Car Lease Credit Approvals Hit More SubPrime Turbulence in September

CINCINNATI, OH--(Marketwired - Oct 10, 2014) - Swapalease.com, the nation's largest car lease marketplace, reports car lease credit approvals during the month of September were down at 64.5%, falling after reaching into the low 80% range during July and August. The approvals rate is an important indicator of how successful car shoppers are at getting approved for a car lease.

The approvals rate has witnessed noticeable turbulence in recent months, with SubPrime car shoppers the likely culprit. Year-to-date approvals are at 67.8% at the end of September, slightly off the 70% rate that is considered "healthy" by historical trends in the Swapalease.com marketplace. Compared to the same month a year ago, which saw just 63.0% car lease credit approvals, the trend continues to show growth in overall approvals.

SubPrime car shoppers have weighed heavily on auto lease approvals throughout 2014. Credit is the lifeblood of leasing, and each shopper on the Swapalease.com marketplace must have his or her credit approved by the bank holding the existing lease available for transfer. The appetite for credit expansion is fueling this desire to shop for a car, regardless of credit status. According to the Associated Press, consumer borrowing rose $13.5 billion in August in the category that includes car loans.

"We continue to see a rise in the number of applicants seeking to take over a car lease through the Swapalease.com marketplace," said Scot Hall, Executive Vice President of Swapalease.com. "The SubPrime applicants are certainly muddying the approval waters a bit, and we expect this trend will continue into the near future as these shoppers look to find ways to obtain new transportation."

SubPrime car shoppers have grown in numbers on the Swapalease.com marketplace as they seek alternate channels for vehicle shopping. Many are unsatisfied with loan options at the retail level and look for ways to take over an existing lease through Swapalease.com. 

About Swapalease.com:
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Swapalease.com is the world's largest automotive lease marketplace and the pioneer in facilitating lease transfers online. For more information about Swapalease.com or how to exit your lease early, call 866-SWAPNOW or visit www.swapalease.com.