Asset finance new business grew by 9% in September 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