On January 14, 2026, OceanPoint Funding, Inc., an affiliate of OceanPoint Financial Partners, MHC, entered into an agreement to acquire Lending Associates, Inc. OceanPoint Financial Partners is the parent company of the OceanPoint Marine Lending brand.
 
Lending Associates is a well‑established organization with a strong reputation in marine, RV, and aircraft lending. Led by Grant Smalling and Jack Crittenden, the company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, with a team serving the West Coast, Great Lakes, New England, Texas, and Florida. The team brings decades of industry experience and shares OceanPoint’s commitment to exceptional customer service and operational excellence.
 
The consummation of the transaction is subject to receipt of requisite regulatory and other necessary approvals and customary closing conditions and deliverables. OceanPoint currently anticipates the transaction will close in the second quarter of 2026, at which time the two teams will operate under the unified brand OceanPoint Funding, and will be led by Grant Smalling.
 
This strategic move is intended to strengthen OceanPoint Funding’s position in the market and supports long-term growth strategy by enhancing its ability to serve customers and broaden their geographic reach.
 
“The acquisition of Lending Associates represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy,” said Jack Murphy, President, OceanPoint Financial Partners, MHC. “This acquisition will be an exciting step; it will expand our capabilities and help more customers realize their dreams of boat or RV ownership.”
 
“We are thrilled to join the OceanPoint brand,” said Grant Smalling, CEO of Lending Associates. “This partnership will enable us to leverage our combined strengths to better serve customers, enhance the support we provide to our dealers, and deliver greater value across the recreational lending market.”

About OceanPoint Financial Partners, MHC
OceanPoint Financial Partners, MHC was established in 2005, the holding company oversees OceanPoint’s family of businesses, supporting a mission rooted in prudent growth, customer-first service, and community impact. As a mutual organization, OceanPoint reinvests earnings to serve customers and the communities where it operates, advancing financial wellness and long-term value through its subsidiaries.