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2026 Agenda

The Auto Finance Summit 2026 agenda features executive-led sessions focused on the most pressing issues in auto lending and leasing, including credit risk, affordability, compliance, capital markets, AI, fraud prevention, underwriting, and portfolio performance. Through panels, workshops, and networking events, this leading auto finance conference delivers actionable strategies and real-world insights for navigating today’s evolving market.

Monday, October 5

11:00 AM – REGISTRATION OPENS

All attendees must pick up their event credentials prior to attending the afternoon sessions.

Registration sponsored by:

     

The Exhibit Hall officially opens at 5:00 PM for networking and exploring the 2026 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations, solutions, and services shaping the auto finance industry.

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM WOMEN IN AUTO FINANCE LUNCHEON 

The Women in Auto Finance Luncheon is an exclusive networking opportunity to support and cultivate female leadership in the industry. The luncheon includes a keynote speech on experiences and strategies for navigating and thriving in auto lending and leasing.

Pre-registration is required, and attendees can confirm their participation during the online registration process.

Sponsored by:

1:30 – 2:45 CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

Workshop 1: Build, Test, Kill: Rapid Product Validation

In a rapidly evolving auto finance market, successful product development depends on validating ideas before investing significant time and resources. This interactive workshop will explore how finance providers, fintechs, and service providers can quickly test assumptions, gather customer feedback, and make smarter build-versus-kill auto finance decisions. Using real-world auto finance examples, attendees will learn practical strategies to reduce product risk, accelerate innovation, and bring more effective solutions to market. Designed for all industry executives — not just those in product development — to cultivate a mindset of growth, innovation, and strategic thinking.

Workshop 2: Fraud Management

During this interactive workshop, attendees will learn to identify and mitigate common types of fraudulent activity in auto finance, including synthetic identity fraud. Led by Darren Schlosser, lieutenant at the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, this workshop will dive into current trends across vehicle fraud and identity theft and ways dealerships and lenders can work together to improve risk management and cut down losses tied to fraud. Ideal for executives who want to improve their fraud response.

3:00 PM – 4:15 PM THE KICKOFF: Two crucial sessions to kick off your Auto Finance Summit right.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Session 1: PRESENTATION: 2027 MACROECONOMIC AND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY OUTLOOK & PLAYBOOK

– Evaluating the trajectory of vehicle sales, interest rates, delinquencies, and losses, and consumer sentiment

– Assessing potential margin compression, competition and auto-industry affordability headwinds

– Forecasting the SAAR amid geopolitical and supply chain realignment and demand variance

3:45 PM – 4:15 PM Session 2: OPENING FIRESIDE: PREPARING FOR 2027

Kevin Reen, Head of Wells Fargo Auto, will set the stage for the year ahead, sharing strategic and actionable insights on navigating a market defined by sales volatility, affordability pressures, evolving consumer demand, and the drive for greater profitability in 2027.

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM OPENING RECEPTION – Exhibit Hall

Join us for the official opening of the Exhibit Hall at the Auto Finance Summit 2026. Connect with industry peers, reconnect with colleagues, and explore our 2026 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations, solutions, and services shaping the future of auto finance.

Visit defi SOLUTIONS’ booth to sip on specialty cocktails crafted just for Auto Finance Summit 2026.

Tuesday, October 6

8:00 AM REGISTRATION OPENS

Registration sponsored by:

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Start your morning with coffee, breakfast, and a chance to connect with exhibitors in the exhibit hall.

9:10 AM WELCOMING REMARKS

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM SESSION 1: FIRESIDE CHAT

A senior executive will participate in a fireside chat exploring innovation, industry trends and growth opportunities, as well as market expectations for 2027.

Sponsored by:

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM SESSION 2: CAPITAL, CREDIT & CYCLES: NAVIGATING AUTO FINANCE THROUGH VOLATILITY

Senior executives from some of the nation’s leading auto finance companies come together to discuss origination trends, credit markets, opportunities in ancillary products, inflationary pressures, and management strategies for positioning their organizations for the greatest industry opportunities and risks.

PANELISTS:

Sponsored by:

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM COFFEE BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL

Recharge with coffee and take advantage of dedicated time in the exhibit hall to connect with peers and explore exhibitor showcases shaping the future of auto finance.

Sponsored by:

Visit Alfa’s booth (booth 217) to experience a selection of delicious coffee drinks at their Specialty Espresso Cart, available from 9:30 – 11:30 AM.

11:15 AM – 11:45 AM SESSION 3: FIRESIDE CHAT

During this one-on-one chat, Nadir Jones, Head of Auto Finance at TD Bank, will discuss the evolving auto finance landscape, sharing insights on market conditions, operational trends and positioning auto finance ventures for prudent growth.

Sponsored by:

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM SESSION 4 PANEL: THE FUTURE OF THE DEALER MODEL AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FINANCE COMPANIES

  • F&I and ancillary product penetration, revenue per vehicle retailed, and top-performing protection products
  • How consumer purchasing behavior and vehicle affordability trends are affecting back-end sales
  • Collaborating with dealerships to overcome the challenges of robust — and complicated — finance product offerings

PANELISTS:

Sponsored by:

12:30 PM 2025 AUTO FINANCE EXCELLENCE AWARDS & LUNCHEON

The Auto Finance Excellence Awards, presented annually since 2005, celebrate outstanding achievements by companies and executives across the industry. This year’s program proudly includes the 2026 Rising Stars Awards, recognizing emerging leaders who are shaping the future of auto finance and helping cultivate the next generation of talent and innovation.

