In spite of or perhaps precisely because of the persistent difficult situation in the financial market, leasing – apart from loan financing – remained one of the most popular financing instruments in Germany in 2008. Backed by a growth rate of 3.3 %, the German leasing sector achieved a new business volume of EUR 57.1 bn. In 2008, almost two thirds of all German enterprises relied on lease financing for a large part of their investment activities. However, in the second half of the year, the stagnation of the automotive and supplier industry slightly depressed the financing demand. Not least because of the economic stimulus package adopted by the German government, the industry expects a slight growth in 2009, although it is presently impossible to predict the impact of short-time work, higher unemployment and higher refinancing costs. In any event, lease financing is often the only possibility for small and medium-sized companies to carry out their planned investments in production machinery, equipment and cars.