The Road to Dealership Ownership: Insider Tips From Jason Lumpkin and Connor Duncan of Live Oak Bank

On this episode, we’re joined by Jason Lumpkin, Senior Vice President of Auto Dealerships, and Connor Duncan, Vice President of Auto Dealerships at Live Oak Bank — leaders in dealership financing. Jason and Connor share their expertise in SBA loans, floor plan lending, and how their tailored financing solutions help both aspiring and established dealers achieve their business goals.Key Takeaways:(03:47) Live Oak Bank is the largest SBA lender, with $350M funded in dealership loans.(06:27) Education is critical to making SBA loans accessible in the franchise automotive space.(11:58) Live Oak focuses on income statements, not just balance sheets, for financing decisions.(14:25) OEM flexibility on debt-to-equity requirements varies; some brands allow exceptions for the right operator and store.(21:22) SBA loans provide 10- to 25-year terms and up to 90% leverage, easing cash flow concerns.(25:42)  Floor plan lenders often require significant equity injections, adding challenges to smaller deals and new buyers.(30:32) Floor plan lending has become a significant challenge, requiring early focus in deal planning.(34:17) Projection-based deals can unlock underperforming stores with significant growth potential.(44:12) First-time buyers benefit from building a strong support team, including brokers and attorneys.(49:15) Discipline and defining a clear buy box are crucial for dealership acquisition success.Additional Resources:Driving Performance | Websitehttps://performancebrokerageservices.com/driving-performance-podcast/Performance Brokerage Services | Websitehttps://performancebrokerageservices.com/Performance Brokerage Services | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/performance-brokerage-servicesJason Lumpkin | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lumpkin-571bb218/Connor Duncan | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/connorduncan/Live Oak Bank | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/live-oak-bank/Live Oak Bank | Websitehttps://www.liveoakbank.comSBA Loan Programhttps://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loansNational Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loansThanks for listening to “Driving Performance.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.#AutomotiveDealershipBrokers #CarDealership #AutomotiveIndustry