This plated luncheon offers attendees a meaningful opportunity for celebration and networking among industry peers.

Sponsored by:

2:15 PM – 3:00 PM SESSION 5: CONCURRENT TRACKS

Technology 

5A – PANEL: Assessing Credit & Portfolio Performance Amid Tentative Economic Conditions

  • Key credit performance trends across prime, near-prime, and subprime auto loan portfolios
  • How lenders are using AI and machine learning to adjust underwriting, pricing, and risk models in anticipation of changing credit performance
  • Strategies for managing delinquencies, losses, and portfolio performance in an uncertain economic environment

Growth

5B – PANEL: OEMs, Captives & Dealers: Redefining Power Dynamics in Distribution and Finance

  • Building resilient financing strategies and products amid economic, interest rate, and credit uncertainty
  • Responding to evolving customer expectations through digital transformation, flexible financing solutions, and smarter incentive allocation
  • Expanding sustainable, responsible access to credit and driving portfolio growth

PANELISTS:

Meetup Track | Collections & Servicing| Exhibit Hall

Looking to Network Instead?

Join one of our new Meetup Tracks for informal, peer-to-peer discussions with professionals who share your role and challenges.

💰 Collections & Servicing
Share strategies for improving collections performance, customer engagement, servicing operations, and delinquency management with peers facing similar challenges.

 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM –COFFEE BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL

Take a break, grab a coffee, and head into the exhibit hall to connect with exhibitors and peers. Explore solutions, spark new conversations, and make the most of this dedicated networking window at Auto Finance Summit.

Visit defi SOLUTIONS’ booth to experience a selection of delicious coffee drinks at their Specialty Espresso Cart, available from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.

3:45 PM – 4:25 PM SESSION 6: CONCURRENT TRACKS

Technology 

6A – PANEL: Data & the Connected Customer: Rewriting the Rules of Auto Underwriting and Retail Integration

  • How advanced data is changing shopping patterns — and underwriting
  • Emerging fraud trends, including identity fraud, synthetic identities, and digital application manipulation
  • Integrating AI and machine learning tools across origination, underwriting, and dealer channels to reduce losses and operational risk

PANELISTS:

Growth

6B – PANEL: Overcoming the Uncertainty of Fluid Regulatory Compliance

  • With federal compliance on the decline, key state-level regulatory developments hampering auto lending, servicing and collections
  • Strategies for maintaining compliance across multiple jurisdictions while supporting business growth
  • Using technology, data, and internal controls to strengthen compliance monitoring and reporting

PANELISTS:

Meetup Track | Credit Strategy| Exhibit Hall

Looking to Network Instead?

Join one of our new Meetup Tracks for informal, peer-to-peer discussions with professionals who share your role and challenges.

📈 Credit Strategy
Exchange ideas on underwriting, portfolio performance, credit policy, pricing, and navigating today’s evolving lending environment.

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM SESSION 7: CONCURRENT TRACKS

Technology 

7A – PANEL: Welcome to the AI Era: Agentic AI in Auto Finance

  • Identifying high-impact areas for digital investment across the entire dealer-consumer journey
  • Using data, analytics, and AI to optimize underwriting, pricing, and portfolio management
  • Integrating lending technology into dealership and retail digital sales channels to streamline approvals and funding

PANELISTS:

Growth

7B – PRESENTATION: The Next Phase in Auto Leasing

  • How vehicle pricing trends and affordability pressures are influencing leasing demand and program mix
  • New lease structures, longer terms, and incentives designed to attract today’s consumers
  • Adapting to the next phase of EV adoption and financing post-tax credit

Meetup Track | Fraud & Risk | Exhibit Hall

Looking to Network Instead?

Join one of our new Meetup Tracks for informal, peer-to-peer discussions with professionals who share your role and challenges.

🛡 Fraud & Risk
Discuss emerging fraud threats, identity verification, risk mitigation, and best practices for protecting lenders throughout the loan lifecycle.

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM – COCKTAIL RECEPTION IN EXHIBIT HALL

Wrap up the day in the exhibit hall with cocktails, light bites, and relaxed networking. Continue conversations with exhibitors and peers in a more social setting, explore new connections, and unwind while engaging with the latest innovations in auto finance.

Wednesday, October 7

8:00 AM REGISTRATION OPENS 

Registration sponsored by:

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Start your morning with coffee, breakfast, and a chance to connect with exhibitors in the exhibit hall.

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM SESSION 8: PRESENTATION – KEYS TO BETTER CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT

  • Market projections for vehicle pricing, depreciation curves, and residual values
  • Current data and trends shaping new and used vehicle valuations across key market segments
  • How lenders and captives are using valuation data to guide leasing strategies, portfolio risk management, and remarketing decisions

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM SESSION 9: PANEL – CAPITAL MARKETS & LIQUIDITY OUTLOOK

  • The outlook for auto ABS markets and investor appetite for auto finance assets
  • Strategies to diversify funding sources and maintain strong liquidity positions
  • How interest rate trends and market volatility are shaping funding costs and capital planning for auto lenders

PANELISTS:

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM COFFEE BREAK 

11:00 AM – 11:40 AM SESSION 10: PANEL: PRACTICAL COMPLIANCE: KEEPING YOUR OPERATION IN SYNC WITH TODAY’S REGULATORY DEMANDS 

  • Preparing your operations for more and disparate state regulations 
  • The real deal with compliance technology 
  • Staffing and operational excellence, and where third-party solutions can fill the gaps 

11:40 AM CONFERENCE CONCLUDES