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Friday, April 25, 2025
Today's Leasing News Headlines AACFB Recap: A Celebration of Connection, You May Have Missed --- ######## surrounding the article denotes it is a press release, it was not written by Leasing News nor has the information been verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a byline. It reflects the opinion and research of the writer.
[headlines] AACFB’s 2025 Annual Conference:
The American Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (AACFB) wrapped up its 2025 Annual Conference with a spirit of connection and community. This year’s conference was held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, bringing together over 300 professionals for three impactful days centered on the theme: High Stakes, High Rewards: Doubling Down on Growth and Innovation. Beyond the educational sessions and industry updates, this conference stood out for its unwavering focus on people — we gathered together with new connections, long-standing members, and focused on the deep relationships that form the core of the American Association of Commercial Finance Brokers community.
From kicking off the conference with the opening golf tournament and the Women in Finance Luncheon, to the Brokering Essentials course, and Speed Networking, the first day was packed with opportunity for engagement and connection. In the Exhibit Hall, exhibitors provided the chance to connect with industry peers and partners, while the many breakout sessions across the conference offered practical tools and insights for members just before the Opening Reception
The ever-growing group of Certified Lease & Finance Professionals (CLFPs) gathered by the Paris Hotel pool for a group photo and moment of recognition. Their shared commitment to excellence and continued education reflects the increasing positive influence of the CLFP designation within the AACFB membership.
A highlight of the conference on day two was the presentation of the 2025 President’s Award, which was awarded to Steve Geller, CLFP, of Leasing Solutions. Steve has been a member of the AACFB for more than 25 years, and his steady attendance, mentorship, and positivity have made him a pillar of excellence within AACFB and our industry. Known for his reliability and genuine support of others, Steve exemplifies what it means to serve not just an industry but a community.
The luncheon also featured Once Upon a Room Las Vegas, a non-profit that supports children undergoing long hospital stays by decorating their rooms to make their stays more comfortable.
Leadership transitions were also a significant milestone of the week. Outgoing President Roderick Knoll, CLFP, passed the Presidential duties to Kalah Sprabeary, CLFP, and new Board Members were announced. The Association also welcomed new board members Ishmael McGhee, Troy Vosberg, CLFP, and Liz Poventud. Heartfelt gratitude was also shared with outgoing board members Teresa Cranney and Laura Simpson for their dedicated service over the last several years. In addition, the AACFB introduced its new legal counsel, Dennis Dressler of Dressler & Peters, LLC, who will support the association in its continued growth and governance. As the final toast to the AACFB community was shared during Friday’s “Happy Hour & a Half,” where attendees left not just with new insights and business cards but with a renewed sense of community and connection. Whether celebrating a retirement, bidding on prize packages, building new relationships or connecting again with longtime industry friends, the week was a wonderful reminder of why this community continues to thrive.
[headlines] Modern History of Leasing
Brokers Grow in Leasing As the brokers got into the field, many started their own leasingcompanies as originators and some brought in investors or obtain lines of credit via investors or relatives or putting up their house. Private label contracts used by funders for “captive vendor” business became the purview of independents who did the sales while the funder did the approvals and servicing. At first it was recourse with the banks, then non-recourse as they taught bank officers how the procedure worked and banks become more comfortable. Companies also were obtaining recourse lines of credit from banks with leasing divisions such as Crocker Citizens, Security Pacific, Union Bank, Wells Fargo with its auto center division. Companies such as TRE Financial, Phoenix, Key Lease, and SHW Capital grew to compete with AT&T Capital, Dana, FMC, and Tri-Continental. GE was still the elephant in the room. Larger banks at this time were getting into middle-market leasing, and for a long time, Bank of America did not consider any leasing below $500,000, even for good existing bank customers. Leasing commission by leasing companies financed by banks were often capped at 2% to 3%, what the funders were also paying dealers or the dealer sales personnel direct. Copiers were the most popular to be leased, then telephones, security systems, office furniture, and finally computers and even software in the 1980’s. There was very little “franchise leasing,” even McDonald’s and “7- Eleven were financed, not leased--- and Small Business Administration loans prohibited leasing until their loan was paid off. Brokers learned they could not only earn more of a commission in “discounting,” but could earn the residual when the lease paid out, as it was treated as a “balloon payment,” not counted in the “stream of payments.” This was the start of independent brokers, and a group in California joined together and were up to over 80 members when the then Western Association of Equipment Lessors began to take brokers. In the group were A.J. Batt of Atel Capital, Louis Funkenstein (Funston) of Western States, Mont Gates of Leaserite, Jim Harris of Allco Leasing and Financial, Kit Menkin of American Leasing, Ted Parker of CCLease, just to name a few who began their own leasing companies. (5) The former Equipment Leasing and Finance Association was slow in accepting third party originators, according to their directories, as well as their membership fees were higher. The newly formed Western Association of Equipment Lessors (WAEL) voted against allowing brokers being a member of their group. In reality, most of the members were “brokers with a staff” acting as a lessor. When it got to the point of competing for broker business, they were allowed to join so they could go to meetings and attract more brokers. Many of them kept direct sales staff, but augmented their business with an “indirect business” representative/processing staff. (6) As the independent leasing companies grew, they began to have portfolios, warehouse lines to fund leases, and the syndication age began where companies would build up warehouse lines of leases and then discount them in dollar amounts, primarily over $1 million or more. As the marketplace changed, banks got involved and would start to accept portfolios and warehouse lines of credit. In the beginning, it was all recourse to the leasing company. As competition grew, the 1980's saw the growth of lessors with non-recourse and recourse lines of credit with large banks, then smaller regional banks, and even community banks as it become more acceptable. There were books and manuals published and with brokers joining associations, then other funders, including banks, also wanted to join to vie for their business. The trend was away from direct sales to independent brokers who had access to smaller vendors, manufacturers, distributors, too expensive for the larger companies to service. Fax machines sped up the business, as well as lower price leasing software was becoming available as computers were less expensive and could now not only do accounting, but contain contracts from various companies, which sped up the process. Sending applications, constructs, documents by Federal Express became very popular. Speed became very popular, more than “rate.” Software was catching up with Capital Stream, Lease Team, McCue, and others (even brokers now had software to speed up the typing and processing of documents.) In 1990, a group of leasing brokers formed an association called the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, where brokers were the only ones who could vote in a general election, as well as had a much lower fee than another group, such as funder or service provider. At first they had a part-time “secretary” and with the help primarily of two attorneys, Joe Bonanno and Barry Marks, Esq. grew into a premier organization which had 1,089 members. With the roaring economy of the 1990's, everyone became a leasing broker, including the dealers who were demanding higher and higher referral fees for their business. Franchise business was booming, and so was leasing of franchises as well as when they had an SBA loan as the covenant not to lease was changed. Second mortgage made subprime leasing with very high rates acceptable. The trend then turned to "automated credit scoring" and “application only” kept growing up to $150,000 for when once what was standard requirement were a financial statement, tax return, and personal financial statement requirement for small leases especially. Computerized credit scoring became very popular, not only for marketing purposes, but for approving credit. Often a consumer credit report, time in business, and average bank account was all that was needed. Certain professions such as medical or dental, the limit on “app. only” was higher than others. Colonial Pacific Leasing developed Pegasus a program for lessors who generated a specific volume and could use the credit scoring system, this may be likened to a franchise operation as the leasing company had a territory and franchise. First Sierra took this a step further by combining many independent lessors into one large company for the volume, making them “corporate partners” and companies such as Republic Leasing of South Carolina began syndicating leases with banks, mortgage companies and others who would underwrite the lease portfolio, enabling them to extend their lines of credit for more leases. (7) In 1998 and 1999 companies were being merged into large groups, and this trend continued into a downturn in 2000 that saw many companies closed and Leasing News started its well-read “The List”, eventually labeling the list of companies closed as being hit by "The Perfect Storm" after a movie came out starring George Clooney who takes his boat out into weather that the ship no longer can ride. (8) As the companies merged or went out of business, they rose up again as independents, small lessors who were basically brokers, but instead of using company documents, the thrust was "originators," who began to act as if they were a "funder" as the contracts were theirs, and often the check emanated from them as that was the discounting