UniCredit took over the leading position at the end of H1 from BCR Leasing, which dropped to second place. In H1, the biggest leasing firm financed the acquisition of goods worth 220.3m euros. The number of contracts sealed by UniCredit Leasing Corporation exceeded 7,100 in late June, with 83% signed by corporate customers.
BCR Leasing did not publish its figures for H1, but figures for the first 8 months reveal the value of goods financed by the company stood at 236m euros. Pro rata, the value of goods financed by the company in the first 6 months amounted to 177m euros.
Porsche Leasing holds the third position, with financing contracts worth 159.7m euros in H1. The company's turnover was also bolstered by sales from Porsche auto importer.
The most dynamic companies on the market in H1 were Credit Europe Leasing and Piraeus Leasing, which reported 144% and 142% turnover increases against the same period in 2006.
The third company in terms of turnover growth was Raiffeisen Leasing.
Porsche Leasing and Motoractive Leasing posted the smallest increases, 26% and 20%, respectively.
Leasing firms' businesses are largely based on financing granted for the acquisition of cars, which carries a significant weight in portfolios.
Leasing companies financed assets worth 2.17bn euros in the first half of this year, up 46% against the same period in 2006.
Leasing contracts for cars accounted for 71% of overall sealed contracts, industrial equipment financing accounted for 22%, and real estate financing for 7%.
The largest part of real estate financing is destined to the construction of office space (54%), with the remainder separated between the construction of commercial space (34%) and residential development (12%).
In fact, most leasing companies have declared that they intend to focus more on real estate and industrial equipment leasing, and less on car leasing.
In the first half of this year, leasing firms owned by banks accounted for 65% of the domestic leasing market, independent companies 26%, while captive companies (belonging to car producers or importers) accounted for 9%.
The Leasing and Non-banking Services Association (ALB) forecasts a 50-55% market growth for the coming years. In 2006, the overall value of financing granted within the leasing system reached 3.26bn euros, and the market could hit 4.6bn euros this year, according to ALB.
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