NEW YORK, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIT Group Inc. today reported diluted earnings per share of $1.12 for the quarter, up 14.3% from last year (excluding gains on derivative contracts that were subsequently terminated in the fourth quarter of 2005). Net income was $229.7 million for the first quarter, up from $227.6 million last year ($211.9 million excluding gains on derivative contracts).
Profitability improved across our businesses in Commercial Finance and Specialty Finance. Return on average common equity was 14.1% (14.5% excluding the impact of option expensing) compared to 14.5% last quarter and 13.6% last year, excluding amounts related to terminated derivative contracts and other notable items in both prior year periods.
The 2006 first quarter included the following items of note that impacted comparisons to prior year operating trends:
   * Option-related compensation expense totaled $10.3 million in connection
     with the adoption of SFAS 123R in the quarter ($0.03 diluted EPS
     decrease).
   * A restructuring charge of $11.1 million comprised of termination
     benefits relating to business realignments was recorded in the quarter
     ($0.04 diluted EPS decrease).
   * Income tax expense was lowered by $6.5 million due to a deferred tax
     adjustment related to higher utilization of net operating losses ($0.03
     diluted EPS increase).
These three items decreased current quarter reported diluted earnings per share by $0.04.
Commenting on the Company's performance, Jeffrey M. Peek, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said:
"I am pleased to report a successful start to 2006, marked by solid earnings growth and strong profitability. Our operating performance was driven by a sharp focus on execution coupled with momentum in all five of our operating groups. The quarter also benefited from a historically strong credit performance.
"We saw terrific results from our investment in the sales force, as new business volume was strong and broad based across all origination channels, up over 50% from the prior year. Managed assets grew to over $65 billion. We achieved record volume in our healthcare, home lending and student lending businesses -- a direct result of recent sales initiatives. In addition, the proportion of overseas revenue more than doubled in the last two years, and now represents in excess of 20% of our pre-tax income.
"In all, we are tracking to our 2006 plan and I remain optimistic about the rest of the year. We continue to see opportunities to grow assets, improve shareholder returns and further strengthen leadership positions in our markets."
  Segment Results:
  Commercial Finance Group
  Trade Finance
   * Net income increased 16.1% from the prior year on the strength of an
     acquisition in March 2005, strong interest margins and higher factoring
     commissions.
   * Owned assets were $6.7 billion at quarter end, unchanged from December
     31, 2005 and down from $7.2 billion at March 31, 2005.
   * Operating margin improved from last year on stronger interest income
     driven by improved commission rates and higher volume levels. The
     proportion of international factoring volume was up appreciably from
     the prior year.
   * Credit metrics remained strong. Net charge-offs were flat with last
     year, while 60+ days past due and non-performing accounts approximated
     low year-end levels.
   * Salaries and general operating expenses were up modestly compared to
     last year, reflecting a full quarter of last year's acquisition.
   * Return on risk adjusted capital improved modestly from last year. This
     segment remains one of our highest returning businesses.
  Corporate Finance
   * Net income improved 6.7% from 2005, reflecting improved margins, strong
     non-spread revenue and low charge-offs. We saw improved profitability
     in construction.
   * Volume was strong across all of the businesses and up 39% from March
     2005. Managed assets grew $541 million or 3.3% to $17.1 billion from
     last quarter, with strength in healthcare and communications, media &
     entertainment. Growth included a number of long-term care real estate,
     sports and entertainment transactions.
   * Operating margin improved from last year on strong performances in
     communications, media & entertainment and healthcare. Non-spread
     revenue improved 8% and included higher fee income in healthcare.
   * Credit metrics remained strong.  Net charge-offs were down $11.5
     million from last year, benefiting from higher recoveries, and
     delinquencies were down $17.3 million from December 31, 2005.
   * Salaries and general operating expenses increased over last year
     reflecting our build-out of our sales force, expansion of our product
     offerings, as well as acquisitions.
   * Return on risk adjusted capital was flat with last year.
  Transportation Finance
   * Net income improved 118% from 2005 reflecting an increase in operating
     lease margins, including particularly strong aerospace rental and
     prepayment fees, and a significant reduction in the effective tax rate
     due to the continued relocation of aircraft to Ireland.
   * Financing and leasing assets were $10.6 billion at March 31, 2006,
     compared to $10.5 billion at December 31, 2005, and $8.7 billion at
     March 31, 2005.  We took delivery and placed four new aircraft from our
     order book during the quarter. We had six off-lease aircraft. Rail
     demand remains strong, with our fleet virtually fully utilized.
   * Other revenue was up over last year on gains from equipment sales.
   * Credit metrics remained strong. Charge-offs were minimal and down
     significantly from last quarter and down from last year.
   * Salaries and general operating expenses were up over last year due to
     the establishment of our international aerospace platform as we
     continue to grow these businesses.
   * Return on risk-adjusted capital almost doubled from last year.
  Specialty Finance Group
  Vendor Finance
   * Net income improved 11% from the prior year on strong performance in
     international operations.
   * Managed assets, essentially flat with last quarter and down from last
     year on the accelerated liquidation of non-strategic assets, continue
     to grow in the international operations.
   * New business volume was down from last year, but volume excluding
     Dell in the U.S. grew 15% on the addition of new vendors and increased
     penetration of existing relationships around the world.  In addition,
     Dell volume outside the U.S. jumped 21% from last year.
