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Leasing & Financing

Whether you are a business executive looking to invest in new equipment or a vendor seeking financing options for your clients, you can leverage flexible financing through First American.

Case Studies

See firsthand how organizations have achieved their goals with customized financing from First American.

Turn Plans into Progress
Your CapEx Planning Roadmap

Welcome to your CapEx planning hub!

Welcome to your CapEx planning hub!

Planning for the year ahead means making decisions about where to invest and which priorities to move forward. Yet even the strongest capital plans can change as new needs emerge; timelines shift, and opportunities arise.

I help supply chain leaders finance critical investments while maintaining flexibility for what comes next. With deep industry specialization, custom financing structures, and a consultative approach, we make it easier to put capital plans into action.

Industry Insights

Featured Industry Insights

Five Strategies to Consider:

Maintaining multiple financing relationships can help provide greater access to capital, stronger negotiating power, and the flexibility to choose the right structure for each initiative. Diversified lending sources help reduce risk and preserve options.

A lease line allows supply chain organizations to draw capital as needed, rather than all at once. This helps ensure funding is ready for next year’s projects, while floating-rate options may capture savings if rates decline.

Deferred, step, or seasonal payment structures can help you invest in fleet, warehouse equipment, automation, and other operational needs without putting added pressure on cash flow. Tailored payment schedules can align financing with peak seasons, inventory cycles, customer demand, and periods of stronger revenue.

With 100% depreciation reinstated under Section 1791, qualifying equipment purchases can be fully expensed to reduce taxable income. Further, exploring alternative financing structures may provide even greater tax and accounting benefits.

Equipment purchased in the last 6-12 months can be converted into cash through a sale leaseback. This approach turns fixed assets into working capital, helping your organization with added flexibility heading into 2027.

A person wearing a blue hard hat and denim shirt holds a tablet while standing in an industrial warehouse setting.

Choosing the Best Route

Compare Equipment Leasing vs. Financing

Acquiring modern equipment and technology is essential for your organization’s success. But when it comes to funding these investments, how do you navigate the choice between leasing and financing?

Compare the benefits of each option to determine the best route for your needs and help ensure your journey to success is smooth and efficient.

Leasing

Fair Market Value / Operating Lease

Lower Costs

Leasing typically offers lower monthly payments than other forms of funding, enabling budget-friendly acquisitions.

Optimal Flexibility

Adapt to changing needs with options to return, purchase, or continue renting the equipment at lease-end.

Simple Upgrades

Establish an easy way to invest in the latest technology, while mitigating obsolescence risk and the ongoing costs associated with ownership.

Best for
Short-term assets frequently replaced or updated

Financing

$1 Buyout / Finance Lease

Direct Route to Ownership

Instead of using cash to purchase costly equipment outright, financing allows you to spread the expense over time with fixed monthly payments.

Known Cost

Financing provides a clear understanding of the total cost to own equipment, helping you make informed financial decisions.

Best for
Long-term projects or facility improvements

Financing Designed for the Way You Operate*

Typical Term Length
24-60 Months

 

Project Sizes
$100K-$100MM+

Products

  • Capital Leases
  • Operating Leases
  • Lease Lines
  • Loans
  • Sale Leasebacks

Payment Options

  • Fixed
  • Deferred
  • Step-up/Step-down
  • Balloon

 

*All transactions are subject to credit approval. Eligibility for a particular service is subject to final determination by First American. Some restrictions may apply.

Commonly Funded

  • Material Handling
  • Automation Equipment
  • IT Equipment
  • Racking
  • Buildouts & Renovations
  • Fleet Vehicles

Commonly Funded

Forklift

 

Material Handling

Robot arm

 

Automation Equipment

Hand holding barcode scanner

 

IT Equipment

Shelf with boxes

 

Racking

Hammer and wrench

 

Buildouts & Renovations

Fleet truck

 

Fleet Vehicles

A Client Centered Approach to Success

Move your project forward with financing backed by decades of consistent performance.

Industry Specialization

The supply chain industry faces unique operational complexities. Our industry expertise enables us to tailor financing solutions that support growth, improve efficiency, and position businesses for long-term success.

Streamlined Support

Automation & facility projects require careful coordination, and having the right support makes all the difference. Each client works with a dedicated Project Manager who oversees vendor payments, and construction pay applications—helping to create a smooth, stress-free experience.

Payment Flexibility

From initial deposits through final installation, facility projects require flexibility. Our customized financing and payment options can be structured around project timelines, vendor requirements, and implementation milestones to help keep projects moving forward.

Brian Begg, Treasurer of WESCO International

“You want somebody who’s going to be flexible, willing to listen to you, willing to be creative in solutions that fit [your] needs.”

Brian Begg, Treasurer, WESCO International

Recently Funded Office & Facility Upgrades

48-month lease

Equipment Dealer in TX $650,000

A capital lease was used to finance A/V equipment, security systems, and office furniture for the client’s new headquarters.

security camera in warehouse

48-month lease

Distributor in VT $1,050,000

A capital lease was used to fund the buildout and expansion of an existing warehouse facility, including excavation, framing, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, and interior finishes.

Man installing HVAC system into warehouse under construction.

60-month lease

National Electrical Distributor $4,600,000

Multiple capital leases were coordinated across several states to finance buildouts including infrastructure and lighting involving several vendors.

Warehouse building.

Meeting the Industry Where It Moves

Our team is looking forward to participating in some upcoming industry events and hope to see you on the road!

  • NAFCD + NBMDA Annual Convention – November 3-5 2026
  • International Warehouse Logistics Convention & Expo – May 2027 (IWLA)
  • National Association of Electrical Distributors Regional Meetings (NAED)
First American's Logistics and Distrubution Team at a conference

Commercial Card Program

First American presents City National Bank's Visa® Commercial Card that allows businesses to customize their program to meet their specific needs. Used as a business credit card for everyday expenses or a purchasing card for travel and entertainment, this card program offers convenient buying power along with the ability to easily monitor and manage employee expenses online. 

Person typing on a laptop and holding a credit card

Interested in Learning More?

Connect with Josh

Tap into the expertise of one of the country’s largest equipment finance companies.Tell me your business needs and we can start exploring funding options today.

1Source: One Big Beautiful Bill, Library of Congress

2Source: Monitor 100 2026 | Vol. 53, No. 4