HomeTrust Bank announces opening of new auto finance division

March 25, 2014


HomeTrust Bank Auto Finance is the newest line of business for HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTBI). This indirect lending service is working with auto dealerships in Western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina to provide new and used vehicle financing.
 

photo (L to R):

HomeTrust Bank President, Chairman & CEO Dana Stonestreet

Asheville Area Chamber Director Kit Cramer

HomeTrust Bank Auto Finance Director Joe McGuire

HomeTrust Bank Auto Finance Portfolio Manager Matt Lofton

Economic Development Coalition Executive Director Ben Teague

HomeTrust Bank Auto Finance Service Manager Heather Harrington

HomeTrust Bank Auto Finance Credit Analyst Randy Janoe

On Thursday, March 20th, Kit Cramer, Director, Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and Ben Teague, Executive Director, Economic Development Coalition,  joined Dana Stonestreet, Chairman, President and CEO, HomeTrust Bank and Joe McGuire, Director HomeTrust Bank Auto Finance for a ribbon – cutting reception recognizing and celebrating the Bank’s recent new line of business, Auto Finance.   The event was held at HomeTrust Bank’s Indirect Auto Lending administrative offices on Brevard Road.  
HomeTrust Bank’s entry into the indirect auto financing business is part of the banking company’s overall strategy for growth in both customers and the loan portfolio.  Dana Stonestreet, CEO, HomeTrust Bank, commented, “We’re excited to be doing business with our local auto dealer partners; providing competitive financing options for their customers in our communities. The addition of our auto financing line of business also contributed to the growth in job opportunities and full time professional positions within HomeTrust Bank.  HomeTrust has added 81 employees in the past forty-eight months, as well as doubled the amount of space we now occupy for our headquarters operations in Ridgefield Office Park.” 
Joe McGuire, Director, HomeTrust Bank Auto Finance, noted, “In our first twelve weeks of business, we’ve made over 160 loans.  Our state- of- the art Auto Finance platform allows our lenders to underwrite and approve auto loans in less than 5 minutes; providing the customers of our fifteen dealer partners with an extremely efficient financing experience.”
Stonestreet stated, “Every business thrives by achieving a sustainable differentiation in some way.  HomeTrust has built our sustainable difference on our culture, which is driven by the passion of our people.  HomeTrust bankers love what we do and we love making a positive difference in the lives of our customers.”
Local auto dealer partners include Forest City Honda, Harmony Motors, Skyland Mazda, Mitsubishi, Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Hyundai of Asheville, Asheville Chevrolet, Coleman Freeman Auto Sales of Hendersonville, Andy Shaw Ford in Sylva and Land Rover of Asheville in Mills River , Lotus of Greenville, S.C., Waynesville Automotive Group, Four Seasons Ford, Hendersonville, Anders Auto Sales, Hendersonville, Hendersonville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet, Greenville, S.C., Boyd Automotive, Hendersonville, Sam + Dave’s Auto Sales, Asheville, Polk Motor Company, Black Mountain, Whitt Motor Sales, Asheville, and Marburger Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Nissan of Shelby.