Esquire Financial Holdings Business Summary

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (ESQ) operates as the bank holding company for Esquire Bank, N.A., utilizing a tech-enabled, branchless business model that targets two primary national verticals: the litigation industry and small business payment processing. Revenue is primarily generated through net interest income from a specialized loan portfolio—largely consisting of high-yielding commercial litigation loans to contingency-fee law firms—and non-interest fee income derived from its merchant services and payment processing platforms. As of fiscal year-end 2025, fee income accounted for approximately 17% of total revenue, while the company maintained an industry-leading net interest margin of 6.02%. ESQ competes in the specialized commercial banking and fintech sectors against regional players such as First Busey (BUSE), CNB Financial (CCNE), and Enterprise Financial Services (EFSC). It distinguishes itself through its niche focus on the $529 billion litigation market and its ability to maintain a low cost of funds via escrow and IOLTA deposits. The leadership team is led by Andrew C. Sagliocca, who has served as CEO and President since 2009 and was appointed Vice Chairman in 2023; his background includes senior roles at North Fork Bank and KPMG. The executive suite includes Michael Lacapria as CFO, Eric S. Bader as COO, and Martin Korn as Chief Technology & Operations Officer. A key figure in the company’s specialized strategy is Founder and EVP Ari Kornhaber, a former trial lawyer whose legal expertise shaped the bank's litigation-centric lending model. The Board of Directors, chaired by former U.S. House Representative Anthony Coelho, features notable members such as former NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly and founding organizers Richard T. Powers and Selig A. Zises. Following the resignation of Joseph Melohn in January 2026, the board consists of nine members, maintaining a governance structure focused on scaling its national digital-first financial solutions.