FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

iauto mortgage Launches 'Nation's First Instant Home Equity Loan Auto Purchase Process'

by Staff
April 19, 2001
2 min to read


A new financial service provider, iauto mortgage, in conjunction with American Bank, FSB, on April 16 successfully employed its Web-based technology to assist in the procurement of a home equity loan where all loan proceeds were devoted to an auto purchase.


Bill Salladin, of Cockeysville, Md., purchased a 2001 Ford F-150 truck from Plaza Ford automobile dealership in Belair using his home equity to finance the $38,500 purchase with the assistance of Baltimore-based iauto mortgage.

Ad Loading...


Founded by Scott Steele, a veteran of the real estate information services industry, iauto mortgage developed a process that allows homeowners to finance automobile purchases with the proceeds of a home equity loan that originates through and is executed at the dealership.


In addition, a consumer Web site will soon be launched to allow potential buyers to obtain pre-approval for an iauto mortgage enabled home equity loan. The iauto mortgage process facilitates instant loan approval, underwriting and closing, unlike traditional home equity financing which can often take weeks to approve and complete.


The concept of using home equity loan proceeds to finance an auto purchase is not new, but in the past, the process often required lengthy waiting periods, appraisal services, bank meetings, and copious document execution.


iauto mortgage's streamlined process allows consumers to obtain a home equity loan without leaving the showroom floor, according to company officials. Together with the standard rescission rights contained in any home equity loan, the benefits to consumers include potential tax write-offs for home equity loan interest, increased loan payoff flexibility, competitive fixed or variable rates, and no down payment.


Some of the largest auto financing companies in the world tried for some time to create an instant home equity loan product, but it took a team of experienced home financing industry veterans led by Steele, to deliver it to the auto industry. Steele created Steele Software Systems Corporation (3S) in 1989.

Ad Loading...


Today 3S provides automated residential information services to some of the premier lending institutions nationwide. Conceived by Steele in 1998, iauto mortgage incorporated in 2000. The management team is comprised of executives from the real estate, banking and mortgage industries.

Topics:F&I

More F&I

Photo of a keyring with mltiple keys, including a car key fob, on a white surface
F&IJuly 15, 2026

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 →
Photo of businessman's hands holding eyeglasses at a desk
F&Iby Rick McCormickJuly 7, 2026

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 →
Photo of executive in a sports coat and glasses
Industryby StaffJuly 2, 2026

Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results

Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman standing on stage smiling.
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceJuly 1, 2026

Own Your Outcome: F&I in the Digital Customer Journey

Finance has historically been the last step in the car-buying process, but it doesn’t have to be. The customer’s journey starts long before they arrive at the dealership, and so should F&I’s involvement.

Read More →
$100 bill and magnifying glass on top of paper that says insurance policy terms and conditions.
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceJune 29, 2026

Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums

As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.

Read More →
Red toy car sitting on top of coins.
Auto Financeby Lauren LawrenceJune 24, 2026

Smaller Loans, Longer Terms

The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Under the hood of a Toyota Prius EV Hybrid car.
F&Iby StaffJune 15, 2026

New Lifetime Battery F&I Product Meant to Drive Dealer Traffic

EFG Cos. offering is intended to create lifetime auto dealer engagement with customers.

Read More →
Several illustrations of question marks on a surface
F&IJune 10, 2026

The Psychology Behind Menus That Increase Add-On Sales

There is a science to crafting a menu that gives customers confidence in the choices presented, and moving the process outside the F&I office can further boost results.

Read More →
Man holding magnifying glass over sales volume paper.
F&IMay 29, 2026

Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You

Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of woman typing on a laptop as she sits on a couch
F&Iby Hannah MitchellMay 29, 2026

Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity

A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.

Read More →