Buckle Up: Everything That Happened in Auto Finance So Far in 2026

Buckle Up: Everything That Happened in Auto Finance So Far in 2026

In this mid-year roundup episode of Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast, hosts Brooke Conkle [https://www.troutman.com/professionals/brooke-k-conkle/] and Chris Capurso [https://www.troutman.com/professionals/christopher-j-capurso/] recap the biggest developments shaping the auto finance industry in the first half of 2026, including the FTC's widely unexpected "Notorious 97" warning letters to nearly 100 dealers, a wave of state-level UDAP enforcement actions, Senator Elizabeth Warren's data requests targeting repossession and service member lending practices, Kentucky's new legislative framework for GAP and vehicle financial protection products, a significant New Jersey dealer enforcement action under the state's Consumer Fraud Act, and the growing compliance risks around fraud detection and AI use in the sales and financing process — wrapping up with a look ahead at what the second half of the year may bring. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

States Respond to the FTC's Notorious 97 Letters: The Sequel No Dealer Wanted

In this episode of Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast, hosts Brooke Conkle [https://www.troutman.com/professionals/brooke-k-conkle/] and Chris Capurso [https://www.troutman.com/professionals/christopher-j-capurso/] break down two significant state-level regulatory responses to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) March 2026 wave of 97 warning letters targeting auto dealers — examining how Louisiana's Motor Vehicle Commission is formally updating its advertising regulations to align with FTC guidance on total price transparency, and how the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office issued a sweeping advisory putting dealers on notice that hidden documentation fees violate state law, with potential double exposure under both motor vehicle dealer regulations and the Massachusetts UDAP statute. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The $10 Million Oops: How One New Jersey Dealer's Penalty Got a Dramatic Makeover

In this episode of Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast, hosts Brooke Conkle [https://www.troutman.com/professionals/brooke-k-conkle/] and Chris Capurso [https://www.troutman.com/professionals/christopher-j-capurso/] break down a New Jersey enforcement action against a dealer group that began with a 2018 consent order and escalated into a 2023 complaint packed with Consumer Fraud Act allegations — from gray market disclosures and duplicative add-ons to odometer violations and improper warranty sales. The trial court initially imposed over $10 million in penalties before two rounds of reconsideration brought the final figure down to $155,000, offering a striking look at how courts balance deterrence, proportionality, and ability to pay. Tune in for a practical breakdown of what this case means for dealers navigating compliance in an era where state enforcement is quickly becoming the front line. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kicking the Tires on Kentucky: SB 158 and the Add-On Product Revolution

In this episode of Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast, hosts Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso are joined by partner Brian Casey to unpack Kentucky SB 158, a new law creating a comprehensive framework for vehicle financial protection products, including GAP waivers, excess wear and tear waivers, and vehicle value protection agreements. They explain how SB 158 designates these products as "not insurance," imposes clear optionality and disclosure requirements, mandates a 30-day free look period, and addresses how benefits and refunds work — particularly in repossession scenarios. They also discuss what dealers, lenders, and administrators should do now to update forms, contracts, and processes, and how Kentucky's approach may become a model for other states considering regulation of auto add-on products. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fraud on the Front Line: How Dealers Are Fighting Emerging Auto Finance Scams

In this episode of Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast, hosts Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso examine the evolving fraud threats facing auto dealers and finance companies, from income and identity fraud to vehicle-related scams like forged VINs and deceptive trade-ins. They explore how these schemes translate into chargebacks, consumer lawsuits, and regulatory scrutiny; the tension between robust fraud controls and sales friction; and why clear policies, consistent verification, strong dealer-lender agreements, and meticulous documentation are critical both to preventing fraud and defending disputes when something slips through. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.