Friendly Hills Bank announced the successful launch of a specialty lending group dedicated to providing financing solutions for commercial trucks and vehicles. The newly formed Truck Lending Group provides fast and flexible capital for the purchase and/or refinance of on-road medium duty (gas/diesel/alternative fuel) and heavy duty (diesel/alternative fuel) vehicles through direct funding, including grants from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and additional support under the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP).

With Friendly Hills Bank’s Southern California footprint, the Truck Lending Group will provide much-needed banking services to vendors, dealers, independent owner operator, and small fleet owners with less than 10 units based in California. The group is currently accepting credit applications up to $250,000.

A group of veteran bankers led by Marc Merino, Executive Vice President, Director of Specialty Lending, has joined the company to spearhead this new effort. The team brings nearly 50 years of combined experience and worked together in a similar capacity at a local commercial bank.

“The introduction of our new Truck Lending Group represents a significant step in Friendly Hills Bank’s strategic plans to better serve California’s underserved market and make a lasting impact on the community,” said Nathan Rogge, President and CEO of Friendly Hills Bank. “Our new line of business is just one of our many areas of expertise and we look forward to better serving the banking needs of small-to-medium sized businesses throughout Southern California.”