Pathway Launches Automation Platform to Redefine Underwriting
September 4, 2025NEW YORK, NY — September 2025 — Pathway, a New York–based fintech company, is transforming how funders and brokers underwrite small business financing. By parsing and reconciling bank statements, auto-screening deals, and producing mathematically verifiable outputs, Pathway helps underwriting teams cut decision time from hours to minutes while improving accuracy and consistency.
The platform was built by underwriters, for underwriters. That perspective shapes everything from its clean summaries and deep audits to its configurable decision rules—designed to eliminate dead paper and accelerate deal flow without sacrificing accuracy.
“We aren’t just a document reader—we’re a decision engine,” said co-founder Andrew Bisch. “We automate the most tedious underwriting work, and let you retain full control of the deal.”
Pathway also extends beyond core parsing. The platform includes information on UCC filings, AI-powered business research, custom Gmail forwarding, and white-labeled deployment options. Every feature is backed by enterprise-grade security—including Okta-powered authentication, full audit trails on every file, and flexible deployment to AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
Highlights of Pathway’s capabilities include:
- Statement Parsing & Reconciliation — Transactions, balances, and metadata reconciled to the penny, with anomalies flagged for audit-ready confidence.
- Auto-Decisioning — Configurable rules that can instantly approve or deny deals.
- Scalability — Support for teams of all sizes with no drop in output quality.
- CRM & Email Pipeline Sync — Push clean data directly into existing pipelines and
track deals without breaking workflow.
Already, Pathway underwrites 100M+ USD of monthly recurring revenue for SMBs across North America.
To see how Pathway can automate your underwriting without giving up control, book a demo or start a free trial at https://lendpathway.com.
NMEF Announces Strategic Joint Venture With Oaktree to Accelerate Growth in FMV Leasing Platform
June 10, 2025JUNE 10, 2025, NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance, LLC (“NMEF” or “North Mill”), a leading commercial equipment lessor located in Norwalk, Connecticut, today announced a new partnership with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”), a global investment firm with deep expertise in credit and asset-backed finance. The collaboration launches a joint venture designed to grow NMEF’s fair market value (FMV) equipment leasing platform, alongside Oaktree’s investment in the venture.
The combined capital commitment from Oaktree and NMEF will support the funding of $350 million in FMV equipment lease originations initially, with additional capital capacity available to continue funding the venture.
This partnership combines NMEF’s established origination network and servicing capabilities in the equipment leasing space with Oaktree’s institutional capital base and investment team. This new extension of NMEF’s platform will focus on FMV leases across a wide range of essential-use equipment including construction, medical, logistics, and manufacturing assets.
“This marks a major step forward in our efforts to deliver flexible, value-driven leasing solutions to the market,” said David Lee, Chairman and CEO of North Mill Equipment Finance. “We’re excited to work with a partner like Oaktree who shares our long-term vision and brings deep understanding of asset-backed investing.”
Under the terms of the agreement, NMEF will originate and service all transactions through their national network of independent originators and vendors. North Mill will also invest alongside Oaktree in the venture.
“We’ve built a strong and scalable platform, and this partnership allows us to bring it to a broader investor base,” said Lee Bergeron, Senior Vice President of Structured Products at NMEF. “Together with Oaktree, we’re well-positioned to meet growing demand for flexible equipment financing solutions.”
Paul Cheslock, Vice President of Structured Products at NMEF, added, “This collaboration gives us the capacity to do more of what we do best—helping businesses acquire the equipment they need with creative and sustainable financing options.”
From Oaktree’s perspective, the partnership is a natural fit with their investment strategy. “We’re pleased to partner with North Mill to support the next phase of growth for their FMV platform and bring long-term value to their customers,” said Rana Mitra, Managing Director at Oaktree. “We are excited to partner with an extremely high-quality originator and servicer like North Mill as we continue generating attractive asset-backed finance exposures for our investors,” said Brendan Beer, Portfolio Manager for Oaktree’s Asset-Backed Finance and Structured Credit strategy.
About North Mill Equipment Finance (NMEF)
NMEF is a national, premier lender who works with third-party referral (TPR) sources to finance small to mid-ticket equipment commercial leases and loans ranging from $15,000 to $3,000,000 and up to $5,000,000 for investment grade opportunities. NMEF accepts A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for many asset categories including but not limited to medical, construction, franchise, technology, vocational, manufacturing, renovation, janitorial and material handling equipment. NMEF is majority owned by an affiliate of InterVest Capital Partners. The company’s headquarters are in Norwalk, CT, with regional offices in Irvine, CA, Voorhees NJ, and Murray, UT. For more information, visit www.nmef.com. One of NMEF’s controlled affiliates, BriteCap Financial LLC, is a leading non-bank lender providing small businesses with fast, convenient financing alternatives such as working capital loans since 2003 from its main office in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.britecap.com.
