ELFA unveils strategic research agenda to guide US equipment finance

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) has launched a new strategic Research Agenda designed to deliver more practical, data-driven business intelligence for the $1.3 trillion US equipment finance industry.

The modernised framework establishes a permanent roadmap for ELFA’s research activities, with a stronger emphasis on helping members respond to emerging operational challenges, market developments and strategic opportunities.

The launch follows the transfer of research activities previously undertaken by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation into ELFA, announced last autumn. Future research will be delivered through a wider range of formats, including digital tools, webinars, podcasts and short-form content alongside traditional reports.

The agenda has been developed following a comprehensive member survey, macroeconomic analysis and consultation with the unified ELFA and Foundation Research Committees. Industry executives also reviewed the priorities to ensure they reflect the sector’s most pressing business needs.

Daryl Muller, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary at ELFA, said: “At ELFA, our mission has always been to equip the industry with the insights and tools needed to stay ahead of the curve.

“Today, we are taking a major leap forward. This new Research Agenda fundamentally shifts how we use member feedback to shape our content and ensures we can leverage data in entirely new, impactful ways.”

The framework is built around six strategic priorities that will guide ELFA’s research, events and educational activities.

Industry Modernisation & AI will examine technology investment strategies, fintech developments and the adoption of artificial intelligence, including governance frameworks and practical implementation.

Fraud Defence will focus on strengthening fraud prevention through intelligence sharing and industry-specific guidance, while Workforce Evolution aims to support talent attraction, career development and workforce initiatives across the equipment finance sector.

The remaining priorities cover the evolving Regulatory Environment, the growing influence of Capital Markets – including private credit, private equity and foreign investment – and Economic Navigation, providing members with economic indicators and scenario-planning tools to help manage market uncertainty.

Kelli Nienaber, ELFA Senior Vice President of Industry Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation, said the six themes would shape the association’s activities throughout the year.

“We’ll use these major themes to guide our research, data collection, webinars, and conferences throughout the year,” she said. “The model ensures our focus remains completely aligned with changing market trends and immediate, top-of-mind business challenges.”

The research agenda will also support ELFA’s legislative and regulatory advocacy work, benchmark industry performance and influence conference programming and professional development initiatives.

David Normandin, Chair of ELFA’s Research Committee and President and CEO of Wintrust Specialty Finance, said the new framework would ensure research remains closely aligned with the evolving needs of equipment finance businesses.

“In 2026, we brought together the ELFA and Foundation Research Committees to leverage key thought leaders in our industry and our collective knowledge and experience to create this inaugural framework,” he said. “Moving forward, I am energised to lead this incredibly talented group as we identify the key topics, frame them accurately for our members, and enhance deliverable formats that will be critical to the ongoing success of equipment finance companies.”