The intricacies of automobile financing are like a microcosm of the larger vendor finance world. So how do you distinguish the key players? Dexter Van Dango discusses the roles of captive finance companies, banks, independents and brokers and how each competes in the field.... read more
May/June 2014
The Monitor asked the heads of the leading vendor finance companies to reflect on what the environment was like to do business in 2013 and comment on what their expectations are – both positive and negative — as they look ahead. We thank Jeff Berg at De Lage Landen, Brian Madison at Key Equipment Finance, Paul Omohundro at Banc of America Leasing, Tim Reese at Wells Fargo Financial Leasing and Nicholas Small at CIT Vendor Finance. ... read more
May/June 2014
Weaving in the quirky personalities of Alice in Wonderland characters, Kenneth Weinberg discusses the nuances behind purchase money security interests and discerning the “what” and “when” arguments for filing within the applicable period.... read more
March/April 2014
The Monitor's resident lease accounting expert Bill Bosco brings us current on the first 2014 meeting of the FASB and IASB. Offering his commentary on key aspects of the deliberation, he notes that the boards are far apart on lessee accounting and certain lessor issues, but both agree that they should reduce the complexity and cost to comply wherever possible.... read more
March/April 2014
Drawing on her experience and the wisdom of other industry veterans, Linda Kester asks the question: What is the best use of your time, and are you being productive or merely active? In this article, Kester explores the underlying reasons why activity alone does not necessarily translate into productivity.... read more
March/April 2014
IT leasing veteran Rick Bueti offers frank advice to equipment lessors that claim to provide “custom, innovative, tailored solutions” — forgo marketing clichés and execute simple, honest customer service. ... read more
March/April 2014
In a Monitor exclusive, CSL Leasing's founder and chair Ken Steinback tells the story of the company's unassuming start and successful growth, first in the U.S., then around the world. As for working in the dynamic IT industry, he welcomes the constant changes because they result in more equipment purchases — and more financing.... read more
March/April 2014 2014
Despite a rocky and, at times, bleak outlook, some independents are now in a position to choose between continuing on the path of organic growth and forging a strategic partnership with a bank. Charles Wendel of Financial Institutions Consulting provides insights into the benefits of sticking to the status quo versus those of joining the “enemy.”... read more
March/April 2014
Despite, or perhaps due to, increased competition, tightened spreads, stretched structures and other challenges, this year’s buy-desk participants report an overall positive feeling about their individual results for 2013. However, unless or until interest rates rise and/or economic growth accelerate, the consensus seems to be we can expect more of the same in 2014.... read more
March/April 2014 2014
While the still-sluggish economy continually weighs on the minds of equipment finance executives, this year’s funding source roundtable participants express mixed sentiments towards deal flow, supply/demand factors and credit availability, as well as closing deals in today’s environment. Overall, they each remain optimistic for higher levels of activity in 2014.... read more
March/April 2014
Attorney Lesley Anne Hawes examines a recent Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion reaffirming the established principle that secured creditors' liens pass through bankruptcy unaffected. She notes that the decision is helpful to secured creditors because it confirms at the federal circuit level this important attribute of lienholder status in bankruptcy cases.... read more
Jan/Feb 2014
In July 2012, Andrew Denton, COO of CHP Consulting, and Derek Soper, chairman of IAA Advisory, launched the Leasing Foundation to foster industry research, charitable activities and professional development in Europe. As Denton explains, although these areas are being addressed in the U.S., such industry support in the rest of the world was underdeveloped — until a group of international heavy-hitters stepped up to "fill the vacuum."... read more
Jan/Feb 2014
As an activist for the equipment leasing and finance community and working member of the FASB/IASB lease project working group, industry expert Bill Bosco has been in the thick of the debate surrounding the outcome of the new lease accounting rules. In this exclusive article for the Monitor, Bosco addresses default covenants, lessor accounting for synthetic leases and the lease accounting project.... read more
Jan/Feb 2014
In the wake of the release of Martin Scorsese’s film The Wolf of Wall Street, Linda Kester takes offense at such unethical sales tactics and blatant disregard for clients. She explains that you can treat vendors and lessees well and still make a profit by delivering more than you promise.... read more
Jan/Feb 2014
AmeriQuest Transportation's Patrick Gaskins examines issues confronting financial executives in the commercial trucking industry and discusses considerations they must weigh before making decisions about equipment replacement and acquisitions.... read more
Jan/Feb 2014