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About
First Financial
Equipment Leasing

Our goal is simple: provide creative and accessible leasing solutions for companies acquiring capital equipment and technology with a timely and straightforward approach

Why Choose First Financial Equipment Leasing

For over 20 years, First Financial Equipment Leasing has helped businesses discover better leasing options and implement the latest technologies. Our extensive background covers all sectors, including construction & heavy equipment, healthcare, IT solutions and services, material handling & automation, and renewable energy & solar. We constantly identify new opportunities in the market and pivot when necessary, so we can further expand and improve our offerings.

Working closely with our clients, through every stage of the leasing process, we create cost-effective, innovative financial products tailored to their objectives. This consultative approach has helped us build lasting relationships with businesses and has made us an industry leader in customer retention.

A new company for a new century.

In 2000, industry veterans Richard Stebbins and Tom Slevin set out to establish a leasing company that offered smart, adaptable, and cost-effective financing solutions. By using a consultative approach and focusing on customer care, First Financial has steadily grown to become one of the largest independent equipment leasing companies in North America.

From the OC to across the country.

Headquartered in Orange County, CA, First Financial Equipment Leasing operates numerous regional offices across the US and formed First Financial Canadian Leasing Ltd. in 2022 to expand offerings into growing and diverse markets. Staffed with dedicated, experienced team members, these offices are vitalto delivering outstanding service and a more personalized experience.

Expanding our offerings.

From the very beginning, our goal was to work with customers and businesses of all types. We’ve continued to grow our client base, products, and service options year after year. Today we are proud to collaborate with an array of companies, including middle-market firms, vendors, dealers, hospitals, and Fortune 500 corporations. Our transactions range from $1MM to well over $50MM.

A partnership for the future.

In 2019, First Financial Equipment Leasing joined the JA Mitsui Leasing family of companies and extended our presence throughout the leasing industry. Established in 1971, JA Mitsui is a joint venture of Mitsui & Co. (2022 revenue $96B) and Norinchukin Bank (2022 assets totaling $1.05 Trillion). We look forward to the challenges and opportunities this partnership will bring to our company and our clients in the years ahead.

“

Throughout the years, we have taken risks in technology across various dynamic and evolving markets. Amidst all this change, one constant has remained the same – we never take risks with our customers. Our client-focused approach led us to where we are now, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thomas SlevinCo-founder, Co-CEO
We don’t just talk about the changing world of e-commerce, automation and distribution…we provide the financial resources necessary to make this change happen.
David SanborneSVP & National Sales Manager
The success and survival of every business, regardless of industry or size, is dependent upon its willingness to embrace technology and innovative tools. With deep roots in technology leasing, we leverage two decades of expertise to keep our customers moving forward and two steps ahead of obsolescence.
Thomas SlevinCo-founder, Co-CEO
As technology continues to revolutionize our lives, the greatest advancements are happening within healthcare. What we once considered emerging technologies – telemedicine, EHRs, and robotic surgery – are all becoming commonplace. We’re excited for the future of healthcare and the possibilities it holds for our customers.
Richard StebbinsCo-Founder, Co-CEO
We are extremely proud of what we have built over the last two decades. Our long-term success truly belongs to our remarkable team who continually elevate the customer experience and are experts in their respective fields.
Richard StebbinsCo-founder, Co-CEO
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Executive Team

Thomas Slevin

Thomas Slevin

CEO & Co-Founder

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Richard Stebbins

Richard Stebbins

Co-Founder

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Hiroshi Kobayashi

CFO

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Dave Sanborne

Dave Sanborne

Senior VP & National Sales Manager

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Brian Dundon

Senior VP, Credit and Portfolio Risk Management

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Our Story

2000
Founders Tom Slevin and Richard Stebbins start First Financial Corporate Services in Southern California with one office and a shared telephone.
2004
Rapid expansion triggers corporate headquarters to relocate into larger facility in Southern California, and opening of several new regional offices across North America.
monitor logo
2010
Debuts on the Monitor’s listing of Top 25 Independent Leasing Company.
inc 5000 logo
2012
Debuts on the INC 5000 list of America’s fastest growing companies.
monitor logo
2018
Celebrates almost 10 years of recognition by Monitor as a Top Independent Leasing Company.
2022
First Financial Equipment Leasing Acquires Norfund Capital and broadens offerings in North America with the formation of First Financial Canadian Leasing Ltd.
2003
Company celebrates hitting $100M mark in total lease originations since its beginning.
2008
First Financial Veteran’s Leasing is formed to support and increase diversity initiatives.
oc business journal logo
2011
Recognized by the Orange County Business Journal as one of the fastest growing companies.
2016
Surpasses $1B of equipment leases originated since company inception.
Ja Mitsui logo
2019
First Financial is acquired by JA Mitsui Leasing and joins a global network of companies reaching 66 countries across a range of diversified markets including IT & Telecom, Electronics, Industrial Machinery, Construction, and Transportation.

