8-K

                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August 16, 2004

                                 CIT GROUP INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Delaware                       001-31369                 65-1051192
(State or other jurisdiction           (Commission              (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)                 File Number)          Identification No.)

                                   1 CIT Drive
                          Livingston, New Jersey 07039
              (Address of registrant's principal executive office)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (973) 740-5000

          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)




Item 5. Other Events.

This Current Report on Form 8-K includes as an exhibit a press release, dated
August 17, 2004, reporting that the Board of Directors of CIT Group Inc. elected
Frederick Wolfert Vice Chairman, Commercial Finance, effective September 13,
2004. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

      99.1  Press release issued by CIT Group Inc. on August 17, 2004.


                                      -2-


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                                 CIT GROUP INC.
                                                 (Registrant)

                                                 By: /s/ William J. Taylor
                                                     --------------------------
                                                     William J. Taylor
                                                     Executive Vice President &
                                                     Controller
                                                     (Chief Accounting Officer)

Dated: August 17, 2004


                                      -3-

EX-99.1

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

[CIT Logo]

                                    Investor Contact:  Valerie L. Gerard
                                                       Senior Vice President
                                                       Investor Relations
                                                       (973) 422-3284

                                    Media Contact:     Christopher J. Hardwick
                                                       Vice President
                                                       Director, Communications
                                                       (973) 597-2095

                         CIT NAMES FREDERICK E. WOLFERT
                        VICE CHAIRMAN, COMMERCIAL FINANCE

NEW YORK, August 17, 2004 - CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), a leading provider of
commercial and consumer finance solutions, announced today that it has appointed
Frederick (Rick) Wolfert, as Vice Chairman, Commercial Finance, effective
September 13, 2004.

In the newly-created position, Mr. Wolfert joins the Office of the Chairman and
will report to President and CEO Jeffrey M. Peek with responsibility for the
management of CIT's Capital Finance, Equipment Finance, Business Credit and
Commercial Services business units, which provide lending, leasing, and advisory
services for the transportation, construction, retail, manufacturing, energy,
media and communications, and healthcare industries. Mr. Wolfert will oversee
new and existing business opportunities across each of these units in an effort
to expand customer relationships and grow business more efficiently.

Mr. Wolfert's appointment underscores the company's strategy of targeting
high-growth economic sectors and increasing operating efficiencies through
synergistic industry alignments that provide enterprise wide financing solutions
for customers. Mr. Wolfert and Thomas B. Hallman, Vice Chairman, Specialty
Finance, will be responsible for all CIT's day-to-day business operations.

Mr. Peek commented, "Rick is an outstanding addition to our highly-talented
management team; he brings a wealth of complementary experience in the field of
commercial finance as well as a dynamic leadership style and unparalleled
expertise in the healthcare industry - one of CIT's key target sectors going
forward. I expect Rick's strategic and operational skills will be invaluable to
the organization and central to our success going forward."




"This is an exciting time at CIT, with tremendous opportunities for growth and
development," Mr. Wolfert said. "CIT has an excellent reputation in the
marketplace and is well positioned to capture significant market share in
strategically-important vertical markets such as healthcare. Given the rapid
consolidation taking place in financial services, there are a growing number of
underserved sectors where customers are eager for a partner that understands
their industry and can deliver a broad range of financial solutions. I believe
CIT is uniquely positioned to capitalize on these opportunities."

Mr. Wolfert, 50, has 25 years of diverse financial services experience. Since
2001, he has served as President and CEO of GE Healthcare Finance. Prior to
joining GE, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Heller Financial
Corporation and was Chairman, President and CEO of KeyBank USA and of KeyCorp
Leasing Ltd. Prior to joining KeyCorp in 1988; he was employed by U.S. Leasing
Corporation as Vice President, Business Development.

Following GE's acquisition of Heller in 2001, Mr. Wolfert integrated the Heller
Financial Healthcare business with several healthcare finance businesses within
GE Capital and established one of the largest financial services providers to
companies in the healthcare industry.

Mr. Wolfert was formerly Chairman of the Membership Committee of the Equipment
Leasing Association and also served as the Association's Chairman in 2001.

About CIT:

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), a leading commercial and consumer finance company,
provides clients with financing and leasing products and advisory services.
Founded in 1908, CIT has nearly $50 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. CIT, a Fortune
500 company, holds leading positions in vendor financing, factoring, equipment
and transportation financing, Small Business Administration loans, and
asset-based lending. CIT, with its principal offices in Livingston, New Jersey
and New York City has approximately 5,800 employees in locations throughout
North America, Europe, Latin and South America, and the Pacific Rim. For more
information, visit www.cit.com.

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