The Consumer Bankers Association asked Georgine Muntz, chief operating officer of defi SOLUTIONS, to be a presenter during its annual conference earlier this spring. After gathering key points from other experts who shared presentations at CBA’s event, too, Muntz decided to offer a bonus.

Along with giving another opportunity to download her presentation titled, “Driven to Digitize,” Muntz assembled a list of 10 elements she believes the “smartest” finance companies and dealers will need to do to remain relevant going forward.

Her recommendations for finance companies mentioned:

—Automate: Get rid of paper processes wherever possible.

—Digitize and mobilize: Organize your entire leadership team behind a digital mobile strategy.

—Collaborate: Seek the best solution, whether from inside or outside of your organization.

—Excise excuses: Don’t hide behind fears of compliance and technology. Start changing now.

—The future is now: Alternate currencies and virtual reality are current realities so we should prepare for changes in our markets.

Muntz continued her list by articulating five more ideas aimed at dealers in particular, including:

—Embrace the Gen Y way: No hassles. No pressure. You want to sell more than they want to buy.

—Be smarter: Make it all happen in a flash and on a smart device.

—Modify ownership models: Multi-ownership, car sharing. Think Zipcar or spot use of cars on lots.

—Virtualize experiences: Create virtual shopping, virtual car design, and virtual test drive experiences.

—Create brand loyalty: From purchase to service, make yours an experience buyers must have.

“I’m often accused of being in a hurry, or thinking about ten paces ahead of the pack, but I believe inevitable change is arriving like a spring thunderstorm. Whether you’re ready for it or not, you’re going to have to deal with it,” Muntz wrote in a blog post on defi SOLUTIONS’ website.

“My heart, my work, my life is all tied up in the vehicle finance industry, its people, products, opportunity, and I see myself and my energies as a catalyst for firming up a technology foundation that is going to serve these next generations well into the future,” she continued.

“Lender or dealer, if you want to win big or even remain in the lending game for the long run, it’s time to spring into action,” Muntz went on to say. “Doing nothing isn’t an option.”