Construction Activity Up in 2017: Residential Upsurge Makes Up for Declines in Infrastructure Spending

Red tape may have put public construction projects on hold this year, but a surge in private spending drove an overall increase in construction activity. Wells Fargo’s John Crum examines this and other key industry observations including the rental market, new equipment sales, used equipment prices and the effects of hurricane season. Looking ahead to 2018, he predicts it could be another great year for construction if this year’s pattern holds.... read more

November/December 2017

Lease Accounting Rules Add to Bank Capital Woes: Topic 842 May Cause Credit Crunch in 2019

In his final Monitor article before retirement, Bill Bosco examines how banks will be affected by the Basel Committee’s decision on international capital rules. He predicts a negative effect on worldwide economic activity in 2019 as banks address their need to increase capital which, in turn, will likely diminish lending activities.... read more

November/December 2017

Stuck in Traffic: Driver Shortage, Electronic Logs Make for Small Fleet Trouble

During a year when the industry took on a major role in helping rebuild from devastating natural disasters in Texas, Florida and California, overcapacity and a driver shortage continued to hamper trucking. That doesn’t mean the future doesn’t hold promise. Dan Clark, head of BMO Transportation Finance, discusses what 2017 was like for the industry and what to expect in 2018 and beyond.... read more

November/December 2017

The Cyclical Expansion Continues: Commercial Truck Industry Will Fare Well in 2018

The trucking industry continued its slow growth pattern in 2017. Steve Latin-Kasper of the National Truck Equipment Association discusses factors like the labor shortages and infrastructure delays that have hindered growth. He provides a slightly rosier outlook for 2018.... read more

November/December 2017

Safety and Technology First: GAMA Eyes Customer Expectations as Flight Hours Soar

More than a decade following the Great Recession, the general aviation industry is beginning to show signs of a full recovery, with flight activity increasing in the U.S. and Europe. GAMA’s Jens Hennig discusses the economic environment of the industry and the association’s efforts to improve the process of bringing aircraft, equipped with the safety standards and modernized technology customers desire, to market.... read more

November/December 2017

Credit vs. Sales: The Battle for Approvals

Linda Kester explores the interplay between sales and credit departments. Taking a lesson from her own early experiences as a salesperson, she discusses common misconceptions the departments have about each other and shares methods for creating the synergy essential for success.... read more

November/December 2017

Commitment to Digital Business Sparks Sales: 2017 Best Year on Record Since Recession

IT spending is on the upswing, according to data from Gartner. John Lovelock examines the reasons behind the increase, including a commitment to digital business and a declining U.S. dollar. As software overtakes hardware and service-based models replace traditional ownership, he says businesses that fail to keep up with technological advancements will be left behind.... read more

November/December 2017

Improving the Odds: How to Ramp Up Quickly as a Sales Rep

Starting a new sales job isn’t always easy — for sales reps or their employers. Linda Kester provides six tips and expert advice from an executive recruiter to ensure a new employee’s successful assimilation into a company’s culture.... read more

September/October 2017

Taking the Road Less Traveled: How One Woman Created Her Own Equipment Finance Success

Entrepreneur Terri McNally shares the insight she gained from launching and successfully running an independent equipment finance company. She offers six vital lessons for those in the industry who are hoping to create a successful business.... read more

September/October 2017

Blockbuster Deals: A Look at High Profile Independent Acquisitions

Over the last 12 months, several major independent equipment leasing companies have been acquired. Banks and private equity firms were some of the major acquirers, with People’s United Bank buying LEAF Commercial Capital and Solar Capital taking on Nations Equipment Finance. What has led to this spike in activity, and will it continue?... read more

September/October 2017

Structuring Leases Under Topic 842: Two Vital Issues to Consider

Bill Bosco raises two Topic 842 issues to consider prior to implementation — the impact of financial measures and ratios and the new rules regarding sale-leaseback accounting. He discusses several challenging situations and offers potential solutions.... read more

September/October 2017

Seeing Clearly: 2017 Provides Improved Clarity for Equipment Finance Landscape

With more than half of 2017 in the books, Ralph Petta and Anthony Cracchiolo provide an update on the equipment finance industry from the ELFA’s perspective. They discuss struggling sectors and the 2016 election, improved performance in 2017 and what the association is working on and expecting in the next year.... read more

September/October 2017

Evolving with ‘Servitization’: The Days of Buying Equipment Are Numbered

Today’s customers want to enjoy the benefits of equipment use without the hassles of ownership. Equipment finance structures are evolving to keep up with this trend. Monitor examines three types of servitization and the way these new structures will affect the future of the industry.... read more

September/October 2017

Hardwick v. Wilcox: Release Ineffective for Usury Claims

Andrew Alper examines usury and discusses paths to exemption available for lenders using the Hardwick case as an example to demonstrate that having a borrower sign a general release may not always release the borrower’s right to file a usury claim against a lender.... read more

September/October 2017

Skillful Sailing: Extraordinary Performance Driven by Cultural Winds

The culture of a company — the invisible force that determines vision and values — will ultimately determine its success or failure. Dexter Van Dango embarks on an expedition to uncover the power of culture. He examines recent cultural breakdowns that made headlines and shares insights from equipment finance leaders on the impact of corporate culture on their organizations.... read more

September/October 2017