CrossCheck Blog

The auto market is splitting in two. Affluent buyers continue to purchase vehicles, often paying cash or qualifying easily for loans, while subprime consumers are falling further behind. According to Fitch Ratings (U.S. Auto Loan Indices, Section 04), subprime auto loan delinquencies have climbed to about 6.4 percent. and PYMNTS reports that vehicle repossessions are now at their highest levels since the Great Recession.J.D. Power data cited by DealershipGuy Newsshows that nearly 14 percent of new-car buyers, or roughly one in seven, now have a credit score below 650, the largest share in almost a decade.

Industry experts are beginning to see signs of recovery for collision repairers after several years of uncertainty. At the recent CIECA CONNEX conference, consultant Sean Carey described the past two years as a “roller coaster ride” with downturns tied to reduced vehicle sales, pandemic aftereffects, and rising insurance premiums. Now, heading into 2026, he expects the market to grow by four to five percent.

According to new data from Edmunds, 26.6% of trade-ins toward new car purchases in Q2 2025 had negative equity, up from 26.1% in the first quarter. That is the highest level in four years, and it is hitting dealerships where it hurts—in the finance office.

Commercial checks are carrying more weight than ever. Over the past decade, the average value of a commercial check has climbed dramatically, highlighting their ongoing role in high-dollar transactions across many industries. Even with ACH, credit cards, and instant payment options gaining traction, checks continue to serve as a reliable and trusted choice for large-dollar B2B transactions. Many businesses still value the physical exchange, established routines, and straightforward recordkeeping that checks provide.

Across the country, payment rules are shifting and the cost of accepting credit cards is under more scrutiny than ever. One of the latest developments comes from Oklahoma, where a new law taking effect November 1, 2025 will formally allow merchants to impose surcharges on credit card transactions.

Rising treatment costs and tighter household budgets are making it harder for veterinary clients to say “yes” to recommended services. That means pets may miss out on timely care and clinics may lose revenue they have already earned.

BNPL Alternative for U.S. Merchants: How Multiple Check Premium Works Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Klarna and Afterpay have gained popularity because they let customers split purchases into smaller payments. While these programs work for some buyers, they are not the only way to offer pay-over-time flexibility.

Check Guarantee for Tire Shops: How to Stop Losing Revenue at Checkout Tire sales are high-ticket and high-pressure. Customers want flexibility. You want to get paid. But between bounced checks, credit card chargebacks, and rising processing fees, many tire shops are watching their profits disappear right at the payment counter. This isn’t just frustrating. It’s expensive. And it’s preventable. Here’s how tire dealers are protecting their revenue while offering customers simple, flexible ways to pay without the risk or red tape of traditional financing.