BUSINESS PLAN LEASING GROUP
120 Johnston Boulevard
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
A significant competitive opportunity exists in small ticket leasing, primarily due to companies like Sprint and Intel who have tried to dominate the small ticket market with their size. In the process, they have become too big and slow to effectively respond to the needs of vendors. Small ticket leasing continues to be a viable and profitable business for those national leasing companies that are focused, highly automated, competitively funded, and effectively managed.
Based on Equipment Leasing Association (ELA) statistics, there was $466 billion of capital equipment purchased in 1994, of which $140 billion (30 percent) was leased. New lease volume in the small ticket market, defined as transactions less than $100,000, was in excess of $7.2 billion in direct finance leases and $772 million in operating leases. These totals represented increases over 1993 of 16.6 percent for direct finance leases and 6.6 percent for operating leases. ELA estimates that 34 percent of the new lease volume generated by finance leases in 1994, was in office machines (20 percent), computers (9 percent), and telecommunications (5 percent).
National small ticket leasing companies have had their greatest success generating business in the office machine, computer, and telecommunication equipment markets. These lessors have had limited success in other markets, such as medical/dental, machine tool, printing, automotive aftermarket, etc.
The limitations in these markets are primarily due to the differences that exist in originating business with office automation product vendors versus vendors selling other types of equipment. Office automation product vendors are very familiar with leasing, and in the majority of cases, they handle all of the selling aspects of the lease with the lessee. Vendors selling other types of equipment generally expect the leasing company to handle the entire leasing sales process with the lessee. In effect, the vendor is only providing the leasing company with a referral.
Most national small ticket leasing companies, due to their assembly line approach of generating and processing business, find it cumbersome to originate business from vendor relationships of this nature. Markets where the vendor requires the leasing company to originate the lease directly with the vendor's customers are usually best served by small, niche-oriented leasing companies generating lease volumes in the $10 to $50 million range.
Small ticket leasing continues to be a viable and profitable business for those national leasing companies that are focused, highly automated, competitively funded, and effectively managed. ELA's 1994 Survey of Industry Activity and Business Operations supports the profitable opportunities that exist in small ticket leasing.
The successful small ticket leasing company today and in the future will be the one which effectively addresses the following five business issues:
A significant competitive opportunity exists in small ticket leasing, primarily due to companies like Sprint and Intel who have tried to dominate the small ticket market with their size. In the process, they have become too big and slow to effectively respond to the needs of vendors. By trying to penetrate so many different equipment markets to achieve their growth goals, they have only compounded this problem. They have also developed cost structures which make it difficult to achieve acceptable profit targets as a small ticket lessor in today's competitive environment.
In addition, many competitors, in an effort to gain market share, have made extremely aggressive residual assumptions to offer very low fair market value lease rates to vendors. This practice in the long run will prove to have a negative impact on earnings by their not being able to realize their booked residuals.
Listed below are the primary small ticket leasing competitors broken down in three ties based on their estimated annual lease sales volume:
I propose to create an industry-leading small ticket leasing company by developing a successful partnership alliance between:
There would be a three-point plan to build the company's business. In order of priority, they are:
This plan accomplishes several critical success factors in building a profitable leasing company:
Lease income projections are included for the years 1996 though 2001. These projections assume conservative revenue, expense, and reserve estimates to make the pre-tax profit calculations as accurate as possible. They also reflect realistic sales growth projections for a start-up leasing company year to year. For comparison purposes, a five year financial forecast has been included. This is an actual forecast from an existing small ticket leasing company which has had a solid history of profitability.
Inventory finance projections have been prepared for $10 million, $25 million, and $50 million; all assume an average note size of $10,000. They also make realistic assumptions to reflect an accurate projection of potential profitability.
Finally, the lease processing system cost estimates provide the amount of investment required in technology to develop a leading edge lease processing system.
