10/14/2026
Captive finance companies still control more than half of new-vehicle financing, and consumers are looking beyond interest rates when deciding how to make a vehicle fit their budget.
Leasing is part of that decision.
With the average new-vehicle loan reaching $43,610 and the average lease payment coming in $148 lower than the average loan payment across Experian's top leased models, the financing structure can make a meaningful difference at the dealership.
And these aren't niche vehicles. Some of the country's most popular leased models are the same vehicles credit unions are already competing to finance.
If consumers are choosing how they want to finance the vehicle, credit unions need to be ready to compete across that decision.
See what the latest data reveals about payment pressure, leasing and the opportunity for credit unions to compete for more auto business.
Read the full blog here: https://ow.ly/JXtY50ZV9oj