Forest River Forms New Financial Services Subsidiary to Expand Dealer and Owner Support
Partnerships with Octane and Aven bring new financing and consumer financial products to participating Forest River dealers
ELKHART, IN., September 24, 2026 — Forest River, Inc. today announced the formation of Forest River Financial Services, a new corporate subsidiary designed to provide its dealer network with expanded tools and support while improving the customer experience from the first purchase forward.
The new subsidiary will launch two distinct programs developed through partnerships with Octane® (Octane Lending, Inc.), the fintech unlocking the power of financial products for retailers and consumers, and Aven, a consumer finance company that builds lending, credit and banking products. First to access the programs will be Forest River RV dealers in the United States, with initial program offerings, participation requirements, rollout plans and enrollment unveiled at Forest River Expo, Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2026.
Future phases are expected to include Canada and additional Forest River business units, including Marine, Bus & Van, Cargo Trailers and Commercial Truck. Timing and program details for future phases have not yet been announced.
Forest River Financial Services is designed to complement dealers’ existing finance and insurance operations and lender relationships. Dealers will remain central to the customer transaction, while the new programs will provide additional ways to generate demand, present opportunities for financially healthier transactions, serve qualified buyers and maintain stronger customer relationships after the sale.
“Forest River Financial Services represents a logical and strategic next phase for our company, and we couldn’t be more excited about our new partners,” said Doug Gaeddert, president & CEO of Forest River. “We’ve been searching to find the right fit, and believe that in Octane and Aven, we’ve found them. They both offer great products, but more importantly, they are great people – industry leaders – and they fit well with our culture.”
“We have listened to our dealers, and understand the margin pressure they’re facing every day,” continued Gaeddert. “These new programs will create real value for dealerships of every size and based on the strength of the offerings and our strong dealer partnerships we anticipate high participation across our dealer network – with additional opportunities in the works!”
Forest River Finance powered by Octane
Forest River Finance will provide participating Forest River dealers with an additional retail lending option designed to make the purchase process faster, easier, and more profitable. Octane’s digital platform will help streamline applications and credit decisions, allowing dealers to serve a broader range of qualified buyers and move eligible transactions forward more efficiently. Roadrunner Financial, LLC (NMLS ID 1525116), Octane’s in-house lender, will underwrite the program under the Forest River Finance powered by Octane brand, while Octane’s in-house account servicer, Roadrunner Account Services, LLC (NMLS ID 1758660), will provide end-to-end servicing of those accounts.
The program is designed to provide:
- Fast credit decisions for qualified buyers
- A simple digital application process
- Competitive loan options on eligible Forest River RVs
- Less paperwork and a more streamlined dealership experience
- A profitable new lending resource that strengthens existing dealer F&I operations
“Forest River Finance” is a program brand name owned by Forest River, Inc. or its affiliates (FR) that promotes the availability of credit offered solely by Roadrunner Financial, LLC (RF) (NMLS ID 1525116) for certain consumer credit plans extended through participating dealers. The tradename Forest River Finance (FRF) and the FRF logo are owned by FR and are licensed to RF. Roadrunner Account Services, LLC (NMLS ID 1758660) services these accounts on behalf of their owner, RF or its assignee.
Forest River Consumer Cards powered by Aven
Forest River Consumer Cards will give participating dealers a new sales and loyalty tool designed to provide a differentiated financing option to boost purchasing power and extend the customer relationship well beyond the initial purchase.
Aven provides the technology and financial infrastructure behind the program, which includes co-branded products across home equity, rewards credit cards, and debit and deposit products. By offering home-secured financing, rewarding eligible everyday spending and providing benefits tied to Forest River ownership, the cards are intended to encourage repeat visits and create additional opportunities for parts, accessories, service and future purchases.
The program is designed to:
- Introduce customers to home-secured financing as an option for making RV and other major purchases
- Give owners more reasons to return to participating Forest River dealers
- Maintain customer engagement throughout the ownership experience
- Support stronger loyalty, repeat business and future purchase consideration
- Increase the purchase of parts, accessories and lifestyle items at the time of sale
Specifics on both the financing programs and card products – including initial offers, participation details and introductory offers – will be announced at Forest River Expo.
How dealers will participate
Representatives from Forest River Financial Services, Octane and Aven will be available at Forest River Expo to present the initial offerings, answer dealer questions and enroll dealers.
