National and regional bank second-quarter earnings point to mixed performance as larger banks lean into auto production while regional banks held steady or scaled back amid market volatility.
Wells Fargo Auto, for one, reported a 40.6% year-over-year increase in originations in Q2, while Chase Auto‘s originations rose 8.9% YoY. Bank of America‘s auto book shrank.
Regional banks saw improvement in auto portfolio delinquencies, but portfolio growth was mixed. Fifth Third Bank‘s 30- to 89-day delinquencies across its indirect secured consumer portfolio, made up of 84% auto loans, fell 11 basis points (bps) YoY, though net charge-offs inched up 3 bps YoY.
U.S. Bank‘s indirect loan and lease originations, which include auto, increased 61.2% YoY, while PNC Financial‘s auto portfolio ticked down 0.1% YoY. Truist reduced lending in prime and nonprime auto and discontinued originations and RV and marine loans.
Buy here, pay here dealer America’s Car-Mart‘s net charge-offs also rose as sales declined 27.1% YoY and the company eyes restructuring and financial challenges. The Rogers, Ark.-based retailer cut its number of dealerships by 60 locations, or 39%, YoY to 94.
In powersports, EV manufacturer Lightship is rolling out consumer financing options for its electric-assist RV trailer.
In this episode of “Weekly Wrap,” Auto Finance News Editor Amanda Harris, Senior Associate Editor Aidan Bush and Associate Editor C.J. Moore discuss second-quarter trends across credit performance, portfolio growth, originations, sales and funding.
Subscribe to “The Roadmap Podcast” on iTunes or Spotify or download the episode.
Auto Finance Summit, the premier industry event for auto lending and leasing, returns October 5-7 at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. To learn more about the 2026 event and register for early-bird pricing through Aug. 21, visit www.AutoFinance.live/AFS.





