Supermarket chain Lidl launches vehicle leasing in Germany

Supermarket chain Lidl has launched a low-cost vehicle leasing venture in its home market of Germany. Known as Lidl-Auto, the service is a tie-up between the supermarket, digital leasing platform Vehiculum and Sixt Leasing. It offers the Kia Stonic SUV from €135 per month, along with a range of additional models.

Supermarket chain Lidl launches vehicle leasing in Germany

May 06, 2021

NETSOL unveils new landing page to solidify efforts in the equipment finance market

Asset finance and leasing software provider, NETSOL Technologies, has unveiled a new landing page catered towards the equipment finance industry. Highlighting its numerous years of experience within the equipment finance sector, the launch of the new landing page is the third in a series of similar announcements:

NETSOL unveils new landing page to solidify efforts in the equipment finance market

May 05, 2021

Technology overhaul for Vanarama and Polestar in new partnerships with Ebbon-Dacs

Vanarama, an online vehicle leasing retailer, has been named as “the first major leasing company to implement Ebbon-Dacs’ newly-released Stockviewer platform.” The platform will enable Vanarama to better manage its stock vehicles, special offers and sales campaigns by providing a web-based platform to upload, manage and sell large numbers of stock and campaign vehicles.

Technology overhaul for Vanarama and Polestar in new partnerships with Ebbon-Dacs

May 05, 2021

White Clarke Group Global Leasing Report 2021 reveals health of industry as pandemic emerged

A detailed insight into the health of the global asset finance industry launched today reveals how flexibility and innovation helped the sector respond to the emerging Coronavirus pandemic. The White Clarke Group Global Leasing Report 2021 provides an invaluable insight into the shape of the asset finance market as it entered one of the most turbulent years in its history, when the COVID-19 crisis reshaped world markets. Exclusive research in the report shows that before the pandemic, the USA benefited from strong growth, with annual volume of $473 billion, a rise of 10.5% year-on-year.

White Clarke Group Global Leasing Report 2021 reveals health of industry as pandemic emerged

Mar 01, 2021

Asset Finance Europe 50 2020 reveals strength of market as industry endures its toughest year

Europe’s biggest asset finance providers entered 2020 in a position of strength that helped them prepare for the toughest year in the industry’s history. In the fourth annual Asset Finance Europe 50, asset finance leaders have heaped praise on their employees for their pivotal role in supporting industry growth and adapting to change as the Coronavirus crisis struck at the start of the year. The unique European annual ranking survey, sponsored by Alfa, reveals that total business equipment and vehicle lease receivables of the 50 largest companies were €314 billion as the industry entered a pivotal year.

Asset Finance Europe 50 2020 reveals strength of market as industry endures its toughest year

Nov 30, 2020

Digital icebergs and the future of asset finance

The asset finance industry has undergone some of the most fundamental changes in its history over the past year and new risks are now emerging as finance providers focus on growth in a post-pandemic era, as Adam Kobeissi, innovation director in CGI UK’s Financial Services Practice, explains.

Digital icebergs and the future of asset finance

May 04, 2021

IDS celebrates partnership with Metropolitan Capital after string of acquisitions and data security success

Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust (MCB) has partnered with IDS to better support its small business customers’ access to working capital. IDS, an asset finance technology provider, is set to provide its asset-based lending (IDS ABL) technology solutions as the foundation for the Bank’s strategy. David Hamilton (pictured above), chief executive officer of IDS, explained: “We recognize that SMEs are core to both local and global economies which is why we work hard to make our solutions scalable and accessible to meet the demands of all financing firms and their customers.

IDS celebrates partnership with Metropolitan Capital after string of acquisitions and data security success

Apr 30, 2021

Risk data aggregation hits top of the list for compliance concerns amongst lenders

Some 88% of financial services firms devote 40% or more of their total data practice budget to compliance functions, with risk data aggregation the top concern, according to research from Financial Information Management (FIMA). The research suggests that financial organisations are channeling larger portions of their budget to compliance initiatives. Despite this growth in funding, 54% of respondents stated that at least half of these functions are still performed manually within their organisations. The survey included the views of 100 data and information technology executives. Respondents were split evenly into four categories: asset management organisations, hedge funds, insurance organisations and investment banks.

