2007 May/June Issue

MAY/JUNE 2007
2007 Investor Conference…
Converging Competencies
Spark Investor Interest

FEATURES

Mature Management, Secured Assets & High Returns Spark Interest
By Susan Carol, Monitor Freelance Writer
Investors, asset finance specialists and bankers met in New York for the ELFA’s Investor Conference to assess the leasing industry’s current investment landscape. Attendees generally agree that the landscape looks bright — if not red hot — as investment capital pours in. Also includes: A Brief Q&A With Robert Rinek, Managing Director of Piper Jaffray’s Financial Institutions Group. (Ref # CMRK006)

Rail Assets: Should You Be Looking Down this Track?
By Tony Kruglinski, Railroad Financial Corporation
Tony Kruglinski, president of Railroad Financial, provides an overview of the railroad sector and current trends to get Monitor readers “up to speed” on today’s rail equipment finance. (Ref # RAI0013)

For Middle-Market Lessors, It’s All About Differentiation (And Sometimes Price)
By Christopher Moraff, Associate Editor
Today’s middle-market leasing sector reveals a very competitive environment where success depends on a number of things. The Monitor’s Christopher Moraff asked two national sales managers who concentrate on this sector what it takes to succeed in spite of the obstacles. (Ref # SAL140)

Teal Group Forecasts Growth in Its World Aircraft Overview
By Richard Aboulafia, Teal Group Corporation
Once again, the Monitor is pleased to present excerpts from the Teal Group’s 2006 overview, designed to provide a comprehensive look at the business of building aircraft. (Ref # AIR045)

FASB & IASB Hold First Meetings on Lease Accounting Project
By Bill Bosco, Leasing 101
While no one can predict the full impact of the FASB and IASB re-write of lease accounting rules, this train has clearly “left the station.” Bill Bosco provides us with an update on this complex and important project. (Ref # ACC035)

Credit Scoring Comes of Age
By Cordell Wise, Fair Isaac Corporation
Many of today’s scoring models are optimized on various transaction types and data sources and are incorporating additional business data from emerging business data repositories. New application-specific models are cropping up as well, proving credit scoring has come of age. (Ref # CRD077, TEC0156)

COLUMNS

ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVES
Seeking a Quality New Hire… A Truly ‘Alternate Perspective’ to an Age-Old Issue
By Michael A. Toglia, Molloy Associates, Inc.
While experiencing a life-affirming event, Monitor columnist Michael Toglia — by observing and questioning those around him — was able to decipher what makes a quality employee. Sometimes an insight into an age-old query turns up in the strangest places. (Ref # PER016)

LEGAL WATCH
Can Creditors Recover Attorney’s Fees in Bankruptcy Cases?
By Andrew K. Alper and Hal D. Goldflam, Frandzel Robins Bloom & Csato, LC
Creditors are often faced with the dilemma as to whether they can recover their legal fees incurred in a bankruptcy once the lessee or debtor files a petition on bankruptcy. In the Travelers’ case, the U.S. Supreme Court tackled the question. Turn to this month’s Legal Watch for the Court’s decision. (Ref # LGL1089)

DISPATCHES FROM THE TRENCHES
FCRA — Still Impacting Certain Commercial Leasing Transactions
By Kenneth P. Weinberg, Marks & Weinberg, PC
This month’s column discusses the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and its application on commercial leasing transactions. Why? Because the FCRA still impacts commercial leasing transactions when credit reports are pulled from consumer reporting agencies. (Ref # LGL1090)