Leasing and Asset Financing?

I know that I can Investopedia/Wikipedia the general concept, but I really feel that I can only get some real-life experience and examples from our dear WSO. So analysts, what do you do in this division? What's a typical day of your life? What technicals do you need to know?

Thank you for your insights.

 
Best Response

You will be providing capital to finance long-term assets (excluding land or other real estate). This area largely includes heavy equipment, which can have a somewhat long useful life. You will be providing capital to finance these assets structured as an operating lease, capital lease, or a standard loan. If you've read the investopedia on the subject (I haven't) I'm guessing you more or less already know this.

Most commercial banks will have a team that provides this kind of financing. It's typically separate from other commercial banking groups because the transactions are a little more specialized, but the day to day would largely be similar to a commercial banking analyst. You'll be analyzing the asset being financed, how well it maintains its value during the lease/loan, what residual amount will be left at the end of the lease/loan term. You'll also be evaluating repayment ability based on the borrower's cash flow relative to the required lease payments. The asset being financed will always be your collateral in these transactions.

In addition to commercial banks, heavy equipment manufacturers like Deere and CAT also provide similar services through their vendor finance groups.

For technicals, I'd prepare for an interview in the same way as a commercial banking analyst interview. I'd also consider anything related to the key differences between a capital lease, operating lease, and a standard loan to be fair game.

Hours and pay I'd expect to be similar to commercial banking.

Source: Previously employed as a commercial banking analyst and worked with my bank's equipment finance and leasing people pretty frequently.

Listen, here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker.
 

Interesting. My bank was a little smaller than MUFG, but did not contain a significant IBD group. Since MUFG has both IBD and more traditional commercial banking services, I'm thinking the leasing and asset finance placement under the IBD umbrella is more or less semantics. I'm thinking my comments are still valid. Your technicals will likely be focused on 3-statement accounting, with an emphasis on lease and loan accounting.

Listen, here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker.
 

The first interview was on campus via Skype (last minute change of plan) and it was purely behavioral and meant as somewhat of a sales pitch on what Leasing and Asset finance is. I had done loads of due diligence on the position so it ended up turning into a personal chat and getting to know the interviewers better. Very laidback, no technicals - only why MUFG, why IB, tell me about a time you were challenged etc. 2nd round/superday was in NYC - met with Lance Markowitz (global head) and he was very nice but completely stonefaced and unemotional. The other group head I met was Kenji who stress tested me and asked a long-winded technical question about WACC and how getting rid of the tax shield would affect it.

In the end I received no offer. PM me if you have more questions

 

Ipsa dolorum nam ut autem laborum. Quisquam consequatur quo perspiciatis dolore reprehenderit nobis. Enim et dolores officiis doloribus. Cupiditate exercitationem sit distinctio soluta et aspernatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”