Investment via leasing experienced solid growth in the third quarter, with a nominal increase of 49.6% and a real improvement adjusted for inflation of 34%, according to sector data. Signed contracts increased by 104% compared to the previous year, reaching a balance of $419.763 million by the end of September. This reflected a significant recovery in investment demand for the acquisition of transportation and logistics equipment.
Nicolás Scioli, Vice President of Leasing Argentina, emphasized that "the strong growth of leasing financing represents a recovery of investment in capital goods, showing increasing confidence in the economy." He explained that "financing is now being extended to the medium term to meet capital needs and project future investments."
During the third quarter, 1,966 leasing contracts were finalized, an increase of 104% compared to the same period last year. This increase brought the total leasing balance to $419.763 million at the end of September 2024. Leasing financing provides a long-term tool that drives investment.
The average default rate for leasing financing was 0.65%, lower than that of the financial system as a whole, which stood at 1.6% at the end of August. The growing demand for financing was focused on the acquisition of transportation and logistics equipment, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all operations in the sector.
During this period, 8,513 jobs were created through leasing operations, with SMEs leading the drive and representing 48.7% of the total portfolio. 62.5% of the leasing balance was allocated to the purchase of transportation and logistics equipment, followed by 18.4% for technology and telecommunications, 9.5% for construction machinery, 3.2% for agricultural machinery, and 4.1% for industrial equipment.
Regarding financing for SMEs, The Capita Corporation / Banco Comafi led with an assigned leasing portfolio of $41.689 million, followed by Banco Supervielle and BICE. For large companies, HPE Financial Service led with $68.712 million, followed by The Capital / Banco Comafi and Banco Supervielle.
