DALLAS, Texas — The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) and EFG Companies have announced a new strategic partnership to drive greater F&I profit opportunities for independent dealerships nationwide.

Independent auto dealers operate in a highly fragmented F&I product market where there is an abundance of products, but a lack of relevant and consistent dealership engagement in terms of F&I training, compliance and recruiting, officials said. With almost 40 years of experience as an industry innovator of consumer and vehicle protection programs, EFG serves the independent dealer as a single-source provider for F&I products, services and administration.

“EFG Companies represents a leading force in the F&I training, compliance, and ancillary solutions market. We see a tremendous reservoir of very innovative, high impact, and leading edge F&I solutions that our member dealers need more than ever to effectively compete and ensure compliance within a very dynamic, hypercompetitive auto retail finance market,” said Scott Lilja, senior vice president of member services of NIADA. “EFG Companies exemplifies at the highest level what we look for in an endorsed NIADA National Corporate Partner.”

“During this time of increased compliance oversight and economic expansion, it is imperative that independent auto dealerships be equipped with the ability to drive F&I revenue in a compliant manner while increasing customer satisfaction,” said John Pappanastos, president and CEO of EFG Companies. “EFG has proven that an engagement model which combines F&I and sales training, recruiting services and industry analytics drives healthy and sustainable business growth.”

EFG’s dealer services field team is 100% AFIP certified, and the company has been certified as a Center of Excellence by Benchmark Portal — a customer service designation that less than 10% of companies achieve. In 2014, EFG was also the only product provider awarded the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal of Excellence, with EFG’s claims adjusters averaging 15 years of experience.