A key component in the growth of our industry is the availability of capital to finance aircraft transactions. Businesses that want to own or operate aircraft for business use, as well as commercial operators like our company, all need sources of capital to purchase and or lease aircraft.

The changes in the banking industry, starting with the near market collapse in October 2008, severely impacted the ability for buyers to finance or lease aircraft. Many small and regional banks have exited the aircraft financing business entirely, leaving a big void in the market of financing, especially in the small aircraft market - less than one million in value. Throughout 2009 lending on aircraft seemed to come to a complete stop.

Click here to read this article in its entirety at Forbes.com.