Encina Equipment Finance, LLC (EEF) announced the promotion of Katherine Branch to Chief Risk Officer.

As EEF’s Chief Risk Officer, Branch will have responsibility for both new business underwriting and portfolio management duties. She will continue to report to Rick Matte, EEF’s President and Chief Operating Officer. In her prior role as Senior Managing Director - Underwriting, Branch led a team of underwriters who were instrumental in delivering another year of record growth at EEF. Prior to joining EEF, Branch had a 16-year career with GE Capital where she held several roles of increasing responsibility in underwriting and portfolio management.

“I’m very pleased to announce Katie’s promotion,” Matte said. “Over the past few years, Katie has done an incredible job attracting talent to the risk organization. She has also developed strong and lasting relationships with our customers. I am excited to see how Katie shapes the risk organization as she continues to build this critical function within EEF.”