History

Since 1986, Aqua Finance, Inc., (AFI) has provided financing programs exclusively to water treatment dealers. The company has recently branched out to serve other industries through its Dealer Financial Services division.

AFI is qualified to do business in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Canadian dealers in five provinces can be serviced through the AFI Canada, Inc., division. The AFI headquarters, located in Wausau, WI, employs over 350 people and provides immediate on-site credit decisions to dealers. All accounts are approved, funded, and serviced in-house.

AFI currently works with more than 1500 dealers nationwide and has national financing agreements with a number of major manufacturers. Though water treatment is its core focus, AFI also offers programs for dealers selling other products such as HVAC, alternative energy solutions, home improvement, landscaping, hearing aids, and more through its Dealer Financial Services (DFS) division.

Timeline

1986 – Founded by Robert Chadwell, a former water dealer

1988 – Company is incorporated

1995 – Aqua enters into secondary agreement with Household Retail Services

1998 – Aqua enters into secondary agreement with Culligan International

2001 – Aqua enters into primary finance agreements with Culligan and EcoWater

2001 – Aqua launches national revolving credit product

2004 – Dealer Financial Services division launched to finance other products

2006 – Company expands to Canada under the name AFI Canada, Inc.

2006 – Company launches commercial leasing product