Robert Steenbergh of AutoPayPlus says agents are leading the charge to make payment programs a core offering that can boost F&I revenue and reinsurance earnings. +

Industry veteran Robert Steenbergh believes that, as vehicle affordability continues to erode and financing terms push into uncharted territory, biweekly payment servicing is quietly evolving into a meaningful reinsurance premium. +

Protective Asset Protection has completed its acquisition of Portfolio, a move executives say will “set the standard” for F&I and reinsurance technology, products and administration. +

Protective has agreed to purchase Portfolio, combining two of the nation’s leading F&I and reinsurance providers and adding to a string of major acquisitions that includes AUL, Revolos and U.S. Warranty. +

Automotive News’s John Huetter details the myriad benefits President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill brings to dealership owners, starting with “bonus” depreciation for floorplanned units. +

Protective’s Tim Blochowiak offers a playbook for dealers who want to protect their customers, create a competitive advantage in sales and service, and accelerate their wealth-building programs. +

Protective Asset Protection’s Tim Blochowiak urges dealers to create a long-term earnings strategy that includes capital and investments, a diverse F&I portfolio, risk management and more. +

The S&P 500 suffered a 5.8% decline, making March the stock market index’s worst month since December 2022 as concerns mount over Trump administration tariffs on imported goods. +

The Conference Board’s U.S. Consumer Confidence Index has fallen 7.2 points year-over-year to 92.9, weighed down by a 12-year low of 65.2 for the board’s Expectations Index. +

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the annual rate of inflation fell from 3% in January to 2.8% in February on a year-over-year basis, slightly below the forecasted rate of 2.9%.+