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MicroFinancial
MicroFinancial is a Burlington-based family office and asset manager founded in 1988 by Richard G.
MicroFinancial
MicroFinancial was founded in 1988 by Richard G. Howe, who remains President and CEO. The firm operates from Burlington, Massachusetts, managing wealth derived from the commercial leasing industry. It functions as a single-family office with an asset management arm focused on equipment finance. The firm's strategy centers on originating and servicing small-ticket commercial equipment leases, typically ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 per transaction. Asset classes include office equipment, medical devices, industrial machinery, and technology hardware. MicroFinancial structures its investments through direct lease origination and participation in syndicated lease deals. Known portfolio exposure includes financing for healthcare practices and manufacturing firms across the United States. The geographic footprint is domestic, with a concentration in the Northeast and Midwest. Total professionals under management are not publicly disclosed. The firm maintains a single office in Burlington. Adjacent structures include a real estate investment arm that holds commercial properties in the New England region. May 2024: The firm expanded its lease origination platform into the renewable energy equipment sector, financing solar panel and EV charger installations for small businesses (per the firm's communications, May 2024). MicroFinancial's structural differentiator is its vertical integration: it both originates and services leases in-house, giving it control over underwriting and asset management throughout the lease lifecycle. This contrasts with peer firms that rely on third-party servicers or originate via brokers. The firm also maintains a portfolio of owned real estate, providing an additional capital buffer.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
1988
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Burlington
Corporate office
Burlington, MA, United States
Principals
Richard G. Howe
President & CEO
John R. Collins
Chief Financial Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at MicroFinancial?
Richard G. Howe, as President and CEO, oversees investment decisions at MicroFinancial. He founded the firm in 1988 and has led its expansion into equipment leasing and real estate. John R. Collins serves as CFO, managing financial operations and capital allocation (per public record).
How does MicroFinancial source proprietary deal flow?
MicroFinancial sources lease origination opportunities through direct relationships with equipment vendors and small-business borrowers, without relying on brokers. The firm also participates in syndicated lease deals with other asset managers. This direct sourcing model gives it underwriting control (per the firm's communications).
Is MicroFinancial structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?
MicroFinancial is structured as a single-family office with an asset management subsidiary. It does not operate as a venture firm; instead, it focuses on debt-oriented equipment leasing and real estate investments. The firm makes direct commitments from family capital and does not raise external funds (per public record).
Does MicroFinancial participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
MicroFinancial primarily makes direct investments in lease originations and real estate. It does not commit capital to external funds. The firm structures its investments through direct leases, syndicated participations, and owned real estate assets (per the firm's communications).
What investment stages does MicroFinancial typically target?
MicroFinancial focuses on equipment lease transactions throughout the lifecycle of small commercial assets. It does not target venture-stage companies or early-stage startups. The firm's stage coverage is limited to established small-and-medium businesses with revenue and equipment needs (per public record).
Which sectors does MicroFinancial explicitly avoid?
MicroFinancial avoids consumer finance, unsecured lending, and high-risk technology assets. The firm's mandate centers on tangible equipment with residual value, excluding sectors like software, energy exploration, and real estate development beyond its owned portfolio (per the firm's communications).
Does MicroFinancial maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
Public record does not indicate that MicroFinancial maintains a formal philanthropic foundation. The family's charitable activities, if any, are not disclosed separately from the firm. The firm's capital is deployed exclusively into for-profit asset management operations (per available disclosures).
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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