White Clarke Group, international consultancy and business solutions provider to the asset and automotive finance industry, has just published the definitive analysis of the current state of play for the U.S. Asset and Auto Finance industry. After what has been a catastrophic few years for the industry worldwide, the US is able to report strong growth from all sectors – independents, captives and banks.

Birthplace of the asset finance industry, the USA is by far the largest market in the world so this latest report signals good news for the industry as a whole. This was the second consecutive annual rise in New Business Volume, showing a welcome acceleration over the increase of 3.9% in 2010, which had followed a severe decline of over 30% in 2009.

Of the $94.9 billion new business contracts booked in 2011, banks took just over half (47.9B), captive companies took 31% ($29.6B) and independent lessors took 18% ($17.4B). The greatest rate of increase was for independents (+19.7%), closely followed by banks (+19.3%) and with captives some way behind (+10.5%). The medium-ticket sector enjoyed the greatest rate of growth at 15.2%.

In addition to its review of volumes for 2011, current challenges faced by the market and the emerging business climate, the 35 page report includes discussion around:

• The leasing industry in the US
• Recent new business
• Insiders’ views of the industry
• Challenges faced by the market
• Growth prospects
• Market segment performance
• Sector prospects
• Lease accounting: “Don’t hold your breath”
• Developing the industry
• Expansion – internal or cross-border
• Floorplan financing once again on the move
• The US view of the Lease Accounting Standards Project
• US tax and regulatory environment for leasing

“This latest Country Report is the tenth to be published by White Clarke Group,” says Brendan Gleeson, Global Sales & Marketing Director. “The dominance and maturity of the US market make it a perfect litmus test for the industry worldwide. The findings are very much in tune with reports we are getting for sixty countries around the world, as we compile the next edition of the World Leasing Report. The equipment leasing industry is remarkably resilient.”

To download the report, please click here.

WCG is the world's leader in end-to-end automotive & asset finance software solutions and consulting services. Its award-winning software platform offers the end-to-end solutions of choice for Automotive Finance and Asset Finance companies in 27 countries around the globe.