First Financial Equipment Leasing Acquires NorFund Capital

First National of Nebraska Acquires Northland Capital Holdings

May 1, 2023

Financial Services

First National of Nebraska, Inc. (FNNI) has closed its acquisition of Northland Capital Holdings, including subsidiary Northland Securities, Inc. Northland will operate as an FNNI subsidiary and the deal strengthens FNNI's capital markets capabilities—particularly municipal bond underwriting—and complements Northland's Midwest presence.

North Mill Equipment Finance (NMEF) Acquires Pawnee Leasing Corporation

April 1, 2025

Financial Services

North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (NMEF) has acquired substantially all assets of Pawnee Leasing Corporation and certain other assets from an affiliate of Chesswood Group Limited pursuant to a court‑sanctioned sale. The acquisition increases NMEF's total gross receivables under management to over $2 billion, transfers servicing of Pawnee's managed partnerships to NMEF, and brings a majority of Pawnee's former employees (primarily in Fort Collins, Colorado) into NMEF.

Fortress, Canyon Partners and Others Invest $228M in First Foundation

July 9, 2024

Financial Services

First Foundation closed a $228 million equity financing with investments from affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, Canyon Partners, Strategic Value Bank Partners, North Reef Capital and other investors. The company issued common and preferred shares and seven‑year warrants in the transaction; Jefferies served as exclusive placement agent. The capital is intended to strengthen First Foundation's balance sheet and support its growth as a regional bank and wealth manager.

JTC Acquires NES Financial

April 2, 2020

Financial Services

JTC Group has agreed to acquire NES Financial (NESF), a US-based technology-enabled fund administration business, subject to regulatory approvals. The deal provides JTC with a US platform (Boston operations and San Jose technology centre), expands its Institutional Client Services presence in the United States and adds NESF's fund administration and technology capabilities.

Concord Servicing Acquires Orion First

June 18, 2025

Financial Services

Concord Servicing has acquired Orion First, a specialist in commercial loan and lease portfolio management and analytics, marking Concord's first acquisition since GTCR's investment in December 2024. The deal expands Concord's capabilities into commercial finance and equipment lease servicing, creating a combined platform with over $35 billion in managed assets and retaining Orion's leadership team.

First Financial Bancorp Acquires BankFinancial Corporation

January 1, 2026

Financial Services

First Financial Bancorp completed its all-stock acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial Corporation, adding 18 retail financial centers and expanding First Financial’s presence in the Chicago market. The acquisition brings BankFinancial’s commercial lending, equipment finance and deposit franchise onto First Financial’s platform and increases the combined company’s assets to approximately $22 billion.