CNW: Regulatory Fears Driving Down Subprime Loan Approvals
Compared to March, April’s subprime loan approval rates fell by nearly 4 percent, according to CNW Research. The firm’s monthly automotive retail summary, however, shows a year-over-year increase in subprime approvals.
BANDON, Ore. — CNW Research’s retail automotive summary for April shows that the monthly subprime loan approvals were down from March by nearly 4 percent, but the year-over-year reading tells a different story.
“The near-4 percent decline could have many possible reasons and be nothing more than a single-month anomaly, but some states are beginning to tighten up or threaten the finance industry with additional regulations if there is even the perception of taking advantage of low-income consumers,” CNW’s Art Spinella stated in the report.
Despite the monthly low for subprime loans, subprime approvals on a year-over-year basis are up nearly 35 percent.
“On another front, leasing continues to take a growing share of overall sales. This month, it is running at a 27.5 percent rate, up 5.7 percent,” the report continues.
With the monthly decline, though, Spinella warns subprime loans are “one thing to watch carefully” going forward.
More F&I

How AI-Powered Coaching Is Transforming F&I Performance
See how AI-powered coaching can turn F&I customer conversations into actionable insights that support compliance, performance and profitability
Read More →
Sell Value, Build Trust
In this video, Trent White explains why selling on value, not fear, builds lasting customer trust, reduces cancellations, and drives long-term success.
Read More →
F&I Sales Give Dealers First-Half Lift
Product business shored up total profits to avoid an overall revenue tanking as product penetrations held steady, StoneEagle reported.
Read More →
Targeted Training Drives Results
Today’s technology, instead of threatening F&I managers, can actually make them better, according to an industry veteran who’s watched market setbacks roil the unprepared.
Read More →
Double the Change, Double the Chance
When an F&I manager gets a customer refusal, it’s a wise move to tweak more than one thing in the product offering.
Read More →
Just Do It
F&I managers need training, but instead of resisting application or expecting perfection, they should improve by simply acting on what they learn.
Read More →
Dealer Lender Preferences Revealed
When lenders provide consistent, fast service, their overall satisfaction scores with dealers greatly improve, according to JD Power research.
Read More →
Leading with Purpose
In this video, Trent White explains how understanding your people’s 'why' is a key leadership responsibility of F&I professionals and how that mindset drives dealership engagement, trust and performance.
Read More →
Integrating Nontraditional F&I Products
The niche presents a strategic advantage for auto dealerships as they move to adapt to fast-changing consumer expectations in today’s market.
Read More →
Trust Is Personal
Technology, no matter how efficient, can’t replace what the human F&I manager can do, which is to bridge the divide between cyberspace and the in-store experience.
Read More →