Balboa Capital
Balboa Capital, operating as Ameris Bank Equipment Finance, is a bank-owned small business lender providing equipment financing, SBA loans, commercial financing, vendor financing, franchise financing, and equipment leasing to SMBs, equipment vendors, franchise owners, and middle-market executives across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersCosta Mesa, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Balboa Capital does
Balboa Capital, operating as Ameris Bank Equipment Finance, is a bank-owned small business lender specializing in equipment financing, small business loans, SBA loans, commercial financing, vendor financing, franchise financing, and equipment leasing. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in California, the company was acquired by Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ: ABCB) in 2021 for $187 million and now operates as a division within the $28.1 billion-asset regional bank. It serves small business owners, equipment vendors, franchise owners, and middle-market executives nationwide, with stated cumulative originations of over $7-8 billion across tens of thousands of customers and an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
The company's technology stack centers on a self-serve online application system that routes applicants into a streamlined credit decision process, supplemented by account manager-assisted sales for approved borrowers. Proprietary components include the Portal360 vendor portal for equipment vendor program management, an online customer center for account access, and a suite of educational tools such as equipment financing calculators, business loan calculators, and Section 179 tax deduction resources. The platform is accessed via equipmentfinance.amerisbank.com for end customers and portal360.balboacapital.com for vendor partners, with no disclosed APIs or third-party integrations.
Balboa Capital generates revenue through transaction-based fees and interest spread on originated loans and leases. SBA loans are priced at $400,000 to $5 million per transaction, while equipment financing and leasing products serve smaller ticket sizes. The go-to-market combines digital direct application (SEO, content marketing, online calculators) with inside-sales account management and a channel partner program for equipment vendors. Customer segments are distributed horizontally across industries and geographies, with no concentrated anchor accounts. Operations are supported by 200+ employees and structured as a sales-led motion, with no disclosed use of AI or machine learning in the underwriting or servicing stack.
Balboa Capital firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Balboa Capital
- Legal name
- Ameris Bank Equipment Finance
- Website
- https://balboacapital.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Balboa Capital, operating as Ameris Bank Equipment Finance, is a bank-owned small business lender providing equipment financing, SBA loans, commercial financing, vendor financing, franchise financing, and equipment leasing to SMBs, equipment vendors, franchise owners, and middle-market executives across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Balboa Capital industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Small Business Equipment Financing and Lending
- NAICS
- Sales Financing (52222), Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)
- akta.pro primary industry
- SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- SME Trade Finance & Working Capital (LCs, Guarantees, Receivables) (FSABABAF)
Keywords
Where Balboa Capital is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Costa Mesa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Balboa Capital business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Equipment Financing: Financing for equipment, technology, and vehicles for small businesses. Revenue generated through interest and fees on equipment loans and leases.
- Commercial Financing: Commercial loans for business expansion initiatives, inventory, and day-to-day operating expenses.
- Small Business Loans: Loans to cover expansion, inventory, and operating expenses for small businesses.
- SBA Loans: SBA-backed loans ranging from $400,000 to $5 million for small business funding nationwide.
- Vendor Financing: Financing programs for equipment vendors to offer their customers, generating referral and transaction fees.
- Franchise Financing: Specialized financing solutions for franchise owners and franchise systems.
- Equipment Leasing: Operating and capital leases for business equipment with flexible terms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | SBA Loans: $400,000 to $5 million |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Balboa Capital product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Balboa Capital, operating as Ameris Bank Equipment Finance, is a bank-owned small business lender that originates equipment financing, commercial financing, small business loans, SBA loans ($400,000 to $5,000,000), vendor financing programs, franchise financing, and equipment leases. Applications are taken online and credit decisions are delivered through a streamlined digital process, with approved borrowers handled by dedicated account managers and equipment vendors served through the Portal360 portal.
Product overview
Balboa Capital operates as Ameris Bank Equipment Finance, a bank-owned small business lender offering a comprehensive suite of funding products. The portfolio includes equipment financing, commercial financing, small business loans, SBA loans ($400,000 to $5 million), vendor financing, franchise financing, and equipment leasing. The company also provides digital tools including financing calculators, Section 179 tax resources, and an online blog with business insights. Customer-facing platforms include Portal360 for vendor management and a customer login portal for account access. The company emphasizes a streamlined online application process with fast turnaround times, serving small businesses nationwide with over $8 billion funded.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Equipment Financing Financing solutions that enable small businesses to acquire equipment, technology, and vehicles needed for operations.
- Commercial Financing Commercial financing options for business growth initiatives, inventory purchases, and day-to-day operating expenses.
- Small Business Loans Loans covering expansion initiatives, inventory, and day-to-day operating expenses for small businesses nationwide.
