Between June 2018 and June 2019, the price of construction equipment has risen by 5.8%. That’s a rate more than three-and-a-half times the rate of inflation. As a result of these cost increases, managers of construction equipment are under pressure... read more
October 2019
The first step in developing a long-term equipment financing strategy is to identify all of the fixed and variable costs associated with operating your current fleet. In other words, what is your current total cost of operation? A spend analysis... read more
October 2019
I started as a leasing broker in 1990, and I have made every mistake known to man since then. I once spent $5,000 on an ad in a national magazine (insisted on the right-hand page because I heard it gets... read more
August 2019
The AACFB Annual Conference was held May 2-4, at Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. With a final attendance count of 353 – comprised of 168 brokers, 177 funder/associates and 8 guests – along with 61 exhibitors, it... read more
May/June 2019
When I was a kid, people smoked on airplanes. When I was in college and flying to Europe on a regular basis to visit my girlfriend, now wife, airlines began introducing “non-smoking” flights. It was an awkward transition. But today... read more
December 2015
The used truck market has changed considerably in the last five years. 2015 capped off a nice four-year run (2011-2015) of a healthy used truck market. But by the end of 2015, activity slowed down and at the same time... read more
July 2019
All financial institutions have a liability policy, and most believe the policy covers vicarious liability arising from leased assets. For example, as a lessor, you lease a motor vehicle which is involved in an accident caused by the lessee. The... read more
May/June 2019
In certain segments of our industry, the interest rate charged for the advance of loan proceeds may exceed the rates allowed under the usury laws of the state where the borrower or lessee may be located. It is important to... read more
August 2019
Technological changes are occurring at a dizzying pace. It’s now at the point where it seems like everyday there is some new development that fleet managers have to learn about to determine if it makes sense for their operation. In... read more
May 2019
I recently had the opportunity to host 4 roundtable discussions with 65 equipment finance professionals. The participants represented a wide range of financial institutions across the United States, including large banks, captive financers, and small leasing companies. Prior to the... read more
November 2018
The Alta Group tapped four of its consultants working with organizations in regions outside the U.S. to offer insights. There are interesting developments underway in global markets, including specific sectors and geographies, that offer potential expansion targets. In the regions... read more
October 2019
When you think about putting together a finance structure that accommodates changes in the economy, there are a number of factors you need to take into consideration. Those include asset cost, equipment specification trends, used asset values, inflation, changes in... read more
September 2017
“Why do I need you?” The wording may be different each time the question is asked, but it translates to a clear request for an explanation of value. That the question is being asked by our banking colleagues is an... read more
June 2019
Financial technology — fintech — has reshaped the financing landscape for more than a decade. How has this first generation of fintech transformed equipment finance? How will the next? Turns out Fintech Gen 1 has proven more of an industry... read more
August 2019