How to Get a Captive Finance Company Loan

Learning how to get a captive finance company loan may, or may not, help with your next car purchase. A captive finance company is one that is owned by a parent company created for the sole purpose to finance the sale of the parent company’s product. The best example of this is in the automotive industry where, in the United States, the “Big Three” automakers—General Motors, Chrysler and Ford all finance consumer purchases through their own companies. General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), Chrysler Financial and Ford Motor Credit Company (FMCC) offer automobile financing through their authorized dealerships.

Additionally, prominent non-U.S. auto dealers like Toyota and Volkswagen also offer buyers at dealerships here financing arrangements for their products.

Dealers Have Their Own Financing

Almost every type auto dealer has a captive finance company offering a variety of financing arrangements based on a number of criteria. It’s extremely important in today’s questionable economic climate to try to get the best deal available. Therefore when comparison shopping different auto brands, also comparison shop the financing made available through these dealers. The recent global financial recession has led to greater constraints placed on lending which has increased the cost for borrowing money. Since you will be paying more to borrow money for your new automobile purchase, a smart consumer will take a little time to find the best deal available.

Do Your Homework Online

Before you start your negotiations with a captive finance company to secure a loan it is important to do a little homework that consists of obtaining your credit score from one of the 3 major reporting agencies—Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.  It’s important to check your report so you have the opportunity to correct any inaccuracies as well as clear up any minor problems that may have an adverse effect on your rating. Also, it’s good to know where you stand at the onset of the process so there are no surprises as you move along toward an eventual purchase.

Check Out the Varying Rates

Unless you have your mind made up to purchase a particular brand of automobile, you may find that learning how to compare captive finance companies’ rates and terms might just help in your decision making process. Plus, through use of the Internet, comparison shopping is much more convenient than it used to be in the day when you had to take the time to either telephone or meet finance officials in person. Now, from the comfort of a seat in front of your computer, you can surf the net looking not only for a model to buy, but for the financing to purchase it.

Down payment is the amount of money you pay up front towards the purchase separate from whatever the loan amount will be. The greater the down payment, the lower amount financed and thus the cheaper the car purchase becomes. Many captive finance companies will require minimum down payments based on total purchase price—20% is a standard amount.