Raising the Bar: Ethics, Education, and the Future of Equipment Finance

In this episode of ACS Portfolio Perspective, Andrew Pace sits down with Reid Raykovich, CEO of the Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) Foundation, to explore how education, ethics, and professional standards are shaping the future of equipment finance.Reid shares the remarkable story of how the CLFP Foundation evolved from a struggling organization with limited resources into the industry’s leading certification body. Under her leadership, the CLFP community has grown more than tenfold while maintaining a strong commitment to professionalism and ethical standards.The conversation dives into the value of certification, the power of community within the CLFP network, and the role of education in strengthening the equipment finance industry. Reid also discusses the Foundation’s recent affiliation with ELFA, its expansion into international markets, and new initiatives to introduce equipment finance to the next generation of professionals through university partnerships and micro-credential programs.Key Topics Discussed:The turnaround and transformation of the CLFP FoundationWhy ethics and professional standards matter in equipment financeThe real value of the CLFP designation for industry professionalsBuilding a strong professional community through certificationThe role of volunteers in scaling the CLFP FoundationThe new affiliation between the CLFP Foundation and ELFAExpanding CLFP internationally in Canada, Australia, and the UKANSI accreditation and its potential impact on industry credibilityBringing equipment finance education into universitiesCreating specialized credentials for niche areas of equipment financeNotable Takeaways:“Something I'm really proud of is we’ve grown from about 150 members to nearly 1,800 today.”“Professionalism, ethics, recognition, and knowledge — that’s really why people pursue the CLFP designation.”“If too many people are passing, then it’s not rigorous enough.”“Our mission is building a better commercial equipment finance industry one individual at a time.” Subscribe to Portfolio Perspective: Managing Risk & Seizing Opportunity for more industry insights and field-tested strategies.For more information, visit Asset Compliant Solutions.