ELFA Survey shows decrease in equipment financed in October.

Press Release Summary:



The ELFA Monthly Leasing and Finance Index showed new business volume for October decreased 9.1% compared to the same period in 2007. Month-to-month new business volume decreased by 7.7% and credit approvals of new transactions declined to 72.5%, the lowest in 2 yr. Half of the 25 banks, finance companies, and manufacturers reported fewer transactions were being submitted for approval. The index reflects the volume of commercial equipment financed in the U.S.



Original Press Release:



US Equipment Finance Volume Declines in October, Says ELFA Monthly Leasing and Finance Index



New Business Volume Declined 9.1 Percent in October;

Equipment Finance Companies Reported Increased Tightening of Underwriting

Washington, DC, November 25, 2008- The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association's (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity for the $650 billion equipment finance sector, showed overall new business volume for October decreased 9.1 percent when compared to the same period in 2007. Cumulative year-to-date new business volumes show an increase of 0.9 percent compared to 2007.

The MLFI-25 is the only index that reflects the volume of commercial equipment financed in the U.S. The MLFI-25 complements other relevant economic indices, including the monthly durable goods report produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which reflects new orders for manufactured durable goods, and the Institute for Supply Management Index, which reports economic activity in the manufacturing sector. Together with the MLFI-25 these reports provide a complete picture of the status of productive assets in the U.S. economy: equipment produced, acquired and financed.

According to the October data as reported by the twenty-five banks, finance companies and manufacturers that comprise the MLFI-25, month-to-month new business volume decreased by 7.7 percent, from $6.5 billion to $6.0 billion. Receivables in the less-than-30-days category, a measure of non-delinquent accounts, were 96.6 percent, as accounts more than 30 days delinquent increased to 3.4 percent, the highest level since August 2007. Charge-offs increased to 1.01 percent as compared to .86 percent in September.

Credit approvals of new transactions declined to the lowest level in two years (72.5 percent), with nearly half of participant companies reporting that fewer transactions were being submitted for approval and underwriting standards tightening. Total headcount for equipment finance companies remained relatively flat in the September-October period.

"Members are reporting that a combination of enhanced underwriting standards, declining demand and increased cost of funds are resulting in fewer transactions being funded," said ELFA president Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. "The continued recession in the financial markets is starting to have its affect on the commercial finance sector," said Bentsen.

About the ELFA's MLFI-25

The index is released globally at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time from Washington, D.C. each month, on the day before the U.S. Department of Commerce releases the durable goods report. More information on the Monthly Leasing and Finance Index, including methodology and participants is available below and at www.elfaonline.org/ind/research/

MLFI-25 Methodology

The ELFA produces the MLFI-25 survey to help member organizations achieve competitive advantage by providing them with leading-edge research and benchmarking information to support strategic business decision making.

The MLFI-25 is a barometer of the trends in U.S. capital equipment investment. Five components are included in the survey: new business volume (originations), aging of receivables, charge-offs, credit approval ratios, (approved vs. submitted) and headcount for the equipment finance business.

The MLFI-25 measures monthly commercial equipment lease and loan activity as reported by participating ELFA member equipment finance companies representing a cross section of the equipment finance sector, including small ticket, middle-market, large ticket, bank, captive and independent leasing and finance companies. Based on hard survey data, the responses mirror the economic activity of the broader equipment finance sector and current business conditions nationally.

The results of each MLFI-25 are posted on the ELFA website. ELFA is the premier source for statistics and analyses concerning the equipment finance sector. Please visit www.elfaonline.org/ind/research/ for additional information.

ELFA MLFI-25 Participants

ADP Credit Corporation

Bank of America

Bank of the West

Canon Financial Services

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation

CIT

Citicapital

De Lage Landen Financial Services

Fifth Third Bank

First American Equipment Finance

GreatAmerica

Hitachi Credit America

HP Financial Services

Irwin Financial

John Deere Credit Corporation

Key Equipment Finance

Marlin Leasing Corporation

National City Commercial Corp.

RBS Asset Finance

Regions Equipment Finance

Siemens Financial Services

US Bancorp

US Express Leasing

Verizon Capital Corp

Volvo Financial Services

Wells Fargo Equipment Finance

About the ELFA

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $650 billion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its over 700 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers.

For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org

All Topics