Auto Financial Group Announces Launch of SmartCarAuctions.com; Online Auction Site Offers Credit Unions New Remarketing Source for End-of-Term and Repossessed Vehicles

Business Wire, May 20, 2004

Business Editors/Automotive Writers

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2004

Auto Financial Group, an online provider of residual-based financing products for credit unions, announced today that it has launched SmartCarAuctions.com, an online auto auction service.

SmartCarAuctions.com is designed to be a new remarketing source for credit unions, allowing them to create an online inventory of their end-of-term and repossessed vehicles. The credit union can customize its own site on SmartCarAuctions.com to market its inventory to its members. The inventory and auction will run simultaneously and be marketed to the general public at www.SmartCarAuctions.com.

The site is simple for bidders to use, with each available vehicle including a detailed listing with photos and CARFAX(R) reports.

"SmartCarAuctions fills a need that our credit union customers have communicated to us," says Richard Epley, President of Auto Financial Group. "Traditionally, when a loan ends or a vehicle is repossessed, credit unions face the hassles of vehicle remarketing -- what to do with the vehicle. SmartCarAuctions.com gives them an instant outlet and additional revenue possibilities."

"We view SmartCarAuctions.com as part of our service offerings to our network of credit unions across the country," continues Epley. "It's one of the ways we can bring extra value to their relationship with us." Auto Financial Group currently works with a growing list of more than 100 credit unions nationwide.

Registration on SmartCarAuctions.com is free. Credit unions pay only a nominal fee once a vehicle is sold.

For a limited time, SmartCarAuctions.com is offering the first three sales free for registering credit unions. For more information, contact Auto Financial Group at (713) 812-3333 or toll free at (877) 354-4AFG, or visit www.SmartCarAuctions.com.

About Auto Financial Group, Inc.

Auto Financial Group, Inc. is a Houston-based company that provides Driving Sense(TM), an online residual based auto financing product for credit unions and other financial institutions. With Driving Sense(TM), credit unions can "build" a vehicle for their members, compare payment terms with conventional loans, and offer their members lower payments (often as much as 40 percent lower), flexible two- to six- year terms, actual ownership of the vehicle and several end-of-term options.

Auto Financial Group removes the financial risk to the credit union by guaranteeing the predetermined residual value of the vehicle through third party insurance, as well as handling the vehicle's disposition. Auto Financial Group is paid one low administration fee for each Driving Sense(TM) loan, while the credit union earns all the interest. For more information, visit www.autofinancialgroup.com.