GMAC loses loan exclusivity
By becoming a bank to accept bailout funds, GM's lending arm will no longer be the exclusive provider of low-interest loans for GM vehicles.
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- GMAC LLC said on Friday that as part of its $6 billion federal bailout and decision to become a bank, it will no longer have the exclusive right to provide low-interest loans to borrowers who buy General Motors Corp. cars and trucks.
According to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, GM may now offer incentives such as low-interest loans through other lenders, subject to restrictions. Some of these restrictions will be lifted in December 2010, and the rest in December 2013, the filing said.
The change may help GM sell more vehicles, and rely less on GMAC's ability to provide credit. GM sales fell 41% in November after GMAC had significantly tightened credit the prior month, leaving many prospective buyers unable to borrow. GMAC eased its lending requirements after getting the bailout.
Also in the filing, GMAC said it will have no obligation to finance vehicle leases. GMAC has lost money on leases because trade-in values are falling, especially on less fuel-efficient models such as large sport-utility vehicles.
GMAC is the main lender to GM customers, and also finances dealer inventories. It had previously paid GM an annual exclusivity fee and was required to meet various financing targets for loans and leases under an agreement that had been in effect through November 2016, the SEC filing said.
On Dec. 29, the U.S. Treasury Department gave GMAC $5 billion from its $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, and agreed to lend GM up to $1 billion to support GMAC. Five days earlier, the Federal Reserve granted GMAC bank holding company status, allowing it to tap lower-cost funding.
As part of the bailout, GM and private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP will reduce their respective 49% and 51% ownership stakes in GMAC.
The bailout and new business structure are designed to help GMAC avoid a potential bankruptcy. Earlier this week, GMAC eased its debt burden after persuading investors to swap $21.2 billion of debt for $15.7 billion of new securities plus cash.
GMAC lost $7.9 billion in the 15 months ended Sept. 30, largely from its mortgage operations, though credit problems on auto loans were also worsening.
GM on Wednesday received an initial $4 billion installment from its own government emergency financing package.
In Friday afternoon trading, GM (GM, Fortune 500) shares were up 39 cents, or 12.2%, at $3.59 on the New York Stock Exchange. 
-
A new top-of-the-line luxury sedan -- the finishing touch on a troubled brand's make-over. More -
Nissan, GM and Ford are placing their bets in the high-stakes game of electric driving. More -
Not even ultra-dapper President Obama could help Hartmarx, the Chicago-
based clothing maker. More -
The company has gone to the chickens despite producing 42 million dozen table eggs per year. More -
This Bay-area town sought assistance after plunging property tax revenue left coffers empty. More
