The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25) showed overall new business volume for October was $8.3 billion, up 9 percent from new business volume in October 2013.
Month-over-month, new business volume was down 12 percent from September. Year to date, cumulative new business volume increased 8 percent compared to 2013.
Receivables over 30 days increased from the previous month to 1.2 percent, and were up from 0.9 percent in the same period in 2013. Charge-offs were unchanged for the seventh consecutive month at an all-time low of 0.2 percent.
Credit approvals totaled 78.3 percent in October, a decrease from 79.7 percent the previous month. Total headcount for equipment finance companies was up 0.7 percent year over year.
Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation's Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) for November is 64.2, an increase from the October index of 60.4 and the highest level since May.
ELFA President and CEO William G. Sutton, CAE, said: “ELFA members report strong growth in new business volume, albeit tempered by continued margin compression in many sectors. The U.S. economy continues to expand at a modest rate, providing a welcome stimulus for investment in business equipment. Portfolios are performing relatively well, although delinquencies are showing some slight volatility. Most economic indicators—lower fuel prices, reduced unemployment and a robust equity and bond market—all point to a strong fourth quarter, absent some unforeseen development.”
The MLFI-25 is a time series that reflects two years of business activity for the 25 companies currently participating in the survey. The latest MLFI-25, including methodology and participants is available below and also at http://www.elfaonline.org/Research/MLFI/