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Compliance

Are You Prepared for Expanding CFPB Influence?

Karen Klees, Certified Consumer Credit Compliance Professional, EFG Companies

 

Contributing Author: Karen Klees, Certified Consumer Credit Compliance Professional, EFG Companies

For the past few months, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has made headlines with the implementation of their Larger Participant Rule. Now that more lenders are feeling the pressure, dealers can expect the shadow of the CFPB to creep over their operations, starting with documentation.

If you haven’t implemented a version of the National Auto Dealer Association’s (NADA) Fair Credit Compliance Guidelines, now is the time to do so. Expect to have banks, captives, finance companies, etc. asking for your written policies and procedures, as well as documented training, within the next few months as they prepare for CFPB investigations.

The CFPB initially preferred the establishment of a flat rate that does not change from one customer to the next, resulting in a flat fee or a fixed percentage of the amount financed for dealership compensation. However, in their recent settlement with Honda, they allowed for NADA’s guidelines to be implemented.

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EFG Companies Featured

National ASE Institute Awards EFG Companies Blue Seal of Excellence

– EFG Claims Professionals Meet Recognized Standards for Certification-

198212-ASE SealEFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, announced today it has been awarded the Blue Seal of Excellence by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), based upon the required certification level of  its claims organization. This certification exemplifies EFG’s commitment to customer service excellence while also enhancing the company’s ability to negotiate quality vehicle repairs on behalf of contract holders.

EFG continuously strives to raise the industry bar when it comes to providing superior products, administration and compliance. Earlier this year, EFG achieved 100 percent field team certification from the Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals (AFIP). With these two certifications, the company sets the industry example for leadership in effectively training, auditing and administering their clients’ business to whom these services are a critical priority.

“Our clients rely on our expertise when it comes to negotiating quality repairs for their customers,” said Barry Carter, Chief Operating Officer. “Our claims administration reflects back on their business and brand. By demonstrating our high level of expertise with this certification, we are giving our clients even greater confidence that all claims will be handled expertly, efficiently and respectfully, promoting a positive overall customer experience and driving greater customer loyalty for their business.”

Established in 1972, the National Institute for Service Excellence (ASE) seeks to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals, the ASE National Institute exists to protect the automotive service consumer, shop owner and automotive technician. This certification provides legitimacy to both the repair shop and the claims administrator by signifying their level of expertise and recognized standard of their technical knowledge.

Throughout its 37-year history, EFG has continually demonstrated their commitment to exceed customer expectations. Customer service and claims administration standards and real-time performance is continuously projected on the company’s walls as a constant measure of performance. 95.88 percent of claims calls are answered within 90 seconds, and 96 percent of all claims are paid by corporate credit card within one hour of receipt of invoice.

EFG believes longevity and success is ultimately measured by a simple premise: keeping a promise to a customer at a time when they need it most. EFG prides itself on being a claims-honoring third-party administrator and this certification only enhances the company’s ability to fulfill that promise.

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Compliance EFG Companies

EFG First Product Provider to AFIP Certify Entire Field Services Team

-36-Year-Old Company Equips Dealerships to Address Critical Compliance Challenges-

 AFIP Certified Field Team logo
DALLAS, TX (April 22, 2014) EFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, announced its status today as the first F&I product provider of size to certify its entire field services team with the Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals (AFIP).

By certifying its entire team at once, EFG makes it possible for its client base to receive the immediate benefits of the company’s certification, whether through mentoring the dealer’s staff through AFIP certification, one-on-one coaching or completing dealer compliance audits.

Founded in 1989, AFIP is the nonprofit, non-aligned sanctioning body for in-store sales and financial services personnel and select lender and aftermarket vendor personnel in the United States. AFIP certification curriculum focuses solely on the federal and state laws that govern in-dealership financial services.

AFIP2The retail automotive industry has always been one of the most highly regulated. With the recent increase in regulation oversight, non-compliance can create massive financial exposure for dealers, lenders, agents and vendors. “Our clients look to us to ensure that their teams have appropriate processes and controls in place to navigate more than a dozen federal laws and find their way through the many state and local laws that impact their operations,” said John Pappanastos, president and CEO, EFG Companies. “With that in mind, we took the initiative to get our entire field services team certified by the only regulatory compliance program that requires proctored exams under controlled testing conditions. Achieving AFIP certification across the entire team demonstrates our commitment to our clients.”

AFIP 1

According to David Robertson, executive director of AFIP, “AFIP’s primary objective is to protect dealers by ensuring that in-dealership F&I practitioners and sales executives are fully aware of the applicable state and federal regulations – and take responsibility for their actions. Regulatory knowledge, coupled with personal accountability, keeps thousands of dealers out of harm’s way.”

With its field team 100 percent AFIP certified, EFG’s client representatives, trainers and recruiters can more effectively train, audit and support their clients, who will continue to see compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements as a critical priority in their business moving forward.

Find out how EFG can secure your dealership to continue to thrive in the ever-changing compliance and regulation environment today.