Digitalisation

Technology and talent: the keys to the future of asset finance

Technology and talented employees will be essential elements in driving future asset finance growth within a more complex business environment, according to a panel of industry chief executives and leaders. Although digitalisation has the potential to transform business processes and speed up customer service, they agreed that asset finance “will always be a people business”. Mark Picken, CEO at Shire Leasing, said: “Technology is a huge enabler. It is expensive, but it is essential. I believe that this will always be a people business and people will buy from people; they just need the process when they are not interacting with a person to be much slicker and technology-led.”

Technology and talent: the keys to the future of asset finance

Oct 12, 2020

Technology and talented employees will be essential elements in driving future asset finance growth within a more complex business environment, according to a panel of industry chief executives and leaders. Although digitalisation has the potential to transform business processes and speed up customer service, they agreed that asset finance “will always be a people business”. Mark Picken, CEO at Shire Leasing, said: “Technology is a huge enabler. It is expensive, but it is essential. I believe that this will always be a people business and people will buy from people; they just need the process when they are not interacting with a person to be much slicker and technology-led.”

Why India offers a ‘blue ocean’ market for asset finance

India presents a multi-billion-dollar growth opportunity for asset finance companies as a ‘blue ocean’ market. This was the view of Simi Thapar, former head of equipment finance and leasing solutions at Tata Capital, who called for a formal association for the Indian asset financing industry to enable global participation in its growing markets. Speaking before she moved to a new role outside the business, Thapar explained: “The potential is huge. It’s a blue ocean for anyone to set up in the country.”

Why India offers a ‘blue ocean’ market for asset finance

Sep 28, 2020

India presents a multi-billion-dollar growth opportunity for asset finance companies as a ‘blue ocean’ market. This was the view of Simi Thapar, former head of equipment finance and leasing solutions at Tata Capital, who called for a formal association for the Indian asset financing industry to enable global participation in its growing markets. Speaking before she moved to a new role outside the business, Thapar explained: “The potential is huge. It’s a blue ocean for anyone to set up in the country.”

Industry leaders reveal strategic plan for asset finance

More than 100 asset finance leaders have revealed their vision for the future of asset finance in a post-Covid world. In the special report, business leaders, including senior executives from some of Europe’s largest asset finance companies, assess industry changes caused by the pandemic and how they will reshape the long-term asset finance landscape. Since the Coronavirus crisis first appeared on the world stage, it has driven change at an unprecedented pace, as communities and companies have been forced to adapt.

Industry leaders reveal strategic plan for asset finance

Sep 03, 2020

More than 100 asset finance leaders have revealed their vision for the future of asset finance in a post-Covid world. In the special report, business leaders, including senior executives from some of Europe’s largest asset finance companies, assess industry changes caused by the pandemic and how they will reshape the long-term asset finance landscape. Since the Coronavirus crisis first appeared on the world stage, it has driven change at an unprecedented pace, as communities and companies have been forced to adapt.

 

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World Finance introduces White Clarke Group’s loan origination software to drive growth

World Finance has implemented White Clarke Group’s CALMS loan origination software to drive growth and enhance efficiency. The partnership follows an industry-wide search for the best system by World Finance. CALMS will automate loan origination and improve transaction speed to enhance customer service and business processing. US-based World Finance initially selected White Clarke Group to complete trials of CALMS at three branches, with the system proving its value in 90 days, leading to its implementation across the business.

World Finance introduces White Clarke Group’s loan origination software to drive growth

Aug 13, 2020

World Finance has implemented White Clarke Group’s CALMS loan origination software to drive growth and enhance efficiency. The partnership follows an industry-wide search for the best system by World Finance. CALMS will automate loan origination and improve transaction speed to enhance customer service and business processing. US-based World Finance initially selected White Clarke Group to complete trials of CALMS at three branches, with the system proving its value in 90 days, leading to its implementation across the business.

White Clarke Group introduces subscription service capabilities in partnership with Wagonex

Finance technology provider White Clarke Group has partnered with automotive subscription services company Wagonex to extend a pay-to-use car provision strategy to its customer base. Wagonex offers a wide range of vehicles to customers through a number of manufacturer partners, which are all offered for an all-inclusive monthly fee. The new integration with White Clarke Group allows the global software company to bring subscription-based capabilities to its clients throughout Europe.

