Secured Lending Confidence Index Reveals Continued Economic Confidence

Commercial Finance Association Education Foundation Confidence Index Results Indicate a Positive View of the Economy Over the Next Quarter

NEW YORK, August 10, 2018 – The Commercial Finance Association Education Foundation today released its second Secured Lending Confidence Index “SLCI”.  The index, initially launched in April 2018, reflects prevailing business conditions and is a broad-based leading indicator of vitality in the U.S. middle market.  The SLCI surveys leaders of commercial finance companies who provide secured loans used to finance ongoing operations, expansion and recapitalization of mid-market companies, according to Richard D. Gumbrecht, CEO of the Commercial Finance Association.

“These outcomes demonstrate that demand for capital to finance operations continues to be strong,” said Education Foundation Executive Director, Greg Slowik, “both currently and looking down the road.” 

“It’s encouraging to note that sound economic fundamentals generate such strong confidence levels among our peers, which surely is an indication of the favorable opportunities for the ABL community for the balance of 2018,” said Dan Karas, EVP and Chief Lending Officer of TBK Bank, SSB, which is a member of Commercial Finance Association. 

The SCLI measures five dimensions of anticipated activity over the coming three months including overall business conditions, portfolio performance, demand for new business, client utilization and hiring expectations. Respondents indicated the most optimism for new business demand followed by business conditions overall, both positive indicators for the U.S. economy.

The SCLI is conducted quarterly.

About the Commercial Finance Association

Founded in 1944, the Commercial Finance Association is the international trade organization representing the asset-based lending, factoring, trade and supply chain finance industries, with nearly 250 member organizations throughout the U.S., Canada and around the world. Commercial Finance Association provides education, networking opportunities and industry advocacy to the global commercial finance community.

About the Commercial Finance Association Education Foundation

The mission of the Commercial Finance Association Education Foundation is to cultivate education, innovation and charitable works for the betterment of the Commercial Finance community. As a separate entity from the Commercial Finance Association, the Commercial Finance Association Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds crucial initiatives benefiting secured lenders worldwide.

Media contact:
Michele Ocejo, Director of Communications
Commercial Finance Association
mocejo@SFNet.com, (212) 792-9396