FOUNDATION NEWS By Chelsea Neil Get Ahead With Foundation Resources A the road and stay ahead of the pack. We are excited to share several new products to give you and your company an extra boost. For more information about engaging with the Foundation, and to better understand the importance of investing in the future of the industry, view all our research and resources at www.leasefoundation.org . S “YOUR EYE ON THE FUTURE,” the Foundation brings you the research and resources you need to anticipate curves in New Research on the Horizon What is sure to be a highlight of the fall season is the debut of the 2017 State of the Equipment Finance Industry (SEFI) report. Th is annual report provides a unique look at trends in the equipment fi nance industry over the past year and identifi es key drivers for future growth. Th e SEFI also ex-plores emerging opportunities and risks that could shape the industry’s future. Additionally, the Foundation has three new research pro-jects on industry hot topics in progress. ● ● Fintech: Th e study will seek to defi ne the ecosystem and analyze developments in, and the driving forces behind, the digital transformation of the customer experience. ● ● New Technologies (Blockchain, Smart Contracts and Arti cial Intelligence) : Th is project is designed to edu-cate users about these emerging technologies, understand the capabilities of each (and all of them collectively) and demonstrate how they might be utilized in an equipment fi nance setting. ● ● Credit: A new study on credit quality will seek to deter-mine if the changes made to underwriting standards aft er the last recession will have a quantitative impact on port-folio performance during the next downturn. Stay tuned for publication announcements coming this fall. Supporting the Next Generation Workforce Th e Foundation has been working with more students and faculty members in recent months to raise industry aware-ness through the Foundation’s Guest Lecture Program (GLP). Now is the time to think about giving a lecture at your local university. For information about presenting the GLP, visit our website at www.leasefoundation.org . New this summer, the Foundation introduced the Intern-ship Center . Th is new resource will help students who are interested in learning more about internship opportunities in the equipment fi nance industry. ELFA member companies can post internships and review student resumes. Stay tuned for the roll out later this summer! Making your online contribution is easy: ● Go to www.leasefoundation.org/giving/ ● Select your donation category (Individual or Corporate) you donation amount ● Select ● Then follow the instructions for payment Connect with the Foundation Th e best way to stay up to date on the latest industry research is to follow us on your favorite social media platforms. Programming for the 56th ELFA Annual Convention The Foundation is proud to host our annual luncheon during the 56th ELFA Annual Convention. This is a terrifi c forum for us to honor the many volunteers and contributors who are leading the industry into the future through their gifts of time, expertise and fi nancial support. We’re also pleased that Dr. Rob Wescott of Keybridge Research will keynote the luncheon to present the 2017 State of the Equipment Finance Industry and share insights on the Economic Outlook. Our VIP Donor Lounge and other special amenities introduced last year will return as well. To ensure you receive donor benefi ts during the 2017 convention make your pledge by Aug. 30. Donations can be made online by visiting www.leasefoundation.org/giving . Follow us on LinkedIn – Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation Like us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/ leasefoundation Follow us on Twitter – @Leasefoundation EFFECTIVE SEPT. 1 , the Foundation’s new address will be 1625 Eye Street NW, Ste 850, Washington, D.C. 20006. ■ Chelsea Neil is Program Assistant for the Foundation. 42 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 EQUIPMENT LEASING & FINANCE MAGAZINE