What You Need to Know Now

Try Out the New Interactive SEFA Dashboard

Have you seen the new Interactive SEFA Dashboard? This free tool—which is only available to ELFA members—allows you to quickly and easily connect to critical industry data from the Survey of Equipment Finance Activity (SEFA).

Connect to the data you care about and explore and analyze it in seconds. Visit the online dashboard today to search a decade of historical industry benchmarks from the SEFA. The benchmarks encompass a wide range of categories, from new business volume to delinquencies and losses. In just a few clicks, you can segment the data by year, type of organization, market segment, size of organization and business model. It’s easy to select categories, add filters and drill down into specific information.

• Benchmark your company against others in the industry.
• Find your own insights and identify trends.
• Uncover new business opportunities and more.

Visit the Dashboard at www.elfaonline.org/InteractiveSEFA.

Reuben to Receive Distinguished Service Award

ELFA has selected Deborah Reuben, CLFP, President of Reuben Creative, to receive the 2018 Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the association and the equipment finance industry. Reuben will be formally recognized during a ceremony at the 57th ELFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, in October.

“Deb’s dedicated volunteer spirit and leadership, especially in the areas of technology and innovation, have had a tremendous impact on our membership and the equipment finance industry,” said ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta. “We are thrilled to present her with the Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions.”

Reuben has 23 years of experience innovating in the equipment finance industry. Currently she leads Reuben Creative, a strategic technology and process consultancy. Previously she held positions with Wells Fargo, TCF and Linedata/HCL. For the past two decades she has helped to educate the equipment finance industry about technology trends through creative experiences that spark new thinking.

Reuben has shared her expertise and forward-thinking insights through multiple leadership roles within ELFA, including with the Operations & Technology Planning Committee, the Operations & Technology Excellence Award, the new Technology Innovation Work Group and the ELFA Women’s Council. She has also been a frequent speaker and facilitator at ELFA events, including the Operations & Technology Conference, the ELFA Annual Convention and web seminars. In addition, she has lent her expertise to the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, contributing to multiple Foundation studies.

“It is a humbling honor to be recognized in this way,” said Reuben. “Serving alongside so many brilliant people who have inspired me and stretched my thinking is a joy and privilege. It is energizing to work with industry leaders who desire to imagine the art of the possible and focus on what’s next. I am grateful for the memories, connections, relationships and doors of opportunity opened through each volunteer experience. Thank you to ELFA for making this possible and to all of the remarkable members of this organization who make collaboration and active participation a fantastic experience. I highly recommend getting involved in making awesome happen.”

Discover New Resources for Emerging Talent

Topping off a very successful week hosting two events in DC, the Emerging Talent Advisory Council (pictured above) met at ELFA’s offices in July. New content is coming to ELFA’s website from ETAC, whose mission is to provide resources and opportunities for success for new, emerging and high-potential professionals in the equipment finance industry. The initial available content will be an “Ask the Leader” series of interviews with established leaders with a diverse range of backgrounds and experience in the commercial equipment finance industry. They will discuss their formative professional years, their success and challenges over the years as well as advice for future leaders in the industry. Learn more at www.elfaonline.org/industry-topics/emerging-talent.

Tech Innovation Winner Announced

At the Operations & Technology Conference in Philadelphia in September, CWB National Leasing Inc. received the 2018 Operations and Technology Excellence Award. CWB National Leasing is recognized for developing and implementing FELIX, a custom-built core system replacement that streamlines all aspects of the financing process from beginning to end. CWB National Leasing developed the system in house, allowing them to tailor the system to specific processes in order to deliver the best service possible. The new system replaced a number of legacy systems with one final product, designed to be scalable with the ability to react quickly to market changes and take on future growth, while serving customers with increased speed, accuracy and efficiency.

“CWB National Leasing’s transformation project embodies many of the areas that challenge organizations’ ability to successfully untangle the wires and evolve their business,” said Jennifer Martin, VP, Vendor Program Development and Operational Controls at Key Equipment Finance and Subcommittee Chair for the award. “Use of a progressive project methodology, implementing technology to prepare their business for the future and focusing on the people and processes needed to excel are all reasons CWB National Leasing was chosen as this year’s award winner.”

Learn more at www.elfaonline.org/about/awards/OTE.

Membership Minute

Members are encouraged to tweet your excitement about the Annual Convention and engage with other industry professionals. Your tweets help to raise the visibility of the event and get the word out about your organization. Tweet using the hashtag #ELFAConvention before Oct. 17, 2018, and you will be entered into a drawing to win a sought-after ELFA mug and a $20 gift card. Learn more and see sample tweets at https://apps.elfaonline.org/events/2018/AC/socmed.cfm. Contact Amy Vogt at [email protected] with questions.

Dues Renewal Season Is Around the Corner!

Key Dates to Remember….
Nov. 1, 2018—2019 dues invoices mailed to Key Contacts
Dec. 31, 2018—Deadline to pay 2019 dues
Throughout 2019—Take advantage of ELFA’s many benefits!

Missed the SEFA Webinar? Listen to a Recording

In August, ELFA held a web seminar to share highlights from the 2018 Survey of Equipment Finance Industry. The online event drew a robust crowd, who heard important findings from the report, which is the largest and most important source of data on our $1 trillion industry. Download a recording and learn more about the report at www.elfaonline.org/SEFA.

Fact Sheets Highlight Vertical Markets

Ever wonder how prevalent equipment financing is in a particular industry? As part of ELFA’s campaign to promote equipment finance, the association has released a series of fact sheets that reveal equipment finance statistics and facts for 10 industries, based on the 2018 Survey of Equipment Finance Activity. View more on the association’s end-user website, www.equipmentfinanceadvantage.org/Abt/facts.cfm.

Save the Date: 2019 ELFA Events

Are you wondering when ELFA events and training will be held in 2019? Start planning for next year now with the 2019 Event Calendar. Take advantage of the learning and networking opportunities available to you and your staff as part of your ELFA membership.

Maximize Your Reach

Get the greatest impact and return on investment for your marketing dollars! The ELFA 2019 Integrated Marketing Guide highlights the most effective opportunities—online, in print and in person—to reach decision makers in the $1 trillion equipment finance industry. Download the guide from www.elfaonline.org/About/Advertise or contact Steve Wafalosky at [email protected] or 440.247.1060 for more information.