The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released the April 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 76.1, an all-time high and an increase from the March index of 67.7.  

When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent Aylin Cankardes, President, Rockwell Financial Group, said, “We are starting to see pent-up demand for goods and services leading to expanded capital budgets for equipment to produce it and transportation to deliver it. With favorable interest rates, businesses are increasing spending again to stay responsive in a rapidly evolving environment.”

April 2021 Survey Results

The overall MCI-EFI is 76.1, an increase from the March index of 67.7.

• When asked to assess their business conditions over the next four months, 73.3 percent of executives responding said they believe business conditions will improve over the next four months, up from 50 percent in March. 23.3 percent believe business conditions will remain the same over the next four months, down from 46.4 percent the previous month. 3.3 percent believe business conditions will worsen, unchanged from March.
• 70 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 42.9 percent in March. 30 percent believe demand will “remain the same” during the same four-month period, a decrease from 53.6 percent the previous month. None believe demand will decline, down from 3.6 percent in March.
• 43.3 percent of the respondents expect more access to capital to fund equipment acquisitions over the next four months, up from 28.6 percent in March. 56.7 percent of executives indicate they expect the “same” access to capital to fund business, a decrease from 71.4 percent last month. None expect “less” access to capital, unchanged from the previous month.  
• When asked, 43.3 percent of the executives report they expect to hire more employees over the next four months, up from 42.9 percent in March. 56.7 percent expect no change in headcount over the next four months, a decrease from 57.1 percent last month. None expect to hire fewer employees, unchanged from March.
• 13.3 percent of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “excellent,” an increase from 3.6 percent the previous month. 80 percent of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “fair,” up from 78.6 percent in March. 6.7 percent evaluate it as “poor,” down from 17.9 percent last month.
• 73.3 percent of the survey respondents believe that U.S. economic conditions will get “better” over the next six months, an increase from 60.7 percent in March. 23.3 percent indicate they believe the U.S. economy will “stay the same” over the next six months, a decrease from 32.1 percent last month. 3.3 percent believe economic conditions in the U.S. will worsen over the next six months, down from 7.1 percent the previous month.
• In April 46.7 percent of respondents indicate they believe their company will increase spending on business development activities during the next six months, up from 39.3 percent last month. 53.3 percent believe there will be “no change” in business development spending, a decrease from 60.7 percent in March. None believe there will be a decrease in spending, unchanged from last month.

April 2021 MCI-EFI Survey Comments from Industry Executive Leadership

Bank, Small Ticket
“As vaccination levels continue to increase and confidence to re-enter social environments rises, increased spending will result. This progression to a widening economy should serve to strengthen demand for commercial assets and the financing of those assets. We are optimistic that business will recover, and yet are focused on managing the risk of those that are still highly impacted and will take additional time to find their footing.” – David Normandin, CLFP, President and CEO, Wintrust Specialty Finance

Bank, Middle Ticket
“We continue to see good demand for capital expenditures from the markets we serve. We have noticed tighter spreads as competition becomes more active.” – Michael Romanowski, President, Farm Credit Leasing

Independent, Large Ticket
“Early concerns are the new Biden tax plan and proposed changes to bonus depreciation. Optimistically, given the rebound in the economy short-term demand for equipment finance should benefit.” – Vincent Belcastro, Group Head Syndications, Element Fleet Management