BUDGET LEASING CORPORATION, Boston, Massachusetts, 1995
THE BUDGET FUNDING GROUP, INC., Boston, Massachusetts, 1993 to 1994
Budget Leasing Corporation (BLC) is an independent third-party equipment leasing company, operating under the trade name Verta Leasing, with sales over $200 million. BLC specializes in small ticket to low-middle market leasing and inventory financing, focusing on manufacturers and vendors in the copier/fax, telecommunication, and personal computer markets. The Budget Funding Group (BFG), a privately held corporation, was divided in 1995 into three separate operating companies, one of which was BLC.
President/Chief Executive Officer, 1995
Complete profit and loss responsibility with the objective of preparing BLC for a future public offering. Reported to the Chairman of the Board and served as a member of the Board of Directors. Appointed to the Executive Committee, the senior operating committee of the Board.
Executive Vice President, Sales, 1994 to 1995
Vice President, Sales, 1993 to 1994
Directed the sales and marketing functions for Verta Leasing and Resort Funding with sales in excess of $250 million. Led a 32-person staff in the accomplishment of aggressive sales goals. Diversified the company into new markets and strengthened national account programs with Konica, Mita, Sharp, Copystar, Danka, Toshiba, Monroe, Riso, and Telrad.
DORAN CREDIT, Auburn Hills, Michigan, 1990 to 1993
Small ticket to low-middle market third-party lessor, with emphasis on the personal computer products marketplace. Subsidiary of Doran Corporation, a Fortune 100 company.
Vice President, Sales, Dealer Products Group
Responsible as a member of the management committee to provide a 20 percent return on equity to parent company. Managed a productive team of 30 sales and management professionals. Strategically extended the sales division into new markets. Led the profitable growth of a $100 million sales organization with national account responsibility for CompaqComputer, MicroTech, Intelligent Electronics, and Graybar.
Restructured the sales staff to increase efficiency while reducing sales costs by over $1 million.
GENESEE LEASING, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1988 to 1990
Genesee Leasing was a captive leasing company to Citizens' Business (CBS), one of the nation's leading Hewlett Packard office equipment dealers.
Vice President, Sales
Generated additional leasing business by marketing directly to our existing lessee base. Increased leasing business in all CBS branches by creating new marketing and leasing sales training programs.
WILMINGTON LEASING, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1987 to 1988
A third-party, small ticket leasing company providing a funding source for brokers and other leasing companies.
Regional Manager, Broker Development
Generated leasing transactions under $100,000 by providing a debt source to independent third-party lessors and leasing brokers.
Reached 450 percent of Quota and ranked third of ten regional managers company-wide.
CORPORATE CREDIT LEASING, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1983 to 1986
A small ticket, third-party leasing company which originated business with manufacturers, vendors, and lessees. Subsidiary of Budson Sales Enterprises, a billion-dollar food distribution company.
National Sales Manager
Developed business nationally by establishing a productive network of vendors. Created and implemented all company leasing programs and advertising. Recruited and managed the national sales force.
DIAMOND LEASING CORPORATION, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1979 to 1983
A subsidiary of the Diamond Finance Company, a publicly traded consumer finance company.
Regional Sales Representative, 1981 to 1983
Operations Manager, 1979 to 1980
Developed and maintained a productive network of vendors in a defined territory through the sale of Diamond Leasing's programs and services.
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration
Amembal and Isom, The Creative Financing Alternative, Leasing for Profit
Doran University, Management Training
Management Executive, General Counsel with more than 10 years experience in contract negotiations, legal department management, cost reduction, and strategic planning, who boosted revenues $480K by increasing collections 40 percent within 16 months.
Decision-maker with track record of promoting corporate growth through solid management skills.
Key player in successfully reorganizing company in bankruptcy; $20 million in sales achieved.
Proven ability to enhance company's competitive advantage by implementing effective business strategies.
Accomplished at implementing innovative procedures and systems to achieve superior results.
Willing to relocate. Age 35. Computer literate.
