EXHIBIT 12.1 CIT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES ($ in millions) For the Quarter Ended For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2003 March 31, 2002 -------------------- -------------------- Net income ...................................................... $127.0 $(4,619.7) Provision for income taxes ...................................... 81.2 48.7 ------ --------- Earnings before provision for income taxes ...................... 208.2 (4,571.0) ------ --------- Fixed charges: Interest and debt expense on indebtedness ..................... 346.7 348.3 Minority interest in subsidiary trust holding solely debentures of the Company .................................. 4.4 4.4 Interest factor-one third of rentals on real and personal properties ................................................. 3.9 3.7 ------ --------- Total fixed charges ............................................. 355.0 356.4 ------ --------- Total earnings before provision for income taxes and fixed charges ...................................................... $563.2 $(4,214.6) ====== ========= Ratios of earnings to fixed charges ............................. 1.59x (1) ====== - ---------- (1) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $4,571.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2002. Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2002 included a goodwill impairment charge of $4,512.7 million in accordance with SFAS 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets."