In an era of economic shifts and rapid technological transformation, staying attuned to member needs is more critical than ever. That’s why the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association undertook its 2025 Member Impact Study – to assess satisfaction, uncover opportunities for engagement, and guide strategic direction and resource allocation. The study was fielded in early February by McKinley Advisors. The findings not only reaffirmed ELFA’s vital role in the industry but also put a spotlight on emerging challenges and areas where the association can deliver greater impact.

Confidence and Clarity in a Shifting Landscape

ELFA has a highly engaged membership base that is broadly optimistic about the future. An impressive 87% of respondents expressed confidence in the equipment finance industry’s trajectory over the next three to five years, citing manufacturing growth, technological advancements, and infrastructure investment as key drivers. While enthusiasm is high, members also identified regulatory and compliance uncertainty, inflation, and emerging competitors as critical concerns.

Strong Member Satisfaction and Perceptions of ELFA

Across nearly every member-driven metric, ELFA has made improvements. Member satisfaction stands at 90% and Net Promoter Score (NPS) reached an all-time high of 59 – both exceeding industry benchmarks. The report shows especially strong satisfaction among captives and executives. The value of membership remains steady, with many members reporting that benefits exceed the cost. Additionally, there is a strong consensus (95%) among members that ELFA promotes a positive industry image and is an effective advocate for the industry.

Meetings, Networking and Insights Drive Engagement

Among all the organizations and groups supporting members in this industry, ELFA continues to be the clear choice for conferences and meetings, primary affiliation, and networking. Engagement patterns reveal 42% of members regularly engage with ELFA, primarily through events, networking, and industry updates. Meetings and conferences—especially the Annual Convention, Funding Conference, and Capitol Connections—are core to member value. Members also emphasized the importance of federal and state advocacy efforts, as well as the ELFA Knowledge Hub.

Opportunities to Expand Impact

While ELFA’s strengths are clear – advocacy, thought leadership, and community—members are also calling for deeper investment in the future, particularly in AI integration. About a third (31%) of members cited AI as a growing concern. This presents a significant opportunity for ELFA to incorporate AI-related content at events, in research, and through online discussion groups. Furthermore, members expressed interest in improved access to online resources, advanced content on leasing and financing, and more roundtable discussions on current trends and issues.