M.B.A., 3.2 GPA, Yale University, 1990
J.D., Dean's List, Columbia University College of Law, 1984
B.A., Dean's List, New York University, 1980
General Counsel, 1995-present, THE BUDGET FUNDING GROUP, INC., Boston, Massachusetts, 1994 to present
Associate General Counsel (Funding Group), 1994-1995
Corporate Counsel, MIC CORPORATION, Boston, Massachusetts, 1991 to 1994
Corporate Counsel, CYBERNOSTICS, INC., Richmond, Virginia, 1987 to 1988
Vice President/Senior Counsel, Secretary, MAKON CORPORATION, Richmond, Virginia, 1984 to 1987
Financial Data for All Small-Ticket Respondents, 1994 | ||
Average balance sheet data per respondent at the end of fiscal year 1994 (35 respondents) | ||
Net earning assets (e.g. loan and net lease receivables) | $603,124,290 | |
Other assets (e.g. investments; property plants & equipment; other nonearning assets) | $49,939,740 | |
Total assets | $653,064,030 | |
Short-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt) | $114,514,700 | |
Long-term debt, less current portion | $385,373,900 | |
Other current liabilities (e.g. accounts and taxes payable; accrued payroll/employee benefits) | $32,683,140 | |
Other long-term liabilities (e.g. retirement benefits, deferred income taxes) | $39,424,170 | |
Total liabilities | $571,995,900 | |
Owner equity | $81,068,130 | |
Average borrowings data per respondent for fiscal year 1994 (35 respondents) | ||
External borrowings | $436,916,629 | |
Borrowing from affiliates | $62,971,971 | |
Total borrowing | $499,888,600 | |
Average income statement data per respondent for fiscal year 1994 (39 respondents) | ||
Lease revenue | $45,240,130 | |
Loan revenue | $23,031,410 | |
Fee income and other revenue | $5,502,615 | |
Total revenue | $73,774,155 | |
Interest expense | $24,550,870 | |
Operating expense (general and administrative, selling, etc.) | $21,332,360 | |
Depreciation expense-operating leases | $8,459,846 | |
Provision for bad debt | $4,324,769 | |
Total expenses | $58,667,845 | |
Income before taxes on income | $15,106,310 | |
Provision for taxes on income: Current portion (credit) | $3,064,333 | |
Deferred portion | $1,580,974 | |
Total provision for taxes on income | $4,645,307 | |
Net income | $10,461,003 |
Input | Input Items | |
Lease Parameters | ||
Target Period | Jan-01 to Dec-01 | |
Credit Applications Processed | 24,107 | |
Contracts Booked | 13,500 | |
Target Rate Factor | 0.02922 | |
Term | 42 | months |
Equipment Cost | $135,000,000.00 | dollars |
Residual (Based on Matrix) | 5.62% | of equipment cost. |
Security Deposits | 0 | payment(s) |
Debt Parameters | ||
Leverage Percentage | 100.00% | |
Note Amount | $135,000,000.00 | |
Commissions Paid (if appl) | 0.00% | = $0.00 |
Net Note Proceeds | $135,000,000.00 | |
Cost of Capital | 6.75% | for xx months. |
Up-front Expenses | ||
Sales Expenses | 1.00% | of equipment cost. |
Commissions to Manf/Vendor | 0.00% | of equipment cost. |
Allowance for Bad Debt | 3.00% | of equipment cost. |
Ongoing Expenses | $ Per Contract | Period % Breakout |
