The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released the February 2021 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). 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. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 64.4, an increase from the January index of 59.6.

When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent Brad Peterson, CEO, Channel Partners Capital, said, “Although we believe the 2021 PPP program will suppress capital needs for a short period of time among SMBs, we're expecting a positive rebound from a year’s worth of pent-up pandemic demand. Our post-pandemic portfolio looks fantastic and we expect the strong performance to continue through 2022. We believe this is the time to invest in SMB marketplace opportunities.”

February 2021 Survey Results

The overall MCI-EFI is 64.4, an increase from the January index of 59.6.

• When asked to assess their business conditions over the next four months, 46.2 percent of executives responding said they believe business conditions will improve over the next four months, up from 33.3 percent in January. Also, 46.2 percent believe business conditions will remain the same over the next four months, a decrease from 59.3 percent the previous month; 7.7 percent believe business conditions will worsen, a slight increase from 7.4 percent in January.
•  42.3 percent of the survey respondents believe demand for leases and loans to fund capital expenditures (CAPEX) will increase over the next four months, up from 33.3 percent in January; 53.9 percent believe demand will “remain the same” during the same four-month period, a decrease from 59.3 percent the previous month; and 3.9 percent believe demand will decline, down from 7.4 percent in January.
• 23.1 percent of the respondents expect more access to capital to fund equipment acquisitions over the next four months, up from 18.5 percent in January; 76.9 percent of executives indicate they expect the “same” access to capital to fund business, a decrease from 81.5 percent last month. None expect “less” access to capital, unchanged from the previous month.  
• When asked, 38.5 percent of the executives report they expect to hire more employees over the next four months, up from 25.9 percent in January. 61.5 percent expect no change in headcount over the next four months, a decrease from 66.7 percent last month. None expect to hire fewer employees, down from 7.4 percent in January.
• None of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “excellent,” unchanged from the previous month. In addition, 76.9 percent of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “fair,” down from 77.8 percent in January; 23.1 percent evaluate it as “poor,” up from 22.2 percent last month.
• 50 percent of the survey respondents believe that U.S. economic conditions will get “better” over the next six months, a decrease from 51.9 percent in January; 38.5 percent indicate they believe the U.S. economy will “stay the same” over the next six months, an increase from 37 percent last month; and 11.5 percent believe economic conditions in the U.S. will worsen over the next six months, up slightly from 11.1 percent the previous month.
• In February, 30.8 percent of respondents indicate they believe their company will increase spending on business development activities during the next six months, an increase from 22.2 percent last month; 69.2 percent believe there will be “no change” in business development spending, a decrease from 74.1 percent in January. None believe there will be a decrease in spending, down from 3.7 percent last month.

February 2021 MCI-EFI Survey Comments from Industry Executive Leadership

Bank, Small Ticket
“Wintrust Specialty Finance had a solid year of growth in spite of the global pandemic. 2021 has started out well with strong application flow, approval rates and funding volume. Additionally, the portfolio has performed with low delinquency and credit quality. I expect that mid-year will bring challenges as PPP funds fade. However, we are focused in industries that are performing with essential use collateral that we believe will continue to perform.” – David Normandin, CLFP, President and CEO, Wintrust Specialty Finance

Bank, Middle Ticket
“We are seeing pent-up demand for equipment and structure investment. Due to the continued uncertainty caused by COVID and the low interest rate environment, customers are preferring to finance rather than pay cash.” – Michael Romanowski, President, Farm Credit Leasing

Independent, Large Ticket
“The equipment finance and leasing marketplace has always been resilient and performs well in market dislocation. I have concerns around the unknown impact of numerous executive orders, as well as COVID-19.” – Dave Fate, President and CEO, Stonebriar Commercial Finance

The COVID-19 Impact Survey of the Equipment Finance Industry, conducted monthly since its launch in May 2020 and released with the MCI-EFI, will be reported on a quarterly basis in 2021. Additionally, questions will be revised to reflect longer term effects of the pandemic’s impact on equipment finance companies going forward. If you wish to participate on behalf of your company in 2021, please contact Stephanie Fisher at sfisher@leasefoundation.org to determine eligibility for inclusion in the survey.