NCM Event Conversations feat. Jacob Harris & Sean Huppert
About this episode
Dealership leaders and hosts talk through how an auto-loan rewards credit card and a dealership points tool can change the affordability conversation. They connect the pitch to today’s “record high” interest rates, tariffs, and expensive pricing, arguing that longer loan terms plus the right discount strategy can save thousands. The discussion also covers dealer incentives (including $100 spiffs per enrollment), conquest marketing, and using points to help customers with negative equity after COVID.
In this special Series NCM Event Conversations we grabbed a few of our favorite guest to talk about their experiences and whats happening in our Industry. In this interview Lou Ramirez and Fred Lennartz speak with Sean and Jacob about industry growth, collaboration, and new tech, including a Shark Tank-style showcase. They introduce Fasten Rewards, a no-fee credit card that rewards consumers for paying auto loans and leases while giving dealers a loyalty tool to drive repeat sales and service.
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negative equity
"And getting them out of negative equity, that is something that we're all going through right now. If you're in a dealership and you're trading in somebody bought a car 23 years ago, they upside down."
Negative equity is when your current car is worth less than what you still owe on it. If you trade it in, that gap usually gets added to the next car loan.
Negative equity means you owe more on your current car loan than the car is worth. In a trade-in, that shortfall gets rolled into the next loan, which can make the new vehicle harder to afford.
upside down
"If you're in a dealership and you're trading in somebody bought a car 23 years ago, they upside down. Oh, are they upside down, right?"
“Upside down” means you owe more money on the car than it’s worth. So trading it in doesn’t automatically make your finances better.
In car-shopping, “upside down” is a common way to describe negative equity—when the loan balance is higher than the vehicle’s market value. It’s a key reason trades can increase monthly payments instead of reducing them.
credit card points
"That's powerful. It's easy. It's credit card points. Everyone gets it, right?"
Credit card points are rewards you earn when you use a credit card. The idea here is to use those rewards to help lower what you pay for the car.
Credit card points are rewards earned from spending that can be redeemed for discounts, statement credits, or other value. In dealership financing pitches, they’re often positioned as a way to reduce the effective cost of a purchase.
credit card loyalty
"It's everyone understands credit card points. Everyone understands credit card loyalty. It's worked incredibly well in every other industry."
Credit card loyalty is the rewards system that encourages you to keep using the card. They’re suggesting dealerships could use a similar rewards approach.
Credit card loyalty refers to reward programs designed to encourage repeat spending by offering benefits tied to continued use. The hosts argue this same “loyalty loop” could be applied to dealership customers.
subprime
"That's right folks. What about the subprime hero? Okay. Yeah. The one, the only,"
Subprime means a person’s credit isn’t as strong as average. That can make car loans cost more or be harder to get.
Subprime refers to borrowers with weaker credit profiles, which typically leads to higher interest rates and stricter lending terms. In auto retail, “subprime” is often discussed in the context of financing customers who may struggle with affordability.
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