18 March 2024, London
More of Britain’s car buyers will now be able to get instant decisions on their lending applications and enjoy a smoother purchasing experience as a result of a new partnership between CRIF, Europe’s leading credit information provider, and BMW Financial Services (GB) Ltd.
CRIF will supply BMW Financial Services and its associated brands with advanced open banking services across hundreds of UK vehicle retailers, to power seamless credit checks for car finance. Open banking-powered credit checks provide a more comprehensive picture of an applicant’s true creditworthiness, meaning people – who might previously have been turned down – will be accepted for a loan without any extra risk for the lender.
Thanks to CRIF, BMW Financial Services customers will be able to access car finance more easily, benefitting from faster decisions, with financial products tailored to them and appropriate for their current financial circumstances. It will also help retailers approve more borrowers, thanks to a holistic, enhanced view of an applicant’s creditworthiness.
The tie-up comes as the number of cars sold in the UK in 2023 increased by 17.9% year on year* as supply challenges fade, helping to further fuel growth and recovery in the market by offering motorists more transparent products and services.
The partnership will also draw on CRIF’s experience as a market leader in car finance, including in the US, where its Indirect Lending Service has helped thousands of car dealers and lenders make loan approvals faster, more accurate and virtually paperless.
CRIF’s market-leading technology has resulted in a 7.5% increase in consumer lending across all geographies and customers, with an 11.9% decrease in risk for consumers, ensuring a safer and more secure experience for everyone.
Sara Costantini, Regional Director for UK & Ireland, CRIF, said: “We’re seeing the UK car industry brush off the impacts of the pandemic and return to strong growth. Our partnership with BMW Financial Services in the UK will support this, helping more people to access the finance they need when buying a new motor.
"By utilising open banking transaction data, BMW Financial Services accesses more accurate consumer insights and extends its services to those who may have a thin credit file, due to living abroad for example, or those with non-traditional income patterns, such as those working in the growing gig economy.
“Ultimately, this will help UK consumers to access the finance they need without extra risk, with the potential to increase sales for hundreds of BMW dealers and associated brands across the country.”
About BMW Group Financial Services
BMW Group Financial Services comprises more than 50 companies worldwide as well as cooperations with local financial service providers and importers on all continents. With almost 8,500 employees, BMW Group Financial Services is one of the leading financial service providers in the automotive sector. The number of leasing and financing contracts with dealers and retail customers amounted to 5.2 million as of 31 December 2022. The Financial Services segment achieved earnings before taxes of approximately €3.21 billion in 2022. Almost one out of every two BMW and MINI new vehicles is financed or leased by BMW Group Financial Services.
