http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091027005637/en
Year-Over-Year New Business Volume Declines 30.9 Percent
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
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 September
declined by 30.9 percent when compared to the same period in 2008. For 2009, the
MLFI-25 reported month-to-month new business volume increased 27.0 percent from
August to September, from $3.7 billion to $4.7 billion.
The MLFI-25 is the only index that reflects capex, or the volume of commercial
equipment financed in the U.S. The MLFI-25 is a financial indicator that
complements other relevant economic indices, including the monthly durable goods
report prepared 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.
The MLFI-25 reported receivables over 30 days increased to 5.6 percent as
compared to 5.0 percent in August. On a year-over-year basis, receivables over
30 days increased by 60.0 percent. Charge-offs increased sharply to 3.0 percent
from 2.1 percent in the prior month and rose by 157.3 percent compared to
September 2008. This dramatic increase is attributable in part to a significant
deterioration in credit quality reported by two responding organizations.
Sixty-three percent of participant companies reported that fewer transactions
were submitted for approval during the month, due to tightening underwriting
standards and lower demand, according to supplemental data. Credit approvals
remained stable at 67.9 percent when compared to the previous month; however
they declined from 72.7 percent in September 2008.Total headcount for equipment
finance companies decreased 1.9 percent in the August-September period.
"We find encouraging the fact that the decrease in new business volume slowed in
September after several months of steady decline," said Equipment Leasing and
Finance Association Interim President, Ralph Petta. "However, this sliver of
good news contrasts with the sharp deterioration in portfolio quality
illustrated by the September receivables data," said Petta.
A related index, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation's Monthly Confidence
Index, for October showed a slight increase to 54.3 compared with 53.8 in
September. The majority of survey respondents believe business conditions will
continue to stabilize over the next four months. For more detailed information
on the Monthly Confidence Index visit www.LeaseFoundation.org.
About the ELFA`s MLFI-25
The MLFI-25 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. The latest Monthly Leasing and Finance Index,
including methodology and participants is available below and also at
http://www.elfaonline.org/ind/research/MLFI/.
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 http://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
De Lage Landen Financial Services
Dell Financial Services
Fifth Third Bank
First American Equipment Finance
GreatAmerica
Hitachi Credit America
HP Financial Services
John Deere Credit Corporation
Key Equipment Finance
Marlin Leasing Corporation
National City Commercial Corp.
RBS Asset Finance
Regions Equipment Finance
Siemens Financial Services
Susquehanna Commercial Finance, Inc.
US Bancorp
Tygris Vendor Finance
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 600 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.
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation is the non-profit affiliate to the
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, providing future-focused research to
the equipment finance industry. For more information please visit the website at
www.leasefoundation.org.
Media/Press:
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
Diane Zyats, 202-238-3438
dzyats@elfaonline.org
Copyright Business Wire 2009