arrangement with the actual funding source. First Sierra and Colonial grew at terrific rates during this short time period. General Electric was buying leasing companies left and right. Some of the originators had warehouse lines to fund the leases and then when all the parts were in place, or a group, they were then packaged and discounted. Computers made it simpler. Summit, Lease Team, among others came up with affordable software packages. Companies such as Pioneer Capital gave brokers not only internet access, but software to type and fund documents very simply. (9) It was the “Age of the Broker” who often was making 15 points on a transaction. Several, such as Balboa Capital, would pay up to 20%, discounting some of the profit in advance from the residual or Evergreen Lease clause. (10) As of 2005 the National Association of Equipment Brokers (NAELB) had grown to 648 members, where the now Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) who had 850 members in 2000 was down to 780 members, and the United Association of Equipment Lessors who was at 589 members in the year 2000 was down to 297 members. It was a “no holds bar the door” and get the deal funded as quickly as you could, “due diligence” out the window, and the race was on who could bring in the most business and earn the most in commissions---take the money and run. Everyone wanted to be an independent broker and earn the generous commissions. (5) http://www.leasingnews.org/list_alpha_new.htm#allco (6) http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/WAEL_Hist_I.htm (7) http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/CLP.htm (8) http://two.leasingnews.org/archives/November/11-29-00.htm (9) http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/April%202008/04-02-08.htm#adv (10) http://two.leasingnews.org/archives/May01/5-29-01.htm [headlines] License and Registration United States A State-by-State Analysis of License Requirements for Lenders and Brokers
Six States Reintroduce Commercial Disclosure Financing Bills
ELFA Interactive State Map to Track Financial Disclosure Regulation Activity https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2024/07_15.htm#why Illinois Disclosure, Licensing, and Database Bills [headlines] Balboa Capital Available Position [headlines] #### Press Release ######################## March CapEx Finance Index Reveals New Business Volumes Grew; The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association released the March 2025 CapEx Finance Index (CFI). Highlights from the Index include:
“However, financial conditions weakened, with aging receivables increasing and the average loss rate rising to its highest level in nearly five years. Economic uncertainty remains exceptionally elevated, and the rise in charge-offs may be an early indication that end-users are experiencing financial stress. The strength in equipment demand should not be understated – the sector is on solid ground – but I’ll be watching the financial data closely for signs of further deterioration as we enter what is expected to be a volatile spring and summer.” New business volumes rose for the second consecutive month. Volumes continued to make up ground after a disappointing start to the year. New business activity grew by 7.0%, the third-highest growth rate in the last two years. The small ticket index shot up by 21.7%, surpassing the hot February rate of 15.9%. Financing activity picked up across institution types, with banks and captives posting double-digit monthly growth rates, while activity at independents expanded by just over 2%. Volume growth at banks surged over the last 12 months, reaching a yearly growth rate of 32.3%. Activity at captives and independents shrank over the same period. The pace of job losses quickened. Employment levels in the equipment financing industry dropped 2.7% over the 12 months ending in March. Job losses were broad-based, with all three institution types reporting a yearly contraction in employment. Credit approvals rose to the highest level since August 2024. The overall credit approval rate rose to 76.0%, an increase of almost 0.7 percentage points. The rate remains above the recent two-year average of 75.5%. Financial conditions weakened further. Aging receivables over 30 days rose to 2.3%, an increase of a quarter of a percentage point. Aging receivables increased at banks and independents but declined at captives. Charge-offs rose for the second consecutive month to 0.60%, the highest loss rate since September 2020. The trailing six-month average rose to 0.50% and has been trending up over the last five months. It is now more elevated than at any point from 2015 through 2019. “Industry new business volume of $10.4 billion was very strong in March, which may represent a pull-forward of equipment orders ahead of tariffs going into effect,” said Alan Sikora, CEO of First American Equipment Finance, an RBC / City National Company. “As some clients are cautious due to economic uncertainty, the equipment leasing and finance industry will continue to play a key role in helping organizations navigate their changing environment.” Industry Confidence More detail on the data and methodology can be found at www.elfaonline.org/CFI ##### Press Release #################### [headlines] ##### Press Release #################### 2025 Economic Outlook: Weaker Growth Expected as Tariffs,