Let us help you find the right solution.

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750 The City Drive South
Suite 300
Orange, CA 92868 

714.646.1600
info@ffequipmentleasing.com

© 2023 First Financial Holdings, LLC dba First Financial Equipment Leasing.

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Thomas Slevin

Thomas Slevin

CEO & Co-Founder

As CEO, Tom provides much of the vision and leadership for the organization and oversees all operations of the company. He is on the board of directors and various operational and strategic committees including business planning, credit, senior management, and risk management. Tom’s approach with customers and employees is the same now as it was when he co-founded First Financial over 20 years ago: proactive listening, direct and clear communication, and a long-term mindset. 

Prior to starting First Financial, he was an AVP and senior marketing executive at Comdisco, a Fortune 500 equipment leasing company. Tom’s additional experience includes positions with Xerox and IBM. He holds a B.S. in Marketing from Fairfield University, Connecticut. Tom lives an active lifestyle playing tennis, swimming, hiking and trying to keep up with his three teenagers as well as various philanthropic activities.

Richard Stebbins

Richard Stebbins

Co-Founder

Richard was one of the founders of First Financial in 2000  providing insight and financial management leadership required to drive the growth for the company. He brings 50+ years of experience in the finance and leasing industry and has been instrumental in advancing the offerings that First Financial provides to their clients.

Richard’s management style has been focused on providing employees with both financial and career growth and sponsoring long term partnerships with clients. He is excited about the new partnership with JA Mitsui and feels that First Financial will be better positioned to expand its offering to existing clients and new relationships.

Before co-founding First Financial, Richard held various management positions in the leasing industry and was the prior owner and founder of an IT-based leasing company that was sold to a significant global leasing company. Richard is married with two children, three stepchildren, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Dave Sanborne

Dave Sanborne

SVP & National Sales Manager

Dave Sanborne brings over 30 years of equipment leasing and sales management experience to his position. His expertise ranges from establishing sales strategies and business development to best practices in recruiting and developing sales talent.

Prior to First Financial, Dave served as Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager for Insight Investments in Southern California. He also served as Executive Vice President and National Sales Manager for Comdisco Inc. a Chicago based Fortune 500 technology leasing company. Dave holds a B.S degree in marketing from the University of Arizona and currently resides in Scottsdale Arizona.

Hiroshi Kobayashi

CFO

Hiroshi Kobayashi serves as the Chief Financial Officer of First Financial Equipment Leasing and is the liaison between FFEL and JA Mitsui Leasing, Ltd (JAML). In this role, Hiroshi works closely with FFEL’s headquarters, JAML New York, and JAML Tokyo to ensure strong collaboration and support initiatives for growth and customer care.

Before joining FFEL, Hiroshi was with JAML since 2014, serving as general manager of several business departments. Hiroshi has over 30 years of experience in the finance industry, including corporate finance at a prominent bank based in Japan, structured finance business in a Tokyo-based US investment bank, and the planning department of the Financial Exchange in Tokyo.  

Hiroshi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Tokyo and a Master of Science in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Orange County with his wife and two children. They enjoy the Southern California lifestyle, especially the friendly people, great weather, and family environment.

Brian Dundon

SVP, Credit & Portfolio Risk Management

Brian Dundon joined First Financial in 2013 and currently serves as Senior Vice President. In this role, he oversees First Financial’s credit, syndication, and portfolio management activities, with the ultimate goal of empowering First Financial and his colleagues to make well-informed, forward-thinking business decisions that will bring long-term benefit to its customers.

Brian was drawn to leasing and finance after the Great Recession in 2008 and has since dedicated his 10+ year career to being a facilitator for smart, responsible business. Prior to joining First Financial, he was the Senior Credit Analyst for CHG-MERIDIAN’s U.S. operations, joining shortly after its founding in 2009. 

Brian holds a B.A. in Economics from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. When not at work, he can be found baking artisan bread with his wife and daughter and finding new and creative ways to use CSA produce.