ASSET-BASED LENDING SOLUTIONS
Direct Access to:
Growth Financing
Working Capital Optimization
We provide flexible capital solutions for manufacturing and industrial organizations through experienced relationship banking, helping businesses expand operations, strengthen performance, and pursue long-term growth with confidence.
Experience is more than tenure. It's the ability to move quickly, understand complex businesses, and build lasting relationships. Our team combines decades of asset-based lending expertise with direct access to decision makers and flexible capital solutions built for growth.
 115+ Years of Combined Asset-Based Lending Experience |
 Relationship-Based Lending for the Long Term |
 Direct Lending With Fewer Layers & Faster Decisions |
Joe Virzi
Executive Director
Head of Asset Based Lending
Joe Virzi advises middle-market business owners with a practical perspective that helps them make confident financing decisions, protect liquidity, and support growth.
43 Years Experience
Joe Virzi
Executive Director
Head of Asset Based Lending
Joe Virzi advises middle-market business owners with a practical perspective that helps them make confident financing decisions, protect liquidity, and support growth.
43 Years Experience
Adam Endsley
Managing Director
ABL National Sales Manager
Adam Endsley partners with middle-market clients by listening first, offering guidance and structuring flexible capital around what they need to solve today and where they want to go next.
20 Years Experience
Adam Endsley
Managing Director
ABL National Sales Manager
Adam Endsley partners with middle-market clients by listening first, offering guidance and structuring flexible capital around what they need to solve today and where they want to go next.
20 Years Experience
Mac Banas
Managing Director
National Portfolio Manager
Mac Banas helps business owners across diverse industries manage growth, change, and financing needs with practical insight, responsive service, and relationship-driven guidance.
20 Years Experience
Mac Banas
Managing Director
National Portfolio Manager
Mac Banas helps business owners across diverse industries manage growth, change, and financing needs with practical insight, responsive service, and relationship-driven guidance.
20 Years Experience
Vision for Team
First Merchants’ strategic investment in building one of the Midwest’s most experienced ABL teams.
Joe Peterson Executive VP | Chief Commercial Officer
Joe Peterson Executive VP | Chief Commercial Officer
Direct Access to Decision Makers
Business leaders work directly with decision makers who understand complexity and move with confidence.
Flexible Structures
From growth to transition, our ABL team structures capital around each business s realities.
Faster Execution
Clients benefit from a team that anticipates complexity, reduces friction, and keeps transactions moving with confidence.
Industry Expertise
First Merchants pairs ABL platform capabilities with the perspective and discipline companies need for growth, transition, and complexity.
Why Businesses Choose First Merchants
Why Businesses Choose
First Merchants
Through steady deal activity, First Merchants continues to support middle-market companies with customized asset-based financing from $5MM to $30MM that turns working capital into liquidity.
DEAL WIN
Steel Industry / Ohio
$17MM
DEAL WIN
Fuel Distribution / Ohio
$13.5MM
DEAL WIN
Toy Distribution / Ohio
$22MM
DEAL WIN
Equipment Rental / Texas
$20MM
DEAL WIN
Tire Distribution / California
$20MM
DEAL WIN
Student Transportation / Minnesota
$15MM
DEAL WIN
Beauty Products Distribution / New York
$15MM
DEAL WIN
Marine Transportation / Indiana
$25MM
DEAL WIN
Lending Financial / Tennessee
$20MM
Let's Talk About
Your Growth Plans.
Let's Talk About Your Growth Plans.
Asset-based financing designed around your business realities not just the transaction.
Insights & Perspectives
Insights & Perspectives
When pressure builds, middle-market clients need more than a lender. They need a relationship-driven partner who listens first, understands the business behind the numbers, and protects access to capital when it matters most.
Joe Virzi
Executive Director
Head of Asset Based Lending
FAQs
