Research

We live in a fast-paced world, with continually changing customer expectations, regulatory policies, and emerging trends. Having the right data and research on what drives the industry and the economy is central to our members’ ability to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. Our newly integrated business intelligence ecosystem is designed to do just that: centralizing all the leading industry research from ELFA and the Foundation in one place.

Here is where to find real-time publication of industry trends, user-friendly ways to access current and historic data, and actionable resources to make the best use of that data.

RESEARCH AGENDA

To ensure our focus remains aligned with industry trends and the top-of-mind challenges, every year the ELFA and Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation work together to understand how forces shaping the finance and commercial credit landscape could play out in the next 12 months. Those insights inform the creation of an annual research agenda to guide our research, data collection, webinars, conferences, and speakers throughout the year. Development of the Inaugural ELFA Research agenda will occur in Q1 2026 and shared broadly across the year upon completion.

Research Agenda

Financial Insights

ELFA and the Foundation have collectively produced a wealth of data on the industry going back decades. This centralized member portal aggregates and organizes all of it—plus all future data—to allow ELFA members to more easily access, analyze, and utilize it. That includes the ability to dive deep and ask questions about a variety of different issues and across a variety of data sets.

CapEx Finance Index

October 2025: Equipment Finance Demand Unfazed by Shutdown, On Track for Second-Best Year on Record

Investment Momentum Monitor

Energy & Electrical, Ag Equipment Show Strength in Equipment & Software Investment Momentum Monitor

Monthly Confidence Index

Equipment Finance Industry Maintains Heightened Confidence for Sixth Consecutive Month

Actionable Analysis

ELFA designs research reports to be more digestible, actionable, and insightful by supplementing the base reports with topline analyses of survey findings, project workplans, maturity diagnostics, discussion questions, and other tools. The goal is to help our members make the best use of these reports in their own businesses. 

Market Overview

Industry Overview

Essential data and facts about the $1.3 trillion U.S. equipment finance industry.
Research: Chart on Tablet

Equipment Market Analysis

Data and analysis of key equipment verticals.
Economic Outlook

Economic Outlook

This comprehensive report analyzes global and domestic trends impacting capital spending and economic growth in the coming year. It identifies signposts specific to the equipment finance industry and highlights key verticals, featured in the monthly Momentum Monitor, that identify turning points in their respective investment cycles. Each economic outlook is updated quarterly.
Research: Abstract AI Grid Over Tablet

Innovation

Resources to help members drive innovation through meaningful action.
2025 SEFA Cover

Survey of Equipment Finance Activity

The most important source of statistical information available on the $1.3 trillion equipment finance industry.
Research: Chart Calculator Overlay

Compensation Survey

Annual survey report of ELFA members on industry compensation practices.
Credit Surveys

Credit & Collections

Data and key insights from credit and collection professionals.
Research: Chart Collaboration Tablets

Trend Reports

ELFA research studies on topical issues impacting the equipment finance industry.

Industry Information Help Desk

The Industry Information Help Desk is your industry and business information source. ELFA's research and industry services team stand ready to answer your questions about the equipment finance industry.
Submit Your Question