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Business Wire via NewsEdge Corporation :

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 30, 2006–The Equipment Leasing Association (ELA) today released the Monthly Leasing Index (MLI), which surveys approximately 20 major equipment leasing companies on a monthly basis. The key metrics highlighted in the December 2005 MLI show that respondents reported $7.7 billion in new business volume for equipment leases and loans originated during the period. This total represents a major increase over November’s $3.9 billion.

“December’s larger than normal total was expected as the fourth quarter drew to a close and respondent companies were closing as many deals as possible. Hopefully this level of new business volume will continue in 2006,” said Ralph Petta, the association’s vice president of Industry Services,

One respondent reported that their December totals were greater than the rest of the year combined. All but one respondent recorded increases in their new business volume for December.

Portfolio quality remained stable with delinquencies remaining fairly constant when compared to November. Charge-offs as a percentage of net receivables, increased to 0.85% over November’s 0.53%. According to Petta, the increase can be attributed to one respondent with larger than average figures who reported that they cleaned out their aircraft portfolio, absorbing those losses.

December’s credit approval ratio saw a slight downturn from November, coming in at 81.4 percent over November’s 83.1 percent. The total number of employees increased slightly to 8,988 compared to 8,953 in November.

The MLI is issued on the 30th of every month(1) and provides trend analysis across all major performance areas of lessors, including new business volume, aging of receivables, average loss, credit approval ratios and number of employees.

Because the same companies participate in the study each month, the MLI provides a fairly reliable and consistent trend analysis of current industry activity. Results of each MLI are posted on the ELA website and in Equipment Leasing Today magazine.

Charts and graphs are available for reprint to members of the accredited media. The illustrations reflect the data provided by those companies responding to that particular question. Typically, not every company polled responds to every question.

In addition to the MLI, ELA provides a variety of data, including customized market analyses, to ELA members and organizations involved in the forecasted $229 billion equipment leasing industry. To access this and other industry information, visit the ELA website at http://www.elaonline.com/IndustryData/ or contact Dean Frutiger at (703) 516-8380.

About ELA

Organized in 1961, the Equipment Leasing Association (ELA) is the premier non-profit association representing companies involved in the dynamic equipment leasing and finance industry to the business community, government and media. As the voice of the leasing industry, which is directly responsible for generating a minimum of three million jobs and $75 billion in GDP to the economy annually, ELA promotes the forecasted $229 billion industry as a major source of funds for capital investment in the United States and abroad. Headquartered in Arlington, VA, ELA has more than 750 member companies and a staff of 25 professionals. For more information on ELA, please visit www.ELAOnline.com.

(1) Should the 30th of the month fall on a non-business day or holiday, the ELA Monthly Leasing Index will be issued on the next business day closest to the 30th.

Participants ELA Monthly Leasing Index ADP Credit Corporation Amsouth Leasing Corporation Bank of America Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation CIT De Lage Landen Financial Services First American Equipment Finance GreatAmerica Leasing Hitachi Credit America Corp. HP Financial Services John Deere Credit Corporation Key Equipment Finance LaSalle National Leasing Corporation Marlin Leasing Corporation RBS Asset Finance Siemens Financial Services U.S. Bancorp Leasing Financial Verizon Capital Corporation Wells Fargo Equipment Finance

CONTACT: Four Leaf Public Relations LLC Suzanne E. Henry, 434-972-7278; 434-989-2108 (mobile); suzanne@FourLeafPR.com

KEYWORD: VIRGINIA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GOVERNMENT BANKING

SOURCE: The Equipment Leasing Association

<<Business Wire — 01/31/06>>