RoadLoans.com® Expands Market Footprint and Media Presence in Multiple States

DALLAS, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Santander Consumer USA Inc. ("Santander"), a subsidiary of Banco Santander and owner of the Drive®, Santander Auto Finance® and RoadLoans.com finance programs, has expanded its RoadLoans dealer base and media presence across the U.S. The company specializes in financing auto loans for consumers with less-than-perfect credit. Through the RoadLoans network, consumers apply for auto financing online, and – after they are approved – are sent with a loan package and guaranteed financing to subscribing dealers who have exclusive rights to the leads.

The RoadLoans market expansion focuses on medium to large cities across the U.S., following a year of rapid growth of the RoadLoans lead and lending platform. The strategy includes expanded sales outreach and media buys in broadcast, cable and other outlets. Television spots focus on how RoadLoans helps consumers apply for an auto loan online, and then receive a loan decision in under a minute. RoadLoans.com media spots are also online at the brand's YouTube channel.

With more than 100,000 consumers submitting applications through the RoadLoans channel each month, the lead source is highly efficient and effective for dealers. Dealers receive exclusive leads from customers who are actively searching for a new or used car, live close to the dealership, and arrive at the store with guaranteed financing by Santander. What's more, the dealer is free to pass the loan to other finance sources if he or she believes another lender can better serve the customer. Dealers pay a subscription fee for the leads and can customize their lead subscription based on anticipated sales volumes.

The model allows dealers to close a high percentage of incremental business each month.

"The program matches ready-to-buy customers with the very best dealerships in the area, which results in satisfied car buyers and dealerships," said Eleni Egoville, senior area sales manager for Santander in Philadelphia. "The closure rate with RoadLoans consistently surpasses local competing lead providers because of the quality of the leads," she said.

Dealers agree.

"RoadLoans is a solid source for leads...better than any lead service I have tried. They have a strong closing percentage," said Bill Latch, owner of Courtesy Chrysler Jeep in Coatesville, PA. Devica Seecharran, business development center manager for Star Auto Group in Queens Village, NY, adds, "The success of [the program] has been astonishing. I love the fact that the loans are approved before the customer comes into my office. It makes my job easier, eliminates worthless pursuits, and helps me operate my business more efficiently."

Many dealers found RoadLoans to be particularly helpful during the economic recession. As Erin Snyder, Santander's senior area sales manager in Miami, notes, "When the economy took a downturn, RoadLoans was a resource for my accounts to help more customers. The extra 100 leads and 10 units sold per month through RoadLoans really helped dealers hold on when the economy was at its worst."

Consumers and dealers alike can learn more, apply for a loan or sign up to be a participating dealer at RoadLoans.com.

Follow Santander Consumer USA and its finance programs/brands:
RoadLoans.com - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/roadloans?sk=app_4949752878
RoadLoans.com Twitter feed - http://twitter.com/#!/Road_Loans
The RoadLoans Channels on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/theroadloans
The RoadLoans blog - https://www.roadloans.com/blog/

About Santander Consumer USA Inc.

Santander Consumer USA Inc., owner of the Drive®, Santander Auto Finance® and RoadLoans.com brands, is a leading company in the automotive finance sector, whose core business is indirect, direct and third-party originations and servicing of auto loans. The company has a serviced auto loan portfolio of approximately $25 billion and relationships with nearly 13,000 dealer partners in the U.S. The company began originating loans in 1997 and is headquartered in Dallas.

Santander Consumer USA is a unit of Banco Santander (SAN.MC, STD.N, BNC.LN), a retail and commercial bank, based in Spain, with a presence in 10 main markets. At the end of 2010, Santander was the largest bank in the euro zone and 10th in the world by market capitalization. Founded in 1857, Santander had at year-end EUR 1,362 billion in managed funds, more than 95 million customers, 14,082 branches – more than any other international bank – and 179,000 employees. It is the largest financial group in Spain and Latin America. Furthermore, it has relevant positions in the United Kingdom, Portugal, the U.S. northeast and, through its Santander Consumer Finance arm, in Germany and Poland. Santander registered €8,181 million in net attributable profit in 2010.

Media Contact
Laurie Kight
Santander Consumer USA Inc.
214-237-3690
[email protected]

Banco Santander S.A. and Santander Consumer USA Inc. advise that this news release may contain representations regarding forecasts and estimates. Said forecasts and estimates may include, among others, remarks on the development of future business and future returns. Although these forecasts and estimates represent our opinions regarding future business expectations, perhaps certain risks, uncertainties and other relevant factors may lead the earnings to be materially different from what is expected. Included among these factors are (1) the situation of the market, macroeconomic factors, regulatory and government guidelines, (2) variations in domestic and international stock exchanges, exchange rates and interest rates, (3) competitive pressure, (4) technology developments, (5) changes in the financial position and credit standing of our customers, debtors or counterparts. The risk factors and other fundamental factors that we have stated could have an adverse effect on our business and on the performance and earnings described and contained in our past reports, or in those that we shall present in the future, including those filed with regulatory and supervisory entities, including the Securities Exchange Commission of the United States of America.

SOURCE Santander Consumer USA Inc.