About Oaktree
Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $203 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented, and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, equity, and real estate. The firm has more than 1,200 employees and offices in 25 cities worldwide. For additional information, please visit www.oaktreecapital.com.
Eight Individuals Arrested by FBI in Small Business Loan Carroting Scam
April 18, 2025
Eight individuals have been arrested by the FBI and charged in connection with a scheme to defraud small business owners out of millions of dollars by charging them money in return for a promise of a large line of credit that would never come.
The individuals charged include: Joseph Rosenthal, Matthew Robertson, Nicholas Smith, James Missry, Paul Cotogno, Blaise Cotogno, Adam Akel, and Nicholas Winter.
As part of the alleged conspiracy the group used the following domain names: oakcapitalgrp.com, oldbridgefunding.com, wsfcap.com, opticapitalgrp.net, and more.
In addition, they used company names and entities that include: Clover Advance Group LLC, FFCG LLC, Advance Source Capital Group dba ASF Capital, WSF Capital Group, Forward Advance LLC, Delta Fund Grp, Oak Capital Grp, United Front Capital, Quick Call Capital, Pine Equities, D&D Equities, ASC Group LLC, and Old Bridge Funding.
“For some victims, the Defendants sent some of the Defendants’ funds to bank accounts provided by the victim,” the criminal complaint states. “The victim was instructed to then repay that same money back to the Defendants over several days, which would in turn improve the victim’s credit score, making the victim more credit-worthy. Further, to secure the loan or line of credit, the victims were required to make a larger, one-time payment comprised of the victim’s own money, which the Defendants typically referred to as a balloon payment. Once the Defendants had recouped their own funds and obtained the victim’s own money via the balloon payment, the Defendants did not extend financing to the victim. Instead, the Defendants kept the victim’s money and broke off communication with the victim.”
The scam had been going on for almost four years, according to the criminal complaint. Several of the names listed above had circulated on an industry message board as likely being involved in a bait and switch LOC fraud scheme.
“These defendants perpetrated a years’ long scheme to defraud hard-working business owners in New Jersey and across the United States, stealing millions of dollars from thousands of victims,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. “These charges reflect our Office’s commitment to holding accountable those who prey on small business owners trying to support their communities and earn a decent living.”
Onset Financial Acquires Channel Forming One of the Largest Independent Equipment Finance Lenders
April 8, 2025
Draper, UT, and Minnetonka, MN (April 8, 2025) – Onset Financial, one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent equipment leasing companies, today announced it has acquired Channel and its subsidiaries, a premier provider of equipment finance and working capital solutions for small business.
This strategic acquisition brings together two of the industry’s most innovative and financially strong independent finance companies, creating an unmatched platform with the scale, expertise, and resources to meet the evolving needs of businesses across all segments. For more than 16 years, Onset has been a driving force in equipment finance, facilitating over $5 billion in funding, with more than $1 billion in the past year alone. With a proven track record across industries including manufacturing, healthcare, energy, aviation, and technology, Onset has built a reputation for exceptional deal structuring, capital strength, and a relentless focus on customer and team member success. Recognized as a Monitor Magazine Top 100 and Independent Finance Company, Inc. Magazine Best Workplace, and Salt Lake Tribune Top Workplace, Onset’s growth trajectory and industry leadership continue to set it apart.
Since its founding in 2009, Channel has provided over $3 billion in financing to more than 30,000 businesses, earning widespread recognition for its data and technology-driven approach, deep industry relationships, and commitment to its partners. Its accolades include listing on Inc. Magazine’s Fastest Growing Companies list for 12 consecutive years. The company has also been recognized as a Top Workplace by Inc. Magazine, Minnesota Star Tribune, and on Monitor Magazine’s Top Companies list for both Culture and Leadership, all of which reflect a reputation built on trust, service, and innovation. Channel has developed industry superior systems and processes that enable it to deliver a best-in-class financial product to its partners, enhancing efficiency and service.
