Difficult time for banks to make a buck - low interest rates and all - some say they might as well "fly a kite."  And with that, it is said, Wells launched a new business line.  

[ by Howard Haykin ]

Wells Fargo encouraged its bankers to "think out of the box" for new ways to make money in this record-low interest rate environment.  Someone suggested that the bank go into aircraft leasing.    Why aircraft leasing?   Because Wells Fargo is no stranger to using commercial leasing - and, it wouldn't be their first time the bank has dipped its toe in this type of business.  After all, they've been leasing out rail cars, trucks, and other transportation equipment for quite some time. 

What's Different This Go-Around.   Wells Fargo is looking to do more than "dip its toe" in this new venture - and, instead wants to enter the aircraft leasing market with a larger footprint because of its potential.  That's according to a new study, 'The Commercial Aircraft Leasing Market 2011-2021', which estimates that leased commercial aircraft will start to slowly make up a significant proportion of the aircraft that are flying over us every day.

Among the upsides to aircraft leasing, is that:  (i) the debt is secured, to some extent, with an asset;  and, (ii) there's insurance covering the fleet of aircraft should accidents occur. 

For further details, go to:  [Motley Fool, 4/4/13].