National Railroad Passenger Corporation (amtrak): Acela Financing Case Study

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak): Acela Financing Case Study

A financial lease is lease in which the service provided by the lessor

to the lessee is limited to financing equipment. All the other

responsibilities related to the possession of equipment; which

includes maintenance, insurance and taxes, are owned by the

lessee. A financial lease is almost always non-cancellable. A

financial lease is fully paid out amortized over its term.

The advantages over debt are it is not recorded the same on the

balance sheet. Instead of being debt, it shows up as a footnote. The

multiples and ratios will not be affected the same as it would be if it

was debt. There are disadvantages of a financial lease over debt. A

financial lease is more complicated, and it more difficult to set-up,

and harder to find a counter party. There are multiple sources that

are offering debt, and it is much easier for a company like the

National Railroad Passenger Corporation to obtain debt than it is to

establish a financial lease.

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation has three financing options available to them to choose from. They include:

1. Take on debt to fund the purchase

The advantages to this is it is the easiest method for National Railroad. Based on the financial statements of National Railroad, they

can easily obtain debt from a financial institution in order to make the purchase. A disadvantage is the liability is recorded in full on the

balance sheet.

2. Financial institutions, such as BNYCF, can lease the equipment to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation

The advantages for National Railroad is the method that the liability is recorded on the financial statements. Because it is a lease, the

liability on the balance sheet is not the same amount in option one.

3. Obtain federal funding

Congress has agreed to allow funding to continue for funding Amtrak for capital appropriations. Federal grant monies could be used.

A

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