Monitordaily

Press Release: A recently-released annual ranking and analysis of the largest equipment finance companies in the U.S. provides graphic evidence of how a faltering economy and weak business investment impacted the performance of some of the largest players in this industry. 

According to the latest edition of the Monitor 100, published by Xander Media Group, a "perfect storm" scenario, exacerbated by deteriorating credit portfolios, provides a backdrop for a look at how major stalwarts such as GE Capital, Caterpillar Financial and most of the largest banks in the U.S. fared in an environment not seen since the Great Depression. 

Now in its 19th year, the Monitor 100 offers a sweeping analysis and graphical presentation of this compelling segment of commercial finance. This 30-page special report provides an in-depth look at how an industry so heavily dependent on a vibrant economy to fuel growth went into reverse after years of steady growth. 

Among the highlights: 

- Last year saw a record decline in new business volume among Monitor 100 participants. 

- Seventy of the top 100 participants in the 2010 Monitor 100 reported a combined net decline in activity of $62.9 billion, the largest year-over-year shift in the history of the Monitor 100.

- The $66.4 billion of erosion in originations was only slightly offset by the $3.5 billion collectively reported by the 30 participants that reported increases. 

- Weak equipment demand, tighter credit standards and liquidity constraints all played a role as lenders were additionally distracted by portfolio quality concerns.

As every year, Jerry Parrotto, Xander Media Group president and Monitor publisher, offers his own take on the data in a special overview, leveraging his decades of leasing industry experience to tell the story behind the numbers. 

Commenting on the report, Parrotto notes: "Even though we were expecting to see a reflection of the downturn in all the factors that impact the industry, it wasn't until we tabulated the results of this year's survey that we realized a seismic shift had taken place. I've been following the industry for more years than I would like to admit, and I've been through a cycle or two, but this year's Monitor 100 report brings home the reality of what can happen when all the all the stars are aligned against you."