Equipment & Software Investment Projected to Expand 2.8% in 2025; GDP to Expand 1.2% Washington, DC,– After starting 2025 in a generally solid position, the U.S. economic outlook has worsened amid sharp declines in consumer and business sentiment, rapidly rising inflation expectations, and sky-high policy uncertainty. As a result, the Q2 update of the 2025 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook has revised its 2025 equipment and software investment forecast to 2.8% (down from 4.7%) and its U.S. GDP forecast to 1.2% (down from 2.7%). The report, which was released today by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, forecasts that a “growth pause” by the end of 2025 is more likely than a sustained downturn, although the probability of a near-term recession has clearly risen. Leigh Lytle, President of the Foundation, and President & CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, said, “Extraordinarily high economic uncertainty related to U.S. trade policy has sent shockwaves through the economy, prompting large swings in financial markets and a sharp reduction in equipment finance industry confidence. At the same time, labor markets remain healthy, consumer spending bounced back in March, and the manufacturing sector appears to be holding its own. The elephant in the room is tariffs: if the administration ultimately moves forward with the “reciprocal” tariff rates announced in early April, they will weigh heavily on the economy’s growth prospects this year. On the other hand, if bilateral or multilateral deals are struck with key trading partners and these additional tariffs are avoided, the business climate would quickly improve.” Highlights from the 2025 Outlook include:
The Foundation-Keybridge U.S. Equipment & Software Investment Momentum Monitor, which is released in conjunction with the Economic Outlook, has been revised to track seven equipment and software investment verticals from 12 previously. In addition, the Momentum Monitor Sector Matrix provides a customized data visualization of current values of each of the seven verticals based on recent momentum and historical strength. This month four verticals are weak but accelerating, while three are weak and decelerating. Over the next six months the Foundation expects the following trends to materialize on a year-over-year basis:
The Foundation produces the Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook report in partnership with economic and public policy consulting firm Keybridge Research. The annual economic forecast provides the U.S. macroeconomic outlook, credit market conditions, and key economic indicators. The Foundation's Q2 report has been revised to include more data visualization for enhanced clarity and readability. The report will be updated quarterly throughout 2025. Download the full report at https://www.leasefoundation.org/industry-resources/u-s-economic-outlook/. Download the Momentum Monitor at https://www.leasefoundation.org/industry-resources/momentum-monitor ##### Press Release ####################
[headlines] CLFP Academy Postings and Information
The Academy for Lease and Finance Professionals (ALFP) is a three-day event, designed to fully prepare an individual to sit for the CLFP exam assuming the attendee has already studied. A trend has begun in providing virtual online sessions. During the first two days, all of the required sections of the CLFP exam are covered in-depth. On the third day, the exam is offered but is not mandatory and may be taken on another day. Students are strongly advised to have read and studied The Certified Lease & Finance Professionals' Handbook prior to attending the class in order to ensure success. There also is a “Mentor Program” for individuals. Here are the latest postings: Online, Public ALFP Hosted by US Bank Equipment Finance [headlines] News Briefs A Sign That Consumers Are Anxious Burger Giant to Close 200 Stores Celebrating Excellence in Leasing: NVLA’s 2025 Tariff Update April 24: Looming Parts The Beige Book-Summary of Current Conditions by GATX Reports Net Income of $78.6 Million
[headlines] YouTube turns 20 years old
[headlines]
Grading every pick of the first round of the NFL Draft [headlines]
San Francisco Bay Area tech giant Intel's As traffic fears subside, former critics reconsider Doug Sovern, acclaimed KCBS radio host, How a sleepy coastal California city became [headlines] Gimme that Wine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8 Breakthru Beverage Group Extends Partnership with American Idol’ producers seek to auction their Jackson Family Wines Trims Headcount This Break Out Wine Brand is the [headlines] This Day in History https://leasingnews.org/archives/Apr2022/04_25.htm#history ------------------------------------------------------------- SuDoku The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler? -------------------------------------------------------------- Daily Puzzle How to play: Refresh for current date: -------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.gasbuddy.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------- Weather See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials -------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic Live--- Real Time Traffic Information You can save up to 20 different routes and check them out with one click, -------------------------------- Wordle https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/ |
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