A better way to structure risk

AuFort exists to protect business owners from personal financial catastrophe, while helping banks strengthen the financial systems that support them.

Two business owners sit at their cafe bar discussing metrics over a laptop and stack of papers.

Designed for SBA and commercial lending environments

Backed by A.M.Best A- (Excellent) rated carriers
Structured for regulated financial environments
Built on real-world lending data

A couple getting a loan shake hands with their loan officer.
OUR PHILOSOPHY

Personal guarantees don't work for lenders or borrowers

The personal guarantee is the most universal, and yet least reliable, asset in commercial lending. It places catastrophic risk on guarantors and ultimately results in weak recoveries for lenders.

A NEW APPROACH

Risk, aligned for value

AuFort Personal Guarantee Insurance transforms personal guarantees from an unpredictable recovery tool into a structured, self-reinforcing system.  

Borrowers gain protection from worst-case financial outcomes, and lenders gain increased stability and confidence in their portfolios.

The result is a more resilient foundation for lending, without changing how credit decisions are made.

OUR MISSION

Built to strengthen the system, not disrupt it

AuFort is designed to integrate into existing lending environments, enhancing them rather than replacing them. Our model aligns incentives across borrowers, lenders, and capital providers by introducing structure where there was previously uncertainty.

More predictable in downturns

More stable across portfolios

More sustainable over time

A loan lender shakes the hand of a borrower in his office.
MEET THE TEAM

AuFort Leadership

Built by people who understand both sides of lending.

Professional headshot of George Brandes.
George Brandes
Founder and CEO
Professional headshot of Rebekah Durham.
Rebekah Durham
Head of Strategy
Professional headshot of Hayes Carter.
Hayes Carter
Head of Growth
Professional headshot of Courtney Beglin.
Courtney Beglin
Head of Brand
Professional headshot of Stephen Hayes.
Stephen Hayes
Head of Analytics
Professional headshot of Bill Hodson
Bill Hodson
Head of Reinsurance
Professional headshot of Amy McLemore.
Amy McLemore
Head of Finance
Professional headshot of Viviane Tschanz.
Viviane Tschanz
Head of Implementation

Board of Directors

Professional headshot of Jon Ayers.
Jon Ayers
Professional headshot of George Brandes.
George Brandes
Professional headshot of Mark Thomas.
Mark Thomas

Partners & Advisors

Professional headshot of Kevin Doherty.
Kevin Doherty
Professional headshot of Don McLemore.
Don McLemore
Professional headshot of Andrew Rhea.
Andrew Rhea

A more resilient future for lending

Financial systems evolve when better structures emerge.
AuFort represents a step in that evolution.