Jim Henry

Easier credit, lower auction values are mixed bag for dealers
For lenders, the average loss for bad auto loans rose in the first quarter, reflecting factors that directly affect dealerships: easier credit and softer used-vehicle pri ...

M-B Financial customers pay loans from their cars
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services customers can now make payments, manage their accounts or contact a dealer directly from their cars using the Mercedes-Benz mbrace2 in-ca ...

Are worries over slower, smaller tax refunds overblown?
Some lenders complained in first-quarter earnings reports about smaller and later tax refunds. ...

Kia says free maintenance won't hurt F&I sales
Kia's first-ever offer of free scheduled maintenance, on the new 2014 Cadenza, shouldn't affect dealership sales of extended-service contracts, the carmaker says. ...

'Last resort' means something good
In a recent blog, I referred to GM Financial as a “lender of last resort” for parent company General Motors. I meant simply that GM regards GM Financial as a ...

3 pet peeves about dealers and F&I
Tom Hudson, a veteran attorney whose firm serves dealers and auto lenders, says some illegal F&I practices never seem to go away completely despite the best efforts of at ...

GM Financial sees prime-risk loans in 2014
GM Financial will begin making prime-risk loans for General Motors dealers early next year. ...

IRS changes could ensnare dealers who reinsure
Dealer principals with overseas reinsurance companies take heed. You could get caught in the fallout of IRS rule changes aimed at cracking down on U.S. taxpayers with for ...

GM's F&I products will carry vehicle brand names
General Motors is rolling out branded F&I products, starting this month with a pilot at its 200 or so dealerships in Ohio and going nationwide by year end. ...

GM's F&I products will carry vehicle's brand
GM is rolling out branded F&I products, starting this month with a pilot at its 200 or so dealerships in Ohio and going nationwide by year end. ...

Chrysler, GM wind down low-APR deals via Ally
Chrysler Group will start directing its low-APR loan incentives exclusively to Chrysler Capital, a full-service finance provider launched last week by Chrysler Group and ...

Subprime scrutiny could open a real can of worms
Here's a disturbing thought: As much as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has upset auto lenders and dealers, it hasn't even gotten around to the vast category of ...

BMW Financial appoints Isele U.S. sales chief; Bugbee heads to Europe
BMW Group Financial Services veteran Fred Isele has been appointed vice president of sales and marketing effective June 1, with responsibility for the BMW, Mini, Rolls-Ro ...

F&I add-ons: Fed agency's target?
Finance and insurance products such as extended-service contracts and other add-ons could be the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's next target in the auto lending se ...

F&I add-ons: Fed agency's target?
Finance and insurance products such as extended-service contracts and other add-ons could be the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's next target in the auto lending se ...

Some lenders rein in approvals as their rivals run 'toward the cliff'
In announcing first-quarter results last week, some auto lenders struck a conservative tone, saying they would leave it to competitors to grow quickly by loosening approv ...

5 tips to smoothing the subprime F&I process
For dealerships, interviewing subprime customers early in the car-buying process is a must, says Aaron Dalton, senior vice president for Prestige Financial Services. ...

Ally profits rise, helped by auto finance
Ally Financial Inc. said its first-quarter net income more than doubled from a year ago to $1. ...

GM, Chrysler take opposite tacks on captives
Does a car company need to own a captive finance company? While GM and Chrysler Group came off similar experiences of being partners with Ally Financial after their old c ...

M-B tech led cops to Boston suspects' car
Carjacking a Mercedes-Benz M class proved to be a critical mistake for the alleged Boston Marathon bombers. ...

Why car loans, mortgages are apples and oranges
Using questionable logic, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau tends to equate mortgage brokers and auto dealers. ...

AutoNation: Penetration rate, scale drive record F&I results
AutoNation shows no sign of letting up in growing its average F&I revenue per vehicle. ...

Lender cuts dealer fees yet grows profit
Subprime auto lender Consumer Portfolio Services says it's growing profits despite cutting dealer fees. The lender, based in Irvine, Calif., reported net income of about ...

Who's the No. 1 lender? Gimme an A …
Who's No. 1 in auto finance? It depends on who's doing the telling. ...

Carmaker ties boost lending at Chase, Wells Fargo
Expanding retail partnerships with automakers are paying off for Wells Fargo Dealer Services and Chase Auto Finance. ...