David Drury is an industry icon, a leader whose career is a testament to resilience, strategic vision and the power of authentic leadership. He has navigated nine organizational name changes driven by mergers and acquisitions, rising from credit and documentation through sales and management to his current role leading one of the largest bank-owned equipment finance businesses in the U.S.
Among his proudest achievements is leading his team to successfully integrate five distinct businesses following the MB Financial-Fifth Third Bank merger, a complex undertaking that aligned leadership, integrated systems and built cohesive teams. This foundational work enabled his organization to navigate turbulence, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the regional banking crisis, to emerge with a healthy portfolio and a growing market presence.
Drury’s leadership has evolved from a hands-on approach to one grounded in trust and empowerment. He focuses on hiring the best people, delegating responsibility and trusting his team to deliver. He serves as a steady, calming presence, especially during times of uncertainty and emphasizes listening as a powerful tool for a leader.
Drury’s advice to the next generation is simple yet profound: “Be who you are.” He champions authenticity as a leader’s greatest asset and encourages striving for excellence, fairness and consistency. Drury’s enduring impact on the industry is a result of his technical expertise, his strategic foresight in consolidating a market presence and his unwavering belief that true leadership is built on trust, integrity and genuineness.
