Exhibit 99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                               Contact:
                                                               Richard F. Latour
                                                               President and CEO
                                                               Tel: 781-890-0177

MicroFinancial Incorporated Announces Non-Compliance Notice

Waltham, MA-- March 18, 2003-- MicroFinancial  Incorporated (NYSE-MFI), a leader
in Microticket leasing and finance,  announced today that it has been advised by
the New  York  Stock  Exchange  (NYSE)  that the  Company  is  currently  not in
compliance  with  the  NYSE's   continued   listing   standards.   Specifically,
MicroFinancial  does not meet the following  requirements based on a consecutive
thirty (30) day trading period;  average market  capitalization of not less than
$15 million and a share price of not less than $1.00.

In  accordance  with the  continued  listing  criteria set forth by the New York
Stock  Exchange,  the Company  will  present to the NYSE within the  required 45
days, a plan which  management  believes has the  potential to bring the Company
back into compliance with the listing standards within the required timeframes.

MicroFinancial  Inc.  (NYSE:  MFI),  headquartered  in Waltham,  MA, and with an
additional location in Woburn, MA, is a financial  intermediary  specializing in
leasing and financing for products in the $500 to $10,000 range. The company has
been in operation since 1986.

Statements  in this release that are not  historical  facts are  forward-looking
statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995.  In  addition,   words  such  as  "believes,"
"anticipates,"  "expects,"  "views,  " and similar  expressions  are intended to
identify  forward-looking  statements.  The  Company  cautions  that a number of
important  factors could cause actual  results to differ  materially  from those
expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.
Readers should not place undue  reliance on  forward-looking  statements,  which
reflect the management's view only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes
no obligation  to publicly  revise these  forward-looking  statements to reflect
subsequent  events or  circumstances.  The Company cannot assure that it will be
able to  successfully  present and  implement a plan that will bring the Company
back  into  compliance  with the NYSE  listing  standards  within  the  required
timeframes.  Results of  operations  in any past period should not be considered
indicative  of  results  to be  expected  in  future  periods.  Fluctuations  in
operating  results  may  result in  fluctuations  in the price of the  Company's
common  stock.  For a more  complete  description  of the  prominent  risks  and
uncertainties inherent in the Company's business, see the risk factors described
in  documents  the  Company  files  from  time to time with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission.