A buyer or leaser be? small business traits.

• Position: Business Briefs - Brief Article

Small companies that use leasing as a strategic financing option have several traits in common: Most are either partnerships or corporations; have more than $250,000 in assets; have been in existence for less than 20 years; employ managers that have a least five years' worth of experience; and are not among the firms with the very strongest credit ratings.

These are among the findings from a study by The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation (ELA), an Arlington, Va.-based non-profit association representing those in the equipment leasing and finance industry.

"The study implies the motivations behind the lease versus buy decision of small, privately held firms," said Lisa Levine, the ELA's executive director. She indicates there is a strong correlation between the characteristics...