New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that total asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) fell by 7% in October 2021 compared with the same month in 2020. In the ten months to October 2021, new business was 17% higher than in the same period in 2020.

The plant and machinery finance sector reported new business up in October by 9% compared with the same month in 2020. The business equipment finance and IT equipment finance sectors reported falls in new business of 15% and 35% respectively, over the same period.

Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Director of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:

“In October, the asset finance market reported its first monthly fall in new business since January of this year and annual new business remained 12% below its pre-pandemic peak. Nevertheless, the market continued to report pockets of growth with new finance for construction equipment and agricultural equipment up by 22% and 18% respectively, compared with October 2020.

“The sustained growth in the asset finance market during much of 2021 demonstrates the underlying strength of the industry, with many sectors returning to levels of new business seen pre-pandemic. The pace of recovery has been hampered by asset shortages which are likely to persist into 2022 as countries across the world contend with new waves and variants of Covid-19.”

 Note to editors:

1. In 2020, FLA members provided £113 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households.  £27 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed almost a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2020.

1. For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.