BMW Financial Services Extends Flexible Payment Options to Those Impacted by Hurricane Ike

More than 14,000 customers of BMW Financial Services of North America in Texas and Louisiana may be eligible for flexible payment options following the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike.

"We know that customers living in the path of Hurricane Ike may have extensive damage to their homes and personal property. We don't want them to worry about making timely lease or loan payments at a time when their focus is recovering from this natural disaster," said Ed Robinson, President and CEO of BMW Financial Services, Americas Region. "We are able to work with each and every customer individually to arrive at a suitable payment schedule."

Customers whose accounts are in good standing are encouraged to contact our customer service center at 1-800-578-5000 to discuss a payment option appropriate to their specific circumstances.

BMW Group Financial Services was established in the U.S. in 1992 to support the sales and marketing efforts of BMW of North America. Since then, the group has expanded to provide service to markets in multiple countries and continues to evolve beyond its role as a captive finance unit.

BMW Group Financial Services offers a wide range of leasing, retail and commercial financing and banking products tailored to meet the needs of the BMW customer. The group also provides financing to BMW dealers for expanding dealership capabilities and enhancing overall operations. With more than $28 billion in serviced assets and 700,000 automotive lending customers, BMW Group Financial Services finances about half of the BMWs sold or leased in the United States. BMW Group Financial Services employs nearly 1,000 people, including consultants and temporary workers, most of whom are located in the Hilliard, Ohio Customer Service Center.

In 2001, the MINI Financial Services division was established to provide support for the brand's dealer and customer networks by offering various financing and leasing options. Alphera Financial Services was established in 2006 to provide financial services to dealers who are not part of the BMW and MINI networks.

BMW Group Financial Services also offers credit card products through its subsidiary, the BMW Bank of North America. up2drive.com is a division of BMW Bank of North America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW Financial Services NA, LLC. BMW Insurance Agency, Inc., a property and casualty producer, is also part of BMW Group Financial Services.

Source: BMW