Leasing Legends – Arnaldo Rodriguez, CSI Leasing - Part 1: Building a global brand

Global commercial equipment finance expert Bob Rinaldi has launched a series of video interviews – called Leasing Legends – engaging with some of the key influencers in the finance industry. In the first of a series of discussions with Arnaldo Rodriguez, president of CSI Leasing, he discusses the complex route to building a global brand.

Leasing Legends – Arnaldo Rodriguez, CSI Leasing - Part 1: Building a global brand

Sep 17, 2019

Santander to wind down UK asset finance arm

Santander is to wind down its asset finance arm in the UK as part of a strategic review of its operations. It will stop writing any new asset finance business by the end of the year and the existing portfolio will reduce as customers complete payment schedules. Santander said its asset finance business made up less than 5% of its corporate bank portfolio. The bank said that where possible it will continue to support its core clients with different forms of lending and other services.

Santander to wind down UK asset finance arm

Sep 17, 2019

Invigors EMEA bolsters team with the addition of new senior associate

Invigors EMEA, the consulting and services partnership, has announced the appointment of Tor Bowen as an associate based in the UK. He will be responsible for providing additional trouble-shooting and restructuring expertise for European and global clients.

Invigors EMEA bolsters team with the addition of new senior associate

Sep 17, 2019

*****JOB OF THE WEEK*****

VP Sales America – IT, Healthcare & Industrial Finance - 2639

On target earnings $350,000 which are also totally uncapped. Earnings will be guaranteed at this level for at least 1 year potentially 2 years. Plus professional allowance of $12000 p/a.

Role Overview

As Vice President of Sales, you will lead the full execution of lease origination in the pursuit of driving growth and profitability our clients existing client base and securing prospects across the IT, Healthcare, and Industrial verticals within the United States for our client.

This position is integral to the growth of our client as it will have a direct impact on growing originations, maximizing profitability, optimizing sales processes, and increasing organizational performance by way of four performance indicators: Lease Origination, Gross Margin, Operating Expenses, and Net Profit.

To read more about this fantastic opportunity, click here

AF50 2019 reveals UK’s biggest asset finance companies

The current leaders of the UK’s dynamic asset finance market have been revealed in the exclusive 2019 Asset Finance 50. The annual AF50 is the UK’s most influential survey of business and equipment lessors, which tracks the health of the market and identifies the key trends that are set to have an impact on the sector. This year’s report, sponsored by Alfa, reveals that the total net investment in leasing for the top 50 firms is £38 billion, up 6.2% from £35.9 billion in last year’s report. The top 10 firms represent 60.6% of the AF50, up from 59.3% last year, with the largest company, Lombard, accounting for 15% of the market. In addition to profiling the largest companies in the UK asset finance arena, the report includes in-depth analysis of the industry.

AF50 2019 reveals UK’s biggest asset finance companies

May 22, 2019

Eric-Mark Huitema takes charge of ACEA as new director general

A new director general will lead the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) from next month. Taking the helm will be Eric-Mark Huitema (pictured), a Dutch industry specialist who previously acted as global smarter transportation leader at IBM. Prior to this, he was active within the IT sector, co-founding internet start-up Chello Benelux. He also has a degree in technical chemistry at Delft University, and business and sales administration at INSEAD. Huitema will take charge following Erik Jonnaert’s departure after six years as secretary general.

Eric-Mark Huitema takes charge of ACEA as new director general

Sep 17, 2019

Why a connected world raises the stakes when systems fail

A recent article in Automotive News highlighted one of the downsides of the everything-connected world of omni-channel retailing; when something goes wrong in one place, its impacts are felt throughout the network and across a range of partners. Over the weekend of 17th August, extremely hot weather in Denver, Colorado, caused a power outage, which in turn knocked out a data centre hosting Nissan’s communications network and systems for the whole of the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Why a connected world raises the stakes when systems fail

Sep 17, 2019

Hydrogen Car Roadshow promotes benefits of fuel cell technology

Leasing giant Arval is hosting a UK roadshow to raise awareness of the potential benefits of hydrogen vehicles. The roadshow is visiting five locations throughout the UK and has already stopped in Swindon, Oxford and Leeds. Birmingham University will host the next event in October, followed by a final stop in London.

