Auto Finance News presented trophies to four winners at the 20th edition of the Auto Finance Excellence Awards this year at the Auto Finance Summit in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
The annual awards recognize exceptional contributions in leadership, technology, operations, strategy and community service within the industry.
“Twenty years is an important milestone for the Auto Finance Excellence Awards. The awards this year reinforce that excellence and achievement in the auto finance industry matter — and they are crucial for driving industry innovation and growth,” JJ Hornblass, chief executive of AFN, said at the ceremony.
The winners
The 2024 Auto Finance Excellence Award winners are:
- Strategy: S&P Global Ratings
Recognized for its strategy, S&P Global Ratings has established itself as the foremost credit rating agency for automotive loan-backed securitizations. Through diligence and perseverance, S&P Global has set the standard in the market, fostering improved performance and results across the industry. Amy Martin, managing director and sector lead Auto ABS, accepted the award on behalf of the S&P Global team.
- Operations: Stellantis Financial Services
Stellantis Financial Services (SFS) was honored for its operational success amid a challenging market. Launched in 2022, SFS grew its portfolio by 243% in 2023, cementing its role as the captive finance arm of Stellantis N.V., a global automotive leader. This accomplishment underscores SFS’s goal of increasing profitability by delivering value and tailored services to its customers. SFS founder and CEO Tommy Moore accepted the award.
- Technology: Capital One
Capital One earned recognition for its technological innovation with the Auto Navigator sales platform and the recent addition of Muse, a revolutionary card-based lead generator for car dealership sales teams. Muse allows sales personnel to seamlessly connect with consumers through a touch-enabled card. The card provides prequalification, inventory search and payment calculations in real time. Joseph Portera, senior vice president and chief business risk officer for financial services, accepted the award on behalf of Capital One.
- Leadership: Betty Jotanovic, President, Chrysler Capital and auto relationships, Santander Consumer USA
Betty Jotanovic was awarded the leadership excellence award for 2024 for her transformative work since taking on her role in January 2023. Under her leadership, Santander secured pivotal partnerships, including exclusive agreements with INEOS Automotive and Lotus Cars, as well as establishing a partnership with Mitsubishi Motors North America to launch the ClickShop 2.0 product. Jotanovic’s leadership has not only driven innovation but also fostered a culture of excellence within her organization.
“Congratulations to all the 2024 winners,” Hornblass said. “With a growing auto finance market on the horizon, we hope these awards spur more investment and innovation in the industry.”
