment finance area. Learning from prior processes and workflows, Hoffman created a streamlined process in a short time to allow the division to start in 2019. Her quick adaptation in all aspects of equipment finance operations was not only essential to the success of TriState Capital Equipment Finance, but has also been invaluable in establishing a solid relationship amongst her peers.
“Julie has played an integral role in establishing and managing Tristate Capital Equipment Finance since its inception in 2018. Her ability to manage growth, establish policy and procedures, build out operating systems, meet regulatory requirements and execute our aggressive business plan has been invaluable,” Tim Moriarity, executive vice president and equipment finance manager at TriState Capital Bank, says. “Julie was new to the equipment finance world in 2018, but her years of experience within the banking industry helped guide TSCEF’s success to what has become a $500 million-plus, best-in-class equipment leasing company.”
Leading the equipment finance operations has increased Hoffman’s knowledge with the different types of leases and a variety of equipment. She has learned more than she ever thought she would about trucks, trailers, barges and machine equipment. She has also learned a lot about the industry itself; for example, Hoffman finds it exciting and unique that even employees within competing equipment finance companies are willing to provide their insight on any part of the process.
Hoffman started the equipment finance team as its sole operations member and has since grown it to five roles. The team is crosstrained and handles everything from creating the documents, to entering the wire to the vendor, to preparing a payoff letter for an asset disposal.
From day one, Hoffman has consistently demonstrated an ability to educate, mentor and grow TriState’s operations team. She doesn’t hesitate to roll up her sleeves to help out when needed, and she leads by example. Her approach to leadership has created a team that pays close attention to detail, exhibits outstanding customer service and develops invaluable rapport with all stakeholders.
As she advances in her career, Hoffman will continue to learn and grow personally and professionally to achieve the next level, which will allow her to inspire her teams and support changes for TriState to grow.
“My advice to younger women in the industry is to be yourself, and the true leader will arise. You do not need to act differently to be accepted, as the industry is open to all.”