US equipment finance industry confidence climbs to 11-month high

Confidence in the US equipment finance sector has risen to its strongest level in almost a year, according to the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association’s (ELFA) January 2026 Monthly Confidence Index (MCI). The index climbed to 64.6, up from 58.3 in December, marking its highest reading since February 2025 and signalling renewed optimism across the $1.3 trillion industry.

The latest survey shows executives are increasingly upbeat about near-term business conditions, with a significantly larger share expecting improvement in the months ahead. Expectations for demand also strengthened, with more respondents anticipating higher volumes of leases and loans to fund capital expenditure. Access to capital is likewise expected to improve, reflecting a more favourable financial environment as 2026 begins.

While employment plans have levelled off – fewer firms plan to hire than last month – most leaders expect staffing to remain stable. Respondents also expressed a more positive view of the US economic outlook, with nearly one-third predicting conditions will improve over the next six months and far fewer expecting a downturn compared with December.

“2025 was a strong year for our business and much of the industry,” he said. “I think we will carry that momentum into 2026 and find new opportunities to continue our growth this year.”

Jeffry Elliott, CLFP, CEO of Elevex Capital and ELFA Treasurer, noted: “I’m optimistic about AI and automation along with onshoring creating new demand for equipment. However, isolationist policies and lack of workforce are challenges to these positives, so it’s a mixed bag.”