White Clarke Group introduces subscription service capabilities in partnership with Wagonex

Aug 03, 2020

Finance technology provider White Clarke Group has partnered with automotive subscription services company Wagonex to extend a pay-to-use car provision strategy to its customer base. Wagonex offers a wide range of vehicles to customers through a number of manufacturer partners, which are all offered for an all-inclusive monthly fee. The new integration with White Clarke Group allows the global software company to bring subscription-based capabilities to its clients throughout Europe.

Renault’s partnership with Google Cloud aims to accelerate digitalisation in auto market

Renault and Google Cloud have announced a new partnership to fast-track the digitization of the automaker’s industrial system, and perfect it’s data management platform. With some experience developing its own digital platform, Renault focused on using the platform to connect and aggregate industrial data from 22 sites worldwide representing 76% of its vehicle production. The integration of Google Cloud’s solutions and experience in smart analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) is hoped to boost Renault’s supply chain and manufacturing efficiency and production quality, while reducing the environmental impact.

Renault’s partnership with Google Cloud aims to accelerate digitalisation in auto market

Jul 17, 2020

Renault and Google Cloud have announced a new partnership to fast-track the digitization of the automaker’s industrial system, and perfect it’s data management platform. With some experience developing its own digital platform, Renault focused on using the platform to connect and aggregate industrial data from 22 sites worldwide representing 76% of its vehicle production. The integration of Google Cloud’s solutions and experience in smart analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) is hoped to boost Renault’s supply chain and manufacturing efficiency and production quality, while reducing the environmental impact.

Coronavirus: a crisis for asset finance operations or a catalyst for technological change?

Business leaders have largely embraced the rapid introduction of home working and digital processes as an inevitable necessity. Though the global lockdown has rapidly accelerated trends in digitalisation, seeing many asset finance businesses moving their operations entirely online in a contracted timescale, the direction of these developments is not a new concept for the industry. As a result, the past three months of Zoom, Teams, and Slack meetings, shopping exclusively online, and a new appreciation for IT infrastructure staff, have defined a new – though not unexpected –future for how businesses will operate, long after office doors reopen.

Coronavirus: a crisis for asset finance operations or a catalyst for technological change?

Jul 16, 2020

Business leaders have largely embraced the rapid introduction of home working and digital processes as an inevitable necessity. Though the global lockdown has rapidly accelerated trends in digitalisation, seeing many asset finance businesses moving their operations entirely online in a contracted timescale, the direction of these developments is not a new concept for the industry. As a result, the past three months of Zoom, Teams, and Slack meetings, shopping exclusively online, and a new appreciation for IT infrastructure staff, have defined a new – though not unexpected –future for how businesses will operate, long after office doors reopen.

How augmented intelligence can unlock growth in auto finance

User experience will prove critical to extracting the most valuable insights from data as companies generate ever-greater quantities of complex information about their businesses and their customers. Although robotic process automation, analytics, and artificial intelligence can generate a wealth of valuable business data, it will never become actionable insight unless it is transformed into a usable format that executives can understand. If data is not easy to digest and interpret, then it will not provide the benefits that companies need, according to Alex Plenty, vice-president, data and analytics, Genpact. He warned: “I hear a lot of times of people building ‘data lakes’ but the data is not getting out to the business fast enough.”

How augmented intelligence can unlock growth in auto finance

Jun 22, 2020

User experience will prove critical to extracting the most valuable insights from data as companies generate ever-greater quantities of complex information about their businesses and their customers. Although robotic process automation, analytics, and artificial intelligence can generate a wealth of valuable business data, it will never become actionable insight unless it is transformed into a usable format that executives can understand. If data is not easy to digest and interpret, then it will not provide the benefits that companies need, according to Alex Plenty, vice-president, data and analytics, Genpact. He warned: “I hear a lot of times of people building ‘data lakes’ but the data is not getting out to the business fast enough.”

