1Q19 Originations Hit 2-Year High at Wells Fargo, Slip at Chase Auto

Wells Fargo Auto’s origination volume hit its highest level in two years despite a shrinking portfolio, while JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s portfolio remained flat as originations slowed. First-quarter originations at Wells Fargo Auto increased 24% year-over-year to $5.4 billion, though outstandings fell 9% to $44.9 billion. The last time the bank's auto originations topped $5 […]

• Nicole Casperson
• April 12, 2019
• Earnings, Sales & Marketing

Why the Auto Finance Industry Needs a Greater Focus on Digital Sales & Marketing

Most sales and marketing job ads go something like this: As an Inside Sales Relationship Manager, you will be contacting Auto Dealerships to sign up with AUTO FINANCE COMPANY NAME HERE as one of their sub-prime lenders. … The expectations for the first year at this job is to be making $60k – $100k per […]

• JJ Hornblass
• March 20, 2019
• Compliance, Credit Performance, Earnings, Innovation & Mobility, Operations, Risk, Sales & Marketing, Strategy, Technology

CPS Eyes Pass-Through Agreements to Bolster 2019 Originations

An existing pass-through agreement and a couple others in the works should help propel Consumer Portfolio Services’ originations 20% higher this year, to about $1 billion, Chief Executive Charles Bradley Jr. told Auto Finance News. CPS has “been working with some banks to see extra flow,” Bradley said, though he declined to name the banks. […]

• Bianca Chan
• March 14, 2019
• Earnings, Operations, Strategy

‘Unseasonal’ 4Q Origination Boost Puts CPS on Track for Growth in 2019

Consumer Portfolio Services is counting on marketing and technology enhancements implemented last year to spur origination volume, despite potential complications with changes in the tax code coupled with the government shutdown. CPS originations shot up 32% year over year, to $251 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. In fact, fourth-quarter volume was the highest […]

• Joey Pizzolato
• February 18, 2019
• Earnings, Strategy, Update

Nicholas Financial to Improve Underwriting Amid Earnings Drop

Subprime lender Nicholas Financial Inc. suffered losses in 2018 as a result of legacy portfolios with “difficult pools in terms of underwriting quality” from purchases made in previous years, Chief Executive Doug Marohn said in an earnings statement earlier this month. Clearwater, Fla.-based Nicholas lost $900,000 for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2018, and originations […]

• Bianca Chan
• February 15, 2019
• Earnings, Operations, Risk

CPS Bolsters Originations Despite Shrinking Revenue

Consumer Portfolio Services increased originations 5.1% last year, bucking company expectations, Chief Executive Charles Bradley Jr. said during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call this week. “2018 was a better year than we expected but nothing [that] we were looking for,” Bradley said. “We've done a tremendous amount of housekeeping in 2018 that should bode well […]

• Joey Pizzolato
• February 14, 2019
• Earnings, Operations

Big Wheels Auto Finance Query Posted Online

Financiers may now electronically submit 2018 results for inclusion in Big Wheels Auto Finance Data: A Ranking of the Nation’s Top Car Financiers. Big Wheels produces the definitive tabulation of automotive lending and leasing activity in the nation. It offers a unique opportunity to include your company’s performance among a ranking of the best of the best in […]

• Marcie Belles
• February 14, 2019
• Capital Markets, Earnings, Operations

Westlake Financial Aims for Another Year of Growth in 2019

Westlake Financial is shooting for 20% growth in 2019 on the heels of expansion of its direct lending platform and several other units, the lender announced last week. Westlake's portfolio shot up 35% last year, to a record $8.33 billion, with 40.5% of originations in the prime and near-prime credit tiers. Westlake Financial attributed some […]

• Joey Pizzolato
• February 12, 2019
• Earnings, Operations