Mark Furlong, group head and chief executive of U.S. personal and commercial banking at BMO Harris Bank NA, told analysts during an Aug. 26 earnings call that automobile loans were one of the largest growth areas in the bank’s consumer portfolio. Though the bank doesn’t break out origination numbers publicly, spokesman Patrick O’Herlihy told Auto Finance News that auto is a focus area for the bank. “Indirect auto is a major source of growth for our organization, and it will continue to be a major focus going forward,” O’Herlihy said. BMO Harris made headlines earlier this year for implementing flat-fee compensation for dealers.
