Q2 Auto Originations Total $8.3 Billion for Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo reported second quarter auto originations of $8.3 billion, a 7% gain from the first quarter of the year and a 2% gain from the year prior. Bank officials, however, reported higher delinquencies and net charge-offs.
SAN FRANCISCO — Wells Fargo reported second quarter auto originations of $8.3 billion, a 7% gain from the first quarter of the year and a 2% gain from the year-ago period.
“ … We are happy with our auto growth; we’ve maintained our pricing and our risk discipline,” said John Shrewsberry, CFO of Wells Fargo.
Outstanding balances for the bank's consumer portfolio totaled $61.9 billion, a 2% gain from the previous quarter and a 7% year-over-year gain. Indirect lending accounted for $59.2 billion of that total, while direct lending accounted for $2.7 billion.
Nonaccrual loans were down $3 million from the last quarter and $15 million year-over-year. On a quarter-to-quarter basis, net chargeoffs were down $37 million, primarily due to typically low first quarter delinquencies, officials said. However, on a year-over-year basis, net chargeoffs were up $22 million, reflecting loan growth and higher severity, the finance source reported.
Accounts 30-plus days past due increased by $131 million on a quarter-over-quarter basis and by $154 million on a year-over-year basis.
Total outstanding balances for Wells Fargo’s commercial portfolio were $10.7 billion, a 16% increase from the same time last year and a 4% increase from the previous quarter.
The gains that the finance source saw in its auto portfolios, combined with gains in its commercial and credit card portfolios, led to a $150 million reserve build, Shrewsberry stated.
“While our earnings were down $161 million from a year ago, our results in the second quarter last year included a $350 million reserve release while this quarter we had a $150 million reserve build primarily due to loan growth in commercial, auto and the credit card portfolios,” Shrewsberry said.
Wells Fargo reported net income of $5.6 billion during the second quarter, nearly flat compared to the $5.7 billion it reported in the year-ago period. Officials noted that the quarter marked the 15th consecutive quarter the finance source has generated more than $5 billion.
“We produced strong performance during a period that has included persistent low rates, market volatility and economic volatility, and we did it by focusing on the core building blocks of long-term shareholder value creation, that is growing relationships, loans, investments and deposits,” said CEO John Stumpf. “Our loan and investment, and deposit balances are all at record levels and we've maintain our strong risk discipline."
More F&I

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 →
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 →