The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), a survey of economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, reports that in August:

• New business volume (NBV) was $9.2 billion, down 10% from August 2023.
• NBV was down 17% from $11.1 billion in July 2024.
• Cumulative NBV was up 3.5% compared to 2023.

Additional findings include:

• Receivables over 30 days were 2.2%, down from 2.5% the previous month and down from 2.3% in the same period in 2023.
• Charge-offs were 0.4%, down from 0.5% the previous month and up from 0.3% year over year.
• Credit approvals totaled 76%, unchanged from July.
• Total headcount for equipment finance companies was up 1.2% year-over-year.

Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Monthly Confidence Index in September is 61.9, up from the August index of 58.4, and the highest level in more than two years.

“The Fed’s decision to begin lowering interest rates will support demand for equipment, even if some businesses wait for rates to fall further before investing. That wait-and-see approach showed up in our August MLFI as new business volumes declined,” Leigh Lytle, president and CEO of the ELFA, said. “However, ELFA members expect acquisitions to pick up once we’re past the election and interest rates fall a bit further. That sentiment was also reflected in our foundation’s recent Monthly Confidence Index, which showed that equipment finance executives are very optimistic about their organizations’ prospects over the next four months. Finally, credit conditions remain healthy, which will allow lessors and financiers to service new demand when it shows up later this year.”

“It appears there is still a slight slowdown in the equipment finance industry, which was heavily weighted in the decrease in origination activity at banks, which led to a dip in new business volume. However, it’s reassuring to hear that portfolio quality is remaining stable, with improvements in receivables and a reduction in losses,” Marci Slagle, CLFP, president of BankFinancial Equipment Finance, said. “What was not baked into these numbers was the Fed rate drop this month. This will help stimulate fourth quarter growth, for both independent lessors and banks. The anticipation of further rate reductions may indeed boost demand, encouraging businesses to invest in capital expenditures. It’s definitely a pivotal time for both independent lessors and banks as we navigate these changes, but I think we are going to start trending in the right direction.”