In reading the Company Stakeholder Responsibility, it reminded me how important and how difficult it has been to bring all stakeholder interests together, particularly those who have significant influence and control on our business. Launching
a new consumer financing product post the 2008 credit crisis required us to work very closely with federal regulators (FHFA, FHA, CFPB) and with consumer groups who primarily represent lower income and elderly populations. As far as the federal regulators
go, in 2010 they issued a statement denouncing our product. Since then, we have been working with them at the highest level to gather data and educate them on the benefits our product has on their values and their objectives. Nine years later their view
has not yet changed. I believe their position will change over time with more data. Regarding consumer groups, in California we led an effort to create state law which made significant changes to the product. Through this process, we were able to satisfy
consumer groups. The net result of this action decreased industry volume by 70% in 2018 compared to 2017. Even though this action decreased volume significantly, it was the right thing to do to create a sustainable product. Through automation and other
factors, I believe we will bring volumes back up.
JP