Credit Apps >$25,000 | $24.00 | => 96.0% |
Credit Apps <$25,000 | $36.00 | => 4.0% |
Processing Expenses (Cap) | $50.00 | => 99.0% |
$100.00 | => 1.0% | |
Invoicing Costs | $4.80 | per contract per month. |
Income | ||
Doc Fee | $29.40 | = $49.00 x 60% |
Risk Fee | 0.00076 | = .19% x 40% |
Monthly Note Payment | 3,617,899.47 |
Monthly Lease Stream | 3,944,700.00 |
Effective Lease Interest Rate | 14.02% |
Pre-Tax Income (Loss) | 16,621,857.73 |
(percentage of orig cost) | 12.3% |
Average Annual R.O.E. | 2.11% |
Booked Residual Value | 7,583,625.00 |
Up-front Expenses | |
Bad Debt Expense | 4,050,000.00 |
Commissions to Manf/Vendor | 0.00 |
Selling Expenses | 1,350,000.00 |
Total Up-Front Expenses | 5,400,000.00 |
Ongoing Expenses | |
Monthly Invoicing Exp | 64,800.00 |
Monthly Credit Amort | 14,050.94 |
Monthly Processing Amort | 16,232.14 |
Monthly Processing Total | 95,083.08 |
Up-front Income | |
Documentation Fees | 396,900.00 |
Ongoing Fee Income | |
Monthly Risk Fees | 102,600.00 |
FORECASTS FOR: | |||||
*Profit goals achieved were over 100% of plan for 1993-1995. | |||||
INCOME (Rounded to thousands) | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 |
LEASE INCOME | 32,564 | 31,956 | 34,264 | 36,849 | 39,405 |
INTEREST EXPENSE | (14,579) | (13,500) | (14,478) | (15,570) | (16,650) |
NET LEASE INCOME | 17,985 | 18,456 | 19,786 | 21,279 | 22,755 |
FEE INCOME | 5,848 | 6,025 | 6,532 | 6,888 | 7,338 |
RESIDUAL GAIN | 6,272 | 5,895 | 5,300 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
TOTAL OTHER INCOME | 12,120 | 11,920 | 11,832 | 11,888 | 12,338 |
TOTAL OPERATING INCOME | $30,105 | $30,376 | $31,618 | $33,167 | $35,093 |
SALES EXPENSES | |||||
SALARIES | 1,224 | 1,224 | 1,110 | 1,110 | 1,200 |
COMMISSIONS | 576 | 624 | 680 | 680 | 680 |
FRINGES | 392 | 392 | 355 | 355 | 384 |
OTHER EXPENSES | 1,440 | 1,400 | 1,300 | 1,300 | 1,450 |
TOTAL SALES EXPENSES | $3,632 | $3,640 | $3,445 | $3,445 | $3,714 |
ADMIN. EXPENSES | |||||
COMPENSATION | 3,600 | 3,708 | 3,700 | 3,710 | 3,810 |
FRINGES | 1,152 | 1,187 | 1,184 | 1,187 | 1,219 |
RENT/UTILITIES | 1,236 | 1,040 | 1,060 | 1,080 | 1,100 |
TELEPHONE/POSTAGE | 840 | 850 | 830 | 850 | 850 |
DEPRECIATION | 528 | 500 | 490 | 485 | 470 |
DATA PROCESSING | 2,760 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 1,550 | 1,600 |
OTHER EXPENSES | 1,920 | 1,900 | 1,900 | 1,920 | 1,920 |
TOTAL ADMIN. EXPENSES | $12,036 | $10,685 | $10,564 | $10,782 | $10,969 |
TOTAL SALES & ADMIN. EXP. | $15,668 | $14,325 | $14,009 | $14,227 | $14,683 |
PROVISION FOR BAD DEBT | 8,660 | 8,100 | 8,687 | 9,342 | 9,990 |
OUTSIDE COMMISSIONS | 2,700 | 3,000 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,500 |
DEFERRED IDC NEW BUSINESS | (4,860) | (5,400) | (6,300) | (6,300) | (6,300) |
NET EXPENSES | $22,168 | $20,025 | $19,896 | $20,769 | $21,873 |
PRE-TAX PROFIT/(LOSS) | $7,937 | $10,351 | $11,722 | $12,398 | $13,220 |
INCOME TAX EXPENSE | 3,016 | 3,933 | 4,454 | 4,710 | 5,024 |
AFTER-TAX PROFIT/(LOSS) | *$4,921 | *$6,418 | *$7,268 | $7,688 | $8,196 |
