Unlocking Growth: Summit Funding and First Financial Bank Join Forces

Published in Equipment Finance Advisor

In early December 2021, First Financial Bank, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, announced the acquisition of Cincinnati-based Summit Funding Group, Inc. (Summit), the fourth largest independent equipment financing platform in the United States.

Summit’s founder and CEO, Rick Ross, is remaining in his leadership position and as a subsidiary of First Financial Bank, Summit is continuing to operate under the name Summit Funding Group, allowing them to take full advantage of the company’s brand recognition within the equipment finance industry.

Upon announcement of the acquisition, Rick Ross stated, “With First Financial, we are joining a like-minded partner who is well-positioned to assist Summit in unlocking significant growth, while enhancing profitability through immediate funding synergies and sharing a commitment to credit performance excellence.”