Unicredit Leasing expects market to go down this year, as well

VAT increase and the steep exchange rate volatility will lead
to rising cases of instalment payment delays on the leasing market,
but clients with high difficulties should not just halt payments
and give the goods back, but discuss a loan restructuring solution
with the leasing firm, says Andreas Obrist, the new regional head
of UniCredit Leasing group. Around 90% of the company’s clients are
legal entities and the rest of 10% individuals. “Around 85% of
those that came to us to discuss their financial woes have
restructured their loans. The earlier they do this, the most
efficient the restructuring solution is”, Obrist says. Despite
having budgeted a 20% higher volume of financed goods for this year
in Romania, Obrist states he expects the leasing market to go down
even below last year’s level. In 2009, leasing was the hardest hit
sector of the economy, with a decline of above 70%. UniCredit
Leasing is currently working on a new IT system, to be then used in
other countries the group is present in. The system will allow for
an easier introduction of new products and clients will get an
answer for their funding applications in a shorter period of
time.