Weekly Wrap: How significant are affinity partnerships in auto finance?

Last week, Navy Federal Credit Union, the nation’s largest credit union in auto loan volume, announced a new affinity partnership that allows it access to digital retailer TrueCar’s online marketplace of new and used vehicles. Many auto lenders and mobility companies, including Global Lending Services and HyreCar, have entered affinity partnerships with established digital retailers, in response to the shift in consumer buying habits. But what — if anything — are lenders sacrificing by relinquishing marketplace control, ownership and development to a third party? How might loan volume increase as a result of affinity partnerships?