Governance and Corporate Legal Analyst

GreatAmerica Holdings has completed its acquisition of Heritage Bank and launched GreatAmerica Bank National Association following final regulatory approval. The transaction marks a significant milestone for the Cedar Rapids-based company, which joins a select group of independent equipment finance companies operating under a national bank charter. Founded in 1992 as a small-ticket leasing company serving the office imaging industry, GreatAmerica has evolved into a diversified financial services provider supporting businesses across technology, healthcare, construction, franchise and other markets nationwide. CEO Martin Golobic said the move strengthens the company's ability to serve customers and compete in the financial services market. The transaction culminates a multi-year effort and positions GreatAmerica for its next phase of growth.

GreatAmerica has closed a $747.9 million asset-backed securitisation collateralised by contracts from its commercial equipment finance business. The Cedar Rapids-based company issued securities across multiple classes, with 93.4% receiving AAA ratings from S&P and Fitch, consistent with its previous eleven transactions. The securitised pool comprises equipment leases and loans across diversified industries including office imaging, light industrial and construction equipment, franchise financing and business-critical equipment. The transaction attracted 45 unique investors. This marks GreatAmerica's 28th term securitisation in over 30 years of capital markets participation. The largest family-owned national commercial equipment finance company in the US holds $3.8 billion in assets and has originated nearly $20 billion in financing since its 1992 founding.

AMT and GreatAmerica turn vapor smoothing into a monthly subscription. UK-based automated post-processing specialist AMT and US-based equipment financing company GreatAmerica have teamed up to offer North American manufacturers a fully bundled monthly plan for the PostPro SFX, the company's desktop vapor smoothing system. Unveiled at RAPID+TCT 2026 in Boston, the arrangement folds every ownership cost, hardware, shipping, consumables, warranty, and import duties, into a single $999 monthly payment, with no capital outlay required at the outset. Fulfillment runs entirely through AMT's domestic Texas facility, giving buyers a straightforward logistics chain and a cost structure that does not shift once the contract is signed. "Our customers in North America have been asking for a simpler way to get started with vapor smoothing - and this is it. By shipping directly from our Texas facility and bundling everything into one monthly payment, we've eliminated the complexity. No tariffs, no hidden fees, no surprises. Just plug in and start producing production-quality parts from day one," said Brad Duermit, US Market Director at AMT. Removing the Upfront Hurdle The collaboration is a direct answer to a well-documented sticking point in post-processing adoption: the lump-sum investment that has long pushed smaller manufacturers and service bureaus to defer or forgo professional finishing equipment altogether. By converting that expenditure into an operational line item, both companies are betting the model will bring a new segment of buyers into the market. "We've heard loud and clear from the North American market that upfront cost is the single biggest barrier to adopting professional post-processing. This program changes the game by providing flexibility for growth. For $999 a month - with the machine, consumables, warranty, and shipping all bundled in - there's simply no reason to wait. We're removing every obstacle so manufacturers can focus on what they do best: making great parts," said Dan Kehr, Senior Director of Additive Manufacturing at GreatAmerica. The PostPro SFX holds the distinction of being the first desktop chemical vapor smoothing system built specifically for 3D printed output. It is compatible with parts from SLS, MJF, HSS, and FDM/FFF processes, targeting the two most common limitations of fresh-off-the-printer parts: surface roughness and porosity. Once processed, components emerge with tighter surface finishes, sealed structures, and mechanical properties better suited to end-use applications. Lowering the Entry Point for Professional Finishing Capital expenditure has long been the quiet gatekeeper of professional post-processing adoption. AMT's strategy with this program is not simply to sell more PostPro SFX units, it is to reframe the purchase decision entirely, converting a hardware investment into a predictable operating expense. The approach follows a pattern that has been gaining traction across the additive manufacturing space. CONTEXT Report on 3D Printing Outlook for 2025 noted that professional-grade 3D printer adoption had been stunted by high interest rates and restrained capital expenditure, with manufacturers reporting strong buyer interest contingent on financing improving. On the hardware side, similar logic has played out before: Airwolf 3D partnered with TimePayment Corporation and Marlin Equipment to offer financing alternatives, with the company stating its customers had been asking for exactly that kind of option. The bundled model, where consumables, service, and hardware are folded into one recurring fee, has also appeared in adjacent segments. Print IT 3D launched a rental program for 3D Systems' ProJet MJP series that included the printer, finishing equipment, parts, service, and labor in a single monthly fee. What remains uncommon is applying this model specifically to post-processing, a segment that has lagged behind on accessible payment structures even as the printers themselves have attracted more flexible commercial arrangements. The AMT and GreatAmerica bundle addresses that gap directly. 3D Printing Industry is inviting speakers for its 2026 Additive Manufacturing Applications (AMA) series, covering Energy, Healthcare, Automotive and Mobility, Aerospace, Space and Defense, and Software. Each online event focuses on real production deployments, qualification, and supply chain integration. Practitioners interested in contributing can complete the call for speakers form here. Explore the full Future of 3D Printing and Executive Survey series from 3D Printing Industry, featuring perspectives from CEOs, engineers, and industry leaders on the industrialization of additive manufacturing, 3D printing industry trends 2026, qualification, supply chains, and additive manufacturing industry analysis. Featured image shows PostPro SFX. Photo via Raise3D.