Equipment Leasing Volume Hits $11.8 Billion in September

The industry records its third-highest monthly volume amid robust year-to-date growth.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Economic Indicators

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single steel shipping container, representing the scale of corporate equipment finance.
New business volume in the equipment finance sector hit $11.8 billion in September 2026, marking one of the highest monthly totals on record. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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New business volume in the equipment finance sector reached $11.8 billion in September 2026. This figure marks the third-highest monthly volume in the history of the industry index.

Why it matters

The steady rise in equipment demand signals a strong corporate investment cycle that persists despite broader economic uncertainty. Higher approval rates suggest lenders remain confident in the financial health of borrowing businesses.

New business volume for the month reached $11.8 billion, representing a 14.7% increase year-over-year. The delinquency rate fell to 1.6%, the lowest level reported since April 2023.

The players

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association

This trade association represents the $1 trillion equipment finance industry and publishes periodic data on market performance.

The details

The sector saw broad activity with banks accounting for $5.5 billion, captives for $4.0 billion, and independents for $2.1 billion. While overall volume grows, the industry-wide loss rate has risen to 0.48%.

Timeline

  1. September 2026 saw new business volume reach $11.8 billion.

  2. October 2026 marks the release of the September CapEx Finance Index.

Macro View

The latest results from the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association's CapEx Finance Index show the industry tracking above 2025 performance levels. This growth mirrors historical expansionary cycles where businesses accelerate capital investment in equipment despite ongoing economic risks.

Rising equipment demand suggests that businesses across the United States are continuing to invest in expansion and operational capacity. The 17.0% year-to-date increase in volume implies broad growth in capital-intensive sectors that support job stability.

The takeaway

The sector remains resilient with a record-low delinquency rate despite the broader uncertainty surrounding potential interest rate hikes. Businesses currently seeking capital should note that credit approval rates remain high at 77.7%.

Further reading

Learn more about the state of the sector in the Economic Indicators section.

More information

For detailed data and reports, visit ELFA equipment finance industry information.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.

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