Auto lenders and dealerships should not ignore car buyers with lower credit scores, Armando Hidalgo, director of servicing at SameDay Auto Finance, said in a panel discussion at the Auto Finance Summit this month in Las Vegas.

With many of those consumers “now needing credit, it is a good opportunity for us to capture some of that market,” Hidalgo said. It is “also a good opportunity for borrowers to reestablish themselves.”

Auto lenders can manage the risks of customers with lower credit scores by informing those consumers ahead of time and by keeping in touch with them often, Hidalgo said.

“It is up to us to make sure that we put them in the right path of success,” he added.

Have a good auto finance and insurance tip to share? Email Automotive News F&I reporters John Huetter at john.huetter@crain.com and Paige Hodder at paige.hodder@crain.com. See more F&I tips at autonews.com/topic/fi-tips.

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