[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Conferences and Forums – Coverage  Updated
Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance

May 19: Broker Fair, New York City 
https://brokerfair.org
https://brokerfair.org/register

Don Cosenza, CLFP, will cover the conference for Leasing News. Public Relations and spokesman for North Mill Equipment Finance for 10-Years, plus past National Equipment Finance Association past board member.

September 10-12: AACFB Commercial Financing Expo, Austin, TX
Conference Details Coming Soon

Mel Vinson, CLFP, Vice President of Marketing and Development, CLFP Foundation, will be covering The conferences for Leasing News reads.

Brokers Expo NYC returns on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Center415 on Fifth Avenue in Midtown
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/---Brokers-Expo-NYC----Returns-Sept-17---Early-Bird-Specials-Now-Live----.html?soid=1133130637774&aid=6qkkxB1HsOM

Don Cosenza, CLFP, will cover the Expo as he did last year for Leasing News readers.

October 14-16: National Equipment Finance Association Fall Conference, Renaissance Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Conference Details Coming Soon

Vicki Shimkus, CLFP, Balboa Capital Relationship Manager, will be covering the conference for Leasing News readers.

October 26-28: ELFA 64th Annual Convention, Marco Island, Florida
Conference Details

Randy Haug, LTi Technology, will be covering the conference for Leasing News. He remembers, "This is going to be back to the same venue and property that the ELFA had previously scheduled. but the hurricane came thru and the ELFA had to cancel at the last minute, then reschedule up in Orlando a few weeks later." He will also be in Washington DC at the annual ELFA Capitol Connections meeting in early June this year.

To be listed or update: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

Balboa Capital Available Position
Program Manager II- Equipment Broker Sales

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

WILL TEXAS BE NEXT ON THE DISCLOSURE BANDWAGON?
By Ken Greene, Leasing News Legal Editor, Emeritus

Maybe, but only for merchant cash advances. This is not the first time Texas has flirted with disclosures in the MCA space. It failed in 2023, so it’s difficult to predict its fate this time around.

There are two bills pending, one in the Senate and one in the House (see below) but they are identical. If either bill passes, here is what it would look like:

1. Only applies to sales-based financing aka merchant cash advances in excess of $500k to a “recipient in this state”. Query: does this mean an individual residing in Texas, a business entity domiciled there, or any person or company who happens to be in Texas when they receive the cash advance?

2.Exemptions:
   a. Banks (specifically including out-of-state banks), and their subsidiaries and affiliates would be exempt, tossing yet another gauntlet at California!
   b. Certain tech services companies who provide tech services to exempt entities.
   c. Lenders regulated under the Farm Credit Act.
   d. Real property secured sales-based financing.
   e. True (operating) leases.
   f.  Purchase money security obligations.
   g.  Vehicle dealers or motor vehicle rental companies, if the transaction is over $50k.
   h.  Sales-based financing offered by manufacturers, licensees, or distributors.

3. Makes usury applicable to these types of transactions (even though technically they are sales.)

4. Disclosures include (1) total amount of financing, (2) disbursement amount, (3) finance charge, (4) total repayment, (5) estimated length of repayment period, (6) payment amounts and a few other items.

5. Disclosures must be signed by the recipient before funding.

6. Registration is mandatory for brokers of this type of financial product.

7. Penalties can be $10k per violation and up to $100k in the aggregate.

Clearly, this skeletal framework would require regulations. As it stands today, MCA providers will have a tough time complying.

SENATE BILL: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB02677I.htm

HOUSE BILL:  https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB00700I.htm

Ken Greene   
Law Office of Kenneth Charles Greene
5743 Corsa Avenue, Suite 208
Westlake Village, California 91362
Tel: 818.575.9095
Fax: 805.435.7464
ken@kengreenelaw.com
www.kengreenelaw.com

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Top Ten Most Read by Readers
May 5 to May 9

(1) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_05.htm#hires

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_09.htm#hires

(3) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_07.htm#hires

(4) Onset and Channel Unite Teams and Partners
at ‘The Launch’ Celebration
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_07.htm#onset

(5) What Happens If I Fail to File My CFL License Annual   
Report
By Ken Greene, Leasing News Legal Editor, Emeritus
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_07.htm#what

(6) GreatAmerica Portfolio Services
Celebrates 15th Anniversary
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_07.htm#ga

(7) A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed
for the U.S. Economy
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/business/economy/trump-trade-economy.html

(8) Customers Get More Emails....
Pick Up the Phone
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_05.htm#cust

(9) CLFP Foundation Adds 14 New CLFPs
With Photos
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_05.htm#clfp

(10) Female Leasing/Finance Association Presidents
Updated
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_09.htm#fem

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Coda: New Hires/Promotions
By Editor, Kit Menkin

First, New Hires/Promotions is normally the most read in the previous week because it has the most open in the full week count.

