Monthly Confidence Index - Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI)
April 2013
- Survey Results
- Comments from Industry Executive Leadership
- Survey Charts
- Previous Months
- About the Monthy Confidence Index
April 2013 Survey Results:
The overall MCI-EFI is 54.0, a decrease from the March index of 58.0.
- When asked to assess their business conditions over the next four months, 6.3% of executives responding said they believe business conditions will improve over the next four months, down from 21.9% in March. 84.4% of respondents believe business conditions will remain the same over the next four months, up from 71.9% in March. 9.4% believe business conditions will worsen, up from 6.3% the previous month.
- 12.5% of survey respondents believe demand for leases and loans to fund capital expenditures (capex) will increase over the next four months, a decrease from 21.9% in March. 75% believe demand will "remain the same" during the same four-month time period, up from 68.8% the previous month. 12.5% believe demand will decline, up from 9.4% in March.
- 18.8% of executives expect more access to capital to fund equipment acquisitions over the next four months, down from 28.1% in March. 81.3% of survey respondents indicate they expect the "same" access to capital to fund business, an increase from 68.8% the previous month. No one expects "less" access to capital, down from 3.1% of respondents in March.
- When asked, 25% of the executives reported they expect to hire more employees over the next four months, unchanged from March. 65.6% expect no change in headcount over the next four months, down from 71.9% last month. 9.4% expect fewer employees, up from 3.1% of respondents who expected fewer employees in March.
- 87.5% of the leadership evaluates the current U.S. economy as "fair," up from 84.4% last month. 12.5% rate it as "poor," unchanged from March.
- 15.6% of survey respondents believe that U.S. economic conditions will get "better" over the next six months, unchanged from March. 68.8% of survey respondents indicate they believe the U.S. economy will "stay the same" over the next six months, down from 71.9% in March. 15.6% believe economic conditions in the U.S. will worsen over the next six months, an increase from 12.5% who believed so last month.
- In April, 31.3% of respondents indicate they believe their company will increase spending on business development activities during the next six months, unchanged from March. 68.8% believe there will be "no change" in business development spending, unchanged from last month. No one believes there will be a decrease in spending, also unchanged from March.
April 2013 Survey Comments from Industry Executive Leadership:
Depending on the market segment they represent, executives have differing, but improving points of view on the current and future outlook for the industry.
Independent, Small Ticket
"Economic and political headwinds continue to swirl. Small business confidence is still very cautious and wary. Are we nearing the Groundhog Day of investment rather than austerity?" Paul Menzel, President & CEO, Financial Pacific Leasing, LLC
Independent, Small Ticket
"There is a tremendous supply of capital at low rates for the very best credit risks. In addition, there is availability for the less than stellar credits at reasonable rates. Demand is moderate at best due to low job creation and we are hopeful this will improve." David Schaefer, President, Orion First Financial, LLC
Bank, Small Ticket
"Growth is on target and portfolio quality remains good. Price, however, remains at lower levels which would not support an increase in losses over a long period of time. Caution continues…" Kenneth Collins, CEO, Susquehanna Commercial Finance, Inc.
Bank, Middle Ticket
"Until Washington provides positive signs to the business community the U.S. economy will continue to experience lackluster conditions. This scenario will continue to have an adverse effect on the equipment finance industry." Thomas Jaschik, President, BB&T Equipment Finance
Survey Respondent Demographics:
Market Segment:
- Bank: 54.8%
- Captive: 9.7%
- Financial Services: 9.7%
- Independent: 25.8%
- Other: 0.0%
Market Segments Based on Transaction Size of New Business Volume
- Large-Ticket (New Business Volume Avg. Transaction Size Over $5 Million): 16.1%
- Middle-Ticket (New Business Volume Avg. Transaction Size of $250,000 - $5 Million): 45.2%
- Small-Ticket (New Business Volume Avg. Transaction Size of $25,000 - $249,999): 35.5%
- Micro-Ticket (New Business Volume Avg. Transaction Less Than $25,000): 3.2%
Organization Size (Based on Annual New Business Volume for Fiscal Year 2010):
- Under $50 Million: 6.5%
- $50 Million - $250 Million: 6.5%
- $250 Million - $1 Billion: 45.2%
- Over $1 Billion: 41.9%
