North Mill Equipment Finance (NMEF), an independent commercial equipment lender and lessor headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, formed a new strategic division of NMEF, Battle Horse Financial, dedicated to originating equipment finance solutions, including operating leases for the construction, timber and agricultural industries.
The launch of this strategic division marks the next chapter in NMEF’s longstanding relationship with Battle Horse Financial. The existing Battle Horse team, led by industry veteran Auston Bennett, will continue operating under the Battle Horse Financial brand. The division will maintain its specialized focus on serving customers and vendors throughout the Southeast while leveraging NMEF’s expanded capital resources, operational infrastructure and nationwide platform.
“From the beginning, Battle Horse has been built on relationships,” Auston Bennett, president of Battle Horse Financial, said. “We firmly believe that while you can accomplish a great deal on your own, true growth happens through partnership. By partnering with NMEF, we’re combining our industry expertise with the strength of a premier equipment finance platform, allowing us to serve more customers, support more vendors and create even greater opportunities for the long-term success for every stakeholder. Together, we’ll continue doing what we’ve always done: helping our partners grow by delivering financing solutions they can rely on.”
The formation of this new division further advances NMEF’s strategy to expand its fair market value (FMV) and operating lease capabilities. That strategy accelerated in 2025 through NMEF’s partnership with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management and the acquisition of the Midland Equipment Finance portfolio.
“Our relationship with Auston and the Battle Horse team dates back to 2021, and we’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the quality of the business they’ve built and the trust they’ve earned within the industries they serve,” Mark Bonanno, president and chief revenue officer of NMEF, said. “As we’ve continued executing our long-term growth strategy, expanding our reach in the Southeast and accelerating our FMV and operating lease platform has become an important priority. The specialized expertise of Battle Horse Financial along with their strong customer relationships and entrepreneurial approach make them an outstanding addition to the NMEF family.”
