All articles by Brendan Malkin

Brendan Malkin

SMBC bids for Thameslink

If it wins the bid for the project – which is currently being procured by the Department for Transport – the consortium will lease 1,200 new carriages over 20 years via a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to the operator of the Thameslink franchise

Should lessors and brokers re-tie the knot?

It has been two years since a number of bank-owned lessors cut their partnership ties with brokers. The first, and most important, reason is that brokers are excellent at sourcing new deals from SMEs

Lessors struggle to find SME deals

Many large lessors are still struggling to source investments in SMEs, as smaller companies continue to delay capital investments and key sectors such as construction remain under pressure, a Leasing Life investigation has revealed.

Dipping a toe in

In the first article of a special report on the Ukrainian leasing market, Brendan Malkin examines the international leasing companies looking to enter the countrys burgeoning market. Foreign leasing companies are once again showing interest in entering the Ukrainian leasing market, as signs emerge that the sector will return to full health next year following its battering over the last two years.

The year for real expansion

The new political and financial environment in Ukraine is throwing up both opportunities and barriers for lessors Despite this, most foreign-owned lessors based in the country expect growth as early as 2011.

New rules iron out tax and lessee problems

Government shows commitment to general financial services reform The Ukrainian Union of Lessors (UUL) had good reason last month to pat itself on the back

Reforms tackle Ukrainian lessor’s tax problems

Ukraines tax system is rife with bribery and ambiguity and consequently remains a thorn in the side of most local leasing companies, despite efforts by local tax authorities to improve the system.

Davenham closes to new business

Following a lengthy battle for survival, the asset and trade finance specialist Davenham has decided to stop writing new business and expects to de-list from AIM following a strategic review of its business.

Hungary faces exodus of international leasing companies

Hungarys leasing market faces collapse as the countrys government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a crippling new tax on its financial services and banking sectors. The new tax is expected to cause an exodus from Hungary of international and foreign-owned leasing companies, which make up 90 percent of the countrys leasing industry.

International lessors scouting for business in Ukraine

A special investigation by Leasing Life into Ukraines leasing sector has revealed that a number of large foreign companies are planning to enter the market