Asset finance market reports further growth in May

6 July 2018

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew by 10% in May, compared with the same month in 2017.

New finance for plant and machinery grew in May by 4% compared with the same month in 2017, while the commercial vehicle finance sector reported new business up by 13% over the same period.

Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist, said:

“The asset finance market continued to improve in May after a relatively quiet first quarter. The industry provided further support to the construction, manufacturing and agricultural sectors, with new finance for equipment in these sectors up by 6%, 11% and 22% respectively, compared with May 2017.”

 

May 2018

% change on prev. year

3 months to May 2018

% change on prev. year

12 months to May 2018

% change on prev. year

Total FLA asset finance (£m)

2,921

+10

8,984

+3

31,926

+3

Total excluding high value (£m)

2,637

+4

8,421

+3

30,127

+4

             

Data Extracts:

 

By asset:

           

Plant and machinery finance (£m)

586

+4

1,813

+1

6,651

+7

Commercial vehicle finance (£m)

684

+13

2,182

+6

7,561

+1

IT equipment finance (£m)

174

+1

506

-8

2,336

+5

Business equipment finance (£m)

201

-13

666

+5

2,588

+4

Car finance (£m)

870

+6

2,802

+0

9,445

+2

Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)

15

-85

63

-81

204

-72

By channel:

           

Direct finance (£m)

1,334

+5

4,245

+3

15,038

+1

Broker-introduced finance (£m)

526

+2

1,630

+6

5,831

+7

Sales finance (£m)

777

+5

2,546

+1

9,257

+6

By product:

           

Finance leasing (£m)

312

+3

1,038

+4

3,886

+6

Operating leasing (£m)

472

-14

1,663

-16

6,335

-7

Lease/Hire purchase (£m)

1,667

+13

5,113

+9

17,273

+5

Other finance (£m)

302

+9

802

-9

3,142

-9

 Note to editors:

  1. In 2017, FLA members provided £128 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £32 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2017.
  2. For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

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