What does the Santander Consumer USA settlement mean for You?
We've received your submission. A group of 34 state attorneys general has reached a settlement with Santander Consumer USA over allegedly shady subprime auto loan practices, which could provide consumers with $550 million in relief nationwide, officials announced Tuesday.
What is the Santander subprime auto loan settlement?
The settlement resolves Santander’s subprime lending practices that violated consumer protection laws by exposing consumers to unnecessarily high levels of risk and knowingly placing these consumers into auto loans that had a high probability of default.
Who is eligible for relief from the Santander settlement?
Consumers may be eligible for the following types of relief: 1. Restitution: Santander must pay $65 million in restitution to be divided amongst the 33 states and the District of Columbia. Over 280,000 consumers across the settlement states will be eligible for this restitution. a.
How much restitution does Santander have to pay?
Restitution: Santander must pay $65 million in restitution to be divided amongst the 33 states and the District of Columbia. Over 280,000 consumers across the settlement states will be eligible for this restitution. a. Who qualifies?

How much is Santander settlement?
that will provide approximately $550 million (possibly up to $780 million) in relief to consumers nationwide — more than $27 million (possibly up to $38 million) of which would be allocated to New Yorkers. The settlement resolves Santander’s subprime lending practices that violated consumer protection laws by exposing consumers to unnecessarily high levels of risk and knowingly placing these consumers into auto loans that had a high probability of default.
When does Santander have to give internal score?
a. Who qualifies? You must have a gotten a loan with Santander between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019 and Santander must have given you a certain internal score at the time you got the loan. Consumers will NOT know their own internal score. Additionally, states do not know consumers’ internal scores. This is why consumers will have to wait for notice from the settlement administrator.
Does Santander have to forgive loans?
Santander is required to forgive the remaining balance on certain loans. Santander will also request that the loans be removed from consumers’ credit reports. As with Restitution, consumers who qualify for this relief will have to have a certain internal score. Consumers will NOT know their own internal score.
Does Santander give a title to a car?
For certain consumers, Santander will give the consumer title to the car and forgive the balance of the loan. We do not yet know the identity of consumers who qualify for this relief. Santander will do this until the value of the loan forgiveness reaches $45 million.
When will Santander pay the $65 million settlement?
According to the Santander car loan website, the $65 million settlement will be used for subprime consumers who have defaulted on loans between Jan. 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2019. Santander is required to allow customers to keep their car and waive any loan balance for those who have the lowest quality loans and have defaulted as of Dec. 31, 2019.
How much money did Santander settle for?
According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, the settlement will include $65 million that will go directly to consumers and $433 million which will go towards loan forgiveness, including funds for customers who have had their cars repossessed but still owe money to Santander.
Why are subprime lenders so common?
According to Investopedia, subprime lenders began to be more common because lenders felt more comfortable taking on higher-risk loans when they had more money due to monetary expansion. Philadelphia Business Journal explains that Santander is considered one of the largest subprime auto lenders in the United States.
What is the settlement with Santander Bank?
Santander Bank has reached a $550 million dollar settlement with 33 states to settle predatory loan charges to low-income and subprime customers. The settlement with Santander will resolve allegations that the bank violated consumer protection laws by putting subprime borrowers into loans that carried a high probability of default.
What is a subprime loan?
Providing context for the Santander loan issue, Investopedia explains that subprime auto loans are a type of loan that is used to finance the purchase of a car. They are reportedly offered to people who do not have much credit history, or people who have low credit scores. Subprime loans have risks involved, but can be the only option for many people.
How much did Santander pay in 2017?
In addition, in 2017 Santander agreed to pay $25.9 million to resolve claims in Massachusetts and Delaware related to subprime auto loans.
What led Santander to underestimate risks associated with auto loans?
The coalition of Attorneys General also claims that Santander’s aggressive pursuit of market share led it to underestimate risks associated with auto loans by “turning a blind eye” to dealer abuse.
What is Santander's settlement?
The group claims that Santander used deceptive loan servicing practices and misled customers about their rights, the risks of partial payments, and loan extensions. The settlement covers only residents of certain states and is very complex. Final details have not yet been worked out. Notices will be sent out later.
What is Santander auto?
Santander was the largest subprime auto financing company in the country, and the attorneys general began the investigation after receiving an increased number of consumer complaints about the loans.
When is the deadline to file a docket with Santander?
Docket Number: Filing Deadline: January 1, 2100. Proof of Purchase: Eligibility: You may be eligible if you got a loan from Santander between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019, and if Santander gave you a certain internal score at the time. You will NOT know your own internal score.
Does Santander cover all residents?
The settlement covers only residents of certain states and is very complex. Final details have not yet been worked out. Notices will be sent out later. Not all Santander customers will qualify.
Can Santander car loan customers get a settlement?
Additional requirements may apply for the various different remedies. Not all Santander car loan customers will qualify for this settlement.
