Recently Funded Studies
This year, the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation has granted research money for the following projects. For more information on these projects, contact Lisa Levine.
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Lending Behavior of Captives and Banks
Expected Delivery Date: Summer 2010
Researcher: Claudine Madras Gartenberg, Harvard Business School
This study examines the difference in lending behavior between captive and banks during the course of a business cycle, with the objective of providing evidence on the role of captives as important financial institutes in the economy. The study with further the discussion on whether firms which combine commercial and financial activities expand credit markets both by engaging in "relationship-lending" to small- and medium-sized businesses and by showing forbearance with distressed customers during trough periods, or whether these firms distort markets by excessively cross-subsidizing the parent business. -
Life after FASB Changes (working title)
Researcher: The Alta Group
Expected Delivery Date: October 2010
The Foundation expects upcoming changes to the US lease accounting standard to impact the financial statements and operations of both lessors and lessees. The proposed new rules not only will create fundamental asymmetries between the accounting, legal, economic, and tax disciplines, but also foment market changes. These market changes may affect lessee financing decisions, impact lessor product offerings and business models, and raise attendant reporting, tracking, and compliance issues.
In light of these changes, equipment finance firms must begin to formulate contingency plans to address both the realities of changing lessee financing behavior and new lessor rules that will affect the delivery and accounting for lease transactions. It is in this context that the Foundation has established this Project to explore the potential state of equipment finance after the upcoming FASB changes. -
Social Networking: How to Use it for Marketing an Equipment Finance Company (working title)
Researcher: Four Leaf Public Relations
Expected Delivery Date: October 2010
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation is seeking to better understand how social networking and social media may help equipment leasing and finance companies market themselves and their product offerings. The research paper will serve as a primer to equipment leasing and finance companies as they consider using social media as a component of their marketing plan. Key considerations, circumstances and implications that are unique to the equipment leasing and finance industry, specifically, are desired. Additionally, including an analysis of best practices within comparable industries will be included to help leaders understand what is possible and appropriate for the industry. Lastly, the benefits, risks and rewards, clearly outlined, will be included. Social media is being used in current marketing efforts by businesses and organizations world- wide.
