Building a high-quality list of leads takes a lot of time and resourcefulness but after a while, it takes less of both. And while it’s not easy, it’s well worth it. Linda Kester returns to remind us of the sense of satisfaction one receives by connecting with their top ten prospects on a regular basis.... read more
June 2009
Since its launch in 2000 with a staff of four, Connecticut-based SL Financial — a subsidiary of Germany’s Landesbank Baden-Württemberg — has grown its staff five-fold, opened offices both north and south of the U.S. border, and broke half-a-billion dollars in managed assets. In recognition of its debut on the Monitor 100, we asked CEO Klaus Knuth to tell us how the company did it. ... read more
June 2009
For Robert Allanson, president of Huntington Bank Equipment Finance, it’s all about simplicity, stability and longevity. And that comes from working with a core group of associates for more than 20 years and focusing on the things that matter in the equipment finance business.... read more
June 2009
Pascal Bouillon, CEO of SG Equipment Finance USA, finds himself on his third U.S. assignment — this time at the helm of the business he was instrumental in creating in 2006. Just having completed its first full year of U.S. operation, Bouillon shares the French banking giant’s rationale for entering the U.S. leasing market.... read more
June 2009
In the following outlook, economist Paul Kasriel of Northern Trust’s Global Economic Research team answers a question that is perhaps on everyone’s mind — are we there yet? And while the short answer is no, there are signs of moderation in the rate of descent of economic activity. And all things being equal, that’s not too bad.... read more
June 2009
In these difficult times, lessors are more frequently willing to allow an existing lessee to assign its rights and interest in leased or financed equipment to a new lessee so long as the new lessee assumes all obligations under the lease. This issue of Dispatches from the Trenches discusses additional due diligence that should be conducted for lessee assignments and assumptions.... read more
May/June 2009
In some instances, a preplan 363 sale can still be structured to accomplish many objectives: it can meet the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code, be used to limit the leverage of out-of-the-money junior lienholder hold-outs, and serve as an expedient way to get assets sold and money distributed to creditors. In short, the 363 sale can be a lender’s best friend or its worst enemy.... read more
May/June 2009
In January, Extreme Networks announced it had selected LEAF as its partner in a new customer financing program. The Santa Clara, CA-based company provides converged Ethernet networks supporting data, voice and video for enterprises and service providers. For a change of pace, the Monitor speaks with a representative from the vendor who gives readers insight into the company’s selection process.... read more
May/June 2009
Remember the Captain & Tennille song, “Love Will Keep Us Together?” That could be an anthem for turning one-time lessees into multiple transaction customers.... read more
May/June 2009
Bill Bosco returns to remind equipment leasing professionals to submit comments to the FASB/IASB Lease Accounting discussion paper, Leases: Preliminary Views. After all, much is at stake and in this game as in all others — you gotta play to win!... read more
May/June 2009
Despite the global financial crisis in which assets fell by $50 trillion since last year and the industry was facing its 15th month in recession, at the March 19 ELFA/IMN Investor Conference in New York, attendees expressed some hope and optimism.... read more
May/June 2009
The Marlin Leasing story details how an independent leasing company was squeezed by the ravages of a worsening economy and the evaporation of the capital markets. And after achieving bank holding company status, Marlin now finds itself heavily dependent on bank regulators and the TALF program for its future funding and, in fact, its very survival.... read more
May/June 2009
It’s a frustrating market to say the least: small- and medium-sized businesses have never been in such dire need of financing, yet the lenders that serve that purpose don’t have the funding to provide it. Competitors have exited the market and will continue to do so. What’s left is a market with substantial opportunity to fund equipment purchases by borrowers with pristine credit — if only there was liquidity for equipment finance companies.... read more
May/June 2009
Many in the industry find themselves rejecting more applicants than they have in a long time. This edition provides an outline of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the requirements it imposes on finance companies in such situations.... read more
March/April 2009
The en banc decision in Trusted Media highlights the significant practical and legal implications of a ruling that makes a determination that the requirements of §303(b) are properly met — a prerequisite to subject matter jurisdiction, as the Fifth and Second Circuits hold. Creditors filing an involuntary petition for relief against a debtor must “get it right” or risk substantial uncertainty as to the validity of orders and activities in the case.... read more
March/April 2009