Auto lending

The Dallas-based lender is planning to boost originations to borrowers with solid credit scores amid fears that the subprime auto market is overheating.

The Federal Trade Commission is looking at whether auto finance companies that use sophisticated technology like ignition kill switches are illegally harassing subprime borrowers that have fallen behind on their payments.

Focusing on the rise of auto financing delinquencies ignores the bigger picture: Loan volume has grown on all risk tiers and defaults are a natural part of the process.

The San Francisco online lender reported a $32 million loss in the fourth quarter, which brought red ink for the full year to $146 million.

More and more banks are using advanced geographic information systems to help make decisions around branch consolidation, lending in low-income communities, monitoring fraud and even deploying talent.

JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo are among the large institutions that are making fewer car loans amid intense price competition and concerns that lenders are at risk of bigger losses.

The $163.7 billion-asset auto lender reported net income of $248 million, down 5.7% as a result of an increased loan-loss provision and noninterest expenses.

TCF Financial executives are considering pulling back from selling auto loans, following a sharp decline in gains during the fourth quarter.

Declines in deposit-service charges and in gains on the sale of auto loans drove down 4Q earnings.

The auto lender also said originations fell 24% due to intense competition.