A mid-year review for credit unions reveals several opportunities to gain auto lending market share versus banks and captive lenders. Leveraging their traditional position offering competitive rates and personalized service, auto loan portfolio managers should focus on aggressive pricing and strong member-focused strategies to make significant gains in vehicle financing market share.
Credit union auto lending advisors may face a wave of conflicting tax deduction questions in the coming months. The sweeping taxation and funding bill making its way through the U.S. Congress contains a provision allowing a tax deduction on up to $10,000 in auto loan interest a year for the next few years, a break that could save many Americans hundreds of dollars. However, the tax break isn’t available for the purchase of used cars. The same bill eliminates a $7,500 tax credit for the purchase or lease of electric cars and trucks.
The recent Federal Reserve Beige Book offered an interesting perspective for the auto lending market. Uncertainty around trade policy was pervasive across all 12 districts, with the majority showing flat to down growth. Non-auto consumer spending was lower overall – but most districts saw moderate to robust sales of vehicles.