Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Inc.

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the leading trade association representing companies within the U.S. equipment finance sector. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., ELFA's core mission is to provide its member companies with a platform to promote and advocate for the industry, offer professional development and training, and serve as a central resource for industry information.

ELFA's diverse membership encompasses financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods, including independent and captive leasing and finance companies, commercial banks, investment banks, and various service providers. The association's key activities include federal and state government relations, providing industry research and market insights, and facilitating business and professional development through educational programs, conferences, and networking events. The equipment finance industry, supported by ELFA, finances a broad spectrum of capital equipment, such as agricultural machinery, aircraft, construction equipment, IT hardware, and manufacturing tools.

Leigh Lytle serves as the President and CEO of ELFA. In recent news, the equipment finance industry experienced a record-high new business volume in the first quarter of 2026, though industry confidence saw a slight decline amid geopolitical concerns. ELFA continues to be a prominent voice for the industry, advocating for its interests in legislative and regulatory environments.

Latest updates

Equipment Leasing Soars to Record Highs Amidst Geopolitical Uncertainty

Event summary

  • The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) CapEx Finance Index shows Q1 new business volume (NBV) reached a record $10.8 billion.
  • Year-to-date NBV is up 18.6% compared to the same period in 2025, and year-over-year NBV increased by 12.5%.
  • March NBV saw a 1.8% contraction from February, but small ticket volume growth declined 17.7% from the prior month.
  • Industry confidence dipped to 54.6 in April, the lowest level since May 2025, signaling growing concerns.

The big picture

The ELFA data reveals a surprising resilience in equipment financing demand despite significant macroeconomic headwinds. While the record Q1 volume is a positive signal, the slowing March activity and declining confidence suggest a potential inflection point. The industry's ability to navigate geopolitical risks and a Federal Reserve policy shift will be crucial for maintaining this momentum.

What we're watching

Demand Sustainability
The deceleration in March NBV, coupled with the declining confidence index, suggests the current pace of growth may not be sustainable, particularly if regional tensions escalate.
Credit Risk
The rising delinquency and loss rates, while still within historical averages, warrant close monitoring as borrowing costs remain elevated and economic uncertainty persists.
Supply Chain
How the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to impact equipment supply chains and input costs will be a key determinant of future demand and pricing pressures.

Equipment Leasing Lobbying Gets a Veteran Advocate

Event summary

  • Susan Sullivan Kinney joins the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) as Senior Vice President of Policy & Government Affairs, effective immediately.
  • Kinney previously held senior Congressional Relations roles at the ICBA and spent nearly a decade at the AFSA.
  • ELFA represents a $1.3 trillion equipment finance industry and has over 600 member companies.
  • Kinney's mandate includes leading federal and state advocacy and strengthening relationships with policymakers.

The big picture

The appointment of a seasoned Washington lobbyist like Kinney signals ELFA’s intent to proactively shape policy in a sector increasingly under regulatory and economic pressure. With $1.3 trillion in assets, the equipment finance industry plays a vital role in capital investment, and its regulatory environment directly impacts business growth and job creation. Kinney’s experience with both community banking and broader financial services associations suggests a focus on navigating complex legislative agendas and maintaining industry influence.

What we're watching

Regulatory Headwinds
Increased scrutiny of financial institutions, particularly concerning capital deployment and lending practices, will likely shape Kinney’s advocacy priorities and require a nuanced approach to policy engagement.
Bipartisan Alignment
Given Kinney’s experience building bipartisan relationships, the success of ELFA’s lobbying efforts will hinge on her ability to navigate the increasingly polarized political landscape and find common ground on key legislative issues.
Coalition Building
The equipment finance sector's reliance on broader financial services policy means Kinney’s coalition-building skills will be critical to ensuring ELFA’s voice is amplified and its interests are represented in wider industry discussions.
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