With a recent surge of positive change in bank-owned equipment finance groups, Charles Wendel discusses major factors that are driving banks’ renewed interest in equipment finance and leasing divisions, while offering insight into the process of choosing whether to buy or build new, as well as advice on how to be successful.... read more

Jul/Aug 2014

Monitor asked the leading women of equipment finance to share their paths to success, guidance for future industry professionals and industry insights. We thank Laurie Bakke of Western Equipment Finance, Maureen Carr of CapitalSource Corporate Asset Finance and Diane Notch of Stearns Bank Equipment Finance Division for their participation.... read more

Jul/Aug 2014

LEAF Commercial Capital’s Miles Herman notes the equipment industry is currently enjoying a period of steady funding, but says changes in the securitization marketplace and regulatory reform have altered the landscape and forced issuers to adopt key practices that will ensure access to the ABS market in today’s environment.... read more

June 2014

Regular Monitor contributor Lesley Anne Hawes offers insight into Bankruptcy Code preference provisions. Using underpinnings of the Eighth Circuit’s recent decision in the case In re LGI Energy Solutions, Inc., she details the exceptions and defenses to preference recovery, noting that the analysis and rationale of the statute must be applied in a manner consistent with the policies and purposes it was intended to promote.... read more

June 2014

Regular Monitor contributor Bill Bosco says that while the IASB/FASB Lease Project is still a work in progress, the FASB has taken into account the feedback from comment letters, as well as the ELFA’s IASB/FASB Lease Project Working Group’s efforts to help preserve current sale leaseback accounting. However, he cautions that there is still work to be done.... read more

June 2014

Expanded regulation and concern over past problems have increased the scrutiny auditors are applying to residual reviews, particularly for banks. Shawn Halladay and Carl Chrappa of The Alta Group discuss the impacts additional scrutiny has, including amplified levels of detailed information and external appraisals that auditors are requiring. The authors say lessors can use this increased scrutiny to create opportunities to better manage portfolios and maximize the value of existing residuals.... read more

June 2014

CIT’s Vincent Belcastro provides his take on equipment finance opportunities that have been created as a result of America’s resurgence as an affordable and reliable energy producer. Belcastro notes that rising oil and gas production is only part of the story as the transmission and distribution of energy is another emerging opportunity that will fuel future investment demand.... read more

June 2014

Given the expense, disruption and ruffled feathers that accompany the transition to a new lease management system, it's no surprise that organizations tend to delay a replacement project for as long as possible. ... read more

2014

Monitor contributor Andrew Alper discusses a recent equipment finance fraud, and how lenders and lessors can identify and protect against scams. Ultimately, he says it is important to do as much due diligence as possible before making a loan or entering into a lease in a concerted effort to prevent a fraudulent transaction.... read more

May/June 2014

The author describes how equipment financiers can set up their leasing business from scratch, with top industry processes, technology standards and limited upfront investment. While he discusses several challenges financiers face, he notes the entrance of third-party providers that have enabled financiers to mitigate much of the risks associated with launching operations.... read more

May/June 2014

The 2014 ELFA/IMN Investor Conference provided clear evidence that industry leaders are optimistic about this year’s forecast for investment growth. The consensus of those in attendance was the equipment finance sector will not only be a major contributor to the expansion, but will continue to evolve in ways that will keep investors interested.... read more

May/Jun 2014

Changing your thought process and definition of success can be simple, positive and fun – and inspire you to reboot your self-image. Linda P. Kester provides tips for conquering negativity and creating a new belief system.... read more

2014

Empowered by growing confidence in the economy and their own company performance, 94% of CFOs say they plan to pursue new growth strategies in 2014. But creating momentum doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind.... read more

May/Jun 2014

Based on a fourth quarter 2013 survey conducted by the National Center for the Middle Market, GE Capital’s Eric Dusch tells us that investing is on the minds of CFOs, but they are worried that the economy and revenue growth may falter. But the greater danger, he says, may be delaying investment in the business and missing out on opportunities.... read more

May/June 2014

While he believes the direction the FASB is taking will be good news for the vendor leasing segment, Bill Bosco laments the IASB seems stuck in its views that all leases are the same, despite a majority of negative comments that are viewed as an “inconvenient truth.”... read more

May/June 2014