WASHINGTON — Thought leaders from across the vehicle finance industry will share their expertise at the American Financial Services Association (AFSA)’s 18th Annual Vehicle Finance Conference and Exposition, scheduled for Jan. 22-24, 2014, at the Sheraton in New Orleans. This year’s theme is “Navigating the New Normal.”
The conference will kick off with a macro-level examination of industry trends by John Gray, president, of Experian Automotive, Michael Buckingham, senior director of automotive finance for J.D. Power & Associates, and Sarah Watt House, economist for Wells Fargo Securities LLC. Experts from top-notch research, strategy and vehicle finance firms will also delve into technology innovations, how to connect with younger generations, relationship management and risk management.
Bob Lutz, retired vice chairman of General Motors, will also be at the conference to share key lessons he learned over his 47-year career. He will also identify best practices during his keynote address.
The conference will also feature Patrice Ficklin, assistant director for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s Office of Fair Lending. She will discuss the bureau’s approach to regulation and compliance based on the fair lending bulletin it issued in March 2013.
The conference will also feature a candid panel discussion among vehicle finance CEOs. Feature participants will include Daniel Berce, president and CEO of GM Financial, Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of Chase Auto Finance, and Mike Groff, president and CEO of Toyota Financial Services. In addition, four leaders from the National Automobile Dealers Association will share the dealer perspective in the “Top Issues for Dealers in 2014” session.
The conference will close with a look forward from Sheryl Connelly, Global Consumer Trends and Futuring Manager for Ford Motor Co. She will discuss probable shifts in consumer values, attitudes and behaviors.
View the complete schedule and register for the AFSA’s 2014 Vehicle Finance Conference and Exposition at www.vehiclefinanceconference.com.
Compliance, Technology to Headline Vehicle Finance Conference
This year’s conference will feature Patrice Ficklin, assistant director of the CFPB’s Office of Fair Lending, as well as a candid discussion between executives from GM Financial, Toyota Financial Services and Chase Auto Finance.
More F&I
Curb The Confusion
Talk to F&I customers like you’d talk to a friend, without industry lingo or sales-like questions, and use hard proof to show, not tell, them about a need.
Read More →
There Is Always one More Product
Helping F&I customers understand complementary offerings is likely to lead to more sales, based on the success of a high-performing practitioner of the philosophy.
Read More →
EFI Conference Extends Early Bird Discount as Room Block Nears Capacity
Ethical F&I Manager's Conference will take place at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas on April 13–15, 2026.
Read More →
Explore the 12 Rules for an F&I Life at EFI
EFI 2026 will take place April 13–15 at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.
Read More →
Creating Your Own Economy
In this video, Reese Dailey explains how effective follow-up drives better results across the dealership, including increased sales, higher F&I penetration, and stronger customer retention.
Read More →
Prove You Can Do F&I at EFI
‘So You Think You Can Do F&I’ is a live role-play contest taking place at the 2026 Ethical F&I Managers Conference.
Read More →
Report Finds Year-End F&I Strength
Deal volume ebbed and flowed throughout 2025, but product performance remained steady, according to automotive technology and data intelligence solutions provider StoneEagle.
Read More →
Some Auto Brands Cheaper to Insure
A new top 10 list ranks the least expensive for average full insurance coverage on a clean driving record and high driver credit scores.
Read More →
Business Office Blueprint
Try following these 20 steps to greater success in the dealer F&I office this year.
Read More →
Insurance Shopping on the Rise
A TransUnion study found that relationship-driven sales models proved to be important, as consumers who used an agent had a lower shopping intensity than those going it alone.
Read More →