In its simplest terms, public finance is the way in which state and local municipalities and federal government agencies acquire essential equipment or services to run their operations. Interestingly, there is not much public information available detailing the dynamics of this intriguing industry.... read more

September/October 2008

Moving past 2008 may seem like a good idea given all that has transpired, but judging from the early signs, we may not like what we see in 2009, either. However, modern science has not yet come up with a way to allow us to fast forward through the bad times, so it’s time to look 2009 squarely in the eye.... read more

September/October 2008

The American Trucking Association estimates that trucks haul 70% of all freight tonnage and that 80% of all U.S. communities receive their goods exclusively by truck, which means that distress in the trucking industry has the potential to increase the cost of nearly all products consumed by Americans. But opportunities are out there for those that develop roadmaps for success.... read more

September/October 2008

This month, Ken Weinberg contemplates UCC provisions, which protect a lessee when it sells equipment leased pursuant to almost every type of lease under the sun as well as equipment finance agreements and loans secured by equipment.... read more

July/August 2008

In this edition of Legal Watch, Andrew Alper reminds us that there are always lessons to be learned from adverse court decisions. Lessons include the necessity for lenders and lessors in making sure their lending and leasing guidelines make sense and the importance of digging deeper into credit information received from a borrower or lessee.... read more

July/August 2008

Can changing one aspect of your business increase profits while decreasing the time it takes you to get a deal funded? Yes it can. Garry Egan explains how one transition can change the way you run your broker business.... read more

July/August 2008

Even though energy efficient technology is on the tongues of many, from local governments to this year’s presidential contenders, it can still be a hard sell. Many companies continue to delay their energy improvements because they feel they do not have the funds to upgrade. But there is help…Neil Zobler explains.... read more

July/August 2008

Without question, we live in times best characterized as rapidly changing — it could be said we live in an age of velocity. And, as most in our industry would acknowledge, the leasing world is no exception to this dynamic. It might not be surprising, therefore, that in the spring of 2007, a group of seasoned information technology (IT) leasing professionals announced the formation of a de novo independent leasing company named Velocity Financial Group.... read more

July/August 2008

Ongoing pressure to cut costs is forcing many companies to delay or downgrade IT strategies. However, increased competition has lessors debating the value of new lease management systems. How can lessors find the right option for them? Shawn Halladay examines the pros and cons.... read more

July/August 2008

Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of IT poses a significant challenge to any organization, but the benefits justify the necessary investment of time, effort and money. When all is said and done, restructuring IT can turn it from an expensive necessity to a powerful competitive tool.... read more

July/August 2008

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July/August 2008

As yet another equipment leasing and financing veteran heads into retirement, the Monitor caught up with Bob Krause one last time to get an overview of his career, what’s kept him in the industry and what he sees on the horizon... read more

June 2008

In prepared remarks at the Annual Conference of the Institute of International Bankers, U.S. Treasury Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Clay Lowery delivered his address in the form of a David Letterman-style “Top Ten” list. Lowery categorizes the underlying weakness in the following excerpt, delivered in March 2008.... read more

June 2008

Looking to find a new niche market to explore? Well look no further — software leasing could be just the market for many lessors looking to reach beyond their current core businesses. What are the benefits of branching out into this unexplored territory? LPI Software Funding Group’s Mark Bazrod explains. ... read more

June 2008

Whether you are a complacent observer or a stunned participant, the current crisis in the credit markets provides a useful reminder that certain business fundamentals don’t change. And before it’s over, there will be many lessons learned from the process.... read more

June 2008