Klingler guy

The co-founder of First American Equipment Finance, one of the most successful commercial finance businesses in the US, has announced a “significant” equity investment in newly-launched Innovation Finance.

Guy Klingler formerly served as First American’s president, alongside its other co-founder and CEO Bill Verhelle, who is now CEO of Innovation Finance.

Verhelle said: “Guy has been a close personal friend and a respected business colleague for two decades.

“I am honored and grateful for Guy’s long-standing friendship and support. We are delighted to have Guy’s participation in this exciting new venture.”

Before founding First American, Klingler assisted with the formation and management of Oliver-Allen Corporation's successful computer leasing division in San Francisco, now part of US Bank’s commercial equipment finance business.

Klingler said: “At the heart of Innovation Finance is a culture that embraces change to create opportunity.

“I’m thrilled to be supporting and working with a team I already know and respect. Innovation Finance is spearheading an important redirection in the commercial equipment finance industry. I am honored to be part of it.”

Verhelle announced the launched of Innovation Finance earlier this year, in the belief that industry methods to deliver equipment financing to commercial borrowers can be greatly improved.

He said sophisticated borrowers often endure a painful and time-consuming bid process, followed by slow credit and funding processes. The experience often involves unnecessary meetings, telephone calls and delays.

Verhelle added: “Business executives want self-service, transparent financing solutions for their growing companies.

“Starting with a clean slate, we created a new business model, with no compromises required to accommodate legacy systems or existing processes.”