Emerging Europe lessors can expect an uneven recovery in 2022: Fitch

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he outlook for finance and leasing companies across emerging Europe is neutral for 2022, according to a report by Fitch Ratings. The agency said the macroeconomic recovery in most markets facilitates growth and underpins asset quality and profitability against pressures amid the aftermath of the pandemic.

Fitch, however, expects the Turkish leasing sector’s asset quality to come under pressure by the recent Turkish lira devaluation. “The same factor will drive portfolio growth in nominal terms, but it expects lessors to curb risk appetite, particularly in foreign currency leasing. Funding from parent banks would support the companies’ liquidity positions if needed,” Fitch said.

Turkish factoring companies operate short-term and mostly lira-denominated balance sheets and are therefore less exposed to the pressure on the currency.

In Russia, Fitch expects growth in rolling stock leasing and equipment leasing amid stagnation in the aviation and retail segments. “We expect asset quality to remain strong despite an increase in the cost of risk as portfolios season. An increase in the cost of funding will additionally stretch profitability,” Fitch reported.

Fitch also expects continuing growth for Kazakh leasing and microfinance companies. “This will support currently strong profitability and underpin nominal asset quality metrics despite inherently high credit risk,” Fitch said.

Higher second-hand car prices will support the performances of car lessors and finance companies in emerging Europe in 1H 2022, “but we do not expect a sustained shift. Strong demand will help business origination for car lessors and used car financing, while supply chain disruptions will weigh on new car financing,” Fitch said.