On the Dash: Dealers rank ease, speed and consistency above rate when choosing financing partners, JD Power finds. First-contact resolution boosts lender satisfaction to 841, versus 599 when a second contact is needed. Nearly three-fourths of dealers want to self-serve more of the financing process, led by credit restructuring. According to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study, auto dealers are choosing financing partners based on speed and consistency more than interest rates alone. 18% of dealers cited a competitive rate as the top single reason they send business to a lender, but factors tied to the deal experience, including ease, approval speed, and relationships with sales representatives, account…