   * Operating margin increased from last year on improved non-spread
     revenue in the international operations.
   * Credit metrics remained strong.  Net charge-offs improved from last
     year in the U.S., offset by higher credit costs in the international
     operations.  Both delinquencies and non-performing metrics were
     relatively flat to year-end levels and down from last year.
   * Salaries and general operating expenses were well controlled, down
     slightly from last year.
   * Return on risk-adjusted capital improved from last year to
     approximately 26%.
  Consumer and Small Business Lending
   * Net income increased 34% from the prior year, reflecting improved
     results in all businesses: Home Lending, Student Loan Xpress, Small
     Business Lending, and CIT Bank.
   * Managed assets increased 12.3% from December 31, 2005 and 42.6% from
     last year.  The increase for the quarter included $1.1 billion in
     Student Loan Xpress and $1.0 billion in Home Lending.  Student Loan
     Xpress assets increased 43% from last year.
   * New business volume increased $2.3 billion (147%) over last year on
     strong originations at Home Lending and Student Loan Xpress.  CIT is
     the preferred lender to over 1,000 schools, up 73% from a year ago.
     Progress is being made on bringing student loan servicing in-house in
     support of our full-service strategy with serviced assets approximating
     $2 billion at quarter end.
   * During the quarter, we grew the deposit funding at CIT Bank, with
     nearly $700 million in deposits and $1 billion in assets at quarter
     end, on track with our plans.
   * Operating margin increased from last year.  Other revenue increased due
     to strong fee generation.
   * Net charge-offs were flat with last quarter and down 21 basis points
     from last year (excluding U.S. government guaranteed loans at Student
     Loan Xpress), driven by improvements in Small Business Lending.
   * Salaries and general operating expenses grew over last year, mainly
     from the expansion of our sales force in all businesses and Student
     Loan Xpress.
   * Segment return on risk-adjusted capital was 11.4%, versus 13.4% in
     2005, as returns bear the cost of Student Loan Xpress goodwill and
     acquired intangibles.
Corporate and other includes the previously discussed restructuring charge, tax adjustment and stock option expense, as well as $7.7 million in dividends on preferred securities.
  Consolidated Financial Highlights:
  Net Finance and Risk-Adjusted Margin
   * Net finance margin was 3.36% as a percentage of average earning assets,
     essentially unchanged from last quarter and down from 3.62% last
     year. Compared to the prior quarter, margins on operating leases
     improved on strong rents whereas lending margins declined. Yield-
     related fees were particularly strong. The decline from last year was
     primarily due to the effect of rising short-term interest rates,
     longer-term debt financings, competitive market pricing on loan
     products, and the impact of lower margin student loans.
   * Operating lease margin was 6.60% of average operating leases, compared
     to 6.17% last quarter and 5.83% last year, reflecting increased rents
     on aerospace and rail equipment and a high level of prepayment fees and
     past due rentals.
   * Risk-adjusted margin (net finance margin after provision for credit
     losses) was 3.11% as a percentage of average earning assets, up from
     2.94% last quarter and down from 3.21% in the prior year quarter.
  Other Revenue
   * Other revenue totaled $260.1 million, compared to $288.8 million last
     quarter ($267.2 million excluding a gain on sale of a micro-ticket
     leasing business and a charge on derivatives that were terminated) and
     $276.5 million last year ($238.0 million excluding a gain on
     derivatives that were terminated and a gain on venture capital
     investments). The increase over last year was driven by strong fee
     (including syndication fees) and other income in our Corporate Finance
     and Consumer businesses. The decrease from last quarter was principally
     due to seasonally lower factoring fees.
   * Securitization gains totaled $13.6 million, 4.0% of pretax income for
     the quarter, up from $4.9 million and $11.8 million in the prior
     quarter and prior year, on slightly higher securitization volume in
     vendor finance in the U.S. and Canada.
  Salaries and General Operating Expenses
   * Employee headcount totaled approximately 6,630 at March 31, 2006 versus
     6,340 at December 31, 2005, and 6,130 at March 31, 2005. The increase
     includes additions to our sales force.
   * Total operating expenses were $334.2 million versus $299.9 million last
     quarter and $264.0 million a year ago. The current period includes a
     restructuring charge of $11.1 million and a charge of $10.3 million
     relating to the adoption of SFAS 123R, which mandates the expensing of
     stock options. The remaining increase reflects higher incentive-based
     compensation, salaries and other investments made in sales and
     marketing.
   * The efficiency ratio was 45.7% (excluding the restructuring charge), up
     from 41.6% last quarter (excluding the gain on the micro-ticket
     business sale, derivatives mark-to-market adjustments and other
     charges) and 41.5% last year (excluding the derivatives mark-to-market
     adjustments and gain on venture capital investments).  The higher ratio
     in the current quarter reflects stock option expensing and the
     continued build out of our sales force, where incremental revenues
     typically lag the initial expense.
  Effective Tax Rate
   * The effective tax rate was 29.8% (31.8% excluding the deferred income
     tax adjustment), compared to 29.4% last quarter (34.1% excluding a
     deferred income tax liability release) and 37.6% last year. The
     reduction from last year reflects the continued relocation and funding
     of certain aerospace assets offshore and improved international
     earnings.
  Portfolio and Managed Assets
   * Managed assets were $65.5 billion at March 31, 2006, up 4.2% from
     December 31, 2005 and 11.4% last year.
