Guest Commentary

Guest commentary: As auto loans get longer, the risk to lenders grows

Customers who paid cash or who got a direct loan accounted for 20.4 percent of U.S. retail volume in the third quarter of 2012, down from 21.8 percent a year earlier and from 22.8 percent in the third quarter of 2010, according to Power Information Network.
Dealers may face significant challenges as consumers who financed their vehicles at peak prices encounter difficulties reentering the market. (BLOOMBERG)
IF
By:
Ian Frame
April 30, 2025 12:00 PM

As the average loan term increases, so does lender risk — particularly for nonprime and subprime loans. These challenges necessitate innovative approaches and proactive use of relevant industry data. Leveraging the power of specific vehicle data points can help lenders better manage risk, safeguard their interests and support their borrowers during times of economic shift and evolving customer needs.

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