array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(92039) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(6) "Editor" ["company"]=> string(7) "Monitor" } } article

Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are under fire again, and corporate America is split. Some companies are boldly and proudly standing up against the backlash, while other companies are quietly cracking under the pressure. The hard and fast truth is... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(89762) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(6) "Editor" ["company"]=> string(7) "Monitor" } } article

This year, Monitor’s Top 30 Private Independents reported a 14.9% year over-year growth in new business volume — just half of last year’s 30.8% year-over-year growth, which was the second-highest reported in the ranking’s history. Despite the dramatic drop in... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(92039) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(6) "Editor" ["company"]=> string(7) "Monitor" } } article

Converge started as a simple celebration of Monitor’s 50th anniversary. In the midst of planning the 2023 event, it occurred to Lisa Rafter, publisher and CEO of Monitor, that because Converge was drawing in leaders from across the industry, “we... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(92039) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(6) "Editor" ["company"]=> string(7) "Monitor" } } article

The equipment finance industry has been buzzing with conversation about artificial intelligence, automation tools and emerging technologies that can lead to real and innovative change. However, the industry seems stuck in the conversation of possibility; everyone is gasping in awe... read more

array(2) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(79006) ["name"]=> string(17) "Denis Stypulkoski" ["title"]=> string(21) "Founder and Principal" ["company"]=> string(18) "Reimagine Advisors" } [1]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(92039) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(6) "Editor" ["company"]=> string(7) "Monitor" } } article

Innovation is many things. Some see it as a simple buzzword and gloss over it in headlines. Many consider it the “new way to be” and are striving to turn their companies into innovative leaders that create the path to... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(92039) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(6) "Editor" ["company"]=> string(7) "Monitor" } } article

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) has made its way into news headlines again for a mix of reasons. There seems to be an even split between continual advocacy for DE&I initiatives and the complete opposite — eliminating DE&I funds and... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(101078) ["name"]=> string(14) "Sudhir Amembal" ["title"]=> string(14) "Chairman & CEO" ["company"]=> string(18) "Amembal & Halladay" } } article

Over two centuries ago, Americans began to move westward to make money on the other side of the Mississippi River. This movement was primarily opportunity-based; the western United States offered untapped resources, more land, more freedom and a chance to... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(92039) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(6) "Editor" ["company"]=> string(7) "Monitor" } } article

Monitor’s 2023 Bank 50 companies reported $292,971.5 million in 2022 net assets, a $23,178.0 million (8.6%) increase from $269,793.5 reported in 2021. The group also saw growth in originations, reporting a $9,468.8 million (10.2%) increase from $92,923.6 million in 2021... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(98395) ["name"]=> string(15) "Bette Kerhoulas" ["title"]=> string(29) "Founder and Managing Director" ["company"]=> string(16) "Pacifica Capital" } } article

“Conduct yourself in every situation as if there was a spotlight on you and everyone can see what you’re doing behind the scenes. Do what’s right. If you do what’s right and work hard, then you’ll be successful.” Bette Kerhoulas’... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(96535) ["name"]=> string(12) "Miles Herman" ["title"]=> string(3) "CEO" ["company"]=> string(23) "LEAF Commercial Capital" } } article

“[Miles] will go out of his way to make sure the people around him have everything they need to go as far in their careers as they want.” – Michelle Speranza, Chief Marketing Officer, LEAF Before he began to consider... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(89762) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(6) "Editor" ["company"]=> string(7) "Monitor" } } article

As the nearshoring trend makes its rounds in the equipment finance industry, Mexico is gaining footing as a proximal convenience for U.S. and international manufacturing companies looking to gain access to the U.S. market. Nearshoring began as a concept around... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(66889) ["name"]=> string(10) "Gary Cook " ["title"]=> string(24) "Executive Vice President" ["company"]=> string(21) "1st Equipment Finance" } } article

Gary Cook, executive vice president at 1st Equipment Finance, has an extensive career in the industry. He began in the 80s at a leasing company and is now nearing his second year with 1st Equipment. He joined the company after... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(98197) ["name"]=> string(14) "Donald Wampler" ["title"]=> string(36) "Managing Director, Equipment Finance" ["company"]=> string(23) "Apex Commercial Capital" } } article

As a leader, Donald Wampler, managing director of Equipment Finance at Apex Commercial Capital, a Firstrust Bank subsidiary, enjoys helping others succeed. He always tries to lead by example, never asking his team to do anything that he would not... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(89762) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(6) "Editor" ["company"]=> string(7) "Monitor" } } article

This year has kept the equipment finance sector on its toes with a massive banking crisis, continually rising interest rates and consistent concerns about an economic recession. Equipment finance companies and their customers are continuing to deal with the pressure... read more

array(1) { [0]=> array(4) { ["photo"]=> int(92039) ["name"]=> string(14) "Brianna Wilson" ["title"]=> string(15) "Program Manager" ["company"]=> string(27) "STRIPES Leadership Program" } } article

Our industry can and will benefit from having more women in leadership positions. Spaces that are inclusive of people from various backgrounds — gender, ethnicity, etc. — naturally culminate in a broader set of ideas, which gives companies more options... read more