Asset finance new business grew by 9% in September 2022

10 November 2022

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that total asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew in September 2022 by 9% compared with the same month in 2021. In the first nine months of 2022, new business was 3% higher than in the same period in 2021.

The IT equipment finance and plant and machinery finance sectors reported new business up in September by 17% and 7% respectively, compared with the same month in 2021.  Commercial vehicle finance new business grew by 5% over the same period.

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

“September saw the asset finance market report monthly new business in excess of £3 billion for only the third time since the onset of the pandemic. Following the mini-Budget, many asset finance customers sought to secure new business deals ahead of interest rate rises.

“The outlook for investment remains challenging as UK businesses face reduced demand and lower margins in the coming months. The FLA’s Q4 2022 Industry Outlook Survey showed mixed expectations for growth over the next year among asset finance providers, with 47% expecting some increase in new business, 13% anticipating new business to remain stable, and 40% expecting some decrease.”

 

Sep

 2022

% change on prev. year

3 months to

Sep 2022

% change on prev. year

12 months to

Sep 2022

% change on prev. year

Total FLA asset finance (£m)

3,077

9

8,148

7

32,094

2

Total excluding high value (£m)

2,921

11

7,760

9

29,873

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data Extracts:

 

By asset:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant and machinery finance (£m)

683

7

1,960

7

7,612

8

Commercial vehicle finance (£m)

741

5

2,141

4

8,559

2

IT equipment finance (£m)

196

17

397

-9

1,532

-23

Business equipment finance (£m)

181

-14

465

-11

1,939

2

Car finance (£m)

928

13

2,286

11

8,788

2

Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)

30

110

71

6

326

-2

 

By channel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct finance (£m)

1,230

10

3,344

9

12,663

-3

Broker-introduced finance (£m)

698

20

1,859

15

7,053

8

Sales finance (£m)

994

7

2,557

4

10,158

4

 

By product:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance leasing (£m)

329

23

826

10

3,256

-4

Operating leasing (£m)

629

-4

1,533

-2

5,854

-6

Lease/Hire purchase (£m)

1,664

11

4,669

11

18,329

7

Other finance (£m)

330

14

776

-1

3,338

0

 Note to editors:

  1. In 2021, FLA members provided £132 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households.  £31 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2021.
  2. FLA policy priorities for 2022 and beyond may be found here.
  3. For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

 

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