What’s happening in the independent sector of the equipment finance space? Equipment Leasing & Finance Magazine caught up with James Currier, CLFP, Chief Revenue Officer at Finloc 2000 (USA) Inc. Currier is Chair of the Independent Business Council Steering Committee (BCSC), which represents non-bank-owned organizations that provide financing through lines of credit, discounting relationships or other funding vehicles.
What issues are independent equipment finance companies focused on in 2026?
In 2026, independent equipment finance companies are navigating a market defined by tightening credit, evolving regulatory expectations, and the imperative to deliver differentiated value to customers. Across the industry, originators and portfolio managers alike are laser-focused on maintaining disciplined underwriting in the face of uncertainty in Fed rates and uneven demand. While the equipment finance sector has seen pockets of new business volume contraction and expansion in different segments, independents are leveraging their agility to retain market share and deepen customer relationships through tailored solutions. The shift toward digital transformation remains a strategic priority, as firms invest in platform enhancements that reduce cycle times, improve risk analytics, and bolster operational efficiency.
Credit quality management continues to be front and center for independents. With economic conditions uneven across end markets, companies are blending quantitative risk models with seasoned credit judgment to safeguard portfolio performance. Simultaneously, technology adoption — including automation, data-driven decisioning, and AI-enabled client engagement tools — is accelerating as lenders strive to enhance competitiveness and resilience in an increasingly complex environment.
Another sustained area of emphasis for 2026 will be regulatory compliance and advocacy. Independents recognize that sound regulatory frameworks support market integrity and growth, yet they also advocate for clarity and proportionality in rulemaking that reflects the unique characteristics of smaller lenders. Industry forums and councils provide critical platforms for articulating these perspectives to policymakers and regulators.
BCSC’s 2025 Advocacy Champions Award
I previously shared how I became involved with the Independent BCSC. This year, the Independent BCSC’s commitment to advocacy was recognized at the highest level by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association. At ELFA’s 2025 Annual Convention, the Independent BCSC was named the winner of the 2025 Advocacy Champions Award — an honor presented to the Business Council Steering Committee that has demonstrated exceptional engagement in ELFA’s advocacy initiatives and meaningful contributions to advancing the industry’s voice. As Chair of the IBCSC Committee I was humbled and honored to have accepted the award on behalf of the committee, underscoring the collective effort of independents to influence policy that supports a vibrant and competitive equipment finance marketplace.
Other Independent BCSC Activities
Beyond this accolade, the Independent BCSC has been active in promoting industry priorities through coordinated engagement with ELFA’s government relations efforts. This includes contributing to comment letters, participating in regulatory briefings, and mobilizing member insights on key issues ranging from tax policy to credit reporting standards. These efforts amplify the independent community’s perspective in national dialogues and help ensure that regulatory outcomes consider the unique needs of smaller and mid-sized equipment finance firms.
In a year of both challenges and opportunity, the independent equipment finance community remains steadfast in shaping a future that supports innovation, responsible growth, and broad access to capital for businesses of all sizes.
