The National Automotive Finance (NAF) Association’s 5th Annual Non-Prime Auto Lending Conference, held June 13-15 in Dallas, Texas, drew lenders and dealers from across the United States and Canada.

As executive director for market and industry analysis for General Motors Corp., Paul Ballew is that company’s forecaster. Ballew shared his expertise in a session titled “Re-evaluating the

transformation of the the auto industry: implications for manufacturers and providers.”

Regulation, always a major concern, was the topic of a joint presentation by Michael Zamorski, acting director of FDIC’s office of supervision, and Scott Albinson, managing director of the OTS office of supervision. Zamorski and Albinson discussed the new

interagency guidelines for non-prime lending and how to assure safe and sound practices.

NAF Association’s legal affairs subcommittee, chaired by David Kotkin, assistant general counsel for Superior Bank, FSB, provided a

two-part panel presentation designed to bring attendees up to date on issues of importance to the industry. A broad range of topics were covered, including ignition interrupt devices, predatory lending, the privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, contract

arbitration agreement clauses, service contracts, fair credit practices, dealer reserve, the e-signature act and the new bankruptcy legislation.

Dealers had the opportunity to learn how to add a nonprime operation to their finance departments. Jack Bloom, Auto America Inc.’s

president, and Paul Snider, president and CEO of Credit IQ, Inc./VOISYS, gave their advice on establishing successful programs. A panel of

lenders headed by Pete Franklin (Pete Franklin’s National Auto Sales) discussed lending policies.

Bradley Schwai of KPMG Financial Services Consulting reported on the NAF Association’s 2001 nonprime auto lending survey KPMG developed for the Association. Data from this and previous surveys were compared. Average booking rates remain virtually unchanged from the first study, performed in 1998, to the 2001 survey. New for 2001 were questions on Internet usage. One finding shows that booking rates are lower for Internet-sourced applications.

The conference took place at The Westin Stonebriar Resort, which has been open about a year. Prior to the registration and reception that opens the annual conference, an afternoon golf tournament was played at nearby Tribute Golf Club. Exhibits were open throughout the conference to showcase the latest developments in products and services for the nonprime auto lending industry.

Speaker presentations are available at www.nafassociation.com or for purchase on audiotape. Visit the Web site for more information, contact the Association office by phone at 1-800-463-8955 or e-mail jtracey@nafassociation.com.

Next year’s NAF Association conference will be held in Chicago, according to Executive Director Jack Tracey.