Willis Lease raises $35M from Development Bank of Japan in quick re-raise
What's the deal? Willis Lease Finance CorporationDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → (NASDAQ: WLFC), a lessor of commercial aircraft engines, has entered into a $35 million preferred stock purchase agreement with the Development Bank of JapanDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → (DBJ). The deal, signed on September 16, 2026, covers 1,750,000 shares of the company's 8.09% Series B Preferred Stock.
Why now? The raise comes barely two years after WLFC's 2024 Series A deal with DBJ, which refinanced and expanded $50 million of aggregate Series A-1 and Series A-2 preferred stock into a single $65 million series. The fresh capital marks a quick return to the same investor.
What's the endgame? WLFC leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines to airlines, engine manufacturers, and maintenance providers worldwide. It also runs engine trading, lease pools, and asset management, alongside maintenance and end-of-life services. The company said the funding will support continued global growth.
The expansion angle: WLFC is broadening its aviation services platform, including recently announced plans for a new Willis Engine Repair CenterDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → in Johor, Malaysia. The DBJ investment is tied to that push into new markets.
What they're saying: "We're delighted to continue to grow our partnership with DBJ, which started nearly 10 years ago," said Scott B. Flaherty, executive vice president and chief financial officer of WLFC. He called it "an exciting period for the Company as we expand our global aviation services platform."
The signal: A repeat backer returning within two years — and at an 8.09% dividend rate — points to a lender comfortable financing aviation infrastructure through a long-term relationship, as WLFC leans on capital partners to fund expansion beyond its core leasing book.
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Image credit: Robert Couse-Baker
