Pinnacle Financial Partners’ Equipment Finance team marks its fifth anniversary in September, celebrating five years of significant growth, team expansion and a continued focus on delivering distinctive service to clients.
In September 2021, Kris Foster joined Pinnacle to build the firm’s first dedicated Equipment Finance team. Banking veterans Greg Pinchback and Jason Fronheiser joined him. By December, the team had grown to four members with the hiring of Trish Thiele. Today, it includes 39 experienced professionals.
The team surpassed $1 billion in its portfolio in less than three years and slated to do over $1.5 billion in new originations in 2026. Foster credits that growth to hiring exceptional talent, eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and fostering close collaboration with the firm’s commercial bankers.
“What sets us apart is the strength of our team and the strong partnership with our commercial bankers. While our group itself may be relatively new to Pinnacle, many of our teammates have worked together for 10 to 15 years and have been in the industry for 25+ years. This builds a strong level of trust, collaboration, and culture that is among the best in banking,” Foster said.
The Equipment Finance team’s growth has come alongside significant expansion for Pinnacle. Over the past five years, the firm has grown to become one of the 25 largest U.S. banks while maintaining the industry’s highest Net Promoter Score within its division. Foster said the success of both the firm and his team has been rooted in putting people first.
“Since day one, our vision has been to deliver meaningful value to Pinnacle and distinctive service and advice to our clients. As we celebrate five years, I’m especially grateful to our Equipment Finance and Pinnacle teammates whose trust, partnership and support have been essential to our success. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and thankful for the relationships we’ve built. We look forward to building on that momentum by expanding our reach, pursuing strategic opportunities and continuing to bring the right people to our team.”
Today the team has over $2.5 billion in net assets. This growth has earned increased recognition within the equipment finance industry. Pinnacle reached No. 46 on the 2026 Monitor 100. The annual list tracks the leading equipment finance companies in the United States and provides a benchmark of the industry’s largest portfolios.