By joining forces, Onset and Channel are setting a new standard for what a fiercely independent finance company can achieve. This partnership amplifies their collective ability to be nimble, creative, and hyper-focused on innovation, culture, and lasting partnerships. Importantly, the Channel brand and subsidiaries will continue, and the full leadership team and employees will remain in place, ensuring continuity without any disruption for its partners and customers. Onset gains expanded capabilities in small-ticket financing and exclusive partner-based funding models, while Channel benefits from increased capital access and accelerated growth. Together, they create a dynamic, best- in-class lending platform that combines flexibility, scale, and operational strength to deliver groundbreaking financial solutions with a partner-centric focus.
“This acquisition positions us to lead the independent equipment finance space with unmatched resources, expertise, and combined financial strength,” said Justin Nielsen, Founder & CEO of Onset Financial. “The exceptional leadership, industry experience, and culture that the Channel team brings to the table are a perfect match with Onset. Their deep partner network and technology-driven approach, combined with our large-scale leasing capabilities, create a powerhouse of innovation and service. We are excited for the near-term growth opportunities this creates, as we combine forces to build an even stronger future. Together, we’re not just expanding our reach, we’re setting a new standard for excellence, agility, and partnership in the industry.
“This is a defining moment for Channel,” said Brad Peterson, Co-Founder and CEO of Channel. “From my first conversation with Justin, it was clear that Onset operates with a bold, forward-thinking approach that sets them apart. Their vision, leadership, and ability to execute at scale are truly impressive. Our united strength in both financial foundation and proven expertise, positions us extremely well for projected expansion. What excites me most, however, is not just the financial strength they bring, but their entrepreneurial spirit, like-minded culture, and commitment to collaboration. With Onset, we’re ready to build and transform what is possible in our industry for our partners and customers.”
Established in financial strength, industry expertise, and progressive culture, the newly combined organization will offer a powerful alternative to traditional lending institutions, providing businesses with the agility, service, and tailored financing solutions they need to thrive.
Onset’s legal counsel was Ray Quinney & Nebeker. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel Company, served as financial advisor to Channel, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as its legal advisor.
About Onset Financial, Inc.
Founded in 2008, Onset Financial, Inc. is an industry leader in equipment leasing and financing. Onset’s seasoned Management Team has decades of equipment leasing experience and key industry relationships that enable Onset to offer additional flexibility in lease structuring. For more information, please call 801-878-0600 or visit www.onsetfinancial.com.
About Channel
Established in 2009, Channel is a leading full-service independent lender offering a single source solution for both equipment finance and working capital to small businesses. To date, Channel and its subsidiaries have funded over $3 billion to more than 30,000 businesses across the U.S. The organization is comprised of three business divisions that operate from its main office in Minnetonka, MN, along with additional locations in Kennesaw, GA, Mount Laurel, NJ, Des Moines, IA, and Marshall, MN. For more information about Channel, please visit www.channelpartnersllc.com.
Ryan Showe on Winning This Year’s Broker Battle
March 3, 2025
“What being a broker means to me is servicing your clients in the best way possible, really putting their needs before anyone else’s,” says Ryan Showe, VP of Sales at Long Island-based Lexington Capital Holdings. “Ultimately, at the end of the day, we don’t have a job if our clients aren’t happy, so just constantly doing the right thing, putting your best foot forward, and making sure that you’re doing everything ethically and honest.”
Showe was the winner of the 2025 Broker Battle at AltFinanceDaily CONNECT Miami for the revenue-based financing category, earning him the recognition of Top Broker and the recipient of some prizes along with it. Showe has been in the business for just a little over three years, starting at Lexington during its beginnings. Back then, learning the ropes while doing the work meant putting in 70-80 hour weeks on a regular basis. That included not only seeking out advice from the experts but also watching videos and reading books to fully immerse himself in the mindset of what it would take to become successful.
That effort is paying off and today Showe specializes in the most delicate part of the process at Lexington, helping clients who have applied get to the finish line with a deal while managing lender-side negotiations and communications. On the latter side, that means being highly familiar with the guidelines of more than 60 financial service companies at any given time.
“Anybody can get someone to apply and just fill out a quick one-page application, send over a couple bank statements, but really selling the deal, there’s a specific art to it,” says Showe. “It’s really important to be an expert in your industry and know all the lender guidelines, know what the backend process looks like, because every lender is going to have a different process, whether there’s certain steps that some lenders want, whether it’s a manual-login or DecisionLogic. There’s so many ins and outs to every different lender. And just being able to know all that off the top of your head and just really sound like an expert.”
