Connections Insights does just that...
Provide Connections and Insights with its:
- Unique view of the auto finance industry based on experience and relationships within the industry
- Comprehensive understanding of auto finance industry trends
- Strong relationships with auto finance captives and companies, banks, credit unions, automotive dealers and the many service providers serving these firms
- Access to key market decision-makers
- Recognition as a third-party, credible industry consultant
- Ability to present data in a meaningful fashion
- Vast experience supporting and working with industry trade associations including the American Financial Services Association (AFSA), National Auto Finance (NAF) Association, Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), International Automotive Remarketing Alliance (IARA) and National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA)
- Personal experience in a variety of areas within the auto industry - automotive manufacturing and sales, captive and non-prime auto financing, credit reporting, lead generation and consulting
- International experience working with Asian, European and Middle Eastern entities in the auto industry
Marguerite Watanabe, President of Connections Insights, has spent her career cultivating relationships within the auto finance arena and now works to “share back” her experiences and connections.
Over the 20+ years in the industry, Marguerite has held a diverse set of roles. Prior to forming Connections Insights in 2006, Marguerite headed the Auto Finance Practice at BenchMark Consulting International and the sales efforts at Equifax as Senior Vice President for the Automotive Division. At BarNone, a dealer marketing and non-prime financing company, Marguerite focused on building strategic partners for the company. Additionally, she spent ten years with Nissan North America and Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation in the USA and Japan.
Marguerite has written numerous white papers and articles on key industry issues for F&I Management & Technology Magazine, Dealer Magazine and the Encyclopedia of Finance and Insurance Management. She also frequently coordinates and moderates industry conference roundtables and panels.
In addition to her current role as President of Connections Insights, LLC, she also serves as Director of International Programs for the Automotive Dealership Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. In this role, she has conducted educational sessions on auto financing for the Asian Banker in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Marguerite earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University.
Committed to giving back to the industry, Marguerite serves on the American Financial Services Association (AFSA) Vehicle Finance Board and the Associate Member Advisory Board. She has also been a member of the association’s Board of Directors and Marketing Committee for the association. She was awarded the Distinguished Services Award by AFSA in 2006. For the National Auto Finance (NAF) Association, the trade association representing the non-prime auto financing industry, Marguerite sits on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and currently serves as the association’s President. Marguerite also sits on the advisory boards for the Automotive Industry Education Foundation and the Center for International Retail Automotive Standards.