Empire Asset Finance closed its first institutional warehouse credit facility with Bank OZK.
The facility represents a significant milestone for Empire as it expands its capital markets and direct origination capabilities and enhances its ability to deliver equipment financing solutions to middle-market companies throughout the United States and Canada.
The warehouse facility will finance capital leases, operating leases, loans and sale-leaseback transactions across a broad range of equipment types and industries, allowing Empire to provide borrowers with financing backed by a long-term funding source.
“Closing our first institutional warehouse facility is an important milestone in the evolution of Empire,” Rick Rockhold, CEO of Empire, said. “As origination volume continues to grow, having access to efficient, scalable funding enables us to offer competitive pricing while maintaining the speed, flexibility and certainty of execution our clients expect. We are excited to partner with Bank OZK and look forward to building a long-term relationship together.”
Mike Miroshnikov, chief operating officer and chief credit officer of Empire, added, “Bank OZK has built an outstanding reputation as a leading lender with deep expertise in specialty finance. We were highly selective in choosing our first institutional warehouse lending partner, and Bank OZK stood out because of its experience, responsiveness and relationship-oriented approach. This facility positions us for disciplined, long-term growth.”
Matt Conley, director, lender finance group at Bank OZK, said, “Empire has assembled an experienced management team with a clear long-term vision and strong sponsor backing. We are pleased to provide our support in this credit facility.”