Participating dealers will then work directly with Octane and Aven on onboarding, training and activation for their respective programs. Dealers will retain control of the customer relationship, and the new programs will serve as additional resources, not as replacements, for existing F&I operations or lender partnerships.
“Our dealers are central to Forest River, and their ability to grow profitably is central to our growth,” said Darrel Ritchie, CFO of Forest River. “Forest River Financial Services was created to house a new set of tools that fuel this growth. The programs we’ve developed with Octane and Aven not only protect dealer margins, they also drive new sales opportunities back to our dealers. This is only the beginning of what we expect to build.”
Priority One will continue its established role
Forest River’s wholly owned Priority One Financial Services will continue to operate as a standalone business, providing virtual finance and insurance services for RV, marine, trailer, powersports, park model and equipment dealers.
Priority One will continue serving dealers through its established retail financing model and will support existing dealer partners by adding Aven and Octane programs where applicable.
“Priority One has been instrumental in identifying these new partnerships and developing the new programs,” Gaeddert said. “Heather Mariscal and the entire Priority One staff will work with Forest River Financial Services to build on that commitment at a broader level while preserving dealer control of the customer relationship.”
Forest River dealers can learn more about the new entity, review the initial program offerings and begin enrollment at Forest River Expo, September 28 through October 1, 2026.
- Dealers can register for Forest River Expo by visiting www.forestriverinc.com/expo/.
- Dealers can register to receive additional information on Forest River Financial Services by visiting www.forestriverinc.com/financial-services.
Programs are expected to be available through participating dealers and are subject to final terms, eligibility requirements and credit approval where applicable. Forest River is not a lender and will not make credit decisions or service loans. Dealer participation and program availability may vary.
About Forest River, Inc.
Founded in 1996, Forest River, Inc. has evolved into North America’s largest manufacturer of recreational vehicles, cargo trailers, pontoon boats, buses, vans, and commercial vehicles. Its portfolio includes market share leaders in every category, and it is the country’s leading manufacturer of buses and vans for both the private and public sectors. Based in Indiana, Forest River has 11,000+ employees across 140+ locations in more than a half dozen states. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on customer satisfaction, Forest River is proud to be a Berkshire Hathaway company. (https://www.forestriverinc.com/)
About Priority One Financial Services
Founded in 1987, Priority One Financial Services, Inc. provides virtual finance and insurance solutions for marine, RV, trailer, powersports, park model and equipment dealers. A wholly owned Forest River business, Priority One provides full-service retail financing to customers through industry-leading technology and award-winning service. Headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Fla., the seven-time Tampa Bay “Top Workplace” honoree also owns and operates Priority One Equipment Finance and Veritas Insurance Group (https://www.p1fs.com/)
About Octane
Octane® is revolutionizing financing by delivering a seamless, end-to-end digital buying experience. We unlock the power of financial products for retailers and consumers by combining cutting-edge technology and innovative risk strategies, helping businesses finance more creditworthy customers to make automotive and lifestyle purchases — including powersports vehicles, RVs, marine, and outdoor power equipment — fast, easy, and accessible.
Octane adds value throughout the buying journey: connecting dealers and buyers with customer acquisition tools, instantly prequalifying consumers for financing online, providing technology to make the closing process faster and easier, and supporting customers throughout their loan with superior loan servicing.
Founded in 2014, Octane has 80 OEM brand partners and more than 4,000 dealer partners, and a team of over 600. For more information, please visit www.Octane.co.
Octane® and Roadrunner Financial® are registered service marks of Octane Lending, Inc.
About Aven
Aven is building financial products for homeowners that lower borrowing costs and make banking more efficient and convenient. The company has built the first machine-banking platform, using robotics and software to automate financial services and offer lower-cost products at scale. Its flagship Home Equity Visa Card combines a home equity line of credit with the convenience of a credit card and can be fully approved in minutes. Aven also offers high-yield checking accounts, home improvement loans, rewards credit cards, digital asset-backed credit cards and other financial products. Founded in 2019, Aven has helped consumers save more than $300 million in interest costs as of March 2026.
Aven is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.
Aven Visa credit cards are issued by Coastal Community Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Aven (NMLS #2042345) accounts are held by Coastal Community Bank (NMLS #462289), Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at www.aven.com.