VOLUME | 108,000 | 120,000 | 140,000 | 140,000 | 140,000 |
ASSETS | 243,405 | 259,589 | 278,000 | 299,000 | 319,000 |
ROA | 2.02% | 2.47% | 2.61% | 2.57% | 2.57% |
O.LIAB & D.T. | 26,000 | 27,000 | 28,000 | 30,000 | 33,000 |
DEBT | 186,347 | 199,362 | 214,286 | 230,571 | 245,143 |
EQUITY | 31,058 | 33,227 | 35,714 | 38,429 | 40,857 |
ROE | 15.84% | 19.32% | 20.35% | 20.00% | 20.06% |
NIL | 217,405 | 232,589 | 250,000 | 269,000 | 286,000 |
Complete Automated Credit Scoring System | $175,000 |
Back End Leasing Software | $100,000 |
System Setup and Development Costs | $150,000 |
Structured Query Language Server Software | $65,000 |
Structured Query Language Database Server | $50,000 |
Document Imaging System | $50,000 |
Miscellaneous System Hardware and Software | $25,000 |
Remote Access System | $10,000 |
Backup System | $10,000 |
Printers (per unit installed) | $5,000 |
Optical Storage System | $5,000 |
Workstations (per user) | $3,000 |
Fax Servers (per unit installed) | $2,500 |
Local Area Network (per user) | $300 |
(Includes wiring, concentrators, network cards, and software) | |
TOTAL COST: | $650,800 |
Input | Input Items: | |
Lease Parameters | ||
Credit Applications Processed | 0 | |
Contracts Booked | 5,000 | |
Interest Rate | 25.01% | |
Term | 4 | months |
Equipment Cost | $50,000,000.00 | dollars |
Terms | 30 | days net to Manufacturer |
Manufacturer's Discount | 5.00% | |
Add-on Percentage | 0.00% | |
Amount Funded | $47,500,000.00 | payment(s) |
Debt Parameters | ||
Leverage Percentage | 100.00% | |
Total Amount Borrowed | $35,000,000.00 | |
Commissions Paid | 0.00% | = $0.00 |
Net Proceeds | $35,000,000.00 | (Equal to Manf. Funding) |
Cost of Capital | 6.75% | for xx months. |
Up-front Expenses | ||
Sales Expenses | 0.25% | of equipment cost. |
Commissions Paid to Ven/Manf | 0.00% | of equipment cost. |
Allowance for Bad Debt | 0.50% | of equipment cost. |
Ongoing Expenses | ||
Credit Applications (Cap) | $50.00 | per application processed |
Processing Expenses (Cap) | $46.00 | per contract booked |
Invoicing Costs | $5.00 | per contract per month. |
Monthly Debt Payment | 8,873,391.97 |
Monthly Note Stream | 12,500,000.00 |
Rate Factor | 0.25000 |
Pre-Tax Income (Loss) | 1,051,432.11 |
Average Annual R.O.A. | 0.84% |
Up-front Expenses | |
Bad Debt Expense | (250,000.00) |
Manf. Commissions Paid | 0.00 |
Selling Expenses | (125,000.00) |
Credit Expenses | (250,000.00) |
Processing Expenses | (230,000.00) |
Total Up-Front Expenses | (855,000.00) |
Ongoing Expenses | |
Monthly Invoicing Exp | (25,000.00) |
Monthly Processing Total | (25,000.00) |
Set Maximum Percentage of Income you wish to rebate back to Dealer: 75%.
Period | Profit Available | Maximum Rebate % | Profit remaining after Rebate based on percentage used. |
1 | $1,423,125.00 | 2.13% | $355,781.25 |
2 | $1,250,055.41 | 1.88% | $312,513.85 |
3 | $1,126,065.75 | 1.69% | $281,516.44 |
4 | $1,051,432.11 | 1.58% | $262,858.03 |
5 | $0.00 | 0.00% | $0.00 |
6 | $0.00 | 0.00% | $0.00 |
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