The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released the April 2020 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market fell to a historic low in April of 22.3, decreasing from the previous low of 46.0 in the March index.

Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $900 billion equipment finance sector.

When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent Michael DiCecco, Executive Vice President, Huntington Asset Finance, said, “During these uncertain times, I remain optimistic about the future of the equipment leasing and finance industry. While production is likely to soften in the short term, in many ways we have a great opportunity to affirm our value to our existing clients and demonstrate our value to new ones. It’s an important time to stay close to our clients.”

April 2020 Survey Results

The overall MCI-EFI is 22.3, a decrease from 46.0 in March.  

• When asked to assess their business conditions over the next four months, 6.9 percent of executives responding said they believe business conditions will improve over the next four months, up from 3.7 percent in March. None believe business conditions will remain the same over the next four months, a decrease from 48.2 percent the previous month. In addition, 93.1 percent believe business conditions will worsen, an increase from 48.2 percent in March.
• 6.9 percent of the survey respondents believe demand for leases and loans to fund capital expenditures (CAPEX) will increase over the next four months, an increase from 3.7 percent in March. 3.5 percent believe demand will “remain the same” during the same four-month time period, a decrease from 59.3 percent the previous month; 89.7 percent believe demand will decline, an increase from 37 percent in March.
• None of the respondents expect more access to capital to fund equipment acquisitions over the next four months, a decrease from 14.8 percent in March. 53.6 percent of executives indicate they expect the “same” access to capital to fund business, a decrease from 77.8 percent last month; 46.4 percent expect “less” access to capital, an increase from 7.4 percent the previous month. 
• When asked, 6.9 percent of the executives report they expect to hire more employees over the next four months, a decrease from 29.6 percent in March. Also, 69 percent expect no change in headcount over the next four months, an increase from 66.7 percent last month; 24.1 percent expect to hire fewer employees, down from 3.7 percent the previous month.
• None of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “excellent,” down from 18.5 percent the previous month. None of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “fair,” down from 77.8 percent in March. And 100 percent evaluate it as “poor,” up from 3.7 percent last month.
• 27.6 percent of the survey respondents believe that U.S. economic conditions will get “better” over the next six months, an increase from 14.8 percent in March; 6.9 percent indicate they believe the U.S. economy will “stay the same” over the next six months, a decrease from 37 percent last month; and 65.5 percent believe economic conditions in the U.S. will worsen over the next six months, up from 48.2 percent the previous month.
• In April, 17.2 percent of respondents indicate they believe their company will increase spending on business development activities during the next six months, a decrease from 22.2 percent last month. 48.3 percent believe there will be “no change” in business development spending, down from 70.4 percent in March; and 34.5 percent believe there will be a decrease in spending, an increase from 7.4 percent last month.

April 2020 MCI-EFI Survey Comments from Industry Executive Leadership

Bank, Small Ticket
“I am grateful for the strong liquidity of Wintrust during this rough period. I am concerned that if businesses do not get back to work soon, they will be detrimentally impacted.” — David Normandin, CLFP, President and CEO, Wintrust Specialty Finance

Bank, Middle Ticket
“We are assessing the impact of COVID-19 on our customers' capital investment. We expect impacts related to equipment and labor shortages. The industries we serve, agriculture and rural infrastructure, are paramount to supporting the nation as we traverse through this crisis, and we expect investment to continue and perhaps expand over the next 12 months.” — Michael Romanowski, President, Farm Credit Leasing

Independent, Middle Ticket
“COVID-19 has created an environment that few expected, and none truly planned for. We are optimistic for a ‘V’ shaped economic cycle, which we believe can only be achieved if the health crisis is first solved. Otherwise, a prolonged COVID-19 shutdown will create a domino effect of business failures, more unemployment and unprecedented losses not only in our industry, but worldwide.” — Bruce J. Winter, President, FSG Capital, Inc.