Chad Eberly spent seven years at PwC, specializing in risk, controls and business process optimization for large banking and fintech clients, before deciding to build a business of his own. While he brought a sophisticated understanding of institutional banking to the table, he quickly discovered that specialty finance is fundamentally a relationship-driven industry.
“I knew the banking side of things,” Eberly says, “but secured lending was new to me, and it felt like a world where we could deliver a much-needed product with a personal touch to a largely underbanked population of small and medium-sized businesses.”
Over the past four years, his perspective has shifted toward appreciating the vast network of professionals who support the industry, recognizing that a knowledgeable, dedicated team is the ultimate competitive advantage.
As general manager and co-founder of Encore Funding, Eberly has made a significant mark by strategically positioning the firm as a preferred alternative financier for traditional banking institutions. By strengthening relationships with bank partners, he has carved out a niche for
Encore to handle complex deals that no longer fit within a large bank’s traditional credit box. “That has been a winning formula we expect to continue producing quality leads,” he notes.
His management philosophy is built on four essential pillars: credit, new clients, existing clients and the team. Mentored by his business partner, Eberly understands that while rigorous credit discipline ensures long-term survival, exceptional service turns existing clients into the company’s most effective salespeople. “It’s all about surrounding yourself with the best people and empowering them to be leaders within the business,” he explains. By balancing these pillars, Eberly continues to build a resilient platform dedicated to the success of the entrepreneurial community.