- SBA Loans Small Business Administration-backed loans ranging from $400,000 to $5,000,000 offered to small businesses nationwide.
- Vendor Financing Embedded financing programs that allow equipment vendors and dealers to offer financing to their own customers at the point of sale, administered through the Portal360 portal.
- Franchise Financing Specialized funding for franchise owners and franchise systems to start new locations or expand existing franchise operations.
- Equipment Leasing Operating and capital leases for business equipment, structured with flexible terms for small business customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $8 billion funded to small businesses nationwide
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Balboa Capital
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Balboa Capital technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Balboa Capital partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Balboa Capital competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Crest Capital: Crest Capital is an independent equipment leasing and financing specialist serving SMBs across the U.S. Closely comparable to Balboa's core equipment financing and leasing product, with similar ticket sizes and target customers.
- Live Oak Bancshares: Live Oak Bank is a pure-play SBA and small-business lender with deep origination across SBA 7(a) loans—directly overlapping Balboa's $400K–$5M SBA product. Both target SMB borrowers through a digital, high-touch origination model.
- DLL (De Lage Landen): DLL is a global vendor-finance specialist owned by Rabobank, financing equipment through dealer and vendor programs across multiple asset categories. Directly comparable to Balboa's vendor financing channel and equipment leasing products.
- Newtek Business Services: Newtek is a publicly traded SMB lender offering SBA loans, equipment financing, and working capital lines—closely mirroring Balboa's product set for small businesses nationwide. Comparable customer profile and similar multi-product SMB strategy.
- First Citizens BancShares (CIT Group legacy): First Citizens acquired CIT Group, which historically operated one of the largest direct equipment finance and commercial finance franchises in the U.S. It directly overlaps with Balboa Capital across equipment financing, vendor financing, and small-business lending to middle-market borrowers.
Emerging players
- Fundbox: Fundbox is a fintech providing working capital and SMB credit lines via digital channels. It overlaps with Balboa's small business loan and commercial financing products at smaller ticket sizes, and represents the digital-native competitive threat to traditional SMB lenders.
- OnDeck (Enova International): OnDeck, part of Enova, is a digital SMB term loan and line of credit provider. Competes with Balboa in online SMB lending on speed and underwriting, particularly for working capital and expansion financing.
Broad incumbents
- M&T Bank: M&T Bank is a regional bank with a strong commercial lending, SBA, and middle-market banking franchise. Competes with Balboa's SBA and commercial financing offerings as part of a broader SMB and commercial banking relationship strategy.
- Truist Equipment Finance: Truist's equipment finance unit, built from the BB&T/SunTrust merger, offers equipment leasing and vendor financing for SMB and middle-market clients. It competes head-to-head with Balboa's vendor and equipment financing products while leveraging a much larger regional bank balance sheet.
- Wells Fargo Equipment Finance: Wells Fargo's equipment finance division provides equipment leasing and loans to SMBs and mid-market customers nationwide. It competes with Balboa on ticket size, structure, and speed, but as part of a much larger commercial banking franchise.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Balboa Capital social profiles
Digital presenceBalboa Capital compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Balboa Capital financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Balboa Capital leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Balboa Capital funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Balboa Capital M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Balboa Capital
What does Balboa Capital do?
Balboa Capital, operating as Ameris Bank Equipment Finance, is a bank-owned small business lender that originates equipment financing, commercial financing, small business loans, SBA loans ($400,000 to $5,000,000), vendor financing programs, franchise financing, and equipment leases. Applications are taken online and credit decisions are delivered through a streamlined digital process, with approved borrowers handled by dedicated account managers and equipment vendors served through the Portal360 portal.
Is Balboa Capital a public or private company?
Balboa Capital is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Balboa Capital founded?
Balboa Capital was founded in 2010. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Balboa Capital based?
Balboa Capital is headquartered in Costa Mesa, United States, in the North America region.
How does Balboa Capital make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Equipment Financing is the primary driver. The others are commercial Financing, small Business Loans, SBA Loans, vendor Financing, franchise Financing and equipment Leasing.
Who are Balboa Capital's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Crest Capital, Live Oak Bancshares, DLL (De Lage Landen), Newtek Business Services and First Citizens BancShares (CIT Group legacy). Emerging players are Fundbox and OnDeck (Enova International). Broad incumbents are M&T Bank, Truist Equipment Finance and Wells Fargo Equipment Finance.
Does Balboa Capital have an API?
No public API is recorded for Balboa Capital.
What industry is Balboa Capital in?
Balboa Capital's product category is Small Business Equipment Financing and Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAKAGAI, SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans, with a secondary code of FSABABAF, SME Trade Finance & Working Capital (LCs, Guarantees, Receivables). Its NAICS code is 52222 and its SIC code is 6159.