It is for the total week. Often it may be in a different count for the specific edition, meaning at a higher count for the edition but not the total week.

The reporting has changed in the last few years. The most noticeable changes of which readers may not be aware, but they are no longer just New Hires. It has become a public relations advertisement. Leasing News has tried to bring this notification to readers. To do this, the verified information comes from LinkedIn biographies. Companies have been exaggerating their growth. 

When first discovered, Leasing News investigated. What happened in the president of the company or general manager, had the excuse: "Oh yes, we knew it when we wrote it in April, but the person was hired or promoted in January, but this is the first announcement!"

This has been more common in today’s economy than the past.  Often, if only a few months, Leasing News may add the actual month and note it is an "announcement, or just not publish it."

I bring this forward as recruiters have been calling me recently, asking have we seen a "slow down" in new hires.  Unfortunately, “yes.”  Plus more employee news is now disguised:  the person
is now "Senior Vice President." 

We discuss this most often with the PR person, sometimes the general manager or president. Often, we just do not publish this as news but many competitors issue them as "press releases."

Something new is that we are seeing retirements being announced, especially by officers of the corporation. Perhaps it is reaching a certain age, but it appears to be more an economical business public relations decision. Leasing News will continue to note those who are “retiring.”

Kit Menkin, Editor

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

As we approach 40 years of empowering professionals in the equipment finance industry, we want to take a moment to say thank you to the generosity of our individual donors who keep our mission moving forward.

To celebrate this milestone, we created a word cloud featuring the name of every individual who has contributed to the CLFP Foundation. Every name represents belief in our mission, support for future CLFPs, and dedication to this incredible community.

- Whether you donated $5 or $500, you have made an impact!
- On May 30th, our official CLFP Giving Day (and our 40th birthday!) we invite YOU to join this legacy of giving.

Let’s keep building a better equipment lease and finance industry together. https://buff.ly/RDjikGN

News Briefs

U.S. States Sue over Trump Freeze on Funds
    for Electric-Vehicle Charging Stations
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/16-states-dc-sue-trump-over-ev-charging-station-funds-2025-05-07/

The Turn About in Saudi Arabia
    The Astonishing Transformation
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/16-states-dc-sue-trump-over-ev-charging-station-funds-2025-05-07/

Pharma Crash: Rite Aid and Walgreens among top  
    pharmacies closing 2,240 locations in shock moves
https://www.the-sun.com/money/14180873/rite-aid-walgreens-pharmacies-closing-health/

When Leaving the House to
    Your Heirs Backfires
https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/house-inheritance-transfer-on-death-deed-aa10fc82?st=reKpV1&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Brace Yourself If You Live Here: These 10 States Are
    Least Ready to Weather a 2025 Recession
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brace-yourself-if-you-live-here-these-10-states-are-least-ready-to-weather-a-2025-recession-302449013.html

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Briefs---

'This is new': Steph Curry's injury timeline
   vs. Wolves is getting worrisome
https://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/steph-curry-injury-timeline-wolves-worrisome-20318191.php

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

California News Briefs---

This Los Angeles port is among the first casualties
    of Trump’s trade war
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/11/los-angeles-port-tariffs-trade-tensions/

ICE raids have 'overwhelmed' coastal
California communities
https://www.sfgate.com/centralcoast/article/ice-raids-overwhelm-california-communities-20319412.php

Monterey's Artichoke Festival permanently canceled
    after 65 years
https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/monterey-food-festival-permanently-canceled-20321662.php

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Gimme that Wine

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8    

European Wineries Not Absorbing the Cost of Tariffs,
Say U.S. Distributors - by W. Blake Gray
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/302773