Newport Beach, CA, May 11, 2011 -- CUDL (www.cudl.com), administrators of the nation’s largest auto lending network for credit unions and the CUDL AutoSMART vehicle shopping website (www.cudlautosmart.com), has announced two new features for their AutoSMART iPhone App (application) for the Apple® iPhone®.
The two new features, “Apply for a Loan” and “Sell Your Ride,” have been added to the company’s popular AutoSMART iPhone App, which CUDL introduced to credit unions and their members in July of 2010. The newly enhanced AutoSMART iPhone App was featured during CU Direct’s Lending Redefined Conference for credit unions this week in Newport Beach, California.
The new Apply for a Loan feature provides credit unions with a mobile solution that helps retain member loan opportunities. Members can apply for an auto loan through their credit union “on the fly” from their iPhone, as well as through other popular Apple products, including the iPad™, and iPod Touch®. The feature is an extension of CUDL’s SMART Approval solution, which enables credit unions to provide their members with a simple and convenient online pre-approval application and loan decision. As a result, credit unions enhance their ability to retain member loans, while also improving the member’s overall auto buying experience.
The new Sell Your Ride element of the AutoSMART App allows members to post their personal vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, boats and personal watercraft, and RVs for sale to their credit union’s AutoSMART website via their iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. With the Sell Your Ride feature, credit union members are able to upload and post their vehicle’s information, data and pictures to their credit union’s AutoSMART site’s “Private Party” vehicles section, using the site’s inventory program.
The two new features for the AutoSMART iPhone App provide credit unions with dynamic tools designed to help them stay connected to their members through the entire vehicle buying process, improve member loyalty and their ability to retain member financing in-house, and drive more member auto loans.
Free to iPhone owners through the Apple App Store, the AutoSMART app gives members and consumers the ability to perform selected steps of the vehicle buying process from their iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, from initial vehicle shopping and research, to accessing their pre-approved credit union loan, and connecting with an auto dealership in their area. For their convenience, members can access the Apple App Store and download the AutoSMART app through links that are provided on credit unions’ individual AutoSMART websites.
“The new components we’ve added to the AutoSMART App provides our credit unions with a very diverse mobile application that improves their ability to stay connected with their members and enhance member loyalty,” said Joe Greenwald, vice president of marketing and communications at CUDL. “The App’s features offer members a very convenient, streamlined approach to accessing their credit union – from applying for a loan, researching their next vehicle purchase, or posting their vehicles to the AutoSMART site.”
About CUDL
Based in Ontario, California, CUDL® (a CU Direct Corporation flagship brand) is the leader in point-of-purchase and indirect lending services for the credit union industry. As a Credit Union-owned Service Organization, CUDL develops custom applications, training and marketing programs to help credit unions achieve their indirect vehicle lending goals.
More than 940 credit unions and 6,800 dealerships nationwide rely on CUDL’s national lending network to better serve members’ vehicle shopping needs and drive member financing at the point-of-purchase. For more information about CUDL visit www.cudl.com and www.cudlautosmart.com.