Research Agenda

ELFA’s mission is to equip members with the industry insights and tools they need to navigate changing economic environments and stay ahead of what’s next. Our inaugural research agenda introduces a modernized strategic framework designed to deliver actionable business intelligence for the $1.3 trillion equipment finance industry.

This new agenda focuses ELFA’s research strategy on practical, proactive and data-driven content that directly supports the operational and strategic needs of our members.

As announced in fall 2025, production of studies previously led by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has moved to ELFA. Moving forward, research and analysis will be delivered through an agile mix of digital tools, podcasts, webinars and short-form content, alongside traditional reports.

A Collaborative Path to the Research Agenda

The development of this research agenda began with a comprehensive member survey. In January 2026, ELFA and the Foundation’s research committees met to evaluate the survey data and help shape the agenda’s direction. Industry leaders then came together during an Executive Roundtable session to refine the priorities and identify the six core themes that will guide our research and strategy going forward.

Six Core Themes

These six themes will serve as an organizational roadmap, directly supporting legislative priorities in advocacy, benchmarking metrics in research, session content at events, and professional development in education.