Tricolor bankruptcy prompts calls for transparency, portfolio reviews 

Investors are seeking more transparency following Tricolor’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing last month, which has also prompted several auto lenders to review their books and assure investors of loan quality and operational health.

The auto finance industry and asset-backed securitization issuers could benefit from more transparency and consistency in disclosure policies, panelists said during a session on Oct. 21 at FT Live’s ABS East in Miami.

Auto lenders are reviewing their portfolios following allegations levied against Tricolor for double-pledging of assets on its warehouse lines of credit. Ford Credit reviewed its millions of contracts to confirm they “are either not securitized or we are in one deal and one deal only,” Ryan Hershberger, director of global funding and capital markets for Ford Motor, said during a panel at the show.

Investors are looking for more information and understanding on how double-pledging could occur, Lendbuzz Chief Executive Amitay Kalmar said at the event. In fact, Credit Acceptance Corp. addressed investor questions in multiple 8-K filings with the SEC as the industry becomes more cautious.

Meanwhile, third-quarter earnings point to growth at banks, captives and retailers. AutoNation Finance’s originations jumped 85.7% year over year; Capital One’s auto originations rose 17.2% YoY; Lithia Motors’ finance arm Driveway Finance’s originations rose 41.3% YoY; GM Financial’s originations declined 3.5% YoY; and Ford Credit’s portfolio and earnings before taxes increased YoY.

Auto Finance Summit 2025 also highlighted how auto lenders are using AI and machine learning to track borrower habits, and where consumer sentiment is trending.

In this episode of “Weekly Wrap,” Auto Finance News Editor Amanda Harris, senior associate editor Truth Headlam and associate editor Aidan Bush discuss key takeaways from recent industry events, including ABS East and Auto Finance Summit 2025, as well as Q3 earnings for the week ended Oct. 24.