White Clarke Group reveals changing shape of USA leasing market

Leading finance technology company White Clarke Group has launched a new USA leasing market report that profiles a robust industry well-placed to manage the economic challenges ahead. The annual survey, produced in association with the World Leasing Yearbook, assesses the performance of the national leasing market in the USA up to mid-2019. It uses in-depth research conducted on behalf of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation by Keybridge Research and offers a wealth of economic and industry insights, including the size of the equipment finance market before the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

White Clarke Group reveals changing shape of USA leasing market

Jun 10, 2020

Leading finance technology company White Clarke Group has launched a new USA leasing market report that profiles a robust industry well-placed to manage the economic challenges ahead. The annual survey, produced in association with the World Leasing Yearbook, assesses the performance of the national leasing market in the USA up to mid-2019. It uses in-depth research conducted on behalf of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation by Keybridge Research and offers a wealth of economic and industry insights, including the size of the equipment finance market before the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Creating Mobility-as-a-Service Models

Leasing companies are focusing on their core strengths as they adapt to meet the new mobility needs of consumers. In carving a new role in the Mobility as a Service landscape, leasing companies can excel as specialist providers of vehicles to other mobility services, including global technology platforms such as Uber, in addition to their traditional role of providing vehicles direct to end-user customers. This plays to the strengths of leasing companies as vehicle management experts, particularly when it comes to serving the complex needs of large fleets.

Creating Mobility-as-a-Service Models

Jun 01, 2020

Leasing companies are focusing on their core strengths as they adapt to meet the new mobility needs of consumers. In carving a new role in the Mobility as a Service landscape, leasing companies can excel as specialist providers of vehicles to other mobility services, including global technology platforms such as Uber, in addition to their traditional role of providing vehicles direct to end-user customers. This plays to the strengths of leasing companies as vehicle management experts, particularly when it comes to serving the complex needs of large fleets.

Invisible assets - managing the rise of servitization in asset finance

The asset finance industry is changing as customers look to fund ‘invisible assets’ that fall outside traditional product boundaries. Historically, the industry used the mantra ‘you can only finance it if it has wheels on the corner’ to identify assets that could be financed, but this is no longer the case. Growing interest in servitization means companies are looking to fund access to products and services rather than owning assets themselves.

Invisible assets - managing the rise of servitization in asset finance

Apr 28, 2020

The asset finance industry is changing as customers look to fund ‘invisible assets’ that fall outside traditional product boundaries. Historically, the industry used the mantra ‘you can only finance it if it has wheels on the corner’ to identify assets that could be financed, but this is no longer the case. Growing interest in servitization means companies are looking to fund access to products and services rather than owning assets themselves.

German Leasing Market Update Released

The German leasing sector reported a robust market ahead of the disruption caused by the Coronavirus, with growth in total volume to more than €60 billion, according to a new market report. The report has been released by White Clarke Group in association with the World Leasing Yearbook and provides an assessment of markets in the period up to mid-2019. It reveals that in 2018 the total volume of new business acquired in Germany was €60.7bn (as compared with €58.8bn in the preceding year).

German Leasing Market Update Released

Apr 27, 2020

The German leasing sector reported a robust market ahead of the disruption caused by the Coronavirus, with growth in total volume to more than €60 billion, according to a new market report. The report has been released by White Clarke Group in association with the World Leasing Yearbook and provides an assessment of markets in the period up to mid-2019. It reveals that in 2018 the total volume of new business acquired in Germany was €60.7bn (as compared with €58.8bn in the preceding year).

Breaking the 9-to-5: The rise of “anytime, anywhere” service in auto finance

Auto finance providers must be prepared to provide on-demand service to deliver the experience that customers now expect in return for their loyalty. The provision of a seamless, high quality and personalised service will be vital to future growth as there is an increasing focus on supporting customer interactions at any time of day. Nick Smith, partner with Deloitte Consulting, stated: “Customer centricity is absolutely vital; people expect an anytime, anywhere customer experience; it is not just 9-to-5.”

Breaking the 9-to-5: The rise of “anytime, anywhere” service in auto finance

Apr 07, 2020

Auto finance providers must be prepared to provide on-demand service to deliver the experience that customers now expect in return for their loyalty. The provision of a seamless, high quality and personalised service will be vital to future growth as there is an increasing focus on supporting customer interactions at any time of day. Nick Smith, partner with Deloitte Consulting, stated: “Customer centricity is absolutely vital; people expect an anytime, anywhere customer experience; it is not just 9-to-5.”

FCA partners with Amazon to deliver cars by subscription

Car manufacturers are developing innovative new finance models as customers expect to move away from ownership towards usership. Among the leading innovators is FCA Bank, which is powering a range of new services for car users, including pay per kilometre and cars by subscription through its mobility arm Leasys. Marcella Merli, head of sales and marketing for FCA Bank, said: “Mobility services are really paramount for the future of our sector and the revolution is also coming from the customer.”

