According to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross-section of the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, overall new business volume for November was $8.3 billion, unchanged from new business volume in November 2022. However, volume was down 19% from $10.4 billion in October, while year to date, cumulative new business volume was up 4.1% compared to 2022.
Receivables more than 30 days were 2%, down from 2.5% in October and up from 1.7% in the same period in 2022. Charge-offs were 0.4%, unchanged from October and up from 0.3% in the year-earlier period.
Credit approvals totaled 76% in November, unchanged from October. Total headcount for equipment finance companies was down 0.4% year over year in November.
Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) in December is 42.5, steady with the November index of 42.8. The MCI-EFI offers a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by a cross-section of equipment finance executives.
“Moving into the final month of the year, MLFI participants report mixed performance,” Leigh Lytle, president and CEO of the ELFA, said. “Year-to-date originations are healthy despite some softness in year-over-year and month-to-month November data. Both losses and delinquencies show more acceptable levels, and no further rate increases by the Fed for the foreseeable future is more good news. With the increasing likelihood of a ‘soft landing,’ the equipment finance industry should have a positive year-end.”
“In November, equipment finance firms continued to showcase their resilience,” George Parker, co-CEO of VenSource Capital, said. “While some segments continue to recover, most of our industry performed well. Facing sharply higher interest rates, inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties, most industry firms have adapted and found ways to make strides. Even with a dip in monthly volume from October, year-to-date levels show an encouraging uptick. Also reassuring, 30-day delinquencies and charge-offs remain relatively low and steady. These results suggests that our industry is doing a great job of navigating current conditions and is well positioned to leverage opportunities once economic conditions stabilize.”
