Bell Bank Hires Zehr to Lead Newly Launched Equipment Finance Division
Minneapolis (October 8, 2018) - We are pleased to announce the launch of Bell Bank Equipment Finance, a new division of Bell Bank. This division will enhance Bell’s commercial and industrial (C&I) lending capabilities by offering equipment financing options across a wide range of industries, primarily focusing on manufacturing, transportation, construction and agriculture.
Eric Zehr, president of the new division and a veteran in the equipment finance industry, has hired a seasoned team averaging over 20 years of experience in this specialized field.
He anticipates that many of Bell’s existing business clients, as well as new customers, will take advantage of the bank’s expanded equipment financing capabilities. The group will also provide vendor financing services and work with other financial institutions on syndicated transactions.
“We look forward to partnering with our existing commercial lending and correspondent banking customers and prospects to offer new products not typically accessible without a dedicated equipment finance platform,” Zehr says.
With a high volume of transactions, Zehr comments that “speed, flexibility, friendliness and competitive pricing are the keys to success in this business line.”
The initial team will office at The Colonnade, 5500 Wayzata Boulevard in Minneapolis.
Equipment Finance Team
Zehr leads a team of professionals, with plans to expand over the next several years. Zehr is a 24-year veteran in equipment finance, having previously worked for Farm Credit Leasing, GE Capital and Merchants Bank Equipment Finance. Travis Johnson, SVP/credit officer, has been in equipment finance for 25 years, the last 15 years with TCF Equipment Finance and related entities. Tim Stickler, VP/controller, also joins Bell from TCF Equipment Finance, where he worked for the last 14 years. Sally Laing, VP/documentation manager, has been in the banking field for 17 years and worked at Merchants Bank Equipment Finance for the last 7 years. Jeff Tibbetts, VP/territory manager, has been in the equipment finance field for the past 10 years and was previously employed by Merchants Bank Equipment Finance.
About Bell Bank
Headquartered in Fargo, N.D.. Bell Bank was chartered in 1966 and has grown to become one of the nation’s largest privately held banks. Bell is an award-winning company, offering full-service commercial, consumer and private banking as well as mortgage, wealth management and equipment finance services.
Bell Bank Equipment Finance is a division of Bell Bank committed to delivering the bank’s unequaled personal service, flawless execution and competitive pricing to equipment finance markets. The team works directly with end users, provides vendor finance options, buys and sells syndications with other financial institutions and provides equipment finance solutions to other banks.
Bell Bank is committed to community and has given back over $12 million since 2008 through its “Pay It Forward” program.
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Contacts:
Michael Deering
612-360-7789
michael@superstarpr.com
Kelly Plummer
651-206-9852
kelly@superstarpr.com