Huntington Bank’s auto originations fall 15%

Huntington National Bank’s auto originations declined about 15% in the first quarter, reflecting both a more cautious stance on credit and broader weakening in auto credit performance across the industry.

What happened

• Auto loan and lease originations at Huntington fell roughly 15% year over year in the latest reported quarter.

• The pullback coincides with deterioration in credit performance, in line with trends other auto lenders are seeing (higher delinquencies and losses, tighter underwriting).

• Loan‑to‑value ratios in the auto portfolio have risen to around 89%, indicating Huntington is still financing relatively high portions of vehicle values even as volumes soften.

How it fits recent trends

• Huntington’s vehicle finance book had grown solidly through 2024 and 2025, including being ranked among the top national auto finance lenders.

• Auto originations were up about 7.2% in 2025 overall, but growth slowed and then dipped more recently, suggesting a turn from expansion to more selective growth or mild contraction in auto.

• At the same time, the bank has highlighted strong growth in other lending areas such as commercial, implying a shift in mix rather than an across‑the‑board retrenchment.

Implications to watch

• For dealers: lower Huntington approvals and funding volumes could mean more deals needing alternative lenders or captives, especially on marginal credits or higher‑LTV structures.

• For consumers: tighter credit criteria and weaker performance may translate into stricter approvals and potentially higher pricing for riskier segments, even if headline rate sheets look stable.

• For competitors: space may open for niche and nonbank auto financiers to capture share in segments where Huntington is becoming more conservative.