   * Origination volume for the quarter, excluding factoring volume,
     increased 52.9% to $8.7 billion from the prior year due to strong
     originations across all our businesses and origination channels,
     including student lending.
  Credit Quality
   * Credit quality for the quarter was excellent as net charge-offs were
     0.37% of average finance receivables, down from 0.91% last quarter and
     0.52% last year.
   * Total 60+ day owned delinquencies were $822.4 million (1.76% of finance
     receivables) at March 31, 2006, up from $758.2 million (1.71%) last
     quarter and $723.1 million (1.76%) last year. Corporate Finance
     delinquencies improved. Delinquencies increased in Consumer home
     lending reflecting growth and seasoning of the portfolio, and were
     higher in student lending due to a recent receivable purchase and
     seasoning of the portfolio. Though delinquency is higher in the student
     loan portfolio than in other portfolios, these amounts are not
     indicative of potential loss due to the related U.S. government
     guarantee.
   * Non-performing assets (non-accrual loans plus repossessed assets) were
     $542.3 million or 1.16% of finance receivables, compared to $521.2
     million (1.18%) last quarter and $528.3 million (1.28%) last year.  The
     Consumer home lending increase from last quarter was due to portfolio
     seasoning, and was partially offset by improvements in the Commercial
     Finance Group.
   * The reserve for credit losses was $620.3 million (1.52% excluding
     student loans), compared to $621.7 million (1.58% excluding student
     loans) last quarter, and $620.4 million (1.68% excluding student loans)
     at March 31, 2005, reflecting lower credit losses in the current
     period.
  Capitalization and Leverage
   * The ratio of total tangible equity to managed assets at March 31, 2006
     was 9.72%, compared to 9.80% at year-end, and 9.62% last year.
  2006 Segment Reporting Changes
Effective January 1, 2006, we realigned select business operations to serve our clients better. Following is a summary of the changes reflected herein. Prior periods have been conformed to the current period format, except for the diversified portfolio transfer noted below.
   * The Small Business Lending unit ($1.3 billion in owned assets at March
     31, 2006) was transferred from Specialty Finance - Commercial to
     Specialty Finance - Consumer, now named Consumer and Small Business
     Lending, reflecting commonalities with our home lending and student
     loan businesses.
   * Consistent with our strategic focus on industry alignment, a majority
     of the Equipment Finance segment was consolidated into our Corporate
     Finance segment. A diversified industry portfolio of approximately $350
     million was transferred to Vendor Finance. This combination will allow
     us to provide clients in the construction and selected other industries
     access to the full complement of CIT's products and services.
   * We have also made name changes to clarify the market focus of our
     segments.
        (a) Specialty Finance -- Commercial has been renamed Vendor Finance
        (b) Specialty Finance -- Consumer has been renamed Consumer / Small
            Business Lending
        (c) Commercial Services has been renamed Trade Finance
        (d) Capital Finance has been renamed Transportation Finance
  Conference Call and Webcast:
We will discuss this quarter's results, as well as ongoing strategy, on a conference call today at 11:00 am (ET).  Interested parties may access the conference call live today by dialing 877-558-5219 for U.S. and Canadian callers or 706-634-5419 for international callers, and reference "CIT First Quarter Earnings Call," or at the following website: http://ir.cit.com/.  An audio replay of the call will be available beginning shortly after the conclusion of the call until 11:59 pm (ET) April 26, 2006, by dialing 800-642-1687 for U.S. and Canadian callers or 706-645-9291 for international callers with the pass-code 7280286, or at the following website: http://ir.cit.com/.
About CIT:
CIT Group Inc. , a leading commercial and consumer finance company, provides clients with financing and leasing products and advisory services.  Founded in 1908, CIT has over $60 billion in assets under management and possesses the financial resources, industry expertise and product knowledge to serve the needs of clients across approximately 30 industries worldwide.  CIT, a Fortune 500 company, and a component of the S&P 500 Index, holds leading positions in vendor financing, factoring, equipment and transportation financing, Small Business Administration loans, and asset-based lending.  CIT, with its global headquarters in New York City, has over 6,500 employees in locations throughout North America, Europe, Latin and South America, and the Pacific Rim.  For more information, visit http://www.cit.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All forward-looking statements (including statements regarding future financial and operating results) involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond CIT's control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements.  All statements contained in this release that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "target," and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Economic, business, funding market, competitive and/or regulatory factors, among others, affecting CIT's businesses are examples of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.  More detailed information about these factors are described in CIT's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.  CIT is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  This release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules.  As required by SEC rules, we have provided a reconciliation of those measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, which is available with this release and on our website at http://ir.cit.com/.