At Lexington, one of the recent educational team-building strategies was to host an internal Broker Battle in which 30 employees participated in a double-elimination competition. The company’s CEO, Frankie DiAntonio, devised the format and questions—not only role‑playing scenarios but also testing general industry knowledge with trivia. Showe says it’s good practice to be put on the spot in front of a crowd, because a key part of sales is thinking on your feet and executing when it counts. Doing it together with colleagues made for a fun experience in a company that prides itself on a family‑like atmosphere, while also mirroring the competitive nature of the industry where many brokers vie to serve the same customers. It’s game time all the time.
“I even tell my clients, ‘competition is always going to breed the best results,'” Showe says. “If you want the best of the best, you have to make people compete. And it goes down to even selling a deal, right? So if I have a deal and another company has a deal, compare my numbers against their numbers. I’m going to do anything I can to win that business.”
By happenstance, Lexington’s Corey Digiantomasso was one of the six finalists selected to compete in AltFinanceDaily’s inaugural Broker Battle in 2024, where he put up a very impressive performance. This year was Showe’s turn where contestants weren’t given much background on the format other than that it would be roleplay-based. Showe kind of liked the mysteriousness of it.
“I’m best at showing up and just getting the job done,” Showe says. “So just doing what I do every single day made it easier for me at least.”
On his victory, Showe described the feeling as awesome while also recognizing that his opponent in the Battle, Joe Sasson, was a very worthy competitor. A large crowed showed up to support both of them during the championship.
“It was great to just see all the hard work that I’ve been putting in over the last three years pay off and be crowned #1 in the industry. It goes a long way for not only myself, but for the company as well.”
Taycor Financial Promotes Evan Sammon to Chief Operating Officer
February 18, 2025
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – 2/18/2025 – Taycor Financial, a leading provider of equipment financing and partner driven lending solutions, proudly announces the promotion of Evan Sammon to Chief Operating Officer (COO). This strategic appointment reflects the company’s commitment to operational excellence and continued growth.
“Evan’s leadership, passion, and innovative approach have been instrumental in our success,” said Michael Hong, CEO of Taycor Financial. “In his new role, I am confident that he will continue to propel our organization forward and set new benchmarks for operational excellence.”
Since joining Taycor, Evan has demonstrated exceptional leadership, operational insight, and a dedication to delivering superior service to clients and partners. As COO, he will oversee company-wide operations, streamline processes, and enhance efficiencies to drive performance and scalability.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished at Taycor, and honored to be a part of such a hard-working, innovative team. Our ability to identify vendor driven solutions is key to our sustained success. Optimizing our adaptable, partner focused processes is at the forefront of our mission and I’m excited for our continued evolution as a best-in-class finance provider.” As Taycor Financial continues to innovate and expand, Evan’s promotion underscores the company’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering leadership from within.
For more information, visit taycor.com
Are You Calculating Defaults Wrong?
January 22, 2025David Roitblat is the founder and CEO of Better Accounting Solutions, an accounting firm based in New York City, and a leading authority in specialized accounting for merchant cash advance companies.To connect with David or schedule a call about working with Better Accounting Solutions, email david@betteraccountingsolutions.com.
As we dive into tax season, it’s crucial for those involved in the merchant cash advance (MCA) industry to have a solid grasp of how to account for defaults. The way defaults are measured can significantly influence financial reporting and tax obligations, so understanding the different perspectives is essential.
There are several ways to evaluate defaults in the MCA industry, each offering different benefits depending on the context.
One common approach is the Right-to-Receive (RTR) perspective, which looks at the difference between the total payback amount agreed upon in a deal and what has actually been repaid.
For example, if a business secures $100,000 with a payback obligation of $150,000, and it repays $135,000, then there’s a remaining $15,000 that constitutes a default—a 10% shortfall from what was expected. This method is excellent for highlighting the gap between expected and actual returns, making it a valuable tool for financial modeling and long-term forecasting.
However, while the RTR method is strong for assessing contractual obligations, it can sometimes feel a bit too rigid. It often overlooks the real-world dynamics of cash flow and the impact of fees, which can give a skewed picture of a deal’s financial health.
Another method is the cash perspective. The approach simplifies things by focusing on whether the initial funding amount has been recovered. Using the same example, if the client repays $135,000, there’s no default recorded since the principal has been recovered. But if only $75,000 is paid back, that’s a 25% default based on the original funding. This approach is particularly handy for tax reporting because it zeroes in on principal recovery without complicating the picture with profit margins.
While straightforward, the cash perspective has its drawbacks. It tends to gloss over important details like origination fees and the overall financial implications of the repayment agreement, which can lead to an incomplete understanding of the deal.
