Episode #294 Fireside Chat with Marci Slagle from First Financial Equipment Finance

Marci Slagle, SVP of Originations at First Financial Equipment Finance, joins Jesse Johnson on this week’s Fireside Chats with Jesse. Marci has spent nearly three decades in equipment finance, building her career across independent finance companies, third-party originations, banking, portfolio growth, and now lessor solutions at First Financial Equipment Finance. In this episode, Marci and Jesse talk about her path into the industry, the transition from BankFinancial to First Financial, and why relationships have remained such an important part of her career. Marci also shares how First Financial is building its Lessor Solutions offering to support independent equipment finance companies with warehouse lines, paying agent services, and other financing needs as those businesses grow. Topics covered in this episode include: * Marci’s career path and how she got into equipment finance * Her experience across independent finance companies and banking * The transition from BankFinancial to First Financial Equipment Finance * Building a Lessor Solutions platform focused on independent lessors * Helping finance companies grow from smaller warehouse facilities into larger relationships * How technology has changed equipment finance over the course of Marci’s career * The importance of industry associations, networking, and long-term relationships * Why repeat business matters more than trying to maximize one transaction * Marci’s perspective on the current equipment finance market * Advice for young professionals entering the industry * Why understanding the full lifecycle of a transaction makes you better at sales and origination One theme that came through throughout the conversation was the importance of building relationships the right way. Marci talked about wanting partners to win alongside First Financial and creating relationships that continue transaction after transaction. Fireside Chats with Jesse features conversations with leaders throughout the equipment finance industry discussing leadership, technology, operations, sales, innovation and the future of equipment finance. Thank you to our Fireside Chat series sponsors: **Consult Disrupt, Liventus, Inc. and Equipment Finance Cares.** #EquipmentFinance #EquipmentLeasing #Leadership #CommercialFinance #Banking #Originations #FiresideChatswithJesse