  For Information: Valerie L. Gerard - Executive Vice President - Investor
                   Relations
                   (973) 422-3284
                   Steven Klimas - Vice President - Investor Relations
                   (973) 535-3769
                          or
                   Kelley Gipson - Executive Vice President - Marketing &
                   Communications
                   (973) 422-3235
                       CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
                 (dollars in millions, except per share data)
                                                   Quarters Ended
                                                         December
                                        March 31,          31,    March 31,
                                           2006            2005      2005
  Finance income                         $1,294.6        $1,232.8  $1,028.0
  Interest expense                          598.3           557.3     391.5
  Net finance income                        696.3           675.5     636.5
  Depreciation on operating lease
   equipment                                249.4           246.6     237.6
  Net finance margin                        446.9           428.9     398.9
  Provision for credit losses                33.3            54.6      45.3
  Net finance margin after provision for
   credit losses                            413.6           374.3     353.6
  Other revenue                             260.1           288.8     276.5
  Operating margin                          673.7           663.1     630.1
  Salaries and general operating
   expenses                                 323.1           299.9     264.0
  Provision for restructuring                11.1              --        --
  Income before provision for income
   taxes                                    339.5           363.2     366.1
  Provision for income taxes               (101.3)         (106.9)   (137.6)
  Minority interest, after tax               (0.8)           (0.5)     (0.9)
  Net income before preferred stock
   dividends                                237.4           255.8     227.6
  Preferred stock dividends                  (7.7)           (7.5)       --
  Net income available to common
   stockholders                            $229.7          $248.3    $227.6
  Earnings per common share
  Basic earnings per share                  $1.15           $1.24     $1.08
  Diluted earnings per share                $1.12           $1.21     $1.06
  Number of shares - basic (thousands)    199,462         199,973   210,656
  Number of shares - diluted (thousands)  204,455         205,195   215,090
  Other Revenue
    Fees and other income                  $168.8          $170.0    $148.8
    Factoring commissions                    55.8            61.1      54.8
    Gains on sales of leasing equipment      21.4            27.7      22.6
    Gains on securitizations                 13.6             4.9      11.8
    Gain on sale of micro-ticket leasing
     business unit                             --            44.3        --
    (Loss) gain on derivatives                 --           (22.7)     27.7
    Gain on venture capital investments       0.5             3.5      10.8
    Total other revenue                    $260.1          $288.8    $276.5
  Fees and other income includes: servicing fees, structuring and advisory
  fees, syndication fees and gains and (losses) from other asset and
  receivable sales.
                       CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (dollars in millions)
                                               March 31,        December 31,
                                                  2006              2005
  ASSETS
  Financing and leasing assets:
     Finance receivables                       $46,841.3         $44,294.5
     Reserve for credit losses                    (620.3)           (621.7)
     Net finance receivables                    46,221.0          43,672.8
     Operating lease equipment, net             10,166.0           9,635.7
     Financing and leasing assets held
      for sale                                   1,551.0           1,620.3
  Cash and cash equivalents                      2,265.7           3,658.6
  Retained interests in securitizations
   and other investments                         1,117.1           1,152.7
  Goodwill and intangible assets, net            1,013.5           1,011.5
  Other assets                                   2,396.2           2,635.0
  Total Assets                                 $64,730.5         $63,386.6
  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Debt:
     Commercial paper                           $4,282.3          $5,225.0
     Deposits                                      687.9             261.9
     Variable-rate senior unsecured
      notes                                     17,847.4          15,485.1
     Fixed-rate senior unsecured notes          22,652.3          22,591.7
     Non-recourse secured borrowings -
      student lending                            3,423.3           4,048.8
     Preferred capital securities                  251.6             252.0
  Total debt                                    49,144.8          47,864.5
  Credit balances of factoring clients           4,048.9           4,187.8
  Accrued liabilities and payables               4,281.7           4,321.8
  Total Liabilities                             57,475.4          56,374.1
  Minority interest                                 50.2              49.8
  Stockholders' Equity:
     Preferred  stock                              500.0             500.0
     Common stock                                    2.1               2.1
     Paid-in capital                            10,639.0          10,632.9
     Accumulated deficit                        (3,502.7)         (3,691.4)
     Accumulated other comprehensive income        151.1             115.2
  Less: Treasury stock, at cost                   (584.6)           (596.1)
  Total Common Stockholders' Equity              6,704.9           6,462.7
  Total Stockholders' Equity                     7,204.9           6,962.7
  Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
   Equity                                      $64,730.5         $63,386.6
  Other Assets
  Investments in and receivables from
   non-consolidated subsidiaries                  $440.3            $549.8
  Accrued interest and receivables from
   derivative counterparties                       409.1             350.2
  Deposits on commercial aerospace
   flight equipment                                323.6             317.4
  Prepaid expenses                                 143.5             145.9
  Repossessed assets and off-lease
