ExpansionMay 4, 2026, 08:02 AM
Dime Launches Equipment & Franchise Finance Group Led by Keith Smith
AI Summary
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. announced the formation of its new Equipment & Franchise Finance Group, a strategic move to expand specialized commercial banking verticals and drive organic growth. The group will focus on delivering customized financing solutions to middle market companies and experienced franchise operators, particularly in essential-use equipment and quick-service restaurants. Keith Smith, an industry veteran, has been appointed to lead this new initiative, bringing decades of experience from Star Hill Financial and Sterling National Bank.
Key Highlights
- Dime formed a new Equipment & Franchise Finance Group to offer customized financing solutions.
- The new group will be led by Keith Smith, Senior Vice President, Head of Equipment and Franchise Finance.
- The group will focus on middle market and large ticket equipment financing across various industries.
- It will also emphasize franchise finance for established, multi-unit quick-service restaurant operators.
- The group aims to structure flexible capital solutions tailored to asset-based lending.
- Keith Smith previously led Star Hill Financial and built a $2 billion platform at Sterling National Bank.
- Chris Wellbrock, Zerka Gul, Lori Rainbolt, and Emily Moreno are joining the new group.
- Dime has approximately $15 billion in assets and holds the number one deposit market share on Greater Long Island.
Price Impact
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