Elite FI Partners in the News: Media Coverage and Industry Recognition

AutoSuccess - Beyond The Admin Fee

Beyond the Admin Fee: What Dealers Should Really Be Evaluating in Their Reinsurance Programs

AutoSuccess Magazine | January 2026

This article examines why focusing solely on the administrative fee often provides an incomplete picture of a reinsurance program’s true performance. It outlines the additional costs dealers should understand, including ceding fees, claims adjudication expenses, premium taxes, and ancillary charges, and explains why reinsurance is best evaluated as a long-term business strategy built on transparency, oversight, and informed decision-making.  Read the article here: https://digital.autosuccessonline.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=246a8297-8378-4066-adb1-25dfc6463c2f

Emilia Aufmuth is redefining success in the automotive finance industry by emphasizing the importance of training, mentorship, and company culture. As co-founder of Elite FI Partners, alongside Michael Aufmuth, she has built an agency that extends beyond product placement and traditional training methods. By assembling a team of professionals who have not only worked in the business but excelled in it, Emilia has created an environment that prioritizes long-term growth, support, and continuous improvement. Read the full article here: https://womensinsider.com/emilia-aufmuth-champions-a-culture-of-excellence-at-elite-fi-partners/

In a moment of pivotal growth for Elite FI Partners, the company has announced the promotion of Rob Varney to Vice President. This marks not just a personal achievement for Varney, but a key milestone for a company rapidly gaining ground as a leader in the F&I space. Varney’s rise through the ranks, from a sales consultant to a respected leader in finance management, is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and belief in transforming the way dealerships engage with F&I processes.  Read the full article here: https://ceotimes.com/elite-fi-partners-promotes-rob-varney-to-vice-president-as-demand-for-real-world-fi-solutions-grows/

Elite FI Partners, a nationwide leader in F&I products, training, and reinsurance solutions, is helping automotive dealers unlock higher profits with tailored profit-sharing programs. The company is offering dealers a complimentary, no cost, no obligation review that includes a side by side comparison of their current reinsurance program versus the structures Elite FI Partners can design. This review forecasts both the difference in administrative costs and the premium the dealer could receive, providing a clear picture of potential profitability improvements. Read the full story here: https://wisconsineagle.com/winews/elite-fi-partners-helps-dealers-unlock-maximum-profits-with-customized-profit-sharing-programs-wisconsineagle-10313970

When Emilia and I founded Elite FI Partners, our mission was not just to add another option in the F&I space. We set out to become the new standard. Dealers deserve more than products and training. They deserve a true solution built around growth, compliance, and long-term wealth. Having both spent years inside dealerships, we understood where the gaps were. Elite FI Partners was built to close those gaps and give dealers a system that redefines what success in F&I looks like. Read the full article here: https://bizweekly.com/redefining-fi-our-perspective-on-building-a-true-solution-for-dealers/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMyqw1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFLQXdaVTBHTndWYmZMQ0FMAR7qm7p-3PZk54VOa0NqLHPIKVuWCZGpMLJuYYWN2unNY12fWgOJ3KdbilGVzw_aem_hAhGMUPEq-U7rrNaCLJYQA

In this AutoSuccess Executive Spotlight, host Brian Ankney sits down with Michael Aufmuth of Elite F&I to unpack when reinsurance really makes sense for a dealership and how to build an F&I operation that fuels long-term growth. Aufmuth explains why reinsurance isn’t for every store, outlining key benchmarks — like 20–25 contracts a month and the right vehicle mix — before moving from simple retro programs into true profit-sharing and reinsurance structures. Done right, he says, reinsurance becomes a second business that can fund inventory, expansion and even new rooftop acquisitions by allowing dealers to borrow from their own reinsurance company. Learn more here here: https://www.autosuccessonline.com/from-retro-to-reinsurance-how-elite-fi-grows-dealership-profit-pvr/

Elite FI Partners, a trusted partner for dealerships nationwide, is redefining how automotive finance training and support are delivered.  A team with decades of experience in the automotive industry, Elite FI Partners is committed to empowering dealerships with tailored solutions, cutting-edge tools, and ongoing support to navigate the complexities of an evolving market. Read the full article here: https://bizweekly.com/building-a-culture-that-drives-success-the-heart-of-elite-fi-partners/

In every dealership, the finance office serves as both a revenue generator and a customer touchpoint. The performance of finance managers directly impacts profitability, customer satisfaction and retention. Yet, the pay plans that guide these managers often lag behind the needs of today’s dealership. Too many are outdated, misaligned or overly complicated, leading to inconsistent results and missed opportunities. The key to solving this is alignment. When a finance manager’s compensation structure is directly tied to dealership goals, the result is consistent growth. These Behavioral Pay Plans because they are built to influence the behaviors that matter most. here: https://www.autosuccessonline.com/finance-manager-pay-plans/

The newly introduced Windshield Time Deep Dive brings a fresh dimension to F&I coaching. Built for professionals on the move, this module offers insightful, concise lessons that maximize drive time or in-between moments. It’s training that doesn’t just fit your schedule—it fuels it. From objection handling to mindset shifts, each deep dive sharpens the tools F&I professionals need to stay sharp, relevant, and impactful. Read the full article here: https://www.pr.com/press-release/942559

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At its core, F&I has never been about paperwork or products. It has always been about the person delivering the experience. A menu, a platform or a piece of software does not create trust. People do.

The mistake I see many virtual F&I models make is treating the role as transactional. Deals are routed through a system. Conversations are rushed. Products are presented without context. The result is exactly what dealers fear. A cold experience that feels disconnected from the dealership and disconnected from the customer.  Read the full article here:

https://www.autosuccessonline.com/human-side-of-virtual-fi/

The F&I office is no longer just about memorizing scripts and closing deals; it’s now the engine room of dealership growth, customer retention, and compliance. Across the country, a new approach is gaining traction. One that prioritizes dynamic training, real-time coaching, and product strategies tailored to the fast-paced realities of today’s showrooms and service drives. Read the full store here:  https://ibjournal.net/fi-training-enters-a-new-era-from-word-tracks-to-real-world-impact/

Elite FI Partners Expands to New Markets and Strengthens Industry Impact

Elite FI Partners is expanding its reach, forming new partnerships with dealerships in key markets, including Detroit, Phoenix, and Chicago. This growth reflects the increasing demand for its industry-leading approach to F&I training, which prioritizes a customized, compliance-driven process tailored to each dealership’s unique needs. Read the full article here: https://kvoa.marketminute.com/article/marketersmedia-2025-2-22-elite-fi-partners-announces-expansion-and-innovation-in-f-and-i-training-and-dealership-profitability

TUCSON, Ariz. - Arizonar -- TUCSON, AZ – Elite FI Partners and NextGen Virtual F&I have come together to deliver a groundbreaking solution that helps dealers increase profitability, strengthen compliance, and free up valuable time. Unlike broker-style services or remote support, NextGen functions as a true Virtual Finance Department fully integrated into the dealership's operations. Read the full article here: https://arizonar.com/aznews/elite-fi-partners-and-nextgen-virtual-fi-delivering-dealers-true-finance-department-upgrade-arizonar-10314570

(Isstories Editorial):- Tucson, Arizona Aug 20, 2025 (Issuewire.com) – Dealer reinsurance and profit-sharing programs have become essential tools for modern auto dealerships looking to boost F&I profitability and build long-term wealth. By participating in automotive reinsurance – essentially owning or co-owning the underwriting of F&I products – dealers can recapture profits that would otherwise go to third-party insurers. These programs not only improve the bottom line but also deliver significant tax advantages, compliance benefits, and scalable wealth-building opportunities. Read the full article here: https://www.isstories.com/2025/08/21/elite-fi-partners-helps-dealers-unlock-profits-with-customized-reinsurance-profit-sharing-programs/