Association (IFLA) is a network of leading finance companies drawn
from all over the world. It is a not-for-profit body, as well as an
association with a difference in that only one company per country
is allowed into full membership.
This, according to IFLA, allows members to share knowledge much
more freely than when competitors are present. It also presents
business opportunities as members can refer their customers to
companies they know when financing is needed abroad.
IFLA president Philippe Delva said that the association’s
primary objective is to provide a forum for members to exchange
ideas, knowledge, experience and data for mutual benefit.
This links members in a virtual qualitative benchmarking group.
The frequent exchange of information should ensure that all members
can benefit from the latest financing developments.
Delva added: “IFLA is all about meeting leasing professionals
from all over the world and, next to sharing benchmarks and
statistics, and following what is new in the industry, it is also
about making leasing friends whilst sharing views and topics of
mutual interest.”
There are 27 members including 20 from Europe and two US
associations as associate members.
IFLA is keen to extend its network to include countries that are
not represented. A prospective member should be a specialist in
equipment finance through credit and leasing, have an outstanding
reputation and sound financial structure, and be determined to
promote activity and develop relationships within IFLA.
IFLA holds two meetings each year: its AGM and a workshop. At
both, various topics are presented, mainly by members, that are
relevant to asset-based financing, such as driving performance
through processes and accelerating growth organically or through
M&A.
Working groups are the primary vehicle through which IFLA seeks
to identify best practice, and there are groups on marketing and
trends, HR, risk management, processes and technology.
Members provide statistics on their companies’ performance and
information on initiatives, operations and developments in
technology, plus regular updates about their country’s asset
finance trends and market developments.
European IFLA members
Austria – Immorent
Belgium/Luxembourg – Fortis Lease
Czech Republic – CSOB Leasing
Denmark – Nordania Leasing
Finland – Nordea Finance
Germany – Disco Leasing GmbH
Greece – Piraeus Leasing SA
Hungary – CIB Leasing Group
Iceland – Glitnir
Ireland – Lombard
Italy – Banca Agrileasing SpA
The Netherlands – Amstel Lease
Norway – DnB NOR Finance
Poland – Europejski Fundusz Leasingowy SA
Portugal – Caixa Leasing e Factoring
Spain – Banc Sabadell d’Andorra
Sweden – Swedbank Finans
Switzerland – Fortis Lease Switzerland
Turkey – Fortis Lease Turkey
UK – Lombard North Central
Margaret Waldren