   equipment                                        87.5              80.7
  Direct and private fund equity
   investments                                      31.1              30.2
  Furniture and fixtures, miscellaneous
   receivables and other assets                    961.1           1,160.8
                                                $2,396.2          $2,635.0
                     CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   OWNED AND MANAGED ASSET COMPOSITION
                          (dollars in millions)
                                    March 31,    December 31,   March 31,
                                      2006          2005           2005
  Specialty Finance Group
   Vendor Finance(2)
    Finance receivables            $ 7,325.8        $7,264.4     $ 7,699.5
    Operating lease equipment, net   1,028.1         1,049.5       1,030.9
    Financing and leasing assets
     held for sale                     655.9           720.3         955.3
      Owned assets                   9,009.8         9,034.2       9,685.7
    Finance receivables
     securitized and managed by CIT  3,875.9         3,921.6       3,870.2
      Managed assets                12,885.7        12,955.8      13,555.9
   Consumer and Small Business Lending(2)
    Finance receivables -
     home lending                    8,982.5         8,199.7       5,423.5
    Finance receivables -
     education lending               6,117.3         5,051.0       4,321.9
    Finance receivables -
     small business lending          1,237.6         1,238.6       1,137.1
    Finance receivables - other        376.6           302.9         255.8
    Financing and leasing assets
     held for sale                     616.2           496.2         434.2
      Owned assets                  17,330.2        15,288.4      11,572.5
    Home lending finance receivables
     securitized and managed by CIT    781.6           838.8       1,131.5
      Managed assets                18,111.8        16,127.2      12,704.0
  Commercial Finance Group
   Trade Finance
    Finance receivables              6,719.5         6,690.0       7,184.9
   Corporate Finance(1)
    Finance receivables             14,533.3        13,652.5      13,266.2
    Operating lease equipment, net     165.9           177.7         462.1
    Financing and leasing assets
     held for sale                     195.1           253.5          91.8
      Owned assets                  14,894.3        14,083.7      13,820.1
    Finance receivables securitized
     and managed by CIT              2,255.6         2,525.3       2,714.9
      Managed assets                17,149.9        16,609.0      16,535.0
   Transportation Finance
    Finance receivables              1,548.7         1,895.4       1,891.2
    Operating lease equipment, net   8,972.0         8,408.5       6,820.1
    Financing and leasing assets
     held for sale                      83.8           150.3            --
      Owned assets                  10,604.5        10,454.2       8,711.3
  Other - Equity Investments            31.1            30.2         101.8
  Total
   Finance receivables             $46,841.3       $44,294.5     $41,180.1
   Operating lease equipment, net   10,166.0         9,635.7       8,313.1
   Financing and leasing assets
    held for sale                    1,551.0         1,620.3       1,481.3
     Financing and leasing assets
      excl. equity investments      58,558.3        55,550.5      50,974.5
   Equity investments
    (included in other assets)          31.1            30.2         101.8
      Owned assets                  58,589.4        55,580.7      51,076.3
   Finance receivables securitized
    and managed by CIT               6,913.1         7,285.7       7,716.6
     Managed assets                $65,502.5       $62,866.4     $58,792.9
  (1) During the quarter, the assets of Equipment Finance were transferred
      to Corporate Finance.  At the same time, a portfolio of approximately
      $350 million of vendor related assets that were part of Equipment
      Finance, were transferred to Vendor Finance.  Prior year data has been
      conformed for the transfer to Corporate Finance, but not the portfolio
      asset transfer to Vendor Finance.
  (2) During the quarter Small Business Lending was transferred from Vendor
      Finance to Consumer, prior periods have been conformed to this
      presentation.
                        CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                  SEGMENT DATA
                             (dollars in millions)
                                                  Quarters Ended
                                         March 31,  December 31, March 31,
                                            2006        2005        2005
  Commercial Finance Group
     Trade Finance
     Net finance income                      $37.0       $44.9       $28.3
     Provision for credit losses               6.6         4.5         6.6
     Other revenue                            69.7        78.5        67.0
     Operating margin                        100.1       118.9        88.7
     Provision for income taxes              (26.1)      (34.3)      (22.2)
     Net income                               43.3        56.4        37.3
     Return on AEA                           7.16%       8.09%       6.02%
     Return on risk-adjusted capital         27.1%       30.6%       24.4%
     New business volume                    $129.6      $138.0       $96.0
     Corporate Finance
     Net finance income                     $125.2      $122.2      $122.0
     Depreciation on operating lease
      equipment                                8.6         8.7        14.3
     Provision for credit losses              (1.7)        3.1        12.1
     Other revenue                            60.0        65.3        55.5
     Operating margin                        178.3       175.7       151.1
     Provision for income taxes              (41.2)      (40.2)      (38.4)
     Net income                               67.2        66.4        63.0
     Return on AEA                           1.86%       1.88%       1.82%
     Return on risk-adjusted capital         14.6%       14.6%       14.7%
     New business volume                  $2,438.0    $2,691.9    $1,749.4
     Transportation Finance
     Net finance income                     $184.9      $159.0      $132.9
     Depreciation on operating lease
      equipment                              104.3        97.0        82.5
     Provision for credit losses                --         1.9         0.4
     Other revenue                             6.1        11.4         5.2
     Operating margin                         86.7        71.5        55.2
     Provision for income taxes               (4.8)       10.9       (10.7)
