Credit Union Direct's automotive lending network, a group of approximately 1,100 credit unions, collectively ranked No. 1 among the 10 largest auto lending sources in 2017's third quarter, CU Direct said late last month.
Credit unions and captives continued to take advantage of the pullback by banks in the second quarter. The message coming out of CU Direct (CUDL)’s Sept. 28 webcast is that credit unions need to act fast before banks reconfigure their strategy.
CU Direct’s network of 1,100 credit unions originated 567,917 auto loans through June, an 18.2% rise from the prior-year period. Cumulatively, that’s more volume than Capital One Financial Corp.’s industry-leading 565,999 contracts through June.
CU Direct credit unions collectively becoming the No. 1 auto lender in the nation is a feather in the cap for the company and its CU partners, says Tony Boutelle, who emphasizes that the accomplishment means even more for the credit union movement.
Credit unions in CU Direct's lending network have climbed to the top ranking in U.S. auto loan originations in the first half of the year, passing such large lenders as Capital One, Ally, Wells Fargo and automakers' captive finance arms.
ONTARIO, Calif. — With banks retreating from all risk tiers, the auto finance market is primed for credit unions to increase their share and broaden their risk spectrum. That was executive Michael Cochrum's message to credit unions during CU Direct (CUDL)’s June 1 webcast to discuss first-quarter finance trends.
Credit unions on CU Direct’s lending network as a group reaped higher auto-loan origination growth in the first half of this year than any other auto lender ranked among the nation’s top 10, CU Direct said last week during its State of the Credit Union Auto Lending Market presentation.
CU Direct has enhanced its CUDL lending platform to make it easier for dealers to access pre-approvals, gain instant decisions on applications and get faster funding.
Despite concerns over millennials’ lack of interest in vehicle ownership, they are buying and financing vehicles, says CU Direct, which links credit unions and auto dealerships through its CUDL lending platform.
Credit unions as a group, largely working through Credit Union Direct’s CUDL platform, are poised to become the largest single lender to auto buyers – eventually. Here’s how.
Credit unions on the CU Direct auto lending platform are on pace for record volume this year, said Jerry Neemann, executive vice president for automotive.
Credit unions are competing aggressively in the automotive marketplace, financing 25% of all originated auto loans so far this year, according to a recent report from CU Direct (CUDL).
A small pilot program to encourage credit unions to do more subprime auto lending has helped participants gain some business but is still several steps away from providing a model for a larger effort.
When Stephanie Cooper was finance manager at Timbrook Automotive's Buick-GMC and Kia dealerships in Cumberland, Md., she battled with local credit unions for years. Then three or four years ago, a credit union manager showed up and asked how he could get more of the dealerships' business.
The humble, local credit union has become the auto lender of choice for more buyers.
That’s partly because credit union membership is growing; partly because credit unions can often beat the interest rates banks charge, due in part to tax breaks; and according to credit union officials at least, because the Great Recession eroded public trust in big banks.
