Leasing firms finance 2.17bn euros in assets

Leasing companies in the first half of this year financed overall assets worth around 2.17bn euros, up 46% from the first half of last year, the two leasing associations recently announced. As a result, companies affiliated to the Leasing and Non-banking Financial Services Association (ALB) financed the acquisition of assets worth 1.54bn euros in the first half of this year, while firms part of the Association of Leasing Firms of Romania (ASLR) financed assets worth 537m euros. Together, the companies of the two associations financed assets worth 2.077bn euros, concentrating, according to their own estimates, 96% of the domestic market at the same level registered in the first half of this year. The remaining 4% accounts for non-affiliated companies, which registered financing worth around 93m euros. Overall, the market reached 2.17bn euros, up 46% from the first six months of 2006.