Auto Finance News is pleased to announce that Bill Adams, chief U.S. economist at Fifth Third Bank, will deliver a macroeconomic and automotive industry outlook at Auto Finance Summit East 2026, taking place May 11-13 at the JW Marriott Nashville.
Adams will speak at 9:05 a.m. CT on Wednesday, May 13. His presentation will cover:
- Navigating the current interest rate cycle;
- An update on GDP growth, the SAAR forecast and pricing dynamics; and
- Assessing the economic headwinds facing auto finance through the remainder of 2026.
Adams, who joined Fifth Third in 2022, contributes to the bank’s outlook on the U.S. economy and key macroeconomic trends affecting businesses and consumers. He spent a decade at PNC Financial Services as a senior vice president and senior economist, and began his career as The Conference Board’s China economist.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top economic forecasters by Bloomberg, Focus Economics and Consensus Economics, Adams is frequently cited by major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, CNBC and Reuters, and appears regularly on Fox Business and NPR’s Marketplace.
Auto Finance Summit East 2026 brings together leaders in auto lending, leasing and fintech to explore the latest industry trends, economic conditions and technological advancements shaping the future of auto finance. Attendees will gain insights from expert speakers and participate in networking opportunities and forward-looking discussions.
Learn more and register for Auto Finance Summit East 2026 here.