FCA partners with Amazon to deliver cars by subscription

Mar 16, 2020

Car manufacturers are developing innovative new finance models as customers expect to move away from ownership towards usership. Among the leading innovators is FCA Bank, which is powering a range of new services for car users, including pay per kilometre and cars by subscription through its mobility arm Leasys. Marcella Merli, head of sales and marketing for FCA Bank, said: “Mobility services are really paramount for the future of our sector and the revolution is also coming from the customer.”

White Clarke Group partners with Solutions by Text to enhance customer communications

Global finance technology company White Clarke Group is partnering with SMS software company Solutions by Text to support better communication between lenders, dealerships and customers. The integration coordinates White Clarke Group’s existing CALMS loan origination software with Solutions by Text’s automated outbound messaging services. This enables lenders to send SMS notifications on the progress of ongoing applications.

White Clarke Group partners with Solutions by Text to enhance customer communications

Mar 16, 2020

Global finance technology company White Clarke Group is partnering with SMS software company Solutions by Text to support better communication between lenders, dealerships and customers. The integration coordinates White Clarke Group’s existing CALMS loan origination software with Solutions by Text’s automated outbound messaging services. This enables lenders to send SMS notifications on the progress of ongoing applications.

Adapting asset finance to support servitization as lines blur between products and services

Manufacturers and their finance partners can exploit an important opportunity for growth by embracing the potential benefits of servitization. Servitization is the innovation of a manufacturer’s capabilities to compete through services rather than simply products alone, which enhances customer insights and generates long-term loyalty. The potential benefits to manufacturers and their asset finance partners were analysed during the International Asset Finance Network conference by Tim Baines, professor of operations strategy and executive director, The Advanced Services Group, at Aston Business School.

Adapting asset finance to support servitization as lines blur between products and services

Jul 25, 2019

Manufacturers and their finance partners can exploit an important opportunity for growth by embracing the potential benefits of servitization. Servitization is the innovation of a manufacturer’s capabilities to compete through services rather than simply products alone, which enhances customer insights and generates long-term loyalty. The potential benefits to manufacturers and their asset finance partners were analysed during the International Asset Finance Network conference by Tim Baines, professor of operations strategy and executive director, The Advanced Services Group, at Aston Business School.

Development of new fleet services 'hampered by poor access to connected car data'

Vehicle manufacturers are hampering the development of new services for connected cars by restricting access to data, an industry supplier claims. Technology provider epyx warns that connected car data is being processed and shared by manufacturers using outdated methods, which blocks access to live streams that could power new services. As a growing number of connected cars are launched by manufacturers, the row is likely to intensify. For most modern connected cars, the vehicle can establish direct links to the manufacturer, so the car can share a wealth of data if the owner approves. This can range from mileage information to data from any of the hundreds of processors now fitted to vehicles, which can then be used to provide added-value services such as predictive maintenance or even driving advice to improve fuel economy. While manufacturers are already making this data available to suppliers, such as leasing companies, epyx argues the delivery method is too cumbersome and limits its value.

Development of new fleet services 'hampered by poor access to connected car data'

Jul 23, 2019

Vehicle manufacturers are hampering the development of new services for connected cars by restricting access to data, an industry supplier claims. Technology provider epyx warns that connected car data is being processed and shared by manufacturers using outdated methods, which blocks access to live streams that could power new services. As a growing number of connected cars are launched by manufacturers, the row is likely to intensify. For most modern connected cars, the vehicle can establish direct links to the manufacturer, so the car can share a wealth of data if the owner approves. This can range from mileage information to data from any of the hundreds of processors now fitted to vehicles, which can then be used to provide added-value services such as predictive maintenance or even driving advice to improve fuel economy. While manufacturers are already making this data available to suppliers, such as leasing companies, epyx argues the delivery method is too cumbersome and limits its value.

iwoca launches real-time loan decisions with Funding Xchange and Funding Options

Innovative small business lender iwoca is partnering with two of the industry’s biggest finance marketplaces, Funding Xchange and Funding Options, to offer real-time loan decisions to customers. Typically, small business owners will receive loan decisions within 30 seconds, after which they are able to draw down funds. It says this improves on the traditional “approval in principle” offered by other business lenders and is aimed at providing an increased level of certainty to customers when it comes to making decisions based on available finance. Loans will initially be limited to amounts up to £15,000.

iwoca launches real-time loan decisions with Funding Xchange and Funding Options

Jul 03, 2019

Innovative small business lender iwoca is partnering with two of the industry’s biggest finance marketplaces, Funding Xchange and Funding Options, to offer real-time loan decisions to customers. Typically, small business owners will receive loan decisions within 30 seconds, after which they are able to draw down funds. It says this improves on the traditional “approval in principle” offered by other business lenders and is aimed at providing an increased level of certainty to customers when it comes to making decisions based on available finance. Loans will initially be limited to amounts up to £15,000.