Risk data aggregation hits top of the list for compliance concerns amongst lenders

Apr 29, 2021

Asset finance industry responds to leasing exclusion from 130% super-deduction

Closer inspection of the super-deduction capital allowance, following the Spring Budget announcement, has revealed that leasing and plant hire is excluded from the scheme. Currently, companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery can claim a 130% super-deduction capital allowance, or a 50% first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets. However, the relief can only be claimed by limited companies using a method of finance whereby they obtain outright ownership of the asset at the end.

Asset finance industry responds to leasing exclusion from 130% super-deduction

Apr 22, 2021

As-a-service equipment management is a “must have” for asset finance firms

Pay-per-use and as-a-service equipment management models have been discussed in great depth within the asset finance industry, and yet, many companies have failed to gain the first-mover advantage. Ian Robertson, Nick Feasey and Tim Pearce state that companies need to catch up with this trend before they’re left behind.

As-a-service equipment management is a “must have” for asset finance firms

Apr 20, 2021

Fleets drive efficiencies with autonomous decisions

Digital decision-making is transforming fleet operations as repetitive tasks are delegated to computers while managers focus on high-value assignments. John Maslen reports.

Fleets drive efficiencies with autonomous decisions

Apr 21, 2021

Digital decision-making is transforming fleet operations as repetitive tasks are delegated to computers while managers focus on high-value assignments. John Maslen reports.

The future of fleet transport in a post-pandemic era

As businesses focus on returning to normal following the global pandemic, many are asking the question ‘What does normal look like now?’. After such a prolonged period under numerous lockdowns, with employees working from home and employers developing online business models, many companies have now adapted to the changed environment by introducing new processes and developing innovative ways of working.

The future of fleet transport in a post-pandemic era

Apr 16, 2021

New car registrations rise by 11.5% in March despite 27% drop in consumer car finance in February

New car registrations have risen by 11.5% in March, equalling 29,280 more vehicles, compared to the same period in 2020 according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This marks the first time since August 2020 that new car registrations had grown in the UK. However, automotive insight provider Autovista explained that this is likely to be a reflection of when the pandemic first began impacting sales in the UK as frozen markets have “wildly distorted year-on-year figures”.

New car registrations rise by 11.5% in March despite 27% drop in consumer car finance in February

Apr 13, 2021

Mark Lyons Recruitment kickstarts new cycling community with a charity event alongside AFPA Trust and LTi Technology Solutions

Forming a new community for the financial services, banking, automotive and growth industry sectors, recruitment specialist Mark Lyons is helping build a cycling network of like-minded individuals to bring people together for the benefit of raising money for charitable causes and keeping mentally and physically fit. The initiative will also serve to enhance the AFPA Trust ride calendar.

Mark Lyons Recruitment kickstarts new cycling community with a charity event alongside AFPA Trust and LTi Technology Solutions

Mar 29, 2021

Asset finance grows for first time in a year, reaching £26 billion in February

The UK asset finance market has achieved growth for the first time in more than a year, according to new figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA). In February, total asset finance new business reached £2.2 billion, marking a 1% rise on the previous year and a key milestone in the economic recovery following the pandemic. Furthermore, in the 12 months up to February 2021, total asset finance was down 24% to £26 billion, showing the true impact of the pandemic on the UK asset finance landscape.

Asset finance grows for first time in a year, reaching £26 billion in February

Apr 13, 2021

Brian Rogerson steps down from Asset Finance International

Having enjoyed a 50-year-long career in the asset finance industry, Brian Rogerson has stepped down from his role as consulting editor and co-founder of Asset Finance International. Brian (pictured above) co-founded the magazine in September 2009 with Edward Peck and played a fundamental part in developing it. Partly a matter of pride and partly a labour of love, Brian lead the development of free-to-view content online, covering all angles of a topic before his editorial competitors had even managed to get their paper-based alternatives to press.

Brian Rogerson steps down from Asset Finance International

Apr 12, 2021

Simply celebrates fourth anniversary with 130% capital tax allowance relief offering

Simply, a UK small business lender, is now offering companies investing in new plant and machinery assets the opportunity to claim a 130% super-deduction capital allowance. Currently in effect until 31 March 2023, companies can also claim a 50% first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets. According to Mike Randall (pictured above), chief executive officer at Simply, this measure is designed to stimulate business investment by offering higher rates of relief than were previously available.