Next, we have the wire perspective, which considers the actual amount transferred to the client after any deductions, such as origination fees. For instance, if a client gets $100,000 but pays a 10% origination fee, they effectively receive $90,000. If they then repay $75,000, the default is calculated based on the wired amount, leading to a 16.66% default rate. This perspective is particularly useful in syndication agreements, where understanding profitability post-fees is crucial.
Yet, like the cash perspective, the wire approach may miss the broader financial picture, focusing too narrowly on fees without accounting for total contractual expectations.
Each of these methods has strengths and weaknesses, but a comprehensive understanding of defaults requires a more detailed approach.
The percentage of payback perspective is the solution, calculating defaults based on the total percentage of the expected payback received.
In a scenario where the RTR is $150,000 and $135,000 is repaid, the default is 10% of the total payback amount. This method accounts for historical trends and repayment behaviors, offering valuable insights for portfolio management and financial forecasting. It allows us to estimate defaults based on historic defaults and post a percentage of the payback as the payments come as defaults. By incorporating both RTR obligations and cash flow realities, it balances the limitations of other methods.
For tax purposes, the cash perspective is practical, recognizing defaults as the shortfall between the funded amount and repayments. However, it oversimplifies the complexities of MCA financing by neglecting origination fees and RTR contracts. Similarly, the RTR perspective, while excellent for identifying contractual gaps, can be too rigid for broader financial analyses, as it does not consider upfront deductions or actual cash flow timing.
The percentage of payback perspective addresses these shortcomings, making it the most effective method for evaluating defaults across all scenarios.
A significant advantage of the percentage of payback perspective is its flexibility for financial projections.
Businesses can use past repayment data to estimate default rates across different portfolios, helping them align with long-term profitability goals. This is especially important in the merchant cash advance industry, where repayment patterns can vary widely. It also works well for situations involving origination fees or syndication agreements, ensuring those fees are factored into default calculations. By doing so, it avoids the distortions seen in cash- or RTR-focused analyses and provides clearer reporting for syndication partners on how their investments are performing. Although this approach requires more effort, its ability to offer accurate and nuanced insights makes it essential for MCA companies in today’s complex financial landscape.
This tax season, understand your accounting options, and leverage them to help you kick off an amazing 2025.
Taycor Financial to Become the Vendor Division of North Mill Equipment Finance
November 14, 2024NOVEMBER 8, 2024, NORWALK, CT – North Mill Equipment Finance, LLC (“NMEF”), a leading commercial equipment lessor located in Norwalk, Connecticut, announced today the acquisition of 100% of the stock of TF Group, Inc., (“Taycor Financial”), a preeminent, technology-driven finance provider in El Segundo, California. Taycor Financial will continue to operate as an independent division of NMEF, with a focus on developing direct and vendor origination programs.
NMEF’s partnership with, and substantial capital investment in, Taycor Financial over the past four years has been instrumental in expanding our commercial footprint,” said David C. Lee, Chairman and CEO of North Mill. “As we take this next step to bring our companies even closer, we want to underscore that our dedication to our existing partners remains unwavering. This integration will further empower each division to build on its core strengths – with NMEF committed to nurturing and expanding our referral partner relationships, while Taycor focuses on developing vendor and direct programs.”
Michael Hong, President of Taycor Financial, stated, “This partnership with NMEF represents an exciting opportunity to expand our capabilities and enhance our service speed across underwriting, documentation, and funding. While we look forward to leveraging our combined technology and resources, our dedication to exceptional customer care remains at the heart of everything we do. We will continue to operate under the Taycor Financial name with the same steadfast commitment to our clients and partners, fostering strong relationships, and delivering personalized, responsive support.”
About North Mill Equipment Finance (NMEF)
NMEF is a national, premier lender who works with third-party referral (TPR) sources to finance small to mid-ticket equipment commercial leases and loans ranging from $15,000 to $3,000,000 and up to $5,000,000 for investment grade opportunities. NMEF accepts A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for many asset categories including but not limited to medical, construction, franchise, technology, vocational, manufacturing, renovation, janitorial and material handling equipment. NMEF is majority owned by an affiliate of InterVest Capital Partners. The company’s headquarters are in Norwalk, CT, with regional offices in Irvine, CA, Voorhees NJ, and Murray, UT. For more information, visit www.nmef.com. One of NMEF’s controlled affiliates, BriteCap Financial LLC, is a leading non-bank lender providing small businesses with fast, convenient financing alternatives such as working capital loans since 2003 from its main office in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.britecap.com.
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