Media coverage & industry recognition

Elite FI Partners in the news.

We're proud of the work we're doing at Elite FI Partners. This is where we share featured articles and stories that reflect our mission to help dealers nationwide grow, improve performance, and achieve better results. From innovative training approaches to forward-thinking F&I solutions, these pieces highlight the impact we're making and the partnerships we're building across the country.

Coverage

In the press.

AutoSuccess MagazineJanuary 2026

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

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 — 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.

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AutoSuccess — Executive Spotlight2025

From Retro to Reinsurance: How Elite FI Grows Dealership Profit

Host Brian Ankney sits down with Michael Aufmuth 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 — before moving from simple retro programs into true profit-sharing and reinsurance structures.

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AutoSuccess2025

Aligning F&I Pay Plans With Dealership Goals

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. The key to solving this is alignment — Behavioral Pay Plans built to influence the behaviors that matter most.

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AutoSuccess2026

The Human Side of Virtual F&I: Why Education, Trust, and Training Matter More Than Location

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 many virtual F&I models make is treating the role as transactional, rushing conversations and presenting products without context.

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Women's Insider2025

Emilia Aufmuth Champions a Culture of Excellence at Elite FI Partners

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, assembling a team of professionals who have not only worked in the business but excelled in it.

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CEO Times2025

Elite FI Partners Promotes Rob Varney to Vice President as Demand for Real-World F&I Solutions Grows

Elite FI Partners has announced the promotion of Rob Varney to Vice President, marking 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 from sales consultant to respected finance leader is a testament to his dedication and belief in transforming the way dealerships engage with F&I processes.

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Wisconsin Eagle2025

Elite FI Partners Helps Dealers Unlock Maximum Profits With Customized Profit Sharing Programs

Elite FI Partners is helping automotive dealers unlock higher profits with tailored profit-sharing programs, including a complimentary review featuring a side-by-side comparison of a dealer's current reinsurance program versus the structures Elite FI Partners can design — forecasting both the difference in administrative costs and the premium the dealer could receive.

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BizWeekly2025

Redefining F&I: Our Perspective on Building a True Solution for Dealers

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. Elite FI Partners was built to close the gaps and give dealers a system that redefines what success in F&I looks like.

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BizWeekly2025

Building A Culture That Drives Success: The Heart Of Elite FI Partners

Elite FI Partners, a trusted partner for dealerships nationwide, is redefining how automotive finance training and support are delivered. Committed to empowering dealerships with tailored solutions, cutting-edge tools, and ongoing support to navigate the complexities of an evolving market.

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PR.com2025

Elite FI Partners Redefines F&I Coaching with Adaptive Training and New "Windshield Time Deep Dive"

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 — 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.

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IB Journal2025

F&I Training Enters a New Era: From Word Tracks to Real-World Impact

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.

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KVOA / MarketMinuteFebruary 2025

Elite FI Partners Announces Expansion and Innovation in F&I Training and Dealership Profitability

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.

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Arizonar2025

Elite FI Partners and NextGen Virtual F&I – Delivering Dealers a True Finance Department Upgrade

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.

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IssStoriesAugust 2025

Elite FI Partners Helps Dealers Unlock Profits With Customized Reinsurance and Profit-Sharing Programs

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, while gaining significant tax advantages and scalable wealth-building opportunities.

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Executive bios

Leadership profiles and headshots available on the About page.

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Speaking engagements

Michael and Emilia are available for keynotes and panels.

Topics include dealer reinsurance, F&I training models, virtual F&I, and the future of automotive retail. Reach out to discuss availability.