Hydrogen Car Roadshow promotes benefits of fuel cell technology

Sep 16, 2019

Legacy IT infrastructure holding back businesses

Legacy IT infrastructure is having a crippling impact on some businesses, limiting growth and driving up costs, according to new research. Analysis conducted by Forrester Consulting concluded that organisations with disjointed and outdated IT based on legacy tools and strategies are trapped in a perpetual ‘survival cycle’ that leaves them unable to innovate. The IT operations management survey said legacy tools are causing lengthened service disruptions and poor customer experience, while not supporting the shift to cloud-based operations or more modern infrastructure.

Legacy IT infrastructure holding back businesses

Sep 16, 2019

Asset finance market grows by 8% in July

Asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) overall grew in July by 8% compared with the same month last year, according to the UK Finance & Leasing Association. New business for deals of up to £20 million increased by 7% over the same period.

Asset finance market grows by 8% in July

Sep 12, 2019

IRIS Software Group builds international capabilities with acquisition of Innervision

IRIS Software Group has acquired Innervision, a global provider of lease accounting software, lease management consultancy and services. The deal is the latest stage in IRIS Software Group’s global expansion and is its fourth acquisition during 2019. Since July 2013, IRIS Software Group has brought 19 companies into the group from sectors including accountancy, payroll, human resources, business accounting and education.

IRIS Software Group builds international capabilities with acquisition of Innervision

Sep 16, 2019

Nordea Bank appoints Frank Vang-Jensen as new president and group CEO

The board of directors of Nordea Bank has appointed Frank Vang-Jensen as new president and group chief executive officer. Vang-Jensen was formerly head personal banking for the group and a member of group executive management committee. He joined Nordea, the largest financial services group in the Nordic region and one of the biggest banks in Europe, in 2017 as head of personal banking and country senior executive for Denmark before taking his current role last year.

Nordea Bank appoints Frank Vang-Jensen as new president and group CEO

Sep 16, 2019

Fair acquires Canvas from Ford Credit

Innovative vehicle subscription app Fair is acquiring the assets of the Canvas vehicle subscription service from Ford Motor Credit Company for an undisclosed sum. The agreement enhances Fair’s position in the vehicle subscription market, enabling the company to continue plans to accelerate consumer adoption of its services through US expansion. Fair launched in 2017 and enables customers to complete the entire car sourcing process by smartphone. Users can shop pre-owned cars, sign for the one they want on their smartphone and have it delivered with breakdown cover and maintenance included, then hand it back without any early termination penalties.

Fair acquires Canvas from Ford Credit

Sep 16, 2019

Is Barclays’ decision to retreat from motor finance sector a trend for the future?

Barclays Partner Finance has announced it will leave the motor finance market as part of a broader strategic review. In a statement, the company said: “Barclays Partner Finance has made a commercial decision to reduce its focus on motor point of sale finance. Given this outcome, the business will no longer invest in the motor portfolio as a growth area and will shortly cease to originate new business in this segment.” Barclays Partner Finance offered personal contract purchase (PCP) and conditional sale motor loans as part of its motor finance business, with loan values ranging from £1,500 to £50,000. Peter Cottle (pictured), head of automotive sector at industry consultancy Growcap, told Asset Finance International the decision may reflect a wish to deal more directly with end-user customers.

Is Barclays’ decision to retreat from motor finance sector a trend for the future?

Sep 13, 2019

Speakers announced for Lease Conference Istanbul 2019

The Alta Group and Invigors have revealed some of the key speakers for their November conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Delegates have been invited to the event from more than 100 countries and regions, ranging from central and eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, to China and the USA.

Speakers announced for Lease Conference Istanbul 2019

Sep 13, 2019

Stripe launches new services as part of global expansion

Online payments platform Stripe has launched Stripe Capital to provide internet businesses with easier access to funding. The move is in response to banks cutting back on lending to small businesses, with 70% of companies saying they don’t have access to the level of funding they need to manage cash flow. The bank loan process is also lengthy, with reports of businesses spending more than 25 hours on applications and paperwork before waiting weeks to receive approved funds.

Stripe launches new services as part of global expansion

Sep 13, 2019

Most UK small businesses well-versed in ‘no-deal’ Brexit implications

Most UK SME business owners claim to be ‘well-versed’ on what a no-deal Brexit would mean for the UK, according to the latest research from AF50-listed Close Brothers Asset Finance. Its survey of 850 UK-based SMEs showed the majority of owners have not changed their original views on the 2016 referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU, but 25% of former ‘remainer’ SME business owners now want to leave, while 13% of ‘leavers’ now want to remain.