[Report] Focusing On Customer Outcomes Through Servitization

An emerging key trend in the asset finance sector is the switch from ownership to usership, with consumers increasingly looking for pay-per-use assets rather than outright ownership. Leading software supplier White Clarke Group has sponsored a major piece of research into the implications of this process, dubbed “servitization”, to understand the impact on OEMs and lenders. The research was conducted by Aston Business School’s Advanced Services Group in partnership with White Clarke Group and consultancy firm Invigors. The study includes in-depth discussions and interviews with over 20 finance industry experts, with the first results having been presented at the International Asset Finance Network (IAFN) conference held in London on the 13th of June. The switch from ownership to usership has been most marked among younger consumers in the retail industry, who are increasingly moving to on-demand services. However, it is also now gaining traction across a wide range of industry sectors.

[Report] Focusing On Customer Outcomes Through Servitization

Jun 18, 2019

An emerging key trend in the asset finance sector is the switch from ownership to usership, with consumers increasingly looking for pay-per-use assets rather than outright ownership. Leading software supplier White Clarke Group has sponsored a major piece of research into the implications of this process, dubbed “servitization”, to understand the impact on OEMs and lenders. The research was conducted by Aston Business School’s Advanced Services Group in partnership with White Clarke Group and consultancy firm Invigors. The study includes in-depth discussions and interviews with over 20 finance industry experts, with the first results having been presented at the International Asset Finance Network (IAFN) conference held in London on the 13th of June. The switch from ownership to usership has been most marked among younger consumers in the retail industry, who are increasingly moving to on-demand services. However, it is also now gaining traction across a wide range of industry sectors.

How finance industry leaders must embrace change to drive future growth

Finance industry leaders are taking insights from the FinTech sector as they adapt their companies to a changing business environment. The competitive landscape of asset finance means that companies must embrace change to maintain differentiation and secure loyalty among customers, according to a leading panel of executives. Panellists present at the IAFN Conference included Nathan Mollett, director of Metro Bank Asset Finance, who remarked: “In equipment finance right now, there just isn’t enough innovation. In equipment finance I think increasingly there will be a bigger requirement to have on-demand models. “We are seeing a bit of that in construction and maybe agriculture, but traditional equipment financiers will have to develop pay-as-you-use models to create that differentiation.”

How finance industry leaders must embrace change to drive future growth

May 09, 2019

Finance industry leaders are taking insights from the FinTech sector as they adapt their companies to a changing business environment. The competitive landscape of asset finance means that companies must embrace change to maintain differentiation and secure loyalty among customers, according to a leading panel of executives. Panellists present at the IAFN Conference included Nathan Mollett, director of Metro Bank Asset Finance, who remarked: “In equipment finance right now, there just isn’t enough innovation. In equipment finance I think increasingly there will be a bigger requirement to have on-demand models. “We are seeing a bit of that in construction and maybe agriculture, but traditional equipment financiers will have to develop pay-as-you-use models to create that differentiation.”

Equipment finance could benefit from mirroring digital consumer services

The equipment finance industry should adopt levels of service more closely aligned with digital consumer companies to meet future customer needs, according to a senior industry leader. The move would ensure companies meet the expectations of a new generation of customer employees, who have grown up experiencing the benefits of services powered by technology. Mark Bainbridge, executive vice-president of Caterpillar's captive financial services arm Cat Financial, said as a new generation of executives join the workforce, they expect to have greater levels of digital interaction with finance companies in addition to personalised support.

Equipment finance could benefit from mirroring digital consumer services

May 01, 2019

The equipment finance industry should adopt levels of service more closely aligned with digital consumer companies to meet future customer needs, according to a senior industry leader. The move would ensure companies meet the expectations of a new generation of customer employees, who have grown up experiencing the benefits of services powered by technology. Mark Bainbridge, executive vice-president of Caterpillar's captive financial services arm Cat Financial, said as a new generation of executives join the workforce, they expect to have greater levels of digital interaction with finance companies in addition to personalised support.