     Net income                               57.9        58.6        26.6
     Return on AEA                           2.21%       2.27%       1.22%
     Return on risk-adjusted capital         16.2%       16.7%        8.8%
     New business volume                    $497.1      $701.3      $251.2
     Total Commercial Finance Group
     Net finance income                     $347.1      $326.1      $283.2
     Depreciation on operating lease
      equipment                              112.9       105.7        96.8
     Provision for credit losses               4.9         9.5        19.1
     Other revenue                           135.8       155.2       127.7
     Operating margin                        365.1       366.1       295.0
     Provision for income taxes              (72.1)      (63.6)      (71.3)
     Net income                              168.4       181.4       126.9
     Return on AEA                           2.46%       2.67%       2.03%
     Return on risk-adjusted capital         17.2%       18.2%       14.4%
     New business volume                  $3,064.7    $3,531.2    $2,096.6
                        CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                  SEGMENT DATA
                             (dollars in millions)
                                                   Quarters Ended
                                          March 31,  December 31, March 31,
                                             2006        2005        2005
  Specialty Finance Group
     Vendor Finance
     Net finance income                     $266.3      $274.5      $273.2
     Depreciation on operating lease
      equipment                              136.5       140.8       140.9
     Provision for credit losses              12.9        21.0        12.9
     Other revenue                            84.8       124.4        71.0
     Operating margin                        201.7       237.1       190.4
     Provision for income taxes              (44.2)      (59.7)      (39.5)
     Net income                               74.5        99.7        67.1
     Return on AEA                           3.21%       4.24%       2.72%
     Return on risk-adjusted capital         25.5%       33.8%       22.7%
     New business volume                  $1,949.0    $2,528.4    $2,151.0
     Consumer and Small Business
      Lending
     Net finance income                      $80.7       $69.9       $55.1
     Provision for credit losses              15.5        12.3        13.7
     Other revenue                            39.2        29.1        28.7
     Operating margin                        104.4        86.7        70.1
     Provision for income taxes              (18.6)      (16.5)      (15.3)
     Net income                               30.4        26.6        22.7
     Return on AEA                           0.73%       0.74%       1.00%
     Return on risk-adjusted capital         11.4%       11.2%       13.4%
     New business volume                  $3,831.6    $3,750.6    $1,549.0
     Total Specialty Finance Group
     Net finance income                     $347.0      $344.4      $328.3
     Depreciation on operating lease
      equipment                              136.5       140.8       140.9
     Provision for credit losses              28.4        33.3        26.6
     Other revenue                           124.0       153.5        99.7
     Operating margin                        306.1       323.8       260.5
     Provision for income taxes              (62.8)      (76.2)      (54.8)
     Net income                              104.9       126.3        89.8
     Return on AEA                           1.62%       2.13%       1.90%
     Return on risk-adjusted capital         18.7%       23.2%       19.2%
     New business volume                  $5,780.6    $6,279.0    $3,700.0
  Corporate and Other
     Net finance income                       $2.2        $5.0       $25.0
     Provision for credit losses               -          11.8        (0.4)
     Other revenue                             0.3       (19.9)       49.1
     Operating margin                          2.5       (26.8)       74.6
     Provision for income taxes               33.6        32.9       (11.5)
     Net income (loss)                       (43.6)      (59.4)       10.9
     Return on AEA                         (0.33)%     (0.47)%       0.06%
                     CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              CREDIT METRICS
                          (dollars in millions)
                                          Quarters Ended
                        March 31, 2006    December 31, 2005   March 31, 2005
                           $       %           $        %        $       %
  Net Credit Losses - Owned as a Percentage of Average Finance Receivables
   Vendor Finance        $13.8     0.74%   $21.4    1.15%     $13.4   0.69%
   Consumer and Small
    Business Lending      21.6     0.54%    17.9    0.53%      17.0   0.79%
     Total Specialty
      Finance Group       35.4     0.60%    39.3    0.75%      30.4   0.74%
   Trade Finance           6.7     0.42%     4.5    0.25%       6.6   0.42%
   Corporate Finance       0.2     0.01%     5.5    0.16%      11.7   0.35%
   Transportation Finance   --       --     50.9    9.86%       0.4   0.09%
    Total Commercial
     Finance Group         6.9     0.12%    60.9    1.05%      18.7   0.35%
   Total                 $42.3     0.37%  $100.2    0.91%     $49.1   0.52%
  Net Credit Losses - Managed as a Percentage of Average Managed Finance
  Receivables
   Vendor Finance        $21.7     0.77%   $30.4    1.07%     $23.7   0.81%
   Consumer and Small
    Business Lending      28.2     0.67%    25.2    0.70%      22.5   0.92%
     Total Specialty
      Finance Group       49.9     0.71%    55.6    0.86%      46.2   0.86%
   Trade Finance           6.7     0.42%     4.5    0.25%       6.6   0.42%
   Corporate Finance       1.3     0.03%    11.3    0.28%      17.2   0.43%
   Transportation Finance   --       --     50.9    9.86%       0.4   0.09%
    Total Commercial
     Finance Group         8.0     0.13%    66.7    1.04%      24.2   0.40%
   Total                 $57.9     0.44%  $122.3    0.95%     $70.4   0.62%
                        March 31, 2006    December 31, 2005   March 31, 2005
                           $       %          $        %         $       %
  Finance Receivables Past Due 60 days or more - Owned as a Percentage of
  Finance Receivables
   Vendor Finance       $223.4     3.05%  $251.8    3.47%    $233.6   3.03%
   Consumer and Small
    Business Lending     464.8     2.78%   363.2    2.46%     284.7   2.56%
     Total Specialty
      Finance Group      688.2     2.86%   615.0    2.79%     518.3   2.75%
   Trade Finance          42.8     0.64%    39.3    0.59%      91.9   1.28%
   Corporate Finance      69.6     0.48%    86.9    0.64%      92.0   0.69%
   Transportation Finance 21.8     1.41%    17.0    0.90%      20.9   1.11%
    Total Commercial
     Finance Group       134.2     0.59%   143.2    0.64%     204.8   0.92%
   Total                $822.4     1.76%  $758.2    1.71%    $723.1   1.76%
  Non-performing Assets - Owned as a Percentage of Finance Receivables
   Vendor Finance        103.6     1.41%  $112.1    1.54%    $124.1   1.61%
   Consumer and Small
    Business Lending     256.4     1.53%   216.1    1.46%     173.1   1.55%
     Total Specialty
      Finance Group      360.0     1.50%   328.2    1.49%     297.2   1.58%
   Trade Finance           4.4     0.07%     5.3    0.08%      57.5   0.80%
   Corporate Finance     163.7     1.13%   165.4    1.21%     161.3   1.22%
   Transportation Finance 14.2     0.92%    22.3    1.18%      12.3   0.65%
    Total Commercial
     Finance Group       182.3     0.80%   193.0    0.87%     231.1   1.03%
   Total                $542.3     1.16%  $521.2    1.18%    $528.3   1.28%
  Finance Receivables Past Due 60 days or more - Managed as a Percentage of
  Managed Financial Assets
   Vendor Finance       $319.3     2.69%  $357.6    3.00%    $326.1   2.60%
   Consumer and Small
    Business Lending     537.5     2.97%   446.0    2.77%     388.6   3.06%
     Total Specialty
     Finance Group       856.8     2.86%   803.6    2.87%     714.7   2.83%
   Trade Finance          42.8     0.64%    39.3    0.59%      91.9   1.28%
   Corporate Finance      74.8     0.44%   105.5    0.64%     120.7   0.75%
   Transportation Finance 21.8     1.34%    17.0    0.83%      20.9   1.11%
    Total Commercial
     Finance Group       139.4     0.55%   161.8    0.64%     233.5   0.93%
   Total                $996.2     1.80%  $965.4    1.81%    $948.2   1.88%
                     CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          RATIOS AND OTHER DATA
               (dollars in millions, except per share data)
                                              Quarters Ended
                                     March 31,    December 31,     March 31,
  Profitability                        2006           2005            2005
  Net finance margin as a
   percentage of AEA                   3.36%           3.37%           3.62%
  Net finance margin after provision
   for credit losses
   as a percentage of AEA              3.11%           2.94%           3.21%
  Salaries and general operating
   expenses as a percentage of AMA(1)  2.14%           2.06%           2.03%
  Efficiency ratio(2)                  45.7%           41.6%           41.5%
  Return on average common
   stockholders' equity                14.1%           16.0%           14.7%
  Return on average tangible common
   stockholders' equity                16.7%           19.2%           16.5%
  Return on AEA                        1.73%           1.95%           2.07%
  Return on AMA                        1.52%           1.71%           1.75%
  (1) The March 2006 ratio excludes the restructuring charge, including that
      charge, the ratio was 2.22%.
  (2) The March 2006 ratio excludes the restructuring charge, including that
      charge, the efficiency was 47.3%. The December 2005 ratio excludes
      derivative losses and the gain on sale of micro-ticket business and
      the March 2005 ratio excludes the derivative gain and gain on sale of
      venture capital investments. Including these, the ratios were 41.8%
      and 39.1% for the quarters ended December 31 and March 31, 2005.
  Securitization Volume
  Vendor Finance                       $866.0         $732.4          $675.1
  Corporate Finance                      80.6          209.9           253.9
  Total                                $946.6         $942.3          $929.0
  Average Assets
  Average Finance Receivables (AFR) $45,765.1      $44,169.8       $37,764.9
  Average Earning Assets (AEA)       53,222.2       50,937.8        44,083.4
  Average Managed Assets (AMA)       60,276.7       58,243.8        51,953.5
  Average Operating Leases (AOL)      9,825.4        9,379.5         8,264.1
  Average Common Stockholders' Equity 6,508.1        6,196.4         6,174.6
  Average Tangible Common
   Stockholders' Equity               5,487.1        5,185.6         5,502.8
                                   March 31,      December 31,   March 31,
                                      2006            2005         2005
  Capital and Leverage
  Total tangible stockholders'
   equity to managed assets          9.72%           9.80%         9.62%
  Debt (net of overnight deposits)
   to total tangible stockholders'
   equity                            7.48x           7.29x         7.29x
  Tangible book value per common
   share                            $28.10          $27.15        $25.62
  Reserve for Credit Losses
  Reserve for credit losses as a
   percentage of finance receivables 1.32%           1.40%         1.51%
  Reserve for credit losses as a
   percentage of finance receivables,
   excluding student loans           1.52%           1.58%         1.68%
  Reserve for credit losses as a
   percentage of finance receivables
   past due 60 days or more          75.4%           82.0%         85.8%
  Reserve for credit losses as a
   percentage of non-performing
   assets                           114.4%          119.3%        117.4%
                     CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         Aerospace Portfolio Data
                  (dollars in millions unless specified)
  Total Aerospace Portfolio:        March 31,    December 31,     March 31,
  Financing and leasing assets       2006(2)       2005(2)          2005
   Commercial                      $6,166.2        $5,951.9       $5,186.5
   Regional                          $257.4          $275.3       $  292.0
  Number of planes:
   Commercial                           212             215            208
   Regional                              93             104            121
                    March 31, 2006     December 31, 2005    March 31, 2005
  Commercial Aerospace Portfolio:
  By Region:        Net     Number    Net        Number     Net      Number
                 Investment         Investment            Investment
   Europe        $2,340.2     73    $2,348.4       75     $2,150.5      70
   North America  1,214.8     54     1,243.6       62      1,114.6      62
   Asia Pacific   1,635.6     54     1,569.0       52      1,257.1      48
   Latin America    680.2     24       533.7       20        598.7      24
   Africa /
    Middle East     295.4      7       257.2        6         65.6       4
   Total         $6,166.2    212    $5,951.9      215     $5,186.5     208
  By Manufacturer:
   Boeing         2,594.1    115     2,644.6      124     $2,572.5     128
   Airbus         3,538.6     91     3,269.0       84      2,559.2      71
   Other             33.5      6        38.3        7         54.8       9
   Total         $6,166.2    212    $5,951.9      215     $5,186.5     208
  By Body Type(1):
   Narrow body   $4,553.1    168    $4,331.0      165     $3,956.5     164
   Intermediate   1,394.3     28     1,347.2       27        828.2      18
   Wide body        185.3     10       235.4       16        347.0      17
   Other             33.5      6        38.3        7         54.8       9
   Total         $6,166.2    212    $5,951.9      215     $5,186.5     208
  By Product:
   Operating
    lease        $5,651.8    187    $5,327.1      182     $4,394.2     162
   Leverage lease
    (other)         147.9      5       232.1       10        337.2      12
   Leverage lease
    (tax optimized)  90.0      5       135.2        7        218.0       9
   Capital lease     68.9      2        67.7        3        132.7       6
   Loan             207.6     13       189.8       13        104.4      19
   Total         $6,166.2    212    $5,951.9      215     $5,186.5     208
  Off-lease aircraft    6                 10                     1
  Number of accounts   92                 93                    94
  Weighted average age
   of fleet (years)     6                  6                     7
  Largest customer
   net investment  $296.3            $ 277.3               $ 284.5
  New Aircraft Delivery Order Book (dollars in billions)
   For the Years Ending December 31,
    2005
    (Remaining 2005)                                          $0.8      15
    2006
    (Remaining 2006) $0.8     15        $0.9     19            0.9      19
    2007              1.0     23         1.0     23            0.3       7
    2008              0.8     19         0.8     19             --      --
    Thereafter        0.5      5         0.6      5             --      --
    Total            $3.1     62        $3.3     66           $2.0      41
  (1) Narrow body are single aisle design and consist primarily of Boeing
      737 and 757 series and Airbus A320 series aircraft.  Intermediate body
      are smaller twin aisle design and consist primarily of Boeing 767
      series and Airbus A330 series aircraft. Wide body are large twin aisle
      design and consist primarily of Boeing 747 and 777 series and
      McDonnell Douglas DC10 series aircraft.
  (2) Balances include aircraft held for sale.
                        CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             Non-GAAP Disclosures
                             (dollars in millions)
                                        March 31,  December 31, March 31,
                                           2006        2005        2005
    Managed assets (1):
    Finance receivables                  $46,841.3   $44,294.5   $41,180.1
    Operating lease equipment, net        10,166.0     9,635.7     8,313.1
    Financing and leasing assets held
     for sale                              1,551.0     1,620.3     1,481.3
    Equity and venture capital
     investments (included in other
     assets)                                  31.1        30.2       101.8
    Total financing and leasing
     portfolio assets                     58,589.4    55,580.7    51,076.3
     Securitized assets                    6,913.1     7,285.7     7,716.6
    Managed assets                       $65,502.5   $62,866.4   $58,792.9
    Earning assets (2):
    Total financing and leasing
     portfolio assets                    $58,589.4   $55,580.7   $51,076.3
      Credit balances of factoring
       clients                            (4,048.9)   (4,187.8)   (4,269.8)
    Earning assets                       $54,540.5   $51,392.9   $46,806.5
    Total tangible stockholders' equity
     (3):
    Total common stockholders' equity     $6,704.9    $6,462.7    $6,335.2
     Less:
      Other comprehensive income
       relating to derivative financial
       instruments                           (60.4)      (27.6)      (20.3)
      Unrealized gain on securitization
       investments                           (13.1)      (17.0)       (7.7)
      Goodwill and intangible assets      (1,013.5)   (1,011.5)     (906.4)
    Tangible common stockholders'
     equity                                5,617.9     5,406.6     5,400.8
      Preferred  stock                       500.0       500.0          --
      Preferred capital securities           251.6       252.0       253.3
    Total tangible stockholders' equity   $6,369.5    $6,158.6    $5,654.1
    Debt, net of overnight deposits
     (4):
    Total debt                           $49,144.8   $47,864.5   $42,493.9
      Overnight deposits                  (1,239.0)   (2,703.1)   (1,006.3)
      Preferred capital securities          (251.6)     (252.0)     (253.3)
    Debt, net of overnight deposits      $47,654.2   $44,909.4   $41,234.3
    Non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by management are meant to
    provide additional information and insight relative to trends in the
    business to investors and, in certain cases, to present financial
    information as measured by rating agencies and other users of financial
    information.  These measures are not in accordance with, or a
    substitute for, GAAP and may be different from, or inconsistent with,
    non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.
    1) Managed assets are utilized in certain credit and expense ratios.
       Securitized assets are included in managed assets because CIT retains
       certain credit risk and the servicing related to assets that are
       funded through securitizations.
    2) Earning assets are utilized in certain revenue and earnings ratios.
       Earning assets are net of credit balances of factoring clients.  This
       net amount, which corresponds to amounts funded, is a basis for
       revenues earned.
    3) Total tangible stockholders' equity is utilized in leverage ratios,
       and is consistent with certain rating agency measurements.  Other
       comprehensive income/losses and unrealized gains on securitization
       investments (both included in the separate component of equity) are
       excluded from the calculation, as these amounts are not necessarily
       indicative of amounts which will be realized.
    4) Debt, net of overnight deposits is utilized in certain leverage
       ratios.  Overnight deposits are excluded from these calculations, as
       these amounts are retained by the Company to repay debt.  Overnight
       deposits are reflected in both debt and cash and cash equivalents.
AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk,