How an Independent Lender Survives a Long Downcycle
How does an independent lender survive a downcycle that lasts longer than anyone expected? In this episode, Paul Fogel explains how Quality scaled from $20M to $240M, what the OTR trucking collapse revealed, and how “Quality 2.0” reshaped underwriting, pricing, diversification, and funding strategy for the future.
From Skip Tracing to Smart Tracing: How Technology Is Changing Asset Tracing
For years, skip tracing has meant tedious manual work for asset-based lenders. Teams pull outdated addresses, stale phone numbers, and fragmented records, then burn hours chasing difficult to find borrowers. Portfolios age, costs climb, and resolution timelines stretch. New research estimates that B2B contact data decays at 20–30% per year, meaning that within 12 months, […]
Built to Scale: Evolving from Discounter to Lender
Dan Krajewski joins ACS Portfolio Perspective to unpack MAZO Capital’s transformation from a discounter to a full-service lender — and what it takes to scale a sustainable platform in today’s market. With over four decades of experience, Dan shares insights on raising capital, building infrastructure, and staying competitive in 2026 and beyond.
Balancing Growth, Credit Discipline & Culture: Lessons from a Platform Builder
What does it take to scale a high-performing equipment finance platform while staying disciplined and nimble? Saurin Shah, President of MidCap Equipment Finance, joins Andrew Pace to share lessons from GE Capital, insights from his entrepreneurial journey, and a candid look at hiring, risk, and culture in today’s competitive lending environment.
Driving Inclusion: Minority Certification, Growth Strategy & Navigating Credit Cycles
Hollis Bufferd, CEO of Star Hill Financial, joins Andrew Pace to discuss the realities of building a certified minority lending business, finding opportunity in shifting markets, and staying grounded in long-term partnerships and credit discipline.
Building Resilience: Subprime Strategy, Growth Discipline & AI in Equipment Finance
From a promissory note to a nationwide platform, Kip Amstutz of 360 Equipment Finance joins Andrew Pace to unpack the risk, discipline, and innovation that shaped his path. They explore subprime strategy, portfolio balance, AI in underwriting, and what real leadership looks like when you’re scaling lean.
From Private Equity to Billion-Dollar Scale: Leading Through Transformation
Rob Ceribelli, President of Channel, joins Andrew Pace for a candid discussion on how leadership, infrastructure, and culture can shape growth at scale. From leading through a private equity transition to launching new lending verticals, Rob shares what’s made the biggest difference—and what other lenders can learn from their evolution.
The Human Element in Asset Recovery: Why Empathy Matters
While the traditional “tough guy” approach in asset recovery may appear decisive, results and data tell a different story. Aggressive tactics often reduce cooperation, prolong recovery timelines, and increase compliance risk. Conversely, respectful communication builds trust and protects brand reputation during challenging recovery situations. At ACS, we’ve embedded empathetic communication and processes into our asset […]
Breaking the Machine: Culture, Credit & Growth at Scale
Some leaders inherit a system. John Gougeon set out to challenge it.
At Unifi Equipment Finance, that meant breaking a perfectly good machine—not to cause chaos, but to test its limits. In this episode, John joins Andrew Pace to share how trust, transparency, and a shift from tranche deals to direct origination fueled remarkable growth without compromising risk discipline.
Credit Clarity in a Crowded Market: Technology, Relationships & Risk Management
What does it take to build a resilient lending portfolio—especially in transportation? Justin Pavek, Chief Credit Officer at Wallwork Financial, joins Andrew to share how his team is navigating risk, leaning on data, and building long-term relationships that last through any cycle.