Past dues accounts 30 to 59 days dropped from $37 million the previous year to $22 million at year-end 2011. As a percentage of total outstandings, the rate dropped from .58% to .34% at the end of the most recent period. There were no past dues over 90-days at the end of the most current period compared to only $1 million at the end of the previous year.

Non-performing equipment lease financing related assets were $22 million at year-end 2011 compared to $77 million at the end of the previous year.

Average balance sheet equipment lease financing loans were $5.51 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $5.49 billion for the same period in 2010.

Noteworthy was PNC’s average asset-based loans for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $8.17 billion, up from $6.32 billion or 29% higher than the previous year.

Credit quality metrics continued to improve. Receivables over 30 days decreased to 1.9% in January from 2.1% in December. Charge-offs decreased to 0.5% from 0.7% in December.

Following an unusually high credit approval ratio in December, credit approvals returned to a more typical level of 77% in January. More than 71% of participating organizations reported submitting more transactions for approval during January, down from 77% in December.

Finally, total headcount for equipment finance companies in January decreased 3.0% from December and was down 3.0% year over year. Supplemental data show that the construction and trucking industries continued to lead the underperforming sectors.

Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) for February is 59.6, a slight increase from the January index of 59.0, indicating industry participants’ optimism is steady despite a cautious outlook about the global economic situation in the coming months.

ELFA president and CEO William G. Sutton said: “January’s increase in new business volume returned to a more typical growth pattern following a very busy end-of-year for many leasing and finance companies. The continued strengthening in financing volume and trend toward healthier portfolios provide clear evidence that the equipment finance marketplace is in the midst of regaining some of the momentum lost during the Great Recession.”

Daniel McCabe, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, John Deere Financial, located in Johnston, IA, said, “The agriculture sector continues to operate at very high levels and equipment sales and financing are robust. The construction sector is recovering from a deep recession beginning with increases in the rental fleet portion of the industry. Adequate liquidity and favorable interest rates will support further expansion of the business.”

The funds in this lease were used to pay for the design costs, construction, and installation of state-of-the-art processing equipment. The equipment is very specialized with patent pending technology and will be used in the production of corn oil. The financing was very time sensitive and Tetra was able to fund the entire project in less than a week. Tetra is also currently looking at another financing project with this same customer.

“We are extremely excited to be involved with this company. As one of the largest producers of Ethanol in the world, they will be a tremendous addition to our portfolio. Ethanol is currently viewed by many lenders as a challenging industry. Even when facing a tough industry, our company has the unique ability to look past that and still recognize a solid borrower. We look forward to additional business and a long term relationship with this organization,” said Ryan Secrist, executive vice president of Tetra.

Since its inception, Tetra Financial Group has been providing finance services to companies of all sizes and types. From Fortune 500 companies to smaller private enterprises, Tetra notes that it has the capacity to finance a broad range of corporate equipment types with competitive pricing and creative structures. Tetra Financial Group is a member of the ELFA, NEFA and NAELB.

“Our directive was to provide instant and constantly accessible informational content for our users. Our Finance Your Equipment series of videos will be produced with customer education in mind,” said Michael Hong, director of business development at Taycor Financial.

For more information about Taycor’s YouTube Channel click here.

Pricco, who joined PCG in 2012, leads a team responsible for originating and managing senior debt and mezzanine investments in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. He previously spent 11 years in commercial banking in the Minneapolis area. Pricco will report directly to Scott von Fischer, a managing director and newly-appointed co-head of U.S. corporate finance.

“Peter’s extensive experience and proven track record in corporate finance, particularly in the Minneapolis area, make him ideally suited to lead our new Minneapolis office. He is an excellent addition to our Prudential Capital team,” von Fischer said.

To read the full Financial Times article (subscription required) click here.

Commenting on the award, Michael A. Pitcher, president and CEO of LeasePlan USA said, “As businesses have continued to expand globally, those same businesses are growing the size of their global fleets. This has created an opportunity for LeasePlan to partner with growing organizations as they maximize their investments abroad.”

Jon Toups, senior vice president, chief sales & marketing officer for LeasePlan USA added, “What a great validation of the global business model LeasePlan has built not only in the United States, but around the world over the last 50 years. I am very proud of the LeasePlan USA employees that work so hard every day to deliver our high-touch, premium service.”

LeasePlan USA, a subsidiary of LeasePlan N.V., provides vehicle leasing and fleet management solutions. The company manages 1.3 million vehicles worldwide.

“For U.S. businesses and manufacturers to remain competitive, the tax code must promote growth and continue to encourage investment in capital equipment and the work force in order to facilitate the acquisition and operation of this equipment.

“The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association believes the time is right for comprehensive tax reform and supports the efforts by Congress and the Administration to create discussion drafts in the continuing dialogue. Promoting investment in productive assets and ensuring the maximum flexibility of financing options for asset acquisitions and business expansion are essential to creating the right environment for positive investment in equipment and growth of our economy. Within the context of tax reform, capital formation incentives need to remain, and the ability to acquire capital equipment should not be adversely affected.

“We look forward to playing a constructive role in the continuing debate surrounding tax reform and informing stakeholders of the critical role equipment financing plays in the U.S. economy.”

Marlin said fourth quarter 2011 lease production was $68.4 million based on initial equipment cost, up 15% from $59.7 million for the third quarter of 2011 and 59% higher than the fourth quarter of 2010. On a year-over-year basis, lease equipment volume increased 71%, growing to $229.0 million compared to $134.0 million in 2010.

The average number of monthly originating sources reached 911, up 10% from 831 for the third quarter of 2011 and an increase of 26% from the fourth quarter a year ago.

“We’re pleased with the solid operating and financial fundamentals in place for all aspects of the business,” said Daniel P. Dyer, Marlin’s co-founder and chief executive officer. “We expect these same fundamentals will drive asset and profit growth going forward as we look to capitalize on the opportunities to serve the financing needs of small businesses across the country,” Dyer added.

To read the full Marlin Business Services news release click here.

Before joining TAB, Swaner worked in the leasing division of Zion’s Bank for eight years. Prior to that, she was trained in the equipment finance and leasing industry while working at Amembal Capital, working under Sudhir Amembal.

“We are very pleased that Valerie has joined the TAB Bank Equipment Leasing team. With her addition as a business development officer we are poised to meet the needs of TAB Bank’s existing customer base, support our national sales force and to leverage the high quality relationships that Valerie has forged over her impressive career. Val will play an important role in developing the products and culture we anticipate building in the Leasing Division,” commented Mike Coon, vice president of TAB Bank’s Equipment Leasing Division.