agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

SMART Payment Plan Receives Dealers’ Choice Award

2 min to read


Austin, Texas — SMART Payment Plan, a financial technology firm specializing in consumer bill payments, received the Diamond Award for outstanding customer support, service and value in the ninth annual Auto Dealer Monthly Dealers’ Choice Awards.


The award, presented in the Bi-Weekly Payment category, was officially announced in the magazine’s April issue.

Ad Loading...


“For 10 years, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of customers simplify their lives, ease budgeting, improve cash flow, payoff loans faster, and save money,” said David Engelman, CEO of SMART Payment Plan. “We are excited that Auto Dealer Monthly has recognized us as a market leader for our ability to help dealers sell more vehicles and create happier repeat customers who return faster and in better equity positions.”


SMART Payment Plan has simplified the bill-paying process by automatically deducting smaller bill and loan payments from a customer’s bank account on a schedule that coincides with their pay schedule. By making smaller and more frequent payments, customers are able to pay off debt faster and save money by reducing the amount of interest they are charged. SMART Payment Plan works to pay down automobile loans, boat and student loans, as well as home mortgages, credit cards and other types of debt, Engelman said.


The Diamond Dealers’ Choice Award is presented annually to the automotive industry’s highest rated vendors, suppliers and financial companies based upon their products or services, customer service, their overall value, and on whether auto dealers would recommend their product or service to customers or other dealers.


Three awards are given in each category: Diamond, the highest, Platinum and Gold. To win, dealership personnel who have first-hand knowledge and experience with a nominee must rate them among the top three highest performing companies in each category.

More Industry

Photo of two men in suit jackets shaking hands next to new car inside of a dealership
IndustryApril 23, 2026

A New Consumer Culture in the Auto Dealership

Dealers should aim to build a positive work environment, helping employees execute an efficient experience, from their online research to the final delivery of the vehicle.

Read More →
Closeup of the side of an Audi car
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 23, 2026

New-Vehicle Sales Down

A cloudy April forecast was expected due to last April’s sales surge in anticipation of U.S. trade tariff-inflated prices. Meanwhile, automakers pumped up incentives to address today’s consumer wallet woes.

Read More →
Photo of Cadillac Lyriq SUV on road with partly cloudy sky in background
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 16, 2026

Used Autos Selling for More

A recent price spike due to several larger market forces, though it hasn’t dulled demand, is pushing more consumers to efficient models to squeeze in buys.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of facade of Waldorf Toyota car dealership
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 16, 2026

Maryland Auto Group Sells

A group out West picked up the major D.C.-area collection, putting it in the upper tiers of private automotive groups in the U.S.

Read More →
Line graphic showing Cox Automotive's March Credit Availability Index status
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 13, 2026

Auto Lending Opens Up in March

Lenders loosened access for subprime borrowers, and consumers with negative equity reached a record high, Cox Automotive reported.

Read More →
electric vehicle next to an urban charging station. EV Demand Diverges. F&I and Showroom logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 10, 2026

EV Interest Varies Regionally

U.S. consumer interest in electric vehicles lags behind other countries despite the rising gas prices caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of the rear of a Mercedes GLC 400 electric SUV with a skyline in the background
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 10, 2026

Brands Weighed on Projected Recalls

Research reveals the brands and models most likely to have higher recall rates over their lifetimes. While some brands rank high, addressing safety issues can be a selling point.

Read More →
Photo of white 2026 Ford Bronco on a sandy beach
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 10, 2026

March New-Vehicle Sales Don’t Reflect War

Cox Automotive data shows Americans doubled down on big-is-better despite price increases. Slightly higher incentives helped fuel the demand.

Read More →
Photo of several cars on lifts in a service center
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 9, 2026

Franchised Dealers Stand to Gain Service Business

Cox Automotive research shows both the opportunities and the challenges in turning consumers’ growing affordability needs into increased fixed-operations revenue.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of office desk with open laptop on it and an empty chair next to it
IndustryApril 9, 2026

What Matters Most in Building Your Agency

The partner you choose for growth and expansion is key, because better is the ultimate goal instead of growth for growth’s sake.

Read More →