Our History
AmeriFirst Finance was born out of inspiration and necessity. Starting in 1979, our mission was to provide competitive consumer finance programs for the Pacesetter Corporation. As one of the nation’s leading home improvement sales organizations, Pacesetter needed to supplement what the banks were offering in order to fuel its sales growth. The result was an in-house lender able to meet the unique requirements of our industry by effectively underwriting a national home improvement loan portfolio.
By 1989, Pacesetter Corporation made the commitment to underwrite 100% of its financed sales contracts. Fast forward to March of 2004, Pacesetter Corporation sold its sales and manufacturing divisions, while retaining the finance division it had built over the previous 25 years. In 2005 this finance division and another regional lender were merged, creating AmeriFirst Home Improvement Finance. By 2006 we had developed the products and services necessary to become a national full-service lender.
In 2021, AmeriFirst Finance also began offering home improvement loans directly to consumers through our website.
Our Philosophy
While we continue to evolve and change, our commitment to the home improvement professionals we serve remains unchanged. Our job is to make it easier for your customers to say “YES” more often! We do that by relying on our heritage as a ‘genuine’ home improvement lender and by providing loan programs that work for you! AmeriFirst Finance brings to the table the experience and programs to finance more of your customers!
Our Values
INTEGRITY
We are Honest and Ethical.
TRUST
Which Engenders Respect and Loyalty.
DRIVEN TO SUCCEED
In Everything We Do.
INNOVATION
We are Creative and Resourceful.
PROFESSIONALISM
In How We Represent Ourselves and Our Company.
Leadership
Don Kluthe
Don Kluthe manages the day-to-day operations of the AmeriFirst organization, including loan origination and servicing, implementing processes to ensure compliance and security for the serviced assets and developing an operational leadership team unmatched in the industry.
Brian Anderson
Brian Anderson leads the Home Improvement Lending (AmeriFirst) and Buy Now Pay Later (Slice by FNBO) Business Development functions within FNBO’s Partner Customer Segment. Brian joined AmeriFirst in 2013 and has held multiple positions across the organization including his prior role as Director of FP&A.
Brett Worick
Brett Worick leads Point of Sale Lending, managing multiple businesses including Home Improvement Lending (AmeriFirst) and Buy Now Pay Later (Slice by FNBO) within FNBO’s Partner Customer Segment. Brett joined FNBO in 2004 and has held positions across the consumer financing spectrum.
Jerry O'Flanagan
Jerry O’Flanagan leads the Partner Customer Segment Group, managing the bank’s full range of consumer products and services, including 103 community banking operations in Colorado, Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, and Texas. Jerry joined FNBO in 2006 after spending twenty-plus years